I've snarfled the following files for evaluation, to the
limited extent to which I can do so by reading the obviously
biased literature of the software house themselves.
   Any ideas on which might be best for relative ease of
use and customizability, without any significant sacrifice
of capability to handle and manage large volumes of fidonet
and usenet conference mail, and fidonet private mail, and
to perform such tasks that are directly relevant to mail?
   I'm *not* interested in an all-in-one solution with a
general file manager, a text editor, a recipe generator,
and a guide to the great museums of the world. I already
have a favorite text editor, an excellent file manager, a
fairly good spelling spelling checker, and other specialized
and competent programs.
   I just want a powerful mail handler with only the
capabilities needed to handle fidonet and usenet conference
mail (and possibly internet email) -- although some bloat is
acceptable if the program is worthwhile anyway for its mail
handling capabilities. It's always possible to ignore the
bloat or possibly delete the irrelevant files, if the
capability bloat is contained in files separate from
the main executable(s).
   *---*
[All of the following files and descriptions came from
Knight Moves BBS, which I *think* can be reached at
www.knightmoves.com, as well as through fidonet at
(1:2613/313)].
[All of the programs I'm trying to evaluate, are for DOS.
Windows makes me want to retch uncontrollably, and I'm not
ready for an OS/2 suite, just yet, although a good offline
mail reader for which there are DOS *and* OS/2 versions,
would be just great].
!NFX280.ZIP    191009  04-09-96
   NFX v2.8: Easy to use offline mail reader
   for QWK & SOUP packets. Handles HUGE
   packets, thousands of messages per
   conf/Area. Messages can be upto 10,000
   lines long. NOW includes FOLDERS!!!
   SYSOPS can also receive a version
   that can be customized and distributed.
   From the makers of JDRAW/JMEDIA
   RipScrip development tools.
   http://www.westonia.com/blueview/
   >
NFX310.ZIP     181763  11-20-96
   NFX/Dos v3.1: Easy to use offline mail reader
   for QWK & SOUP packets. Handles HUGE packets,
   thousands of messages per conf/Area nad
   includes FOLDERS! FREEWARE!!!
   *---*
1ST-200A.ZIP   864412  07-22-95
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from
   Sparkware, the ones who created the QWK
   format.  An ALL-IN-ONE system that is great
   for novice users but also the most powerful
   QWK offline reader in the world.  Installs in
   a snap.  Needs 1ST-200B.ZIP too. See
   README.NOW for instructions. (File 1 of 6 in
   2.00 release)
1ST-200B.ZIP   801666  07-22-95
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from
   Sparkware.  This archive contains the rest of
   the basic 2.00 release.  It includes manuals,
   address book, RIP and database support.  You
   also need 1ST-200A.ZIP for the basic system
   release. (File 2 of 6 in 2.00 release)
1ST-200C.ZIP   497584  07-22-95                  * BLOAT
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from   *
   Sparkware.  This archive contains the         *
   spelling checker, 1STEDIT text editor and FLI *
   support modules. (File 3 of 6 in 2.00         *
   release)                                      *
1ST-200D.ZIP   959632  07-22-95                  *
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from   *
   Sparkware.  This archive contains the         *
   multimedia sound files used by the full       *
   1stReader 2.00 release.  You do not need them *
   if you do not have a sound card. (File 4 of 6 *
   in 2.00 release)                              *
1ST-200E.ZIP   245667  07-22-95                  *
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from   *
   Sparkware.  This archive contains support for *
   third party programmers who are interested in *
   writing utilities for the 2.00 release.       *
   Includes full documentation on the 1stReader  *
   API interface. (File 5 of 6 in 2.00 release)  * ENDBLOAT
1ST-200F.ZIP   378492  07-22-95
   1stReader 2.00 QWK offline mail reader from
   Sparkware.  This archive contains the 80386
   (and higher) compiled version of the 1ST.EXE
   program.  Do NOT use if you own a 80286 or
   8088 system. (File 6 of 6 in 2.00 release)
[I include bloat in these file descriptions to avoid
frustrating and annoying the occasional reader who may
wish to know what else in included in these packages].
   *---*
BW23_386.ZIP   706606  02-17-96
   Blue Wave Offline Mail Reader/386 v2.30. A
   Blue Wave and QWK-compatible offline mail
   reader which offers the utmost ease of use
   and configurability.  This is a 32-bit DOS
   text mode program which works on systems with
   an 80386 or higher processor only.  Can use
   virtual memory to read the largest of mail
   packets. Release Date:  12 February 96
BW23_DOS.ZIP   484960  02-18-96                  * NOT
   Blue Wave Offline Mail Reader/DOS v2.30.      * DOWNLOADED
   A Blue Wave and QWK-compatible offline        * (FYI only)
   mail reader  16-bit DOS text mode for         *
   XTs to the Intel Pentium and compatibles.     *
                                                 *
BW23_OS2.ZIP   485992  03-02-96                  *
   Blue Wave Offline Mail Reader/OS2 v2.30.      *
   A Blue Wave and QWK-compatible offline        *
   mail reader which offers the utmost ease      *
   of use and configurability.  This is a        *
   32-bit OS/2 text mode program for OS/2        *
   2.0 or higher.                                *
   Release Date:  12 February 96                 *
   *---*
JABR12.ZIP     130953  08-08-93
   Jabber v 1.2 - QWK Mail Reader
   Jabber is a memory efficient, easy
   to use QWK packet reader.  Features include
   large packet usage (>2megs), internal or
   external editor, tagline managment, conf.
   sorting, text searching, and text oriented
   configuration.  Has even been tested on a
   2-floppy 8086 PC!
   Auths: Marcos Della/Shad Muegge v1.2 07-27-92
   *---*
RM131UP.ZIP    487868  11-01-95
   ROBOMAIL QWK Reader version 1.31 Upgrade Kit
   This version includes support for long conf
   names and several other significant new
   features.  Use this file to upgrade from
   version 1.3.  See the enclosed READ.ME file
   for installation instructions.
   7 files - New:10-23-1995  Old:10-23-1995
ROBOM131.ZIP   850357  10-28-95
   ROBOMAIL QWK Reader ver. 1.31 -- (1 of 1)
   Database oriented offline QWK mail reader
   from Parsons Consulting.  Breaks new ground
   with sophisticated database access to your
   messages, internal editor, spell checker,
   folders & modern interface. Extensive support
   Internet E-Mail and Newsgroups.  OS/2 and
   Windows aware. New version supports long
   conference names!
   *---*
SLMR21A.ZIP    176551  01-04-92
   Silly Little Mail Reader, Most Popular!
[A quick read of message footer lines in fidonet conferences
shows that some people still use this old program and version
thereof].
--- QScan/PCB v1.17b / 01-0406
---------------