Msged 4.10; FidoNet Sysop Message Reader/Editor

Msged is a message reader/editor for FidoNet sysops that operates under
16-bit and 32-bit DOS, 32-bit OS/2 and Windows 95/NT.  More limited
versions of Msged also operate under AmigaDOS and Linux.  Msged supports
*.MSG (FTS-1), QuickBBS (Hudson) and Squish message bases.


COPYRIGHT

All of the source code in the Msged package is public domain, however
Squish message base support requires the use of the "MSGAPI" library,
which is copyright Scott J. Dudley.  The MSGAPI is (in most cases)
directly linked into the executable.  Use of the MSGAPI library is
restricted to the requirements of the MSGAPI Licence Agreement.


TRADEMARKS

Squish, SquishMail and Maximus are trademarks of Scott J. Dudley.


EVOLUTION

The original Msged (known as "msged") was written by Jim Nutt and
released to the public domain.  It worked on *.MSG and QuickBBS
messagebases, at least by version 2.00, under 16-bit DOS and 16-bit OS/2.
The last version Jim released was msged 2.08 for DOS, and msged 2.06 for
OS/2.

Msged/SQ was later created by John Dennis.  John originally copyrighted
all of his modifications, but later went on to release them to the public
domain. Msged/SQ worked under 16-bit DOS and 16-bit OS/2.  The last
release from John was Msged/SQ 2.2e, after which he explicitly said he
was no longer interested in maintaining it.  The source was released in
an archive named MSQ22SRC.LZH.

Some time later Msged/SQ 2.2e was modified to operate with *.MSG and
Squish message bases under 16-bit DOS and 32-bit OS/2.  He also provided
a number of bug fixes and enhancements.  The first version of Msged/SQ
released by Paul was 3.00.  The last version released was Msged/SQ 3.35.

The "Msged" name was then retaken, starting with version 4.00.  Msged
4.00 contained a number of user interface enhancements (courtesy Andrew
Clarke). Support for QuickBBS message bases made its return thanks to
Paul Edwards, who folded in the original code from msged 2.08.  A number
of other minor features and bug fixes were also included.

The current version of Msged is 4.10.  Version 4.10 is the first version
of Msged since Andrew Clarke took over Msged distribution from Paul
Edwards in September 1996.


DOCUMENTATION

See MSGED.DOC for the documentation.  At this stage the documentation is
not current.  This may be rectified in a future release of Msged.
Volunteer authors welcome.


FILES

The following files are included in the Msged package:

*.ASM         Assembler source files
*.C           C source files
*.H           C source files
DOS4GW.EXE    DOS/4GW Protected Mode Run-time Module
MAKEFILE.*    Makefiles for recompiling Msged
MSGAPINT.DLL  Squish MSGAPI dynamic link library for Windows NT
MSGED.CFG     Sample Msged configuration file
MSGED.DOC     Msged documentation (out of date)
MSGED.EXE     Msged executable for 16-bit DOS
MSGED.ICO     Msged icon for OS/2
MSGED.TPL     Sample Msged template file
MSGED32.EXE   Msged executable for 32-bit DOS
MSGEDP.EXE    Msged executable for 32-bit OS/2
MSGEDW.ICO    Msged icon for Windows
MSGEDW32.EXE  Msged executable for Windows 95 & Windows NT
MSGHELP.DAT   Msged help file
MSGHELP.SRC   Msged help file source
PMWSETUP.EXE  PMODE/W Setup Utility v1.23
README.TXT    This file
WHATSNEW.TXT  A list of bug fixes and new features since Msged 4.00


SHIPPED EXECUTABLES

The 16-bit DOS version of Msged, MSGED.EXE, has been compiled using
Borland C++ 3.1 with full optimization enabled.

The 32-bit DOS version of Msged, MSGED32.EXE, has been compiled using
WATCOM C/C++ 10.0 with full optimization disabled, and linked with the
PMODE/W DOS Extender.  If you would rather use the Rational Systems
DOS4GW DOS Extender, which allows you to use disk space as virtual memory
if you run out of physical memory, then put DOS4GW.EXE in your path,
opitionally set DOS4G=QUIET in your environment (eg. AUTOEXEC.BAT), and
run Msged using the command line "dos4gw msged32".  Full optimisation
was disabled to to corrupted screen writes when the main area selection
screen is displayed, and the distributor does not have time to
investigate the cause.

The 32-bit OS/2 version of Msged, MSGEDP.EXE, has been compiled using
MetaWare High C++ 3.2 with full optimization enabled.

The Windows 95/NT version Msged, MSGEDW32.EXE, has been compiled using
WATCOM C/C++ 10.0 with full optimisation enabled, and dynamically linked
with MSGAPINT.DLL, the Squish MSGAPI dynamic link library.  The copy of
MSGAPINT.DLL included in the Msged package is identical to that shipped
with the beta version of Maximus for Windows NT 3.01.


INSTALLATION

Copy the required executable(s), MSGED.CFG, MSGED.TPL and the appropriate
color scheme configuration file (SCHEME.*) to a directory on your system.
Edit the sample configuration files to suit your configuration, then
execute Msged.  The configuration files should be relatively self-
explanatory, however if you need help refer to MSGED.DOC (or failing
that, post a message in the MSGED_ECHO conference).


SUPPORTED COMPILERS

The following makefiles can be used to compile this release of Msged:

Makefile       Compiler
------------   -------------------------------------------
MAKEFILE.BCD   Borland C++ for 16-bit DOS 3.1
MAKEFILE.BCO   Borland C++ for 32-bit OS/2 1.0
MAKEFILE.EMO   GNU C for 32-bit OS/2 2.7.x (EMX 0.9)
MAKEFILE.HCO   MetaWare High C for 32-bit OS/2 3.2
MAKEFILE.LNX   GNU C for Linux 2.7.x
MAKEFILE.QCD   Microsoft QuickC for DOS 2.5
MAKEFILE.WCD   WATCOM C/C++ for 16-bit DOS 10.x
MAKEFILE.WCO   WATCOM C/C++ for 32-bit OS/2 10.x
MAKEFILE.WCW   WATCOM C/C++ for Windows NT 10.x
MAKEFILE.WCX   WATCOM C/C++ for 32-bit DOS 10.x

Notes:

(1) The Linux makefile must be in UNIX text file format (linefeeds
    only; no carriage returns).

(2) The Microsoft QuickC makefile requires the Borland Turbo Assembler,
    TASM.  The Microsoft Assembler, MASM, may be used in place of TASM,
    however the distributor does not have MASM and is unable to confirm
    this.


RECOMPILING

In order to recompile the Msged source code, one of the above compilers
are required.  (It may be possible to use a different compiler, however
some work may be required and you will need to write your own makefile.)
If you intend to include support for Squish message bases in your
executable you must obtain the SMAPI package.  Previously known as
MSGAPI38, SMAPI is a modified version of Scott Dudley's original MSGAPI
which support compilation on a number of other platforms in addition to
those supported by MSGAPI0.  You may be able to use MSGAPI38 in place of
SMAPI, however it is not recommended.

Copy the Msged source code into a directory on your system, eg.
\CSOURCE\MSGED\.  If you require Squish message base support you should
copy the SMAPI source code into a directory on your system, eg.
\CSOURCE\SMAPI\ and (except for Windows NT users) compile it.  See the
SMAPI README.TXT for more information.  Now, select the appropriate Msged
makefile and view it to ensure it suits (and optionally edit it to suit)
your requirements.  Then run make.

Notes:

(1) The Microsoft QuickC version of Msged does not link properly.  The
    distributor recalls a "Too many segments" message from the linker but
    does not have sufficient time to investigate the cause of the
    problem.

(2) The EMX 0.9c version of Msged links properly but when executed
    crashes with a segment violation error either during or after the
    Msged configuration files are read.  The distributor has not had time
    to investigate the cause of this problem.


SUPPORT

You can reach the current distributor of Msged, Andrew Clarke, at FidoNet
3:635/728.4, in the FidoNet MSGED_ECHO (Msged Support) conference, or via
Internet e-mail at randy@zws.com.

Please send any changes, bug reports or fixes to Andrew via the above
channels.  When sending code changes, context diffs in UNIX diff format
are prefered.  Please include an explicit public domain notice in your
code.


PORTING

If you are currently porting, or wish to port, Msged to other compiler
suites or operating platforms, you may wish to contact Andrew via the
above channels.


OBTAINING MSGED, SMAPI and PMODE/W

The latest releases of Msged and SMAPI are available for file request
(FREQ) from FidoNet node 3:635/728.  They can also be downloaded from
Internet site ftp.microdot.com.au from the /pub/msged/ directory.

The archive name for Msged release 4.2 will be named MSGED41x.ZIP, where
x is `D' (contains 16-bit DOS executable); `M' (contains documentation
and sample configuration files); `O' (contains 32-bit OS/2 executable);
`S' (contains the Msged source code); `W' (contains Windows NT
executable); and `X' (contains 32-bit DOS executable and support files).

The archive name for SMAPI release 1.2 will be named SMAPI12.ZIP, and so
on.

PMODE/W is available for file request from FidoNet node 3:635/728.  It
can also be downloaded from Internet site ftp.microdot.com.au from the
/pub/msged/ directory.  As of time of writing, the lastest version of
PMODE/W is 1.23; the archive name is PMW123.ZIP.


OTHER VERSIONS

There are other versions of Msged floating around, supported by different
people.  Make sure that if you are reporting a bug with this distribution
of Msged that you really are using this distribution!  Execute Msged with
the -i command-line switch if you are not sure.  Please contact other
distributors if you require support for their version of Msged.


HISTORY

Version   Details
-------   -------------------------------------------
2.00      `msged'; Jim Nutt's version that Msged/SQ was cloned off
2.2e      John Dennis' last release of Msged/SQ
3.04      Paul Edwards' first widely-distributed version, including
          revamped documentation from Bill Grimsley.
3.05      Bug fixes to Msged/SQ 3.04
3.10      Many random changes and many bug fixes
3.20      Quite a lot of bug fixes combined with the major philosophical
          change of making the area front-focus.
3.30      Many modifcations by Kieran Haughey, including personal mail
          scanner, and file name displayed when importing files.  Random
          bug fixes added.  SPAWN.ASM now compiles with the WATCOM
          assembler, WASM, thanks to Matthew Parker.
3.35      Contributions from David Begley, Bill Bond, Matthew Parker
          and Andrew Clarke.  Both enhancements and bug fixes, but not
          major enough to go up by a complete .1.
4.00      Amiga and Linux ports, support of QuickBBS messagebase, support
          of a straight C compile for DOS, enabling a Pacific C port,
          32-bit DOS-extended version and many other enhancements and bug
          fixes.  And a name change too!
4.10+     Many more bug fixes and new features.  Refer to WHATSNEW.TXT
          for a detailed list of changes since Msged 4.00.


CREDITS

The following people have assisted Msged development throughout the
years.  We are most thankful for their input.

(listed in alphabetical order)

Ray Barker (United Kingdom)
David Begley (Sydney, Australia)
Bill Bond (United States)
Andrew Clarke (Melbourne, Australia)
John Dennis (Perth, Australia)
Paul Edwards (Sydney, Australia)
Bill Grimsley (Sydney, Australia)
Kieran Haughey (Sydney, Australia)
Aleksandar Ivanisevic (Zagreb, Croatia)
Jim Nutt (North America)
Matthew Parker (Sydney, Australia)

Indirect thanks to Scott Dudley for the use of the MSGAPI library. 
Additional thanks to Chris Maddock (Brisbane, Australia), Rowan Crowe
(Melbourne, Australia) and Bob Juge (Texas, United States) for their
support, as well as the many Msged users out there in FidoNet and beyond.
