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ZL1ABS > NBF 29.05.07 14:44l 119 Lines 4904 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 8B0096ZL1ABS
Read: OE7HNT GUEST DO5JAB
Subj: NBF Intro pt1
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0MRW<OK0PKL<DB0GRL<SR6BBA<SR1BSZ<SP7MGD<7M3TJZ<
ZL2BAU<ZL1AB
Sent: 070529/1224Z @:ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC #:61022 [AUCKLAND] FBB7.00i $:8B0096ZL1AB
From: ZL1ABS@ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC
To : NBF@WW
Introduction PT 1
The idea behind NBF is to make reading and sending messages as easy and
fast as possible.
The headers of messages in the local mailbox are collected to a database,
where they are easy to browse. Finding interesting messages is easy,
because messages can be sorted to different lists by various criteria,
such as distribution area or title keyword. Keywords can also be used to
select messages for automatic compressed downloading. Received 7plus-files
are decoded automatically. Different messages can be set to expire at a
different time.
This is what usually happens when a user starts NBF to see if there are
any interesting new messages in the mailbox (note that only a single
button has to be pressed):
• The user starts NBF and chooses Connection->List headers (or presses F5
if he is an advanced user..) to synchronize the message database with the
mailbox.
• NBF automatically connects the mailbox, and requests a list of new
messages.
• Listing starts. Each row is split into columns (automatically set),
compared with the sorting criteria in read.ini and finally saved into the
database. If it is a very interesting message, it is selected for
automatical download. At the same it is possible to browse the database
and select more messages for reading.
• Listing ends. Unprotos are automatically enabled to keep NBF up-to-date
with the least possible traffic on the radio channel.
• Automatic compressed message downloading starts after a moment. If there
are 7plus messages to download, they are decoded automatically. Messages
are ready to be read after the first one has been downloaded.
• Database statistical information is updated on-the-fly.
Getting message information to the database
Choose Connection->List headers to automatically connect to the mailbox
and download a list of new messages. Information on new messages forwarded
to the mailbox while NBF is running is received instantly from unproto
packets. If the mailbox for some reason doesn’t send unprotos, NBF can be
set to periodically connect the mailbox and ask for new messages.
NBF itself keeps track on the boundary of new and old messages. This makes
it possible to use both listing and unprotos for optimum performance in
all situations. When the program is used for the first time (all messages
are “newö), it’s possible to restrict the number of old messages to be
included in the database.
Message sorting
Messages are sorted to different lists according to the criteria in
read.ini. The file contains detailed editing instructions. If more than
one sorting instruction matches the message title to be processed, the
last one remains in force. Messages can also be moved between lists
manually.
Using the list
Channels->List pops up the “list of the listsö, which shows a list of
available message lists and their statistical information. A specific list
can be opened by double clicking the corresponding line. Right mouse
button popup menu brings you back.
However, using a mouse to browse the lists is rather slow and unpleasant.
Arrow keys provide a convenient user interface, which should feel natural
right from the beginning.
Arrows up and down work as usual. Left arrow works as back or escape and
right as select or enter. These four keys are all that is required in
normal list browsing and message reading.
Message status
Each message in the list has a status (column S).
(empty) Only message title is available. No special action is to be
taken.
r To be downloaded.
R Downloaded and waiting to be read by the user.
Y Read. Content still stored on the hard disk for later use.
N New message waiting to be sent to the mailbox (written by the user).
K To be killed.
+ 7plus. A copy has been made to the decode directory.
- Downloading was not possible (expired from the mailbox).
New message titles are shown in yellow. The corresponding column in the
list of lists is U. If a new personal message to the user is received, a
picture of a packet appers in the Task bar system tray.
Messages matching a given criteria can be found with the search dialog
which can be opened from the right mouse button popup menu.
Reading messages
Before a message can be read it must be downloaded to the hard disk. First
the message must selected with the right arrow key (or by double
clicking), so that the status changes to r. It will be downloaded
automatically if the computer is not used for a specified time.
Downloading can also be started immediately with Connection->Download
messages.
The status of a downloaded message changes to R telling it can be read. If
Internet Exporer has been installed on the computer, NBF shows html
messages automatically.
The route of a message (R-lines) is hidden in the upper part of the text
window where it can be viewed if desired.
End of Part one NBF Intro
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