MicroHof Mail v1.52 CL Documentation

INTRODUCTION:
        MicroHof Mail is a command line POP3/SMTP email client for Windows
9x/NT/2000.  MicroHof Mail provides a quick (no Windows messaging DLL's were
used and a command line interface has always been quick), complete (you can
send email, receive email and attachments, and save email) solution all
within one very small (< 300K) package.  If you're tired of bloated, slow,
sloppily designed programs, it's time to step up to MicroHof Mail.
        While the learning curve may be steep for those that are familiar
only with Outlook Express and other GUI based email clients, the benefits
of using a command line based software package are numerous.  If you get
discouraged while trying to learn the commands and while familiarizing
yourself the the philosophy behind command line programs, DON'T GIVE UP.
Although on the surface, MicroHof Mail may seem like a stone age DOS program,
it is actually an advanced Windows email solution--it REQUIRES a Windows
based TCP/IP connection to run.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
   * Windows 95 (any version)         >or<
     Windows NT 4.0 (any version)     >or<
     Windows 98 (any version)         >or<
     Windows 2000
     Even though MicroHof Mail is a command line program, it REQUIRES
     Windows to run.  (Just like that FTP.EXE program.)
   * An TCP/IP based internet connection
   * An email account (be sure you know the servername, password, etc.)
          NOTE: MicroHof Mail only supports POP3 servers on port 110 and
                SMTP servers on port 25.  If this confuses you, don't
                worry--most email servers are set up this way.

INSTALLATION:
        You may or may not remember the good old DOS days.  Back then,
installing (and it was called installing, not setting up) something meant
unzipping it.  With MicroHof Mail, this holds true today.  You may
wish to create a folder to store the program and your saved emails in,
however.  Here are the suggested installation instructions (unless otherwise
noted, type these commands at a system (DOS, Windows) prompt:

        CD\<the folder where you downloaded MHMAIL.ZIP> <ENTER>
        MD C:\MHMAIL <ENTER>
        PKUNZIP MHMAIL.ZIP C:\MHMAIL <ENTER>

To run the program, you can type:

        CD\MHMAIL <ENTER>
        MHMAIL <ENTER>

You can also create a Windows shortcut for it and include some of the command
line parameters (see below).  To uninstall the program, type:

        DELTREE MHMAIL <ENTER>

If you are confused about how to get to a system prompt or how to create a
shortcut, consult your Windows/DOS program documentation.

COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS:
        MicroHof Mail's command line parameters were included so that a
Windows shortcut could easily be made that automatically logs the user onto
an email server.  Simply include one or more of these options in the
shortcut's path, if you desire to do so.  This list of shortcuts is also
available by typing MHMAIL /? at a system prompt.
        /P                      - hides password
        /MAILFROM:<address>     - specifies the default address to send email
                                  from
        /USER:<username>        - specifies a username to logon as
        /PASS:<password>        - specifies a password to logon with
        /SERV:<servername>      - specifies a POP3 (receive mail) server to
                                  logon to
        /SMTP:<servername>      - specifies the default SMTP (send mail)
                                  server
EXAMPLE:
MHMAIL /P /SERV:barney.gonzaga.edu /USER:jgartin /SMTP:barney.gonzaga.edu
       /MAILFROM:jgartin@gonzaga.edu
This example prompts jgartin for a password (hidden) before logging him into
barney.gonzaga.edu (the POP3 server).  When jgartin sends email, the SMTP
server will be barney.gonzaga.edu and the mail will be sent using the address
jgartin@gonzaga.edu

PROGRAM COMMANDS:
        Once MicroHof Mail is started, there are several commands you can
type at the <command>: prompt.  You may view a list of these commands and
other helpful information by typing HELP at any <command>: prompt.
        DELE <x>   - marks message <x> for deletion from the server
        LIST       - lists messages on the server
        STAT       - displays the status of the maildrop
        NOOP       - always returns a positve (+OK) response
        RETR <x>   - displays message <x>
        SAVE <x>   - saves message <x>
        RSET       - resets the deletion attribute on all messages
        SEND       - iniates the send mail routine
        QUIT       - exits the program

KNOWN ISSUES:
        
        * As stated above, MicroHof Mail can only use POP3 servers on port
          110 and SMTP servers on port 25.  This isn't a problem for most
          (99.99%) people.  This is because most (99.99%) of the servers
          out there use these ports.  However, if you are unlucky enough
          to have a server that uses non-standard ports for the POP3 and
          SMTP software, you will not be able to use MicroHof Mail with that
          particular server.
        * On some computers (especially under Windows 98SE), it has
          been observed that program colors can sometimes become scrambled.
          This isn't a major problem; it's mostly just an annoyance.  This
          problem has not been noticed under Windows 2000 or NT.
        * Most servers have a timeout set.  This means that after several
          minutes of not typing anything at the MicroHof Mail <command>:
          prompt, your connection might be automatically disconnected.
          MicroHof Mail has no trapping routine for this event.  If this
          happens to you, simply exit the program and run it again.

RELEASE HISTORY:
        MicroHof Mail v1.52 CL is the first version of MicroHof Mail that
was made publicly available.  The CL in the version number stands for command
line, but does not imply that there will ever be a GUI version of MicroHof
Mail.  Version 1.52 fixed several small bugs and was released on 24FEB00.

OTHER MICROHOF PROGRAMS:
        If you like MicroHof Mail, you may also be interested in other
command line MicroHof programs.  Among many programs, we offer a command
line MP3 player for DOS.  We also offer many fun and challenging DOS games.
        If you're interested in Windows GUI programs, MicroHof has them, too.
Check out our webpage for more information.  The URL is listed below.

CONTACT INFO:
        Feel free to relay comments, bug reports, questions, or anything else
to jgartin@mailandnews.com.  The code for MicroHof Mail may also be made
available upon your request.  Visit MicroHof's homepage at
http://microhof.tsx.org.

LICENSE INFO:
        This program may be freely distributed and used by any person, group
of people, organization, or business.  It may not, however, be sold for a
profit.
