Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : TLX110.ZIP
Filename : TLX.DOC

Tag Line Xpress v1.1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
release date 06/19/92


Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is an enhanced tagline manager for offline
message mail readers. A tagline is a single line comment that is
added to the end of each message by mail readers, and is often a
funny or ridiculous statement. Most mail readers available today
have limitations to the amount of taglines they can handle, and
one has to physically select a tagline from what could well be a
sizeable collection, or the mail reader will cycle through the
available taglines sequentially or randomly. TLX makes the job
of maintaining and selecting taglines infinitely easier.

Tag Line Xpress (TLX) supports UNLIMITED taglines. TLX uses a
database to store your tagline collection, and keeps a count of
how many times each tagline has been used. TLX will read the
message you are sending, and suggest taglines from the database
depending on the subject and contents of the message, giving
priority to lesser used taglines. TLX can steal taglines from
entire QWK mail packets. There is even a quote enhancement
feature that places a quote box around the message that you are
responding to. TLX is self installing (when used with the Silly
Little Mail Reader or Off Line Xpress). Any mail reader that
supports a tagline manager can be set up to use TLX. Mouse users
will appreciate the Mouse Menus that allow you to handle almost
all operations without using the keyboard at all! When Mouse
Support is selected, and a functioning mouse is located, TLX
will display the mouse menu on the right side of the screen with
all the normal alpha-numeric characters displayed. Clicking on a
character in the Mouse Menu is the same as typing it in. All
features in TLX are fully configurable. TLX only needs 260K of
system memory to work, any memory over that including Expanded
Memory will be used by TLX for dynamic caching and buffers.

Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is being distributed under the Shareware
concept, you may freely copy and distribute TLX in it's original
unmodified archive form. TLX is NOT crippled or restricted in
any way, the shareware version is a fully functional program to
allow you to evaluate it's performance - except for the random
appearance of a nag screen reminding you to register. After a
reasonable evaluation period you are expected to register TLX
with the author and send in a registration fee of US $10.00 (ten
US Dollars). Once you send in your registration fee, you will
receive a valid registration number that will eliminate the nag
screen, send $10 is cash or a check to the author at :

R.Janorkar
651 Richmond Road,
Staten Island, NY 10304-2409.

please include your full name, mailing address, version number
of TLX you are using, and the mail reader program you are using.
If you send a registration fee of US $25.00 (twenty five US
Dollars) or more, you will also be mailed the next release of
TLX when it is available.


What's New
~~~~~~~~~~
TLX v1.1 fixes a couple of minor glitches, and also introduces a
new Mouse Menu that allows you to use a mouse for virtually all
operations in TLX, including typing in new taglines!


Quick Start
~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are using SLMR or OLX mail readers, TLX will install
itself automatically. If you are using another mail reader you
will need to manually install TLX within your mail reader. This
section is for SLMR and OLX users only.

Copy the distribution files into your mail reader directory, or
create a new directory for TLX. The location of TLX when it is
installed is important, since the installation process writes
this information into the changes it makes in the SLMR or OLX
configuration file. If you have to move TLX after it has been
installed, you must re-install it from the new directory. Once
the files have been copied, simply type TLX at the DOS command
line, and TLX will start the installation process.

When TLX is started for the very first time it will ask if you
want to continue before beginning installation. TLX will then
modify the mail reader configuration files and create all the
necessary batch files it needs. The tagline database is also
created. Next TLX will display the default settings that it will
use every time it is run. You can modify these and Save them to
the TLX configuration file. TLX will then look for tagline files
and if it finds one it will display the name of the tagline file
and ask if you want to use that file. If TLX can not recognize
any tagline files it will ask you to enter a file name. You can
press ENTER to accept the default name it finds, or type in a
new drive:\path\filename.ext. TLX will then read all taglines
into the database, and remove duplicates. Once it is completed,
TLX will ask if you want to rename this tagline file so your
mail reader will not use it (this saves memory and results in
faster operation). Type Yes, since the reader configuration has
been modified to disable the internal tagline support. Press
ENTER to accept the name of the file that TLX suggests, or enter
a new file name. TLX is now installed and ready for use!

The original mail reader configuration file will be saved as
CONFIG.OLD, if ever you wish to undo all the changes that TLX
has done to the mail readers' configuration, you can copy this
file over the mail reader configuration file (CONFIG.OLX for OLX
and CONFIG.MR for SLMR). You can now use TLX by starting up your
mail reader. When you reply to a message, TLX will intercede and
place a quote box instead of the normal xx> quote symbols. Note
that if you initiated a new message then there will be no quote
box. You can now type your message as you normally do. Once you
save the message and exit your editor, you will see the tagline
manager menu. TLX will first read the message and analyze it,
then suggest taglines from it's database. You can use the Up and
Down arrow keys to navigate around the menu. If you want to see
more taglines press the PageUp or PageDown keys. You can switch
between these suggestions and the tagline database, and search
for specific taglines in either. You can also view the message

that you are processing. Press ENTER to select a tagline (or
press the number next to the tagline wanted), or select the Quit
without tagline option (or press ESCAPE) to quit TLX without
adding any tagline to your message. You can also modify the TLX
default configuration settings, or type a new tagline that will
also be added to the tagline database.


Detailed explanations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TLX will have to be manually installed into other mail readers.
There are two parts to the installation, the quote enhancer and
the tagline manager. The specific details are given after the
next section describing all the TLX options. TLX requires a
minimum of 260K of system memory to work. It may be necessary to
enable swapping in your mail editor. If you have EMS memory TLX
will use it for dynamic disk caching and buffers. The syntax for
TLX is :

TLX

where is the full drive:\path to the TLX.EXE program
file (if not in the same directory);
and is the specific feature required (listed below);
and is the full drive:\path to the TLX database
and configuration file;
and is the full drive:\path\filename.ext
of the feature specific file.

Or when in the same directory as the tagline database :

TLX

this activates the interactive menu mode, all features except
Quote Enhancer and Tagline Manager are accessible through the
TLX menu.

These are the various options (with command line switches)
possible with TLX :


Install
~~~~~~~
TLX will automatically install itself into the SLMR and OLX mail
readers. If SLMR or OLX are not found in the current directory,
TLX will ask for the correct path to your reader. Press ENTER if
you are in your mail directory, or type in the new path. If TLX
still cannot find SLMR or OLX, it will assume that you are using
another mail reader and will create generic batch files in the
specified directory, or modify the following parameters within
the SLMR/OLX configuration file if it is found:

ENABLETAGS - taglines will be disabled within SLMR/OLX - 01
REPLYHEADER - header on replies for the Quote Enhancer - Y
QSTYLE - quoting style for reply file generated (none) - 01
QSTRING - quote characters to use for reply file (none) -blank-
EDITOR - Editor name, TLX batch filename - TLX_RUN.BAT
SWAP - swapping enabled - Y
SWAPXMSEMS - EMS/XMS swapping enabled - Y
QUOTEDFILE - file that SLMR/OLX creates - REPLY.MSG
REPLYFILE - file that SLMR/OLX reads with changes - REPLY.MSG

The original configuration file is saved as CONFIG.OLD, the TLX
database file (TLXTAGS.DBS), the TLX batch files (TLX_RUN.BAT
for SLMR/OLX; or TLXQUOTE.BAT and TLXTAG.BAT for other mail
readers), and a tagline theft batch file (STEALQWK.BAT) will be
automatically created. TLX will then automatically jump to the
next feature.

syntax (must be in TLX directory) : TLX i
or (must be in TLX directory) : TLX


Configure
~~~~~~~~~
All features in TLX are fully configurable. These options are
saved in a configuration file (TLX.CFG) and are used each time
TLX is invoked (and if it finds this file). They are :

Your Name - required if Registration number is used
Validation Number - when TLX is registered eliminates Nag screen
Mouse Support - enable or disable mouse support
Reader Signature - use a custom signature instead of the default
Auto Tag Select - will select a tagline without any prompting
Quoter Enabled - quote enhancer feature enabled/disabled
Quote Characters - characters to use instead of random default
Strip ANSI Lines - remove ANSI graphic lines while quoting
Tag File Name - for Generic tagline mode returns tagline in file
Color Selection - set default colors
Internal Defaults - use internal default values for all settings
Save and Exit - save changes into the configuration file & exit
Abort and Exit - exit and abandon changes

This configuration file will be used if found, or TLX will use
the internal default values if it cannot be found. Note that
this is a straight ASCII text file, and may also be edited with
a standard text editor (erroneous entries will be ignored). The
Registration number is encode with your name, when you register
TLX you will receive this number and the nag screens will
disappear.

syntax : TLX c
or if in same directory : TLX


Add Taglines
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imports your existing SLMR/OLX or other ASCII tagline file into
the database, removes duplicate taglines and builds the index
keys. Tagline files must be in straight ASCII format, with a
carriage return between each line, and a maximum tagline length
of 57 characters.

syntax : TLX a
or if in same directory : TLX


Maintenance
~~~~~~~~~~~
The maintenance mode will sort the taglines alphabetically, and
remove duplicate taglines. It will also repair the index keys.
If at any time TLX appears to behave irrationally, you should
use the maintenance option to rebuild the index keys.

syntax : TLX m
or if in same directory : TLX m
or if in same directory : TLX


Steal Taglines
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TLX has the ability to steal taglines from entire QWK packets.
There are four compression formats recognized - ZIP, ARJ, LHA
and PKARC - and the respective decompressors must be available
in the system path. No duplicate checking is done when stealing
taglines. However, after stealing from several QWK mail packets
the Maintenance mode may be used to remove any duplicate
taglines that may have been imported.

syntax : TLX s
or if in same directory : TLX


Quote Enhancer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Quote Enhancer in TLX is directly compatible with the SLMR
and OLX reply message headers, and also Speed Reader. Other mail
readers require the following compatibility parameters for this
feature to work :
Header must begin with =============== ; or ||
Header must end with -----------------
The only information extracted from this header is the name of
the message writer, which must be in the format "From:". If the
"From:" string is not found within the message header, TLX will
not write the name of the person who wrote the message into the
quoted reply. If the header ==== (or Speed Reader ||) is not
found, TLX will assume that this is a re-edit of a previous
message and will quit without adding a quote box. You must also
configure your mail reader to NOT use any quote characters when
it creates the reply file. If the TLX configuration is not set
to any specific quote characters to use, TLX will generate a
random set of quoting characters for each message. If the ANSI
strip setting is enabled in the configuration file, TLX will
also strip out all ANSI coded lines in the message. The original
message's Reader Signature and Network Signature (if any) will
always be automatically stripped out. The quote enhancer can be
disabled at any time by configuring TLX (note that the reply
header from the mail reader will then be present at the top of
the message).

syntax : TLX q


Tagline Manager (OLX)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the primary function of TLX. This mode is specifically
meant for the SLMR and OLX mail readers, as well as any other
mail reader that will allow you to shut off internal taglines
(including the reader signature). For other mail readers that
follow the John Hancock protocol, use the next mode (Generic).
TLX will make tagline suggestions based on the Subject of the
message. It will then read the entire message and make more
suggestions based on the content of the message. You can use the
cursor keys (Up/Down/PageUp/PageDown) to view these suggestions,
and select a tagline by pressing the ENTER key or the number
shown next to the tagline. If none of the suggestions suit your
fancy, you can manually search the tagline database for a
suitable tagline. You can also switch between these suggestions
and the database, add a new tagline (that is also added to the
database), change the Reader Signature on the fly, view the
message being processed, modify the default configuration, or
quit without adding a tagline or Reader Signature. TLX counts
how many times each tagline is used and displays this number
next to the tagline. When TLX makes suggestions it will suggest
lesser used taglines. If the Auto tagline select is enabled in
the configuration, TLX will add a tagline automatically, without
any user intervention.

syntax : TLX t


Generic Tagline Manager
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This mode is for mail readers that follow the John Hancock
method of returning a tagline through a text file to the mail
reader. The mail reader must be configured to call TLX with the
correct syntax and command line parameters, or simply call the
batch file that TLX creates during installation (TLXTAG.BAT)
which contains the correct syntax. Since TLX reads the message
reply file, a copy of this file MUST be available to TLX. This
simply means that the message must be edited before TLX is
invoked. Additionally the mail reader must be set up to accept
the tagline return file (default name TLX.TAG), or TLX may be
configured to use a different tagline return filename. All the
options are available as in the standard tagline manager mode,
except the Reader Signature - which CANNOT be changed (since the
mail reader is only accepting a tagline from TLX).

syntax : TLX g


Browse Taglines
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TLX contains a built in database browser/editor. You can use the
cursor keys to navigate within the database entries (Up, Down,
PageUp, PageDown) and press the ENTER key (or the number next to
the tagline) to edit a tagline. Once a tagline is selected, a
cursor will appear within the tagline window and changes may be
made, if the F1 key is pressed the tagline is deleted. You can
add a new tagline, jump to a specific record number (the current
record number and total records are displayed), or search for a
matching tagline. Once you quit, the deleted records are purged
from the database. No duplicate checking or sorting is done, if
necessary the Maintenance mode may be invoked.

syntax : TLX b
or if in same directory : TLX b
or if in same directory : TLX


Dump Database
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This feature converts the TLX tagline database into a straight
ASCII text file, one tagline per line separated by a carriage
return. The order of the resultant text file is dependant on the
order of the database when this feature is invoked, if necessary
the Maintenance mode may be called before dumping the database.
Once invoked, you will be prompted for a new file name for the
ASCII text file, pressing ENTER will accept the default name or
you may enter a new file name (with path if required).

syntax : TLX d
or if in same directory : TLX d
or if in same directory : TLX


Program Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Displays information about Tag Line Xpress.

syntax : TLX ?
or : TLX h
or : TLX


Other Mail Readers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you attempt to install TLX with any other mail reader, it
will create three generic batch files in the specified directory
TLXQUOTE.BAT, TLXTAG.BAT, and STEALQWK.BAT. You must modify
your mail reader configuration manually to make TLX work with
it. The first step is to enable swapping, since TLX requires
260K of system memory to run. Next change the editor name to :

TLXQUOTE %1

where is the full drive:\path\ to the batch file;
and TLXQUOTE is the batch file that calls TLX in the quote
enhancer mode;
and %1 is the standard system by which mail readers pass the
name of the message reply file, but it is possible that your
mail reader uses another method (read the reader documentation
for more information).

You must make one change in the TLXQUOTE.BAT file, add the name
of your editor on the second line :

%1

where is the full drive:\path\ to your editor;
is the filename of your editor;
are any applicable options that your editor may need;
and %1 is a standard variable that will be replaced with the
message reply file name (or enter the name of the file itself).

Also configure your mail reader to create a message header for
each message that is compatible with SLMR/OLX or Speed Reader
format (a line of ==='s on the first line, the message writer's
name as "From:" and end with a line of ---'s). TLX will remove
this header after it extracts the message originator's name. If
you do not use the "From:" in the header, TLX will not write the
message writer's name into the quoted message.

The next step is to modify your mail reader configuration to
enable tagline manager support. If your mail reader can be set
to turn off taglines INCLUDING the mail reader signature, you
can add the following to the bottom of the TLXQUOTE.BAT file :

TLX t %1

where is the full drive:\path\ to TLX;
and TLX t calls the program with the t option;
and is the drive:\path\ to the TLX database
including the trailing backslash;
and %1 is a standard variable that will be replaced with the
message reply file name (or enter the name of the file itself).

If you cannot disable the mail reader taglines altogether,
you will have to use the generic tagline support feature that
most mail readers have. Normally they allow you to specify your
tagline manager program and the tagline return file name. Enter
the information contained within the TLXTAG.BAT file in the
space for tagline manager and options :

tlx g

where is the full drive:\path to the TLX program;
and TLX g calls program with the g option;
and is the full drive:\path to the TLX database
including the trailing backslash;
and is the full drive:\path\filename.ext
of the message reply file.

Note that TLX needs to read the completed message when making
suggestions, so you should edit the message before calling the
tagline manager. If you can change the tagline return file name
you should set it to TLX.TAG (the default name that TLX will
use), or any other file name (you will need to configure TLX
with this name too).

Once TLX has been installed into your mail reader, you must
configure TLX. Type TLX on the DOS command line, and select
Configure. Modify the specific features as required, then Save
the configuration. Next you should import your existing tagline
collection by selecting Add taglines. TLX will read the tagline
file specified, and import all the taglines. It will then remove
all duplicate taglines. If you have several tagline files you
can import them all into TLX this way.


Speed Reader only
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is specific information for installing TLX into Speed
Reader.

Versions 1.10 and above -
"""""""""""""""""""""""""

When TLX first starts up, it will report that it cannot find any
configuration files for SLMR/OLX, but it will create generic
batch files in the specified reader directory. These files are
TLXQUOTE.BAT (quoter utility), TLXTAG.BAT (generic mode tagline
manager) and STEALQWK.BAT (command line theft batch file for QWK
packets). You must make the following changes within the General
Options window in Speed Reader :

Initials: NONE
Quote String: ___ (blank)
Smart Quoting: OFF
EXTERNAL PROGRAMS -
Editor: command.com /c \speed\tlxquote.bat %s
Tagline Mgr: command.com /c tlxtag.bat \sr$reply\$reply.sr
Tag Ret. File: tlx.tag

(note - if you are using a RAM drive or have your work directory
on a different drive, add the drive parameter before the reply
file path\name in the Tagline Mgr window).
and add your editor name on the second line in the TLXQUOTE.BAT
file with %1 as the filename parameter :

%1

Versions 1.2c and above (Registered ONLY) -
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Speed Reader when registered (v 1.2c and above) allows you to
disable the default reader signature. TLX can then be used in
the standard Tagline mode, and works seamlessly within Speed
Reader. You must make the following changes within the General
Options window in Speed Reader :

Initials: NONE
Quote String: ___ (blank)
Smart Quoting: OFF
Taglines: REG. OFF
EXTERNAL PROGRAMS -
Editor: command.com /c \speed\tlxquote.bat %s
Tagline Mgr: (blank)
Tag Ret. File: (blank)

Note that the tagline manager function is NOT used with these
versions, rather we will make changes to the TLXQUOTE.BAT file
to allow TLX to operate. Make the following changes to the
TLXQUOTE.BAT file - enter your editor name on the second line
with the %1 paramter, then add the TLX command line as shown :


EDITOR %1
TLX t %1

You can use the same that TLX will have written on
the first line.

When you reply to a message, TLX will enhance your quote, you
can reply to the message, and then TLX will again intercede and
show you the TLX tagline selection menu automatically!


Disclaimer
~~~~~~~~~~
Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is Copyright (C)1992 R.Janorkar all rights
are reserved. Licence is hereby granted for free distribution of
this program in it's original unmodified archive form. Tag Line
Xpress (TLX) has been released as Shareware, with all features
available for evaluation purposes, NO features are restricted or
crippled. A nag (reminder) screen will appear from time to time
reminding you to send in your registration. After a reasonable
evaluation period you are expected to register Tag Line Xpress
(TLX) with the author, and send in a registration fee of US
$10.00 (ten US dollars). You will receive a valid registration
number that will eliminate the appearance of the nag (reminder)
screens and enable the author to continue writing more shareware
software. This registration number is issued only to the person
sending the registration fee, and you may NOT distribute this
registration number. If you send a registration fee of US $25.00
(twenty five US Dollars) or more you will also receive the next
release of Tag Line Xpress (TLX) by mail when it is available.
The registration number will work with all future releases of
Tag Line Xpress (TLX), however, the author reserves the right to
change the registration method.

Tag Line Xpress is provided with NO warrantees, expressed or
implied. Use it at your own risk. The author of Tag Line Xpress
(TLX) will NOT be liable for any damages, direct or indirect,
arising from the ability or disability to use Tag Line Xpress
(TLX). The use of Tag Line Xpress (TLX) on your computer system
indicates your acceptance of these disclaimers.

Please report problems or bugs to the author by mail at the
address given above, or you can contact the author on The
Photographers Network BBS (718) 876-0337 (*note* this line has
been promised by the phone company for 06-19-92).


Thanks go to ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The áeta test team; Ron 'Q' Kulick, Harris 'Speedy' Lam, David
'The Man' Kaufman, and David 'Aardvark' Greenberger; and
the users of CatNet, without whom there would be no use for TLX.


Copyright notices
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Off Line Xpress and Silly Little Mail Reader are copyrights of
Mustang Software Inc; John Hancock is the copyright of Dan Moore
and/or Silicon Frog; SpeedReader is the copyright of J.E.Smith;
other products mentioned in this documentation may be copyrights
of other software companies.