File   :   READNEWS.DOC
Program:   READNEWS.COM, RDNWSKP.COM
Date   :   March 1987
Author :   Bob Stephens

Summary:
   READNEWS is short program that helps automate my reading the news
on STARTEXT each morning.  It works in conjunction with MEX to display
the headlines from STARTEXT and write a script file that MEX can use
to get the news items selected.

   READNEWS is configured for my QX-10 and writes the news files to 
the ram disk.  RDNWSKP is configured for a Kapro10 and writes the
news file to the default disk.

Use:
   The file HEADLINE.MEX is the script file I use to download the
headlines from STARTEXT.  My ST profile contains a list of keywords
like NATION, METRO, SCIENCE, SPECIAL.  When done, I have a file called
simply NEWS that has all the major keywords and the headline describing
each.  This file can run while I get my first cup of coffee.
   I use READNEWS while I sip that cup, selecting which stories I think
I need to read (even downloading some mail).  READNEWS writes out the 
script file for me when I'm done skimming the headlines.
   Before going off to shower and dress, I simply enter the command:
A>MEX READ GETNEWS
and by the time I am done, the paper is ready to TYPE using MEX or 
read with a word processor.

Technical stuff:
   READNEWS is simple.  It provides a screen of text and a prompt line.
The user simply enters the keyword he/she wants followed by a return.
A lone return will show the next page of text.  An ESCAPE will abort the
program, writing the keywords entered to that point to the script file.
A ^C will abort the program by warmbooting and not saving the keywords
already selected.

   READNEWS looks for several files before it gets started.  The file
NEWS must exist on the logged in drive (or on the M: drive for the 
Epson version).  The file GETNEWS.HDR must be on the A: drive.  It will
write GETNEWS.MEX onto the A: drive.

   You will need to change both HEADLINE.MEX and GETNEWS.HDR to send 
out your id# and password to STARTEXT.  

   READNEWS and RDNWSKP were compiled using the MIX C compiler.  The 
source code is provided for both files to permit experimenting.  (I do
not claim to be a C programmer, so there must be more pleasing ways to
write this.)  It should be able to be compiled for MSDOS machines, but
of course the script files will have to be changed for QMODEM or
whatever.

Credits:
  Much thanks to Marv Woolard for contributing the SCREENC information.  
I was wondering how I was going to do that!

Bob Stephens