                        Current QWK Related Products
                         Frequently Asked Questions
                              by Jim Hanoian
                               July 5, 1994


A FAQ covering mail readers was once published by James Nuckolls.
He has apparently abandoned this project, and I've decided that I
wanted to include a FAQ in my QWKProducts listing, so I have used
some of his ideas as a starting point.

Permission is hereby given to use and redistribute this file in any form
(electronically, paper, etc.).  If distributing the entire file, this
copyright notice must be preserved.  Permission is granted to use and
distribute small portions of this file without credit, though you may
want to exercise common courtesy when using larger portions.

The QWK-format is Copyright 1987 by Sparkware.  Other names are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

The author provides this compilation as-is without warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied.  You are using the information in this file at
your own discretion.  The author assumes no responsibilities for damages,
either physically or financially, from the use or misuse of this informa-
tion.

Please send corrections and additions to me rather than distributing a
modified version of the list, so that all may benefit from your contribu-
tion.  You can reach me:

     RIME: ->NOFRILLS (#1299) in the OFFLINE MAIL, Mail Doors, Software
                                     Reviews and Shareware conferences.

     Internet: jim.hanoian@ibmii.ids.net

Without the help of many people (most of whom I have listed in the file
CREDIT.TXT), this list will be useless.  Please help keep this as up-to-
date as possible!  Thank you.

The entire file is updated monthly and is available as QWKPyymm.ZIP.

                        -=-=-=-=-=-=-<>-=-=-=-=-=-=-


1.  I am new to the offline readers and I am looking for a very simple
    reader, which one do you suggest?

    Probably the best "first" reader is SLMR (or the OLX upgrade)
    since it is fast, easy, and friendly.  It does all that you
    need initially, and you can continue using it while you explore
    the others (if you really want to find something else).


2.  What is the best all around reader?

    Deciding what is best for you is impossible for anybody except
    you.  You can narrow the search by deciding your prefered platform
    (DOS, Win, OS/2, etc).  Another issue is the amount of mail you
    normally read, and if you require (or desire) to maintain easy
    access to mail from previous days.  Some readers deal with only
    a QWK packet at a time (QAAT readers) and at the opposite end of
    the spectrum are databased readers.  There are quite a few that
    defy categorization by having some databasing features such as
    folders for saving special mail.


3.  How is a databased reader different from the others?

    A databased reader is one that uses the QWK (or other kind of)
    packet as a transport method and then imports the messages into
    some other kind of storage/retrieval method.  The QWK can then
    be deleted.  Databased readers can maintain all the messages in
    one huge file, separate files for each BBS, or even separate
    files for each conference on each BBS.  The primary advantage
    that a databased reader offers is that a history of messages
    can be maintained, instead of just the traffic from a single day.
    This makes offline reading more like staying online since you
    end up basically recreating the BBS's messagebase on your own
    machine.


4.  Where can I get a copy the the QWK format?

    The QWK format is published in the QWKProducts listing monthly.
    This layout was reverse-engineered as have been all QWK readers,
    utilities, and doors because the QWK "standard" has never been
    officially established.


5.  I am looking for a specific reader, do you know where I could find it?

    Most larger BBSs support the use of offline readers since it
    reduces the amount of time that users are online (permits more
    callers) and increases the readership of the conferences.  The
    BBSs will usually have several readers available, so check around.
    If all else fails, The Lunatic Fringe, (214)235-5288, prides itself
    in having the current version of virtually ALL readers and QWK
    utilities available for first-time callers to download.


6.  How come SLMR has not been updated for a while?

    Production of SLMR was halted when Greg Hewgill was hired by
    Mustang Software.  They also purchased the code/rights to his
    SLMR program, and it became the basis for Mustang's OLX.


7.  I run OS/2 (or Windows), where can I find a reader for my environment?

    There are getting to be more and more GUI readers, offering a range
    of features to users.  As use of GUIs increase, the demand and the
    development of readers has followed.  I expect that eventually the
    cutting-edge of technology will shift away from DOS readers even
    though mail is *currently* text-based.

    The QWKProducts archive includes a separate list for the GUI readers.
    You should be able to find something there that suits your needs.


8.  How do I address InterNet e-mail with a QWK based reader?

    That depends on the exact implementation of the QWK handler that
    your sysop has installed.  Since these differ, you should ask your
    sysop for guidance.  For the most part, "extended" addressing uses
    the first-line method where the address is specified on the first
    line of the text portion of your message.  The mail utilities pick
    up that first line and insert it in the appropriate place.

    This work-around is due to the 25 character limit imposed by the
    QWK "standard" and applies to the FROM, TO, and SUBJ fields in
    the message header.


9.  How do I add or drop message conferences with a QWK based reader?

    Many doors and internal QWK processors permit offline configuration
    of the door by addressing a message to QMAIL in the desired conference
    with a subject of ADD or DROP.  Many doors will permit more extensive
    configuration such as ADD -50 (add the conference and give me the last
    50 messages only) or ADD YA (add the conference and take messages that
    are personally addressed to you or ALL only).

    The QWKProducts archive includes specific offline configuration for
    many doors.


10.  Where did taglines really originate?

     According to a source, taglines originally came from Mark "Sparky"
     Herring.  It seems that he had some leftover space at the end of
     the reader ID, and one of the original beta testers suggested that
     he use the space for witty sayings, like a Chineese fortune cookie.

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