              \lbQWK Offline Mail for Searchlight BBS\no

A QWK packet is a form of offline mail. This QWK module lets you download a 
file which contains mail and conference messages that you would ordinarily 
read online. You can then read these messages "offline", saving connect 
charges. To read a QWK packet, you must have a QWK compatible offline mail 
reading program. There are many such programs to choose from.

On the QWK mail menu you have five choices:

\lrDownload\no
This option will present you with a list of available conferences. You will 
be presented with a scrollable list so you can mark the conferences from 
which you wish to download messages. To mark a conference simply click on it 
with your mouse, or move your cursor to it and hit enter. When you mark a 
conference you will be prompted to enter the number of messages you wish to 
download. To unmark a conference, click on it or hit Spacebar.  

To navigate through the entire list of conferences, you can either use the 
scrollbar (in RIP graphics modes) or use the arrow keys. You can also press 
^C for "Page Down" and ^R for "Page Up".

At the bottom of the list you will find four buttons:

       \lrUnMark All\no
               This option will unmark all of your conferences.
               (If you don't have a mouse, press F5 or ^KS).

       \lrOptions\no
               This allows you to set your various QWK options (described
               below). (If you don't have a mouse, press F2 or ^U).

      \lrHelp\no
               This button gives you a summary of the QWK info screen and
               describes how to select the messages you want. (If you
               don't have a mouse, press F1).

       \lrOk\no
               Click on this button when you are finished marking
               conferences and are ready to download the QWK packet,
               or if you wish to cancel your download.
               (If you don't have a mouse, press ESC).

If you are not using a RIP compatible terminal, you won't see these options 
listed on your screen when you enter the QWK program; instead, press the ESC 
key when you are done marking your conferences, and a menu will appear.

\lrFast Download\no
This option will automatically download all new messages in the conferences 
that you have joined (bypassing the selection list).  

\lrUpload\no
This option will allow you to upload a QWK message reply packet (REP packet) 
for import into the BBS. You must start the file upload from your terminal 
program when prompted.  

\lrOptions\no
This allows you to set your various QWK options:

       \lrTransfer Protocol\no
               This is the transfer protocol you will use when uploading and
               downloading QWK packets. The choices are ZModem, XModem 1k,
               and regular XModem.

       \lrPacket Number\no
               This is the number for the next packet you will download.
               You should not have to adjust this number.

       \lrNumbering Convention\no
               Sequential numbers can be incorporated into the name of your
               QWK packet in one of three ways: in the Prefix (SLBBS25.QWK),
               the Suffix (SLBBS.Q25), or not at all. If you choose the None
               option then all of your packets will have the same name.

       \lrGenerate Indexes\no
               Some QWK readers have the option of building indexes after
               the QWK packet has been downloaded. If your QWK reader
               supports this feature, you can set this option to No and
               receive smaller QWK packets (which require less time to
               download). If your QWK reader does not support this option,
               or if you are unsure, set this option to Yes.

       \lrDownload Messages From You\no
               If this options is set to Yes, your QWK packet may contain
               messages that you previously posted. If you do not want to
               see these messages again, set this option to No.

       \lrMark New Messages\no
               If this option is set to Yes, your high message pointer will
               be updated after you download a QWK packet. If this option
               is set to No, your high message pointer will not be affected.

       \lrDownload New Files List\no
               If this option is set to Yes, the QWK module will generate a
               list of files that have been uploaded to the BBS since your
               last call. This list will be included in your QWK packet.

\lrBuilding the Packet\no
Once you have marked your conferences or choosen the Fast Download option, 
the QWK module will scan each conference, building the QWK packet.  
Depending on the number of messages you are downloading, this could take 
some time. A progress bar will let you know how close it is to completion.  
After the QWK packet has been built, you will be prompted to start the 
file transfer.

You can choose the "Disconnect after Download" option if you wish the QWK 
program to terminate your connection (i.e. hang up the phone line) after 
your download is complete. This allows you to walk away from your computer 
while the file transfer takes place.

\lrPacket Size\no
The QWK program is designed to allow the system operator to designate a 
maximum number of messages you can select in a conference and a maximum for 
your entire packet. This safety feature prevents you from unintentionally 
downloading a packet with hundreds (or thousands) more messages than you 
intended. Because of this feature, you may be unable to select all of the 
messages you want in a conference, or you may find that your packet does not 
contain all of the conferences you asked for. If you are certain that you 
want more messages, you can simply run the QWK program again and download 
another packet.  

\lrNonANSI Mode\no
If you are not using a RIP or ANSI compatible terminal program, you will not 
have the option of picking your conferences from a list. If you choose the 
Download command, you will actually be performing the Fast Download command.  

\lrNetmail & Internet Addresses\no
When composing replies offline, you can specify a netmail or internet mail 
address on a MAIL message by typing a special syntax in the first line of 
the message text. For netmail messages, type:

Netmail: <fidonet address>

For internet messages, type:

Internet: <internet address>

Examples:

Internet: sysop@searchlight.com
Netmail: 250:500/1

Note that these options only work if the BBS to which you are uploading your 
packet supports internet or netmail addresses.
