*************************************************************************** This information was prepared by Tom Butz, he makes tests over XT machine and explains the usage of some utilities. *************************************************************************** >From: Tom Butz <100372.1036@compuserve.com> >To: "Claudio M. Tantignone" >Subject: >MAIL_MX.HLP >Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 18:54:53 -0500 > >Hi Claudio, > >this is the latest version of my write-up. >Regards, >Tom. >*** > [MAIL_MX.HLP] - 01 Apr 2000 31 Mar 2000 > > How to receive and send email using Minix on an XT with 640 kB memory > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > You'd only need BOOT.EXE and DOSMIN16.MNX, see 2). Only *you* know your > Internet Service Provider/name/password etc. > > Keep watching www.minix1.hampshire.edu, that's where things will be, > ready to be downloaded. > > The following is based on *my* system/Internet Service Provider. > > 1) You need this hardware > ---------------------- > XT with 640 kB of memory > 1 floppy-drive > OR > a null-modem cable to connect to another PC through the RS232-ports > > 2) You need this software > ---------------------- > If you don't want to use floppies to copy between XT and the other PC, > you need: > MS-DOS INTERSVR.EXE on the XT (to connect to another PC) > MS-DOS INTERLNK.EXE on the other PC (DEVICE=INTERLNK.EXE in CONFIG.SYS) > > In either case you need: > DOSMIN16.MNX, a 4 MB MS-DOS file > BOOT.EXE (an MS-DOS program to do: BOOT DOSMIN16.MNX) > > plus the minimised version of: > DOS-Minix operating system for XT > PPP-driver (for connection between XT and Internet Service Provider) > SMR (to send mail) > POPCLIENT (to receive mail) > > The above can be downloaded from www.minix1.hampshire.edu. Make sure > you get the minimised versions, XTs have no surplus of memory. > > In the following I use and meaning the keys labelled > Enter and Ctrl. Don't type the <>, just push the keys. > > > 3) This is how you start your Minix-system > --------------------------------------- > From MS-DOS command-level, say, C:\>, > type BOOT DOSMIN16.MNX, > then follow instructions on screen. > > You are user 'root' (no password required). > Once the '#'-prompt appears, > type cd /usr > > > 4) This is how you connect to your Internet Service Provider > --------------------------------------------------------- > Type cd /usr, > then type paradise.sh > once you can see the modem's CONNECT-message, push > then type thomasb1 > then type password > then push and hold down and push ] > then let go of ], then > then type ppp_min.sh > once you can see the second 'ready'-message, push > > Now you should see the '#'-prompt. > > If you're a pessimist, type ping_std.sh > to check if your Internet Service Provider is 'alive' (if the connection > between your XT and your Internet Service Provider is okay). > Wait for the '#'-prompt to reappear. > > > 5) This is how you receive mail > ---------------------------- > You need a working connection as explained in 4) before you rip into > the following: > > type chkmail.sh > once the '#'-prompt reappears, type shutdown > > Re-boot your system and look at file /usr/mail.in: New mail would > automatically have got appended to the end of file 'mail.in'. > > IMPORTANT NOTE: > chkmail.sh keeps mail on the Internet Service Provider, for example > if you want to pick it up again. Mail automatically gets > > copied to your system (to file 'mail.in'). > > getmail.sh deletes mail from the Internet Service Provider, *after* > it automatically got copied to your system > (to file 'mail.in'). > > > 6) This is how you send mail > ------------------------- > You need a working connection as explained in 4) before you rip into > the following: > > type sndmail.sh > once the '#'-prompt reappears, type shutdown > > IMPORTANT NOTES: > > A) Directory /usr/MAIL_OUT/ contains text-files (mail you want to send). > > You write your own mail using 'mined', the Minix text-editor, like so: > type cd /usr/MAIL_OUT > type mined hello.txt > type The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back > type Regards, > type Joe > then push and hold down and push X > then follow instructions on screen. > > B) Change /usr/sndmail.sh using 'mined', so it will send what you want it > to send. It should look like this: > > # > /usr/smr thomas.butz@paradise.net.nz < ./MAIL_OUT/hello.txt > > where the mail you want to send is in file 'hello.txt', that's the > one you've done in A). And you want to send it to > thomas.butz@paradise.net.nz > > If you want to send the same mail to someone else, add a line like so: > > /usr/smr 100372.1036@compuserve.com < ./MAIL_OUT/hello.txt > > If you want to send another mail to the same person, that's how: > > /usr/smr 100372.1036@compuserve.com < ./MAIL_OUT/hello1.txt > > > Now /usr/sndmail.sh would look like this: > # > /usr/smr thomas.butz@paradise.net.nz < ./MAIL_OUT/hello.txt > /usr/smr 100372.1036@compuserve.com < ./MAIL_OUT/hello.txt > /usr/smr 100372.1036@compuserve.com < ./MAIL_OUT/hello1.txt > > Easy, isn't it? Keeping track of what you've sent/received shouldn't > be too hard. Just put the files in special directories, > say ./SENT, ./RECEIVED and ./PENDING. > > C) Binary files must be converted before sending them; and the person > receiving them must uncompress them. > > *Convert* a binary file to a text-file before emailing it, like so: > > uue infile.bin; this creates file 'infile.uue', a text-file that > can be emailed. > > If you receive, say, 'infile.uue', *uncompress* it like so: > uud infile.uue; this re-creates file 'infile.bin', the original > binary file. > > Note for Linux: uuencode in.org in.wk > in.uue > (copies in.org to in.wk and compresses that one > to in.uue) > > uudecode in.uue > (re-creates file in.wk from file in.uue) > > > D) Names for shellscripts (the ones with .sh at the end) > I use the following rules for my XT and AT: > > paradise.sh (small p) - connects at 2400 bps (use on XT) > Paradise.sh (big P) - connects at 38400 bps (use on AT) > ppp.sh (small p) - connects at 2400 bps (use on XT) > Ppp.sh (big P) - connects at 38400 bps (use on AT) > > chkmail.sh - same as chkmail_min.sh (use on XT and AT) > getmail.sh - same as getmail_min.sh (use on XT and AT) > sndmail.sh - (use on XT and AT) > > E) How to read mail in file 'mail.in' (received mail) > type cd /usr > type more < mail.in > type for next page > OR > push q to finish > > Note that means the long space-bar at the bottom of your > keyboard. > > > APPENDIX: Listing of important shellscripts for the XT > > #!/bin/sh > #paradise.sh - establish dial-up connection to ISP Paradise.net.nz > # > term 8 2400 /dev/tty01 -atdt086727234 > > > #!/bin/sh > #ppp.sh - start ppp-connection with Paradise.net.nz > # > /usr/ppp_min -b 2400 -a -v /dev/tty01 & > > > #!/bin/sh > #sndmail.sh - send mail using smtp.Paradise.net.nz > # > /usr/smr thomas.butz@paradise.net.nz < ./MAIL_OUT/tom.par > /usr/smr 100372.1036@compuserve.com < ./MAIL_OUT/tom.cis > > > #!/bin/sh > #getmail.sh - check/get/delete mail on pop3.Paradise.net.nz > # > /usr/popcl_min -v -u thomas.butz -p pw -o mail.in pop3.paradise.net.nz > > > #!/bin/sh > #chkmail.sh - check/get & keep mail on pop3.Paradise.net.nz > # > /usr/popcl_min -v -u thomas.butz -p pw -k -o mail.in pop3.paradise.net.nz >