OUTPOST MESSAGE MANAGER - PARC Wiki

OUTPOST MESSAGE MANAGER NTS MESSAGE SET-UP

Start the Outpost Message Manager and click “Tools”. From the Drop-Down menu click “Send/Receive Settings”

Check these boxes

NTS messages are identified by an address that includes a Postal Code and Prov. (L6Y2X2@NTSON). Once Outpost retrieves and stores an NTS message, the user has the option to accept the message for servicing and direct Outpost to delete it off of the BBS. See the section on the Message Form for details. Not accepting the message for servicing leaves the NTS message on the BBS for someone else to pick up.

Most BBSs offer one or more commands that allow the user to retrieve messages based on the destination (To:) Call Sign or the message’s category (category@route). Outpost supports the capability to selectively retrieve messages during a Packet Session based on the message list-matching capabilities of the BBS. Selectively retrieved messages are bulletins; no attempt will be made to delete them off of the BBS.

NTS MESSAGE MAKER Outpost supports NTS with the NTS Message Maker. This tool formats an NTS message by presenting the user with a form that enforces the addressing and formatting rules required to comply with standard NTSformatted packet messages. This section describes the NTS Message Maker form and how it works.

From the main Message Manager screen click “New” which will open the “Packet Message” window

Then click “NTS”

The “NTS Message Maker” will open

These Tabs are called “Controls”

These are called “Fields” NOTES 1. The “Msg No” Field will be filled in automatically. 2. Enter the “Precedence” Field. 3. Click the “Handling Instr.” Control and select the correct instruction

4. All other Fields are normal entries for NTS messages. 5. After typing the message click the “Check” Control which will enter the number in the Check Field

When all the Fields have been filled in, the message completed, and the Check calculated and filled in, click the Control “Save”. The NTS message will then be opened in the “Packet Message window”.

When the NTS message is placed in this window Note that the “To” Field will be in the format “call sign@NTSON”. Also note the “Subject” Field Do Not Change these entries!

To send the message click the “Send” Control and the message will be placed in the “Out Tray” of the “Message Manager” and will be sent to the recipient on the next “Send/Receive” command.

CREATING ARL MESSAGES ARL Messages are abbreviations that are used within the NTS message, and are comprised in two groups:

1. Group One is used for possible “Relief Emergency” use and are numbered from ONE to TWENTY SIX.

2. Group Two are Routine Messages and are numbered from FORTY SIX to SIXTY NINE.

Use these abbreviations whenever there is a need to reduce the number of words/lines in an NTS message.

From the main Message Manager screen click “New” which will open the “Packet Message” window

Then click “NTS”

1. On the NTS Message Maker Form click the “ARL Msg” Control. A new window opens – “ARL Message Wizard”. 2. Select “Routine” or “Emergency” by clicking on the “Message Type” Control. 3.

5.

Select the message number by clicking “Next” or “Previous” 4.

The ARL number appears Where additional information is required in the “ARL Number” Field to complete the ARL message you will be and the Text appears in the message window prompted by the Wizard. Complete the message by clicking “Apply”.

Clicking the Apply Control in the Wizard moves the ARL message to the “Message” Field in the Message Maker Window. Fill in the other Fields as before and click the “Check” Control to fill in the “Check Field”. Click the “Save” Control to move the message to the “New Packet Message” Window. Check that the “To” Field is complete then click “Send” to route the message to the “Out Tray” of the Message Manager, then send the message as covered previously.

NTS BOOK TRAFFIC When messages containing the same text is to be forwarded by the receiving station to different recipients, NTS Book Traffic can be used to simplify the process.

The “Msg No.” Field can be changed to read “Book #” where “#” would represent the number of recipients to whom the message is to be routed.

The message can be a simple NTS message or an ARL message.

The message information would appear in the message Field of the Packet Message window after the NTS Message Maker closes.

Common Message [TEXT] (or) ARL FIFTY X 73 123{call sign or name & address

phone number

(name)}

124{call sign or name & address

phone number

(name)}

125{call sign or name & address

phone number

(name)}

Message Number for each recipient

Optional if Call Sign is used

OUTPOST ADDRESS BOOK The Address Book is accessed from the Set Up Menu in the Message Manager. Click on “Set Up” and select “Address Book” from the drop down menu.

The Address Book is integrated with Outpost and supports the following address types:

Call Sign

VA3XYZ The most common addressing scheme used. This works with all BBS/PBBSs.

VA3XYZ@NTSON

NTS

This is a variation of the Hierarchical addressing scheme, and is treated differently on a BBS.

[email protected]

SMTP

(NOTE: This only works if the BBS is capable of routing such messages to an smtp server. However it can be used where the message is sent via a Winlink server.)

For SMTP messages the BBS must be changed to a Winlink or similar type server

The Address Book supports both individual (“single user address”) and “Distribution List” entries.

1. To enter a name for a “single user” click on “New” and in the new window check the “Single User Address” Option, then enter the person’s name (or nickname) in the “Name” Field 2. Then enter the person’s Call Sign or email address in this Field.

To compile a Distribution List click on “New” and select “Distribution List” from “Options”. 1. Choose an ID that will be unique to the Group you are compiling, then type that ID in the “Name” Field 2. Enter each individual’s Call Sign or email address in this space (as displayed). 3. When all entries are complete click “Apply” and your entries will be formatted (a semi-colon will be placed between each entry). Then click “OK”.

Address Book entries can be edited by selecting the entry using the down-arrow and making any necessary corrections.

The Addresses can also be forwarded (if necessary – use discretion when doing so) to another Outpost User by clicking the “Forward” Control and follow the instructions in the ”Packet Message window that opens.

The simplest way to use your Address Book is to click “To” which will open the Address Book and an address selection window. Double click the entry you want and that entry will be put in the “Message Recipients” window. Click “OK” and the “To” Field in the Packet Message will be filled in with the address(s).

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