Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 28
                 by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN

     Last time we started a general discussion of
"door-to-door" mail delivery. It is possible, with a little
configuration, to have your local BBS deliver mail right to
your TNC, without having to check into the BBS itself. And it
is possible, with a lot of TNC's, to send outgoing mail
directly into the BBS. This time, we will talk about
configuring one specific TNC, the Paccomm Tiny-2. While the
command structure for this TNC is identical to other TAPR-2
clones, there are subtle differences seen when it comes to
setting up the mailbox so that it does what we want it to do.

     Just a word of caution before we begin. You will need the
cooperation of your BBS's Sysop in order to do this. You should
also re-read the cautions that appear in part 27. This is very
important - improper operating can cause problems on your LAN.
We will presume you have done this by now, and we can
investigate what this TNC can do.

     In addition to accepting your incoming mail, the Tiny-2
can forward personal messages to your local BBS so that it can
pass them through the network to their destination. It will
only forward messages that are specifically designated (marked)
for forwarding. There is a provision for automatically marking
messages for forwarding, though.

     In the Tny-2, forwarding is supposed to only take place
during a "reverse forward" request. In order for your TNC to
get this request, it must first be the recipient of a
forwarding session from your BBS. In other words, your outgoing
mail will only go out to your BBS if you have received mail
from your BBS. There is a provision for forwarding to one
specific mailbox/BBS, so you can "beat the system" on this.

     We will cover all of the pertinent commands
alphabetically, so that you can follow along in your manual
easily.

AUTOFWD ON.  It automatically marks messages for forwarding.

CLKSET OFF.  This will not allow a BBS to update your TNC clock.
             You may use local time, the BBS UTC.

FORWARD      This is used to manually mark messages for
             forwarding. No need for this, AUTOFWD is ON.

FNPMS <xxx>  xxx is the call-sign (not alias) of the node you
             will use to connect to your BBS. Only one is 
             allowed. You may also use a digipeater (not
             recommended) after the node call.

FPMS         This will be the call-sign of the BBS you will
             exchange mail with.

HOMEBBS      This is your home BBS. Although there is a
             provision for an SSID, SSID's are not used in
             the hierarchical BBS address scheme and are not
             used here.

KILLONFWD ON  Will delete any message from your mailbox that has
              been sent out of your mailbox and into the BBS.
              This will help keep the mailbox clear so that it
              can accept new messages.

NODETEXT <x>  This is the command you send to any node used to
              connect to your BBS. The TNC will use this the
              same way you do. If you connect to node WZ9APR-1
              to get to the BBS WZ9APR-5, you send the node
              this command: C WZ9APR-5 . Your TNC has to use
              the same path, so <x> is C WZ9APR-5

     In addition to these commands, there are others that are
optional and may want to change. These are:

3RDPARTY      This allows other people to use (and possibly
              abuse) your mailbox. If it is off, only select
              people are allowed use of your mailbox.
 
MSGHDR        This allows a line with "From <call> <date>" to
              appear at the top of outgoig messages. This is a
              preference matter, but note that BBS messages
              normally have this data already.

MSGROUTE      This will allow the forwarding path to be
              displayed in the message.

RFNPMS        This is the node call-sign used to get to the BBS.
              It is similar to FNPMS, but is used only during
              forced (manual) "reverse forwarding".

RFPMS         This forces a "reverse forward". It is an
              immediate-mode operator command, and asks your TNC
              to connect to a BBS to see if there is any mail
              waiting for it.

TKILLOK       Allows any NTS traffic originating at your station
              to be killed by anyone connecting to your mailbox.

     Of course, you should be familiar with the usual operating
aspects of your TNC's mailbox before getting into this
seriously. And by all means, be sure to follow your BBS sysop's
advice when setting these parameters (even if they differ from
mine!) because he or she knows their system best. And after
all, this is a cooperative effort between you and the sysop.
And that is what it takes to have a truly automatic mail system
- human cooperation.

     Until next time, 73 from Andy