                   POST ROAD NEWS READER BETA


README for Release 1.01F Beta (prnr101f.zip)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The help file is preliminary.  It is being completely re-written and should
be available by mid-March.  If you have specific ideas for the help file
send a note to postsvc@ibm.net to the attention of Bruce Borg.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Obtaining program zip file
 --------------------------
 
          ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/incoming/prnr101f.zip
   or     ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/os2/demos/prnr101f.zip
   or     http://www.tiac.net/innoval/prnr101f.zip
 
  Please read the following document completely.  You must have a licensed
  copy of the Post Road Mailer installed prior to January 31, 1996, or have
  placed a pre-release order for the News Reader to run this BETA with full
  functional capabilities.  You can, however, preview this BETA.

  You can obtain a full function demonstration copy of the supported release
  of the Post Road Mailer (Release 1.03A) by downloading post103a.zip from
  Hobbes or the InnoVal Code Center.  See note at bottom of this file on how
  to obtain a licensed copy of the Post Road Mailer.
 
          ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu/os2/demos/post103a.zip
   or     http://www.tiac.net/innoval/post103a.zip
  
 
 Short Instructions
 ------------------

 (1) Shut down the Post Road Mailer (any edition or version) and any prior
     copy of the Post Road News Reader.
 
 (2) Create a POSTNEWS directory if you have not already done so.
     
 (3) Unzip prnr101f.zip into the PostNews directory.
   
 (4) Create a desktop icon by dragging a program template to the desktop and
     editing in the name of the program {drive:\postnews\postnews.exe}
 
 (5) For this next step, you must be connected to the Internet.  Click on
     Help from the menu bar and then click on Release Information.  Download
     the file (URL = http://www.tiac.net/innoval/releasen.txt).  After the
     file has been downloaded, click on Transported Files.  You can drag the
     file to an editor or the WebExlorer to read it.  You can also create an
     association for any files with an extension of txt.
 
 (6) Send technical comments and questions to postsvc@ibm.net.  Please
     include the word BETA and the release number in the subject line.  Doing
     so will help the technical support group distribute the notes and help
     get responses out quicker.  Send only general correspondance to
     innoval@ibm.net.

 (7) Open the settings notebook for the application by clicking on File on
     the menu bar and then Settings. You must provide a settings for a news
     server, select a mail protocol for sending mail, and provide server
     information.

 (8) Please check all menu options early in your testing to determine their 
     meaning. Refer to Help as needed.

 
SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
----------------------------

The help file is preliminary.  It is being completely re-written and should
be available by mid-March.  If you have specific ideas for the help file
send a note to postsvc@ibm.net to the attention of Bruce Borg.
 
Most UUencoded files and MIME files are automatically detected and decoded
without any need to manually mark text.  Identically named files will not
overlay existing files.
 
You can swipe-mark URL style FTP references in an email note or news article
and retrieve the referenced file without the need of another FTP tool.
Simply click on Features on the menu bar and then Download after you have
swipe-marked a reference.  If you are connected to the Internet, the file
will be retrieved immediately.  If you are not connected you will be able to
stack requests until later when you reconnect.  Due to widespread
availability of web sites, many people and organizations are starting to use
web sites for general file distribution.  We have, therefore, also included
file retrieval via HTTP protocol.  A pop up window is provided to allow you
to correct URL formatting errors, and if necessary, to enter an ID and
password for FTP.
 
All attached (transported) files are placed in a reserved directory and
assigned a unique name.  This is true for MIME files, UUencoded files, and
files retrieved with FTP and HTTP references.  A container control, the
Transported Files Container has been implemented to allow you to see a list
of files that have been received.  It lists a unique temporary file name,
the intended file name if known, the sender, subject, file size and the
date.
 
You can drag files from the Transported Files Container to many OS/2
applications, to folders, and to the desktop.  You can also invoke most
applications by establishing file extension associations and dragging the
file to the association.  Associations work with most Windows and DOS
applications as well as with OS/2 applications.  You can also use the right
mouse button for save-as, deleting, editing if text, or unzipping a file.
 
The Transported Files Container menu bar includes an option for defining and
executing a virus scan.  For example, you can stipulate that you want to run
the following IBM antivirus program (available from Hobbes)
 
   IBMAVSP D:\POSTROAD\MYID\TRANFILE -ALLFILES -NLOG
 
Other virus programs can be used.  You can invoke the virus scan from the
menu bar for a particular file or for all transported files.

All 1995 and Jan, 1996, licensed customers of the Post Road Mailer will
receive a free copy of this news reader when it is finally released.
    
When viewing articles, you can toggle the view headers on and off with
Ctrl-H.
    
Please remember this is beta code and your input is very valuable to us.  As
bug reports and ideas are sent to us, we will compile a list of most items
for your information.  We will provide a special file which you can access
at any time by clicking on Help and selecting Product Information.  You can
also find out information about the latest release.  You must be connected
to the Internet to use this feature.  Please send all email to
postsvc@ibm.net with the word BETA and the release number in the subject
line.  For example BETA 101c.
    
If you wish to participate in this beta release we want to particularly
thank you for your help.  We believe that in working together we all benefit
together. 
 
Known Limitations
-----------------

Cross-posting exclusion/blocking (an option) has not been implemented in this
beta build. This should be available in the near future.

Some problems remain with ISO Latin-1 as they do with the mailer.

Please read the release information file for additional details. Click on
Help and then on Release Information while connected to the Internet.
 

Obtaining a licensed copy of the Post Road Mailer
-------------------------------------------------

Indelible Blue  1-800-776-8284  &  http://www.indelible-blue.com
InnoVal (914)835-3838           &  http://www.aescon.com/innoval
Egghead Software 1-800-EGGHEAD
Software House International (908)764-9393

Indelible Blue offers next day and second day shipping. InnoVal offers
electronic shipping for credit card orders.


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