FrontDoor APX/w FAQ

FrontDoor APX/w - Frequently Asked Questions
============================================

Version:   6, 17 December 1999
Author:    Mats Wallin, Definite Solutions

This is the official FAQ for FrontDoor APX/w from Definite Solutions,
the client (point) package for the Windows operating system.


Current FrontDoor APX version:  1.15, released December 17, 1999


Table of contents
-----------------

[1]. Introduction
 [1.1]  New versions
 [1.2]  Feedback
 [1.3]  Copyright

[2]. General information
 [2.1]  FrontDoor APX - what is it?
 [2.2]  Distributors of the commercial version

[3]. Program usage
 [3.1]  Crash messages / File requests
 [3.2]  File attaches
 [3.3]  Copy your unread messages to a specific folder
 [3.4]  Using a LAN to connect to the server
 [3.5]  Message base maintenance
 [3.6]  Message threads / Message linking
 [3.7]  More than one server
 [3.8]  Events / Calling the server at specific times
 [3.9]  Fonts

[4]. Other questions
 [4.1]  Using a nodelist
 [4.2]  File transfer protocols
 [4.3]  Message base
 [4.4]  DOS version
 [4.5]  Uninstall
 [4.6]  Mail not compressed
 [4.7]  'Unsent' message marked as 'sent'
 [4.8]  Year 2000

[5]. Examples and suggestions
 [5.1]  Keyboard macros

[6]. Troubleshooting guide
 [6.1]  Error installing FrontDoor APX
 [6.2]  Problem connecting to a server
 [6.3]  Rescan of a folder does not work
 [6.4]  Error: Invalid client address
 [6.5]  Messages to you not displayed differently in the survey
 [6.6]  Error: Unable to open C:\FDAPX\MSG\FOLDER.APX: Path not found
 [6.7]  Unable to unpack received echomail bundles (6 March 1998)
 [6.8]  Messages that should not be deleted are deleted during  maintenance
 [6.9]  Registration problems

[7]. Information to the operator of a server
 [7.1]  Information that a FrontDoor APX user needs from you
 [7.2]  Information that you might want to know
 [7.3]  Using FrontDoor APX on a LAN
 [7.4]  Pre-configure an archive for your clients (points)
 [7.5]  How to define pre-configured folder groups with SETUP.CFG


[1]. Introduction
-----------------

    This document is intended to help answer many of the questions
    frequently asked by users of FrontDoor APX/w.



[1.1]  New versions
-------------------

    New versions of FrontDoor APX and of this document is available
    from the following locations: 

    World Wide Web: http://www.defsol.se



[1.2]  Feedback
---------------

    All feedback regarding this FAQ, as well as the program, including
    positive and negative comments, suggestions on how to improve
    them, etc., is very much appreciated.



[1.3]  Copyright of this document
---------------------------------

    This FAQ is copyrighted 1997-1999, Definite Solutions HB. It may
    be copied and distributed freely as long as this copyright and
    information about the author remains.

    Translations to other languages is allowed as long as the
    translator includes information about the persons involved in the
    translation. 



[2]. General information
------------------------

[2.1]  FrontDoor APX - what is it?
----------------------------------

        Q: What is FrontDoor APX/w?

        A: FrontDoor APX/w is a integrated program that contains all
           functionality that a client (point) should need. 

           It contains, among other things, an EMSI compatible mailer,
           using the ZModem file transfer protocol, a fully-fledged
           message editor, functions to import and export messages,
           etc.

           The program runs under Windows 3.1x, Windows 95/98 and
           Windows NT. It can also be used under OS/2 running in a
           WinOS2 session.


        Q: Can FrontDoor APX answer incoming calls?

        A: The commercial version of FrontDoor APX can answer incoming
           calls (the shareware version cannot). However, it cannot be
           used as a front-end for a BBS, and it can not be used as a
           standard mailer. 

           It cannot be used as a server either. Even if it does
           answer incoming calls, messages it receives during these
           sessions will never be sent to another system; it is always
           imported into FrontDoor APX's message base.


[2.2]  Inquires about the commercial version
--------------------------------------------

    For information about the commercial version of FrontDoor APX,
    please contact Definite Solutions



[3]. Program usage
------------------

[3.1]  Crash messages / File requests
-------------------------------------

        Q: How do I send a message crash to a system that is not my 
           server (boss)?
        Q: How can I make a file request from someone that is not my
           server (boss)?

        A: This is not possible in the current version.

           The main reason for this limitation is that FrontDoor APX
           does not have a nodelist, and therefore does not have
           access to phone numbers of other system.

           The plan is to include this possibility in the 1.20 version
           of FrontDoor APX.

           Advanced notes: There is a possibility to workaround this
           in the current version of FrontDoor APX. To do this, define
           a new server with the command Options.Server. Specify the
           address of the system you want to send a crash message to,
           or file request from, as the server address, and your
           normal client address in the client address field. 
           Then write your message as you normally do, but when
           specifying the destination, make sure that the 'Use
           address' field displays this server.



[3.2]  File attaches
--------------------

        Q: I want to attach a file to a message, how can I do this?

        A: It is not possible to attach a file to a message in
           FrontDoor APX. However, you can easily send files to
           another user. Use the Send command in the Services menu (or
           the File Queue command in the same menu) to select the
           files you want to send, and the recipients of the files.

           The files you send are always sent via the server.




[3.3]  Copy your unread messages to a specific folder
-----------------------------------------------------

        Q: I want all messages that are addressed to me to be copied
           to another folder. How do I do that?
        Q: How can I easily find all messages that are to me?

        A: FrontDoor APX has the possibility to create a copy of all
           conference messages that are addressed to you in another
           folder. You can use this to easily find and read all your
           messages, when you do not have the time to read all other
           messages.

           To use this function, follow these steps:

           1) Make sure that the User Interface Level is set to
              Advanced. 
              (To do this, select the System command in the Options
              menu.)

           2) Create a new folder. It is recommended that this folder
              is configured as a Local folder, and that the Folder
              status is set to ReadOnly.

           3) If you want all conferences messages to be copied to
              this folder, edit the 'All folders' group, and select
              the Advanced page. Click on the Personal To
              button. Select the new folder, created in step 2 above,
              from the list.

              If you only want messages in certain folders to be
              copied to the new folder, edit another group than the
              'All folders' group, or each folder.

           When you reply to a message in this folder, the reply will
           automatically be stored in the correct folder.



[3.4]  Using a LAN to connect to the server
-------------------------------------------

        Q: I cannot get FrontDoor APX to connect to my *** server via
           a LAN?

        A: FrontDoor APX is only able to connect with a FrontDoor
           server via a LAN. No other mailers are currently
           supported.

           However, you should be able to connect to any other mailer
           via a modem, as long as the mailer supports EMSI.



[3.5]  Message base maintenance
-------------------------------

        Q: Does FrontDoor APX remove old messages automatically, or
           should I do this manually?

        A: FrontDoor APX automatically maintains your message base
           every third day (by default). When it runs maintenance, it
           will delete old messages and pack the message base to free
           disk space.

           By default, a message is kept in the message base for 30
           days from the day it arrived. (An exception to this rule is
           that messages in the 'Private mail' folder are never deleted
           automatically.

           If the User Interface Level is set to Intermediate or
           Advanced, it is possible to define the number of days
           messages should be kept for each folder, and also the
           maximum number of messages in each folder. To configure
           these settings, select the Folder command in the Options
           menu and then select a folder to edit.


        Q: I have FrontDoor APX running all the time, but it never
           runs the automatic maintenance.

        A: FrontDoor APX only checks if it should run the automatic
           maintenance each time you start the program. To have it run
           the maintenance automatically, you have to quit and restart
           FrontDoor APX at least once each day.

           If you do not wish to do that, you can instead run
           maintenance manually. To do this, close all windows that
           display messages, and then choose Maintenance from the
           Service menu.


[3.6]  Message threads / Message linking
----------------------------------------

        Q: FrontDoor APX does not seem to link messages that have the
           same subject.

        A: That is correct. FrontDoor APX uses real reply linking
           instead of the subject line linking some other programs
           uses. Real reply linking uses two control information lines
           in the messages, the MSGID and REPLY lines.

           Real reply linking has the great advantage that you
           directly can jump to the original message, or to the first
           reply of the current message.


        Q: I can't follow the reply links with the ... keys that my
           other editor is using.

        A: FrontDoor APX uses the following keys when following a
           reply link:

           /     Jumps to the message that the current message is a
                 reply to.

           *     Jumps to the first reply of the current
                 message.

           +     Jumps to the next message that is a reply to the same
                 message as this message.

           -     Jumps to the previous message that is a reply to the
                 same message as this message.


           There are also buttons in the toolbar that can be used to
           follow the reply links.



[3.7]  More than one server
---------------------------

        Q: Can I configure more than one server with FrontDoor APX?

        A: Yes, it is possible to do this.

           To define more than one server, follow these steps:

           1) Make sure that the User Interface Level is set to
              Intermediate or Advanced.
              (To do this, select the System command in the Options
              menu.)

           2) Select the Server command in the Options menu.

           3) If a list of servers are displayed, click on the Add
              button.
              If information about a single server is displayed, click
              on the New Server button.

           4) Define the new server as usual.


        Q: My server has more than one address, and I have more than
           one client (point) address of his system. How can I tell
           FrontDoor APX that all these servers are the same system?

        A: There is no need to tell FrontDoor APX this. When you call
           the server, FrontDoor APX checks all addresses that the
           server presents, and understands which addresses belong to
           this system.


[3.8]  Events / Calling the server at specific times
----------------------------------------------------

        Q: Can I configure FrontDoor APX to call the server
           automatically at a specific time?

        A: It is not possible to configure this in FrontDoor APX
           itself, but it is very easy to do it with an external
           program. 

           Many different programs that allows this exist. For
           instance, the Microsoft Plus package for Windows 95/98
           contains a program called System Agent that allows you to
           run another program at a certain time. Many similar
           programs also exist for Windows 3.x, one example is
           CRON18.*, which is available from (among other places)
           www.shareware.com, and also from our BBS (see above).

           To have these programs execute FrontDoor APX so that it
           automatically calls the server to pickup mail, use the
           following command line:

           C:\FDAPX\FDAPX.EXE /CALL

           (If FrontDoor APX is installed in another directory then
           C:\FDAPX, insert the correct directory instead).

           If you have more than one server defined in FrontDoor APX,
           the above command line will call all defined servers. If
           you only want to call a certain server, use the following
           command line:

           C:\FDAPX\FDAPX.EXE /CALL:1

           which will call the first defined server. Replace 1 with
           another number to have it call another server.

           (Version 1.10 of FrontDoor APX did not allow you to specify
           which server to call with the /CALL:1 switch. If you need
           to do this, make sure you upgrade to the latest version).


[3.9]  Fonts
------------

        Q: I have used the Font command in the options menu to define
           another font, but every time I switch to another folder,
           the font is reset to another font.

        A: The Font command in the Options menu is only intended for
           temporary changes of fonts. As soon as you switch to
           another folder, the font is reset to the default font.

           There are three different default fonts that can be
           defined.

           1) The default normal font. This font is used in all
              folders for which you haven't defined a folder specific
              font, and for all messages that should not be displayed
              with a non-proportional (fixed) font. This is in most
              cases the font that is used most often.

              To define this font, select the Define Fonts command in
              the Options menu, and then select Default Font. 

              After selecting a new default font, it will be used the
              next time you switch to another folder.

           2) The default fixed font. This font is used in all folders
              that you have configured to use a fixed font, for all
              messages that should be displayed with a
              non-proportional font, and when you select the Fixed
              command in the Options menu.

              To define this font, select the Define Fonts command in
              the Options menu, and then select Fixed Font.

           3) The default folder font. This font is only used for the
              folder for which it is defined.

              To define this font, edit the folder settings for the
              folder (select Folder in the Options menu, select a
              folder, and then click Edit). Select the Advanced
              property page, and click on the Font button.

              The User Interface Level must be set to Advanced to be
              able to configure a default folder font.

       


[4]. Other questions
--------------------

[4.1]  Using a nodelist
-----------------------

        Q: Can I use a nodelist as the address book?

        A: It is possible to convert a nodelist to the address book
           format that FrontDoor APX uses. A program called NL2APX is
           included together with FrontDoor APX, and is used when you
           want to convert the nodelist.

           All you have to do to convert the nodelist with NL2APX, is
           to execute NL2APX with the name of the nodelist as a
           parameter. NL2APX will then create the file ABOOKPUB.TXT in
           the current directory.

           Example:

           NL2APX NODELIST.320

           If you have more than one nodelist, it is possible to
           convert all of them at the same time, just specify all
           nodelists on the command line.

           If you also are using FrontDoor, and want to convert all
           nodelists you use with it, use the following command:

           NL2APX C:\FD\NL\NODELIST.* C:\FD\NL\FDNET.PVT C:\FD\NL\FDPOINT.PVT

           (The command line above assumed that the nodelist directory
           specified in FDSETUP is C:\FD\NL).

           Version 1.12 of NL2APX also adds the possibility to specify
           a default zone. This is useful when a nodelist that should
           be included does not contain any zone information. To use
           this possibility, specify the /ZONE= switch when
           running NL2APX, for instance:

           NL2APX /zone=10 C:\FD\NL\NODELIST.* C:\FD\NL\FDNET.PVT
           



[4.2]  File transfer protocols
------------------------------

        Q: Does FrontDoor APX support Hydra?

        A: No, it does not. Hydra is a very nice file transfer
           protocol for systems that transfer much data in both
           directions. However, most client (point) systems does not,
           and ZModem is in these situations just as good as Hydra.

           Future versions of FrontDoor APX might add support for
           Hydra, but we can not promise when this will happen.



[4.3]  Message base
-------------------

        Q: Which message base format does FrontDoor APX use?
        Q: Can FrontDoor APX use a JAM message base?

        A: FrontDoor APX uses a proprietary message base format, which
           is designed to be very effective for a client (point)
           system. Since all utilities that are needed to maintain the
           message base, including a tosser, scanner, message base
           maintenance, and the editor, are included in FrontDoor APX,
           the need to use a message base format such as Hudson or JAM
           does not exist.

           The FrontDoor APX message base is in some aspects based on
           the JAM message base. It does for instance use real reply
           threads. Two messages are not linked to each other, just
           because they happen to have the same subject. The messages
           are only linked if one of them is a reply to the other one,
           or if both of them are reply to the same third message.



[4.4]  DOS version
------------------

        Q: FrontDoor APX seems very nice, but is there a DOS version
           available?

        A: There is a DOS version of FrontDoor APX. As of this date,
           the DOS version does not exist as a shareware program, but
           this might change in the future.

           The DOS version can be bought from one of Definite
           Solutions' distributors and/or retailers. For a list of
           distributors, see [2.2] above.


[4.5]  Uninstall
----------------

        Q: How do I uninstall FrontDoor APX?

        A: I hope you do not want to uninstall FrontDoor APX, but if
           you need to do that, follow these steps:

           1) Check if there are any files in the subdirectory FILE
              that you want to keep. This directory contains all files
              that you have received, so there might be some files
              that you should copy to another directory.

           2) Remove the directory in which you installed FrontDoor
              APX (normally C:\FDAPX), including all files located in
              this directory.

           3) Remove the FDAPX.INI file that is located in the Windows
              directory.

           4) Remove the icon in Program Manager or the Start menu.

              In Windows 3.x, click once on the icon, and press
              Delete

              In Windows 95/98, right click on the Start button, and
              select Open. Select the folder where the icon is
              located, click once on the icon, and the press Delete.

           5) FrontDoor APX does, if it didn't already exist, also
              install the file CTL3DV2.DLL to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM
              directory. This is a file that is used by many different
              programs, and it is provided by Microsoft. It is
              recommended that this file is not removed, since you do
              not know if any other program also is using this file. 
              If you are completely sure that no other program is
              using it, you can remove it.


[4.6]  Mail not compressed
--------------------------

        Q: Why isn't the mail packets that FrontDoor APX sends to the
           server compressed?

        A: There are two main reasons for this:

           1) Most clients do not write the amount of mail that it
              really makes any big difference to compress the
              files.

           2) All modems sold today does have data compression built
              in (V.42bis), which means that the files are compressed
              on the fly when they are sent. It is true that for
              instance ZIP has a better compression ratio than
              V.42bis, but the difference in transfer time will not be
              noticeable.


[4.7]  'Unsent' message marked as 'sent'
----------------------------------------

        Q: If I write some messages and try to poll the server, but
           the poll fails the messages are still labeled as "Sent",
           is this a bug?

        A: No, messages are labeled as sent after they have been
           exported from the message base and packed into bundles to
           be sent to the server. This is irrespective of whether the
           bundle has already been sent to the server. If the poll
           fails, the bundle is retained for the next attempt until it
           is successfully transmitted to the server.


[4.8]  Year 2000
----------------

        Q: Is FrontDoor APX year 2000 compatible?

        A: Version 1.15 is fully year 2000 compatible.

           Previous versions have had a very small problem with year
           2000. If you during 1999 received a message that was dated
           in year 2000, FrontDoor APX would mistake the year for
           1900. However, the chance that this will happen if your
           computer date is correct are very small.



[5]. Examples and suggestions
-----------------------------

[5.1]  Keyboard macros
----------------------

        To use the keyboard macros below, enter the data below exactly
        as specified in the Definition box of the Keyboard macros
        dialog.

        1) [Top]Hello [CurDestFirstName],


           [Bottom]
           Sincerely yours, [YourFirstName] [YourLastName].[Top][Down][Down]


           (The macro above adds 'Hello ,' at the top of the
           message, 'Sincerely yours, ' at the bottom, and
           then moves the cursor to the first line of the message text.




[6]. Troubleshooting guide
--------------------------

[6.1]  Error installing FrontDoor APX
-------------------------------------

        Q: When attempting to install FrontDoor APX, I get the
           following message:

           Unable to copy file "abscomp.dll".
           File or directory access denied.

        A: The reason for this error is a bug in the installation
           program, which prevents it from copying files to a
           directory that contains 'extended DOS characters', such as
           A with two dots, O with two dots and A with a ring.

           The setup program creates the directory, but fails when
           attempting to copy the files.

           The only way to solve this problem is unfortunately to use
           another directory name, that does not contain one of these
           characters.



[6.2]  Problem connecting to a server
-------------------------------------

        Q: When I call my server (boss), the modem connects, but
           FrontDoor APX is not able to establish a session with the
           server.

        A: There can be a number of different reasons for this
           problem. The most common ones are listed below, together
           with possible solutions.

           1) FrontDoor APX requires that the server supports a
              protocol that is called EMSI. All modern server programs
              does support this protocol today. Please check with the
              operator of your server if his system supports EMSI.

              Server programs that are known to not support EMSI
              includes:

                Old versions of BinkleyTerm
                McKennel
                SEAdog
		TIMS

              The solution to this problem is that the server updates
              the software to a later version that supports EMSI.

           2) Most high speed modems (9600 BPS and above) can be
              configured to either use a constant data transfer speed
              between the computer and the modem, or a variable
              one. If the computer should be able to communicate with
              the modem, it has to be configured to use the same type
              of data transfer.

              To check if this is the problem, select the Modem
              command in the Options menu, and change the 'Modem BPS
              rate locked' setting to the other possible selection.

              Make a new attempt to call the server, to see if the
              problem has been solved.

           3) When FrontDoor APX tries to connect with the server, it
              presents a password that you have defined in the server
              configuration. If this password is incorrect, the server
              will disconnect the call.

              To check if this might be the problem, contact the
              operator of the server and ask him to verify the
              password, and to check the logfile that his system has
              created to see if it has reported any password problems.



[6.3]  Rescan of a folder does not work
---------------------------------------

        Q: I have used the field 'Messages to rescan' when editing a
           folder, but I do not get any old messages from the server?

        A: The reason for this is in most cases one of the two following:

           1) The server does not have any old messages in this
              conference in its own message base, and is therefor
              unable to send any messages to you. 

           2) The software used on the server does not support this
              function, or the type of request that FrontDoor APX
              uses. Software that is known to support this function
              includes: 

                FastEcho

              More software will hopefully start to support the FSC-56
              in the near future. Please ask the operator of your
              server to either switch to software that does, or to
              attempt to have the software updated.



[6.4]  Error: Invalid client address
------------------------------------

        Q: When I try to add a new server, FrontDoor APX complains
           with a message that says 'Invalid client address'.

        A: This message was displayed in version 1.10 when you had
           entered one address in the server address field, and
           another address that is not a point address of the first
           one, in the client address field. For instance, 2:201/329
           in server address field, and 2:201/330.1 in the client
           address field.

           Certain older programs did sometimes require a client to
           specify an administrative address instead of the actual
           server address. FrontDoor APX does instead handle this
           completely automatic, the client should have not to be
           bothered with the configuration of the server system.

           This means that when you specify the server address in
           FrontDoor APX, it should always be the first three numbers
           in your client address (i.e. 2:201/329 if your address is
           2:201/329.1).

           However, due to many requests to change this, version 1.11
           and later versions allow you to enter these types of
           addresses. FrontDoor APX warns you that the addresses you
           have specified might be incorrect, but allow you to use
           them if you choose to do that.



[6.5]  Messages to you not displayed differently in the survey
--------------------------------------------------------------

        Q: I've heard that messages to me that have not yet been read
           should be displayed differently in the message survey, but
           they are displayed the same way as all other messages.

        A: It is correct that unread messages to you should be
           displayed differently in the survey. If other messages are
           displayed with a non-bold font, these messages should be
           displayed with a bold font, and vice versa.

           If unread messages to you are displayed the same as all
           other messages, this is because the font you have chosen
           doesn't exist in both a bold and non-bold version. To
           correct this, define another default font.

           (To select another default font, see question [3.9]).


[6.6]  Error: Unable to open C:\FDAPX\MSG\FOLDER.APX: Path not found
--------------------------------------------------------------------

        Q: When I've installed FrontDoor APX and attempts to start it
           the first time, FrontDoor APX first asks if it should
           create a new configuration file, and then displays 'Unable
           to open C:\FDAPX\MSG\FOLDER.APX: Path not found'.

        A: This error message is caused by a bug in version 1.11. It
           is always displayed the first time you start the program
           after installing FrontDoor APX. 

           Just click OK to remove the message, and the program will
           continue normally.

           This bug was corrected in version 1.12 of FrontDoor APX.


[6.7]  Unable to unpack received echomail bundles
-------------------------------------------------

	Q: I receive echomail bundles (ARCmail) files from my server
           that FDAPX does not unpack automatically. Why?

        A: FrontDoor APX version 1.12 requires that the name of the
           echomail bundle follows the standard naming format. This
           format says that the name of the file should be eight
           characters, and that the only allowed characters are 0-9
           and A-F (i.e. hex-digits). 

           However, certain echomail processors uses names that begins
           with an P when creating an echomail bundle for a point, and
           because of this, FrontDoor APX does not consider this file
           to be an echomail bundle.

           A fix for this problem has been released and is available
           for download from the locations listed in [1.1] above. The
           name of the fix is APX-PKT1.EXE.

           The fix is also included in version 1.13 of FrontDoor APX.


[6.8]  Messages that should not be deleted are deleted during maintenance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Q: Messages from certain people that I receive are deleted
           every time I run maintenance, even though I want to keep
           them.

        A: This is a bug in version 1.12a (and earlier versions) of
           FrontDoor APX. It considers a message where the name of the
           sender or recipient is 35 characters long as invalid, and
           the maintenance routine deletes them because of this.

           A fix for this problem has been released and is available
           for download from the locations listed in [1.1] above. The
           name of the fix is APX-MB1.EXE.

           The fix is also included in version 1.13 of FrontDoor APX.


[6.9]  Registration problems
----------------------------

        Q: I have entered the registration key I have received in the
           dialog displayed when I select Help.Register, but FrontDoor
           APX says that it is incorrect.

        A: One common problem is that you have typed the digit 0
           instead of the letter O (or vice versa), or the digit 1
           instead of the letter I (or vice versa). Make sure you use
           the correct character, and if you're unsure which one it
           should be, try different combinations.

           Another possible reason for this problem is that there is a
           problem in FrontDoor APX version 1.12a (and earlier
           versions) when it attempts to verify registration keys
           created in or after August 1998. If you registered your
           copy of FrontDoor APX after this date, you will need to
           update to version 1.13.


[7]. Information to the operator of a server
--------------------------------------------

[7.1]  Information that a FrontDoor APX user needs from you
-----------------------------------------------------------

        FrontDoor APX has been designed to make it very easy to setup
        and configure. However, there are still some information that
        a FrontDoor APX user needs to be able to configure and use the
        program:

        Required information:

        *) The address of the server (boss), i.e. your network address
           (for instance 2:201/329).

        *) The client (point) address, i.e. his address. The address
           can either be specified as the point number only (e.g. 11),
           or as a complete address (2:201/329.11).

        *) The session password to use. FrontDoor APX does not treat
           the session password case sensitive.
           FrontDoor APX can use different passwords as session
           password and packet password, but to make the configuration
           easier, we recommend that you use the same password for the 
           session password, packet password, and also AreaFix
           password.

        *) The phone number to your system. FrontDoor APX can handle up
           to 10 phone numbers, so if you have more than one, please
           let the user know all of them.
           The phone numbers should be specified as they are dialed,
           i.e. in most cases without a country code.


        Optional information:

        *) FrontDoor APX can be configured so that it knows the
           address of an Internet gateway. When a gateway has been
           configured, the user does no longer have to type the
           address of the gateway each time he wants to send a message
           to an Internet address, all he has to do is to enter the
           Internet address as the recipient of the message.

           Because of this, if there is an Internet gateway that he is
           allowed to use, please let him know the name of the gateway
           program (in most cases UUCP), and its address.




[7.2]  Information that you might want to know
----------------------------------------------

        *) Compression formats

           FrontDoor APX supports ARCmail files compressed with the
           following programs:

             ARC 5.x
             ARJ 2.5x
             PAK 2.50
             PKZIP 2.04

           All compatible programs are also supported, such as
           Info-ZIP.

           Mail from a FrontDoor APX client is sent uncompressed.


        *) The FrontDoor APX address book

           FrontDoor APX does not use a standard nodelist directly. It
           does instead have an address book, which uses a different
           format.

           To help your clients to communicate with other clients of
           your system, or any other useful names and addresses, you
           might want to provide an address book to them. The address
           book should be called ABOOKPUB.TXT, and is a standard text
           file. Each entry in the address book should be specified on
           a line, in the following format:

             Lastname,Firstname,Address,System,Location

           The first three fields are required, the last two are
           optional. It is also possible to leave the second field
           empty. Spaces should NOT be replaced with underscores in
           this file.

           The file should be created with the same character set that
           Windows uses.

           FrontDoor APX is by default configured to use a new
           ABOOKPUB.TXT file that it receives from the server. This
           makes it possible to send it to all your clients each time
           any information has changed in the file, and FrontDoor APX
           will automatically start to use it at once. Before you do
           this however, please check with the client that he wants
           you to do this. He might have created his own ABOOKPUB.TXT
           file which would be replaced by your file.

           There is also a program called NL2APX.EXE including in the
           FrontDoor APX archive, which can be used to create an
           ABOOKPUB.TXT file from a standard nodelist. See [4.1] above.


        *) Fixed pitch fonts / Proportional fonts

           Since FrontDoor APX is a Windows program, it is able to use
           most of the fonts that are installed. Contrary to the fonts
           used in a DOS program, most fonts in Windows are
           proportional fonts, which means that the width of each
           character is different. This is not a problem in most
           messages, but when a message contains information that are
           in columns (for instance a table), it will often look
           incorrect with a proportional font.

           To prevent this problem, it is possible to add the NPD (Non
           Proportional Display) status to a message. If you know that
           you are sending messages that use columns, you might want
           to add the NPD status, if possible. To do this in a *.MSG
           or Hudson message, add a control information (kludge) line
           to the message that looks like this:

              @FLAGS NPD

           (@ should be replaced by a Ctrl+A character, ASCII 01h).

           In a JAM message base, there is a special header attribute
           for the NPD status.


        *) AreaFix messages

           When a FrontDoor APX user adds or removes a conference, he
           does not have to send the needed AreaFix messages
           manually. FrontDoor APX does this automatically for him.

           It is also able to send AreaFix messages that requests a
           list of available conferences, and a list of connected
           conferences.

           Since these functions are all handled internally by
           FrontDoor APX, it should in most cases not be necessary to
           instruct the user how to use AreaFix manually.


        *) Automatic creation of new conferences

           If there is a conference that you want the client to read, 
           just connect the client to it. FrontDoor APX will
           automatically set everything up on the client when it
           receives the first message in an unknown conference.
        


[7.3]  Using FrontDoor APX on a LAN
-----------------------------------

        FrontDoor APX can be configured to pickup mail over a LAN
        instead of via a modem, if a FrontDoor server is installed on
        the same LAN.

        When using this function, the operator of the FrontDoor server
        can configure a some settings that determines FrontDoor APX'
        behavior when used over a LAN.

        These settings should be located in a file with the name
        FDAPXLAN.CFG, and the file should be located in the directory
        that the FrontDoor APX client has configured as the FrontDoor
        directory, i.e. the directory where the SETUP.FD file is
        located.

        The FADPXLAN.CFG file is a standard text file, and can contain
        the following commands:

          SEMAPHORE 

            This command specifies that FrontDoor APX should create
            the specified file after mail has been sent to the server.

             can be specified with or without a full
            path. If it is specified without a path, the file is
            created in the directory defined as Semaphore path in
            FrontDoor's configuration.

            FrontDoor APX attempts to determine the name of the
            semaphore it should create automatically from FrontDoor's
            configuration. However, with some FrontDoor versions in
            some situations, this is not possible. This setting is
            needed for all FrontDoor versions with a version lower
            than 2.11, and in some cases with versions 2.20 to
            2.20c. It is not needed with versions after 2.20c (but can
            of course be used if so desired). 
                    

          HISTORYFILE 

            FrontDoor APX by default updates FrontDoor's inbound
            history file with information about the call each time it
            connects to the server. The history file that FrontDoor
            APX uses is INBOUND.HIS in the system directory. 

            If you want FrontDoor APX to use another history file,
            specify the name of the file with this command. 
            can be specified with or without a full path. If it is
            specified without a path, the file is assumed to be
            located in FrontDoor's system directory. 


          HISTORYTASK 

            FrontDoor version 2.20 and later stores the task number of
            the task that wrote a record to the history file. Since
            FrontDoor APX does not have a task number of its own, it
            does by default use the task number 0 when writing data to
            the history file. If you want FrontDoor APX to use another
            task number, specify a number between 0 and 255 with this
            command.


          NOHISTORY

            If you do not want FrontDoor APX to update the inbound
            history at all, use this command. If you do, any
            HISTORYFILE and HISTORYTASK commands will be ignored.



[7.4]  Pre-configure an archive for your clients (points)
---------------------------------------------------------

        Version 1.12 of FrontDoor APX adds a new installation function
        that makes it possible for you as the operator of a server
        to create a package that is pre-configured for clients of your
        system. You can for instance pre-configure your network
        address, the phone number to your system, etc.

        You can also create a number of folders that all your clients
        should have setup, for instance a conference for discussions
        between all your clients.

        It is even possible to pre-configure the name and network of
        the client, if you want to create a unique archive for each
        new client.

        To create a pre-configured archive, contact the company you
        bought the commercial version from, or if it is the shareware
        version that you are supplying to your clients, see the file
        SYSOP.TXT which is included in the shareware archive.


	There is unfortunatly a problem with the SETUP.CFG file that
	is used for this pre-configuration, and is included in the
	FrontDoor APX/w 1.12 archive. Two settings in the [Advanced]
	section destroys the configuration for all other settings that
	follow in this section. It is easy to circumvent this problem,
	just remove the lines:

        ABook.Open
        Log.Level

        from the [Advanced] section, or move _one_ of them to the end
        of the [Advanced] section, and remove the other one. It is not
        possible to use both with version 1.12.

        The problem above was solved in version 1.12a.


        If you use any 8-bit characters in the SETUP.CFG file
        (e.g. letters other than A-Z), please remember that these
        characters have to be in the Windows character set. The
        easiest way to make sure that they are is to use a Windows
        text editor, for instance NOTEPAD.



[7.5]  How to define pre-configured folder groups with SETUP.CFG
----------------------------------------------------------------

        Even if the SETUP.CFG file that is included in the archive
        does not describe how to define folder groups with the
        pre-configure option, this is actually possible.

        The information about this was left out because it might be
        considered a little bit complicated. This is an attempt to
        describe how the groups are defined.

        A group is defined much similiar to the a normal folder. It
        should have a folder number just as any other folder, it has a
        name and a description, etc.

        To define a folder as a group, add the following line after
        the Folder.Number line:

        Group             Yes

        The name of the group can be set to anything that is
        unique. The default name for groups that FrontDoor APX creates
        are '* GROUP ??? *', where ??? is the folder number. You're
        not required to use this name, but it might be a good idea to
        make sure it is unique in the future.

        Maint.Messages and Maint.Days should be set to 1. All other
        settings can be configured as normal.

        This is all that has to be done if no folders should be
        located in these groups, but if folders should be located in
        the groups, or groups in the groups, the following steps have
        to be performed.

        Something called a group level is used to decide in which
        group a certain folder belongs. If one looks at the listbox
        where all folders are listed, the icons for the different
        groups and folders create columns. The leftmost column (the
        All folders group) is level 0, the column directly to the
        right of the All folders group is level 1, the next column is
        level 2, etc.

        To define which level a certain folder belongs, the following
        line should be used in each folder definition:

        Group.Level         ?

        This setting should be set to 1 for all folders and groups
        that should be located in the 'All folders' group.

        Folders that should be located in a group that itself has
        group level 1, should have their group level set to 2, and the
        definition of these folders should be directly after the group
        definition.


// End of file "fdapxw.faq"