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ZL1ABS > NBF 29.05.07 14:44l 128 Lines 4841 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 4E0097ZL1ABS
Read: OE7HNT GUEST DO5JAB
Subj: NBF Intro PT2
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0MRW<DK0WUE<7M3TJZ<ZL2BAU<ZL1AB
Sent: 070529/1227Z @:ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC #:61023 [AUCKLAND] FBB7.00i $:4E0097ZL1AB
From: ZL1ABS@ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC
To : NBF@WW
Introduction PT 2 of 2
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.
It’s not necessary to kill personal messages in the mailbox, it takes care
of them just like any other message.
If a message contains codepage 437 scandinavian characters they are
converted automatically. Some other codepages are available in the popup
menu. Manual conversion only affects the current window, changes are not
saved.
Warning! NBF, like many other programs, uses Internet Explorer to view
messages containing html. It has been shown that (at least some versions
of) IE contain bugs which can cause a potential security hazard. Since NBF
version 2.05 the automatic html viewer has been disabled by default. It’s
up to the user to decide whether IE is safe enough for the feature to be
enabled or not.
Writing a message
Messages are written to the personal messages list, where they can be sent
to the mailbox. They are not forwarded automatically to prevent unfinished
messages from being unintertionally sent.
A window for a new message can be opened with File->Nex message. If you
send a message outside our home mailbox, remember to use the whole
hierarchical address (for example OH1RBD.FIN.EU). If the recipient
callsign is in the address book, the mailbox field is filled
automatically. You should NOT press enter in the end of each row because
lines are split automatically, just like in any wordprocessing program.
A signature can be attached from the popup menu. It’s read from a file
called sign.txt which should reside in the same directory as nbf.exe. Any
other text file can be attached with drag’n’drop. Binary files must be
sent using 7plus.
The finished message can either be saved and marked ready for sending, or
it can be held as a draft. The message can be edited later by just
reopening it from the list. Messages marked ready are sent to the mailbox
with Connection->Send written messages.
Replying to a message
The Reply function automatically extracts receiver information from the
original message. Original text is separated with greater than signs and
grey colour.
! Usually just a few lines of the original message is enough to remind the
recipient what you are talking about. Sending the whole message back,
especially the R rows, is strongly discouraged.
Sending a file with 7plus
The mailbox system is designed to handle only text messages. Binary files
must be ‘encapsulated’ with 7plus before sending.
NBF comes with built in 7plus functions. A binary file can be prepared for
sending with File->New 7plus. The result is a bunch of new messages in the
personal list, where they can be sent to the mailbox just like normal
messages.
The info message should contain enough information to make it possible for
anyone to determine if the file is of interest or not.
Files should normally be split into pieces of about 15000 bytes each.
Sending considerably smaller pieces only increases overhead and places
unnecessary load on the network. Furthermore, some mailboxes set higher
priority for small messages, so keeping 7plus messages quite big delays
the forwarding of ‘normal’ messages as little as possible.
Receiving 7plus
NBF detects downloaded 7plus pieces automatically and stores a copy of
them to the decode directory. Shifted linefeeds are corrected at this
point. When all the pieces have been received, they will be combined and
deleted. The original file appears in the 7plus_in directory. It’ll be
shown next to the list of lists too.
If all the pieces of a certain file are not received within the period
specified in nbf.ini, the unused pieces will be automatically deleted.
Possible error files can be directly dragged to a message composition
window.
Warning! You should be very careful with downloaded executable files. Make
sure that your computer has an up-to-date anti-virus program.
Other keyboard shortcuts
Remember to use the arrow keys, it’s the easiest way!
R Reply
K Kill
E Edit status
H Find / find next
alt-enter Properties
Ä Convert 7bit scandinavian characters
ctrl-tab change window
ctrl-F4 close/minimize a window
+ some more which can be seen in the menus
End of Pt2 of 2
73 de Michael ZL1ABS@ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC
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