                        Silver Xpress Mail System
                       Version 2.27R1 for RBBS 17.3

   Welcome to the Silver Xpress Mail System!  Silver Xpress is a premiere
   BBS off-line  mail system designed with valuable features for both the
   users and the sysops.
   
   The Silver  Xpress system has two primary functions, one for users and
   one for sysops:
   
     1) Users can  take their  time handling mail off-line, which reduces
        their telephone  charges and allows them to create higher quality
        mail.   Users can dial into thousands of BBS systems of different
        types and use the same Silver Xpress system.
   
     2) Sysops can  increase their  user base  since thousands  of Silver
        Xpress users  on various  bulletin board  systems already  exist.
        Xpress also  increases board  turnover rate  and produces  higher
        quality  messages   from  users   since  user   connect  time  is
        drastically reduced.   In  addition, sysops  can enjoy  the  same
        benefits as the user by using the reader off-line.
   
   Silver Xpress  is  supported  on  Opus,  Fido,  QBBS,  Remote  Access,
   Maximus, RBBS, and soon PCBoard.  Development is in progress for other
   popular BBS's.
   
   Xpress  differentiates  itself from  other off-line  mail systems with
   advanced features such as a facsimile interface which  allows users to
   send  FAX mail  to  any FAX machine in  the world, intelligent quoting
   mechanism,  "smart"  mail  compression   detection,  addressee  lists,
   file  folders, text  video graphics,  music, windows, file requesting,
   and much more.  But most important from a sysop standpoint is  that it
   "directly  interfaces with  the BBS".   No  packers,  unpackers,  mail
   tossers are required.

   Xpress is  used in over  1500 bbs  around the world.  It is by far the
   most popular and most installed off-line mail system.

   Install  Xpress and  see  why we were  written up  by John  Dvorak  in
   Shareware Magazine,  Dave Hakala  in BoardWatch  Magazine, and  why we
   received countless letters  from satisfied  users and customers.

   For a limited time,  Santronics Software is  offering the sysop a free
   copy of  the Xpress  door program,  not  the reader.  See the order or
   registration form.  Or you  can order Xpress  and get your name on our
   mailing list for upgrades and voice support.  We offer quality service
   and full time support. We also have two FidoNet Xpress support echos:


   FidoNet Xpress Support echos found on the FidoNet backbone

   TAG NAMES     DESCRIPTION
   ---------     -----------

   OPUS_XPRESS   Silver Xpress User Support  Echo.  Don't let the word
                 OPUS scare you away. It should had been called XPRESS
                 USER  but that is how it  originally started out with
                 OPUS. This echo  is designed  for all users/sysops of
                 Xpress.

   XPRESS_SYSOP  Silver Xpress Sysop Support Echo.  This area  is for
                 sysops only.  Topics include setup problems, feature
                 design new or old, security issues, etc.  Things the
                 user need not know about.


   The package contains:

    $README      - This File.
    ORDER.FRM    - Shareware Order Form for Xpress.

    XPMAIL.EXE   - Xpress V2.27R1 Mail (door side) program
    XPUSER.EXE   - Xpress V2.27R1 user maintenance program
    XPCFG.EXE    - Xpress V2.27R1.01 configuration program.

    XPMAIL.DOC   - Complete Sysop Documentation

    FLEX.HLP     - on-line help files
    XPMAIL.HLP   - on-line help files
    CONFIG.HLP   - on-line help files
    XPCFG.HLP    - on-line help files
    AREAS.HLP    - on-line help files

    XPSHELL.BAT  - Batch file for Exit to DOS (sysop feature)

    DEF-XP.BAT   - Direct communication setup for running Xpress.
    HST-XP.BAT   - Fossil communication setup for running Xpress.
    DEF-SEND.BAT - Direct communication SEND mail batch bat
    HST-SEND.BAT - Fossil communication SEND mail batch bat
    DEF-REC.BAT  - Direct communication RECEIVE mail batch bat
    HST-REC.BAT  - Fossil communication RECEIVE mail batch bat
    COMPRESS.BAT - Mail Compression batch file.
    EXPAND.BAT   - Mail Expansion batch file.

    WELCOME      - Initial Welcome Screen
    WELCOMEG     - Ansi version of welcome screen.
    DOORNEWS     - Xpress news shown to user
    NEWUSER      - New user info file.
    BADXPRV      - shown to user when he is using wrong reader.
    EXITFILE     - shown to user when he exits Xpress.

    HELLO.BSV    - Sample bloadable Welcome file displayed
                   at the reader.
    RDRNEWS      - Sample reader news file displayed at
                   the reader.

    AREAS.DEF    - Sample Message Areas Definition file for Xpress.


   ** Quick Installation **  (If you have trouble, RTFM)

   (0)  Read Step 6 first.

   (1)  Create Directories.  Make Xpress Directory.

         mkdir \xpress                ! Make Xpress directory
         copy sxXXXXX.zip \xpress     ! copy the zip file
         cd    \xpress                ! change to the xpress directory, and
         pkunzip sxXXXXX              ! unzip the file.

       if you use a HST or any 9600 or greater communication modem, type

         copy HST-SEND.BAT SENDOPX.BAT
         copy HST-REC.BAT  RECREP.BAT
         copy HST-XP.BAT   XPRESS.BAT

       if you don't use an HST or high speed modem, then type instead

         copy DEF-SEND.BAT SENDOPX.BAT
         copy DEF-REC.BAT  RECREP.BAT
         copy DEF-XP.BAT   XPRESS.BAT

        Now delete some files.

         erase HST*.BAT
         erase DEF*.BAT


   (2)  Copy the XPRESS.BAT file to your \RBBS directory. This is your
        DOOR batch file. Make your RBBS.BAT file call this batch file
        like all your other doors.  Read your RBBS Door interface
        documentation.  Modify Xpress.bat and make CHANGES back to
        your RBBS directory when it is done.

        Don't forget to add the XPRESS option to your DOORS menu.

        If you have an HST or allow for 9600 or greater connections,
        then it is recommended Xpress uses the fossil for
        communications. By default, the hst version of XPRESS.BAT use
        a locked baud rate of 19200. Change it to the appropiate
        locked baud rate if need be.

        It is RECOMMENDED you do not run Xpress as a SPAWNED process
        due to LACK of memory.  If you do, you will need the optional
        XPSUB226.ZIP. (See Docs)

   (3)  Create or modify the the sample AREAS.DEF file. This file is
        the most important file for your Xpress setup. It is well
        commented. Understanding this file is the key to your
        successful Xpress setup.


   (4)  Now run XPCFG, and answer the questions.  XPCFG will analyze
        AREAS.DEF. IF there is a major problem, it will tell you so.

   (5)  Where is your DSZ, PKZIP and like programs? You must have
        DSZ or some other file transfer program(s). You must have
        PKZIP or some other archiver system(s).  By default, XPCFG
        will setup your Xpress menus with DSZ XYZ modem options,
        and PKZIP options.

        Are they on the path? Xpress needs them. Make sure they are on
        the path. If you put them in this \XPRESS directory, then
        \XPRESS must be on the path.

   (6)  If you successfully define AREAS.DEF and compiled it correctly
        with XPCFG.EXE and followed the exact steps outlined above,
        you should have Xpress up and running in no time.

        You will probably be tweaking AREAS.DEF alot to get it correct
        so we suggest that you only define a few message areas to get
        Xpress running first. This will allow you to get an
        understanding of the Xpress system and it's mode of operation.
        You can come back later to AREAS.DEF and get your system fully
        configured.

        We apologize if you have difficulty getting started. Designing
        RBBS Xpress was our toughest assignment of all the Xpress
        systems. This is only because RBBS is a powerful and flexible
        BBS system with many options. Since Xpress is designed to
        interface as much as possible with the BBS, it made it more
        difficult to get catch all the variables of the RBBS system.

        All other BBS Xpress systems has message areas automatically
        configured by xpcfg.exe. However, due to the dynamics to the
        RBBS config files. It was felt that AREAS.DEF was necessary
        for the time being. We prefer automatic configuration. When
        RBBS config files becomes stable once again, we will
        incorporate area maintenance back into XPCFG where it belongs.

        Good Luck, and we thank you for your interest in Xpress. We
        hope you like and enjoy it. We know your users will.  Grow
        will Xpress!

        Please register your version to help support the product.
