Greetings John,
I am currently running two systems.  My main system is a 486 based 
mini-tower running Warp 3 Connect (Blue), the other is a 286 Toshbiba 
laptop runnind DOS 6.2.  I am currently using "1st Reader" to handle 
mail, Fido and Usenet conferences.  The software works equally well in 
an OS2-DOS full-screen or windowed session with a slight performance 
edge in a full-screen session.  I use "1st Reader" on both the Warped 
system and the 286 laptop.
I have also had great success under Warp with BlueWave (OS/2 native and 
MS-DOS) and Offline Express (for DOS).  These are purely offline 
readers.  "1st Reader" also works as a dialup terminal and one can 
write automated scripts for handling BBS messaging.  
ÿ
JW>   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?
Currently I'm using "1st Reader" for handling mail, FIDO and Usenet 
conferences via a BBS.  My home system is a 486DX2-80 running Warp 3 
Connect (Blue) and "1st Reader" works well either full-screen or in a 
window.  There is a slight performance edge with "1st Reader" running 
full-screen.
"1st Reader" may be more complex than what you are looking for as it 
also includes built-in dialup capabilities.  However this is OK for me 
as I have "1st Reader" automatically dial the BBS, download/upload 
messages through scripts.  
Also, I run "1st Reader" on my 286 Toshiba laptop under DOS 6.2 and it 
doesn't take up that much room on the HDD .  Under Warp I've also 
had good sucess with "Offline Express" and BlueWave (both OS/2 native 
and DOS versions).  My advice is to check them out and see which works 
best for you.  
JW>1ST-200A.ZIP   864412  07-22-95
  >1ST-200B.ZIP   801666  07-22-95
ÿ
You don't need all the stuff for 1st Reader 2.00, only parts A & B.  
JW>BW23_386.ZIP   706606  02-17-96
This works great under both Warp and DOS...
  >BW23_OS2.ZIP   485992  03-02-96                  *
Better if you are Warped only...
Best Regards,
Greg
kragmeister@po.father.com
 
 * 1st 2.00 ~ Reality is only for those who lack imagination.
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