• Introduction
• Base module
• Data formatting
• PostScript pagination
• Mailbox
• Syndication
• Internet Delivery Module

Mailbox

Mailbox overview

The simple or mimic mailbox is useful when there is no on-line internet presence for the news organisation, where delivery of copy is not availabel via W4 - for instance when using a satellite telephone in a war zone, or where internet connectivity is not readily, or economically available.

The mailbox module can be setup to mimic an existing installation - especially Atex AAI, SII EPORT, Case Beeline. It is an easy-to-use system for the occasional or non-technical user.

The emphasis is on simplicity. Many remote correspondents will send only infrequently, and often have to send to many sites so do not want to have to remember complicated precedures.

Simple mailbox prompts the user to either:

• Send a message
• List the contents of their mailbox
• Read a message and either spike or save it
• Read wires stored off the editorial system
• For certain editorial systems, and logon allowing, access files on the main editorial system
• It can also be used purely for incoming messages from regular suppliers who need only to send copy and not to receive messages. It is ideal for those suppliers whose systems support only very basic message formats e.g. a local bank who sends the foreign exchange rates every afternoon from their message switch.
• Mailboxes can be accessed via dial-up, using Kermit, XYZmodem protocaols, or X25 data networks
• Messages for the mailbox can be from any source:
• A selection of articles from a wire service.
• Service messages from the editorial system.
• Email

Personlised mailboxes and binary files

Messages are normally in the correct character set and format for the remote user's PC or terminal. This allows better on-screen presentation for laptops with non-standard screens such as the Tandy.

Messages may be flagged as binary files to indicate that it should be read in its original state.

Security

Security is a sensitive issue for news organisations. With the increase in illegal access or hacking, many editorial system managers want to restrict the number of outside connections to their main computers.

Using Simple mailbox to receive the majority of remote correspondents' articles while leaving access to the main editorial system only for internal use and those journalists who need to get into sensitive areas, enables the system manager to reduce this security risk.

Simple mailbox has been designed to allow access only to the mailbox system, not the editorial system nor to the main UNIX operating system.

Simple mailbox and the base FingerPost system

All messages outbound and inbound are archived and can be viewed, resent or reprocessed to any suitable destination.

All incoming messages are routed and processed in the normal FIP fashion and can be translated, stripped and processed according to the particular type of message and its destination.

In addition to the base FIP hardware, only modems and other network interface adapters are required.

For a more detailed overview please see the technical documentation http://www.fingerpost.co.uk/progs/ipbox.html