                              ReadCIX      v4.0


An Offline message reader for CIX for the Psion Series 3a Pocket computer.

Sales.
######

 This product is Shareware.

If you find this product useful  please register it. Registration will remove the Nag screen and  provide the latest version, plus automatic upgrades. There is a 20 day evaluation period, after which the program  will only display the Nag screen.

To Register send a cheque for UKP12.00  to

     D.Keppler
     1 Field Close
     Beyton
     Bury St Edmunds
     Suffolk
     IP30 9AB

Or Register on Compuserve under SWREG Number 4515 for $25

Upgrading
##########

******** Please Note. Upgraders must delete the file \cix\message.num *******

For upgraders,any changes you have made to the supplied scripts will need to be reapplied to the new versions before they are  translated. You will need to delete the file \cix\message.num which stores details of messages sent from ReadCIX. This is necessary as the file structure has been changed.

The two main enhancements from version 3.62 are the ability to search for text in messages, the auto archiving of Scratchpads and the viewing of Resumes. Version 3.6x brought the ability to append new messages to an existing message file and the notification of replies to a message sent by ReadCIX. 

Introduction. 
#############
 It is important to remember the concept behind ReadCIX, it was never meant to be a full OLR such as Matrix or Telepathy or Ameol,the size limits imposed by the small memory would make this impossible. Not from any limitations of OPL or the Series 3 itself, more the problems of fitting a large message base into 2Mb of RAM. ReadCIX was created to cater for the times when you have not had time to read all the messages downloaded onto a desktop PC or while you are away and would like to keep up to date with messages and Mail.

There is no clever or complicated thread handling in ReadCIX, all it tries to do is either take a previously downloaded scratchpad or,  a scratchpad downloaded to the  Series3 automatically, and present the messages in a orderly  fashion and enable you to creat new messages and replies.

Installation.
#############
 You can install ReadCIX.opa and ReadMEN.opa  into any \app directory. You must create a \cix directory  on your m: drive and copy the reply.txt file from the zip file to it. You will need a \cix  directory for the scratchpad and message files. This can be on any drive.

 There are 12 Files included in the Zip file:

          ReadCIX.opa	           : The program itself, 
          ReadMen.opa                 : A further program module
                                                   Copy to any the \app directory on any drive                       
          ReadCIX.txt	           : This text file.
          Readall.scr 	           :
          Upload.scr 	           : The main ReadCIX scripts 
          Terminal.scr                   :
                                                     Copy to a \scr  directory on any drive
          CixMail.scr                     : Additional scripts
          Resume.scr                    : 
                                                     Copy to a \scr Directory on any drive
          Reply.txt   	           : Reply file
                                                   Copy to the \cix directory on the internal drive
          Finish,Mail,Welcome.wve: Sound files.
                                                   Copy to any \wve directory IF REQUIRED

           Psion-I will then install the program as described in the Psion manual.

 Operation.
 ##########
 General.

ReadCIX allows you to browse a set of messages downloaded from CIX, either by ReadCIX itself or transferred from another computer. It will arrange your messages into conferences, and you can pick which conferences to read. While viewing a message you may print the text or jot down notes or save a message. You can also reply to a message or create new mail and messages.

On first running the program you will be prompted for your CIX user name, this is used by ReadCIX to notify you of any replies to messages created by ReadCIX. This infomation is stored in a file called message.num in the \CIX directory on your default drive. The file stores infomation on messages sent from ReadCIX to enable the program to notify you when a reply to that message is received. Once the program has started,first set up the options in the configure and printer options under the special menu. The path names all need a trailing \ ie b:\cix\ . If you intend using the built in Comms functions then the correct connections to a modem must be made and the names file and scripts set up as described below. Once a scratchpad has been downloaded use the post option to create the individual message files for reading.

If space is limited on the Series 3 the scratchpad can be posted from a remote drive using the serial link.

Here is a description of the menu options.

Files. 
==============

Read
-----------.
Select a conference to read. 

Delete.
---------
Deletes one or all the message files. It is best to use this option for deleting message files rather than the system screen as the message pointers are reset.

Read Resume
---------------------
Select a previously downloaded resume for reading. The Script Resume can be used to log on and retrive a resume, the script prompts for a user name and logs on and downloads the resume to a file called resume.txt. ReadCIX will then prompt for a new unique name and store the resume in \cix\resume\ on your default drive.

Delete Resume
-----------------------
Deletes one or all downloaded resumes.


 Exit.
---------
Return to the system screen.

Connect
======

Full connect
-----------------
This  will run the supplied script Readall. This will upload any replies and download any new messages.

Just upload replies 
-----------------------------
This will run the supplied script Upload which will just upload any replies.

*******Notes

ReadCIX will look for these scripts in the path defind in the configure option for main scripts.

Run Script 
----------------
This will run a user supplied script. ReadCIX will look in the directory defind in the  setting in the Configure option for additional scripts. The following are supplied.

CixMail			Just uploades any replies stored and downloads any waiting Mail
Resume		Will prompt for a user name and logon and retrive the resume

Terminal
-------------
Allows you to start up the built in Comms app, with optionaly logging on to CIX and staying online.

***** Notes.

Read CIX uses the Standard Series3 Comms application to connect to CIX, therefore there are a few things to setup outside ReadCIX before it can be used. The Comms and Script application must be installed and the serial link connected to a modem with the correct cables. You must have followed the instructions in the serial link manual for connecting to CIX including creating a Names file with the names cixuser,cixpassword and cixnumber names if you intend to use the supplied scripts. ReadCIX will look for these names in the currently loaded Names file so the names can be added to any names file such as the one supplied with the ReadCIS Program available on Compuserve and CIX if that is installed on you Psion. 

Finally, a script needs to be created and translated. Three main scripts are supplied with ReadCIX one to Connect and upload and download messages  one to just upload messages and a terminal script. The source is supplies to allow customising to suit your own modem and needs.  ReadCIX supports the Psion 3FAX Modem although the supplied scripts will need changing to suit individual Modems. Currently The Readall script downloads the scratchpad to the \cix directory on the drive set as the default, you can modify this to be any drive and location you require by editing the script and re-translating. The correct point in the script is shown.

When a script is selected from the menu, ReadCIX passes control to the Comms application while the script is running. This allows you to monitor the progress of the script and reply to
any prompts. When the script has finished, control returns to ReadCIX.

 Posting.
========

Post Scratchpad.
-------------------------
After prompting for a file name this option will read through the downloaded scratchpad and post the messages to the relevant file. ReadCIX uses the first eight characters of the conference name as a file name. It will create a file for each new conference. If ReadCIX finds a conference exist already, the messages will be added to the end of file. ReadCIX maintains a pointer to the last read message for each conference and will position you at the last read message upon entering a conference file. After posting the scratchpad will be renamed to Scratchp.sc(x) where x is an number from 1-5 This will allow the scratchpad to be saved for later importing into a desktop system. For example the scratchpads could be saved whilst away and the imported into AMEOL via the Import CIX scratchpad option.

Import scratchpad
---------------------------
After prompting for a file name this option will read through a scratchpad in the same manner as above. the only difference is that this option looks for a scratchpad which has been created with the COMPACT HEADER YES option set on CIX. This option is used in OLR's such as AMEOL .

Delete Scratchpad.
-----------------------------
Delete the downloaded scratchpad.

Commands
=========

Clear Inbasket
Clear Outbasket
------------------------
These options will clear the relevant basket on CIX

Mark Mail Unread
--------------------------
This option prompts for a Mail Message number from your Inbasket and will mark it unread.

Restore Pointers
------------------------
This option will restore the message pointers to enable the recovery of a lost scratchpad.

Binmail File
------------------
If you have Uploaded a file to your personal directory on CIX this option will allow you to send the file to another CIX user. You are prompted for the file name and a recipient.

Erase Binmail
--------------------
This allows you to delete a file in your personal directory on CIX

Switch Files On/Off
-------------------------------
This toggle simply sets a switch which the script Readall can see. If it is set ON then the script will prompt for File names to upload or download. The switch is reset on completion of a logon session.

**Note.

If the Switch Files toggle is ON ie. the option is showing Switch Files OFF, then the Readall script will display a menu after asking for the scratchpad name and before logging on to CIX.
The menu has 5 options.

Download file
Upload File
Download Binmail
Upload Binmail
No File action.

For the File options you a prompted for a conference/topic name and the location of the file and a name.For Uploads you are also prompted for a description/size. For the Binmail options you are prompted for names and locations only.

The No file action will not attempt any file actions.

This part of the script will be run after all normal processing so do not attemp to send Binmail from ReadCIX that is being uploaded in the same session.

Create
======

Create mail
-----------------
You are prompted for a To: Name and Title: Use the up and down arrow keys to move between the fields. Press enter to move to the Writing area.

You are presented with a box of 8 lines of 70 characters to enter your message into . Start typing your message and when the end of the line is reached you will hear a beep. To move to the next line use the down arrow. Each line is treated as completley separate by the editor and there is no word wrap to the next line so you will have to manually adjust the  wrapping.  Inset and delete function work BUT ONLY ON THE Current line, again the wrapping will have to be manually adjusted.
When the message is complete press enter to return to the menu..

The Esc key will exit from this screen without saving the message.

Create message
-------------------------
You are prompted for a conference and topic to post the message to and also a title for the message. Please make sure you are joined to both the conference and topic you select as the created script does no checking on this.
Once again press enter to move to the writing area.

See above for full description.

Create FAX
-----------------
You are prompted for a FAX Number. The remaining fields are used to make up the cover page of the FAX.
Once again press enter to move to the writing area.
See above for full description.

Reply File
========

Edit Reply file.
----------------------
Any new mail or messages or replies or FAX's you create are stored in a file called Reply.txt in the \cix\ directory on the internal drive. This option starts the built in Word processor in text mode to allow you to edit or add to a previously created message. If you have anything in your reply.txt file the screen will look something like this.

JOIN psion/series3
SAY
TITLE: ReadCIX
Hi this is a demo reply file




.
QUIT
MAIL
TO: salex
TITLE: ReadCIX
What a good program ReadCIX is, I have sent the required 12.00 registration fee.

Fred
.
SEND
QUIT

You should be able to see the text of your message in between the Capitalised commands. You can edit the message and add as much extra text as you wish as long as the commands or their relative positions are not altered. If you are an expert on CIX there is no reason why you could not add extra commands to the file to perform other functions.

You exit the Word processor in the normal way with Psion X

Clear Reply file
-----------------------
This option will clear the created reply file Reply.txt in the \cix\ directory of the internal drive.

Recover Reply file
--------------------------
This option will copy the saved reply file back to reply.txt file if necessary.

**** Notes

After running the Full connect, Connect and upload or Run Script options from the Connect menu the reply file (Reply.txt in the \cix\ directory of the internal drive) is copied to reply.bak  and the reply.txt file cleared. This does not happen for the Terminal option.

This Backup file can be recoverd using the Recover Reply file option from the connect menu or renamed reply.txt if the replies are needed again for some reason.

Special.
========

Configure.
----------------
This allows you to define the following.

                Path for Message files
                Path and name for scratchpad
                Path and name for scripts used in the connect menu

Printer.
--------------
The printer setup menu allows you to specify a parallel or serial printer, and if serial the settings for the serial port.

Register.
-------------
ReadCIX is shareware, you have a 20 day evaluation period. After this time the program will not go beyond the initial screen. Obtain your registration number and enter it here along with
your name. Once registered this option will not show.

About.
----------
Displays brief details of ReadCIX.

Reading Messages.
##################

Whilst reading messages,  the help key will show a reminder of the available keys, these are 

                Esc- Return to Menu
                Help- Basic help text
                Enter- Show next page of message 
                Space- Show next page of message
                Up Arrow- Previous message
                Down Arrow- Next message 
                Menu-Call up SubMenu 
                Psion+END- Goto last Message of Conference
                Psion+HOME-Goto first message of Conference

As Noted above pressing menu  will bring up a sub menu with options that can be performed.

Replies
=======

The options here are the same as found in the Create menu with the exception of Reply to message. This will not prompt for a Conference/Topic or title but will create a Comment on the current message. The Edit reply file option allows a quick way to continue a long message as described above.

Messages
=========

Save Messages
---------------------------
This will prompt for a file name to save the current message to. If the file exists it will be overwritten.

Print Message
---------------------
This will allow the current message to be printed to the printer specified in the Configure menu.

Edit
====

Find
-------
This will allow searching for a text string in the body of a message. The search starts from the next message and searches the current message file only. You will be positioned at the message containing the text. This option does not effect the last read message pointer so a search through an unread conference will not stop later reading.

Special
======

Write note
---------------
This  will switch to the word processor application of the Series 3 to allow the writing of
notes. You will be asked if you require a new file or wish to use a existing one.

Zoom  View
-----------------
This option cycles through the three available Zoom levels.

Register EOL / Ignore EOL
---------------------------------------
This option will try to preserve the layout of a message rather than fit as much as possible on the screen. This option acts as a togle. In the smallest font view this option is not available as the default is to preserve the layout at this level.

Message Number
----------------------------
Displays the current message number

Sound
======

Sound is used in four places.

1. On the startup screen. (Welcome.wve)
2. On completion of a Connection. (Finish.wve)
3. On completion of posting. (Finish.wve)
4. On detecting a Mail Message. (Mail.wve)

Each file can be deleted if the sound is not required, or the can be recorded over to customise your setup.

 Any problems or request can be referred to my CIX ID salex or my CIS ID 100034,2641.
