MassMail! A Telegard Mass E-Mailer utility v1.01 For Telegard 2.7 By Josh Lippy and Dave Elmer Documentation Edited by Robert Hinshaw ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The author of this software is in no way responsible for damages caused by this program. If something does happen to your system, please notify me immediately. Netmail can be sent to me at the addresses listed at the end of this document. This program has undergone testing, and while it works on my system with no problems, I can't make any promises about yours! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The FREEware concept: MassMail! is released into the public domain with only one "price." We ask that you let us know what you think of our program and that you help distribute it as far as you can! (cheap at half the price, eh?). Also, if you see a need for a particular utility for Telegard, get ahold of one of us! We're always on the prowl for a good project . We can be reached either through netmail, or through any of several forums in the USTGNET dealing with Telegard support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview of MassMail!: MassMail! is a program that E-Mails a text file written by the SysOp to all users, or to a select group of users. You, the SysOp, decide who will get the message, based on ACS strings. Using your favorite text editor, you prepare a message that you want to send. Run MassMail!, and MassMail! will prompt you as to the name of the text file, message title and ACS string it should look for to deliver the message. Simple! This archive consists of two files: MASSMAIL.DOC This text file you are reading MASSMAIL.EXE The executable program ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operation of MassMail!: Quite simple, really; but there are a couple of things to remember: 1. The filename of the prepared message may be located anywhere on the drive but you must be sure to include the full pathname so that MassMail! knows where to look. If the text message is in a directory on the path, MassMail! will automatically find it and the full pathname is no longer needed at this point. 2. MassMail! does not have to be on the path and can be in any directory, but your main BBS directory must be on the path. Now as for running the program, just follow these simple steps and you too will be sending mass E-Mail! *IMPORTANT* Before running MassMail! *BACK UP* your E-Mail BRD and MIX files just to make sure nothing is accidentally corrupted. This shouldn't happen, but it's nice to have in case it does! *********** 1. Prepare the message you want to send, using your favorite editor (or least favorite editor; it doesn't matter) 2. Run MassMail! 3. Answer the prompts that MassMail! will display. MassMail! will want to know: Name of the prepared text file, title of message, what ACS string to look for. You do not have to specify a complete ACS string. You can specify anything from a single flag, to as complex as you need. MassMail! will then send your text file to those users that match or exceed your specified ACS string. MassMail! will list the users that are receiving the mail as it runs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ACS Interpreter: The ACS interpreter used with MassMail! has extensive error checking, unlike Telegard's, where there is none. Any ACS string is allowed and if there is an error in the ACS string, MassMail! will identify the exact error and also let you know what it is expecting, versus what it got. Some example ACS strings were going to be included in this section, but we assume that if you run Telegard, you understand the ACS strings and how to make them work to suit your needs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revision History of MassMail!: Version Comments 1.00 * Initial Release of MassMail! 1.01 * Fixed minor bug that caused the cursor to move up one line to high & over to far when was hit at the ACS prompt * "Hit to abort" option added to all input prompts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Technical Support: If you have any problems, or comments as to the usage or production of this program, feel free to call our BBS's: Chief Programmer Chief Programmer Josh Lippy Dave Elmer The Data Control Center The Darkside (301)831-1014 (703)951-0347 1:109/715@fidonet.org 1:2602/114@fidonet.org 85:865/101@ustgnet.org 85:887/101@ustgnet.org Support/Test Site Robert Hinshaw Far Point Enclave (316)721-8117 1:291/16@fidonet.org 85:847/102@ustgnet.org Thanks for trying our program and we hope you enjoy it! Other fine products you might want to try: Callog! The Quick Caller/SysOp Log for FEM's! HangUp! Nail those users that drop carrier on your BBS