Supportive Feedback from Commercial Publications: Thanks for the agreement to let New Riders Publishing use some of your software creations in the CD-ROM which will accompany Inside Windows 95. I'm returning your copy of the distribution agreement for your records. Please keep us posted on cool stuff you might want others to know about; that's what we're here for! Steve Weiss, editor,
New Riders Publishing, Macmillan Computer Publishing Hello Mr Autopilot,
I read a little summary of your achievements in DOS Magazine. This is a German Language computer magazine. It's great!! I carried out your instructions and what a difference it makes.
Thanks again
Stuart M. 100420,333 Dear Mr. Merkey,
PC Praxis is one of the most popular computer magazines in Germany with a sold circulation of approximately 220.000 copies each month. The Online Praxis is a special edition of the PC Praxis which is published every three months. At the moment we are preparing the July edition.
We would very much like your permission to include your Guide to Auto-Pilot in our CD-ROM edition.
I'm looking forward to a good online and offline cooperation.

Kerstin Viehl, Editor
PC Praxis andOnline Praxis Brett,
WHAT A FIND! I love it.
Help University produces a CD Rom for one of our conferences--the Southwest WinHelp Developers Conference. I would be delighted to put this help file on the CD, not only as an example of a useful help file, but because so many of the attendees use CompuServe many, many times each day. These people are quick studies, and, worst case scenario, the word gets out faster. Thanks for a wonderful addition to the functionality of WinCim. Please let me know if it's okay to put this file on the CD. I realize that you give permission in the actual help file, but nothing is going on that CD without the explicit, written permission of the author. Regards,
MJ Plaster
Executive Vice-Pres., Help University, Inc. From Help Author's Resource Kit
Weisner Associates, Inc. WinHelp Macro Reference for Non-Programmers
by Brett Merkey

"Handy and vivid reference to WinHelp macros and the Help Project file (.HPJ), with scores of tips and tricks for handling Help graphics and word processor issues. The Storeroom of Great Information offers live examples of many macros with accompanying instructions for implementation. One of the most comprehensive references of its kind released outside of book form, and presented in a refreshingly irreverent fashion." THE. . . . .
BEST Help File I ever saw in WINDOWS land. I found about your great work in PC Plus Magazine 07/95 Edition
C U in a better E-world
Ofer D. Tel-Aviv Israel Letter to Brian Livingston, noted InfoWorld journalist and author of several Windows books. Brian,
In case you haven't heard of it, it should be a pleasant surprise that, as a result of your column on Autopilot, somebody has researched its undocumented features and made up a beautiful hypertext file in which some of its unique and fascinating properties are aptly explained. Also mentioned are a few historical items that, perhaps Compuserve (or perhaps HR Block) shouldn't be proud of. If you're still interested, either let me know, or ask for PILOT.ZIP from Brett Merkey. It's short and sweet and turns out to also have been an exercise in which he learned how to use hypertext. This all parallels the spirit in which you approach Windows, in my judgment, and I'll be interested in your comments after you have seen it.
Jack S. from International Readers: Have just found your .HLP file in UKCOMMS forum. Just like to say thanks a lot! This should make British Telecom and CIS a little unhappy. I expect your file will be worth more than most of my christmas presents in the long term.
Have a good christmas.
Kieron D. There has been a buzz of excitement in the UK Computing Forum here on CIS this week because someone stumbled across your CisWin Guide to Auto-Pilot. Everyone wants to know more about it.
Mike L. (Scotland) Respected Sir,
I was amazed to see your fantastic "behind the scenes" view of WinCIM and it's possibilities. Your humour was very enjoyable as well.

I congratulate you for a well written and most humorous help.file but I couldn't find your name anywhere in the pilot.file.

sincerely,
SURESH K., Bangkok, Thailand Hallo Zusammen!

Ihr kennt doch sicherlich die Datei PILOT.EXE aus der DMVGER Lib 1. Das File ist eine Windows Hilfe Datei, inder die AutoPilot Funktion des CompuServe WinCim genau erklärt wird und dabei noch jede Menge Tips und Tricks verraten werden. Ich habe seit einiger Zeit mit dem Autor Brett Merkey Kontakt und er ist gerade dabei, eine französische und eine deutsche Version des Tips- und Tricks-Files rund um WinCim zu erstellen. Die französische Version ist fast fertig, für die deutsche Ausgabe sucht Brett noch einen Co-Autor, der Lust hat, bei deren Erstellung mitzuarbeiten. Also, bitte überlege Dir, ob Du da nicht ggf. mitschreiben willst. DANKE!!!!

Liebe Grüße
Michael Rupp, 74431,705 from selection of Easily Amused Readers: You have _made my day_ -- twice in one day! I am even one of those guys who reads the online Help file; how else would I know about Pilot. I have to tell you every day when I start my "customized" WinCim, I am fascinated by the graphic of the figure of a man rising out of the swamps. Perhaps you intended it to be a metaphor for CompuServe, but I consistently view it as a commentary on the human race. It has a tendency to keep me humble on a daily basis. I saw "BM" on your note. Own up now! Are you Brett Merkey, and is the Guide to Auto-Pilot yours? If so, a zillion thanks, and many, many stars.
Kenny B., Brussels Your guide is awesome! Not only does it answer questions I had -- and ones I'd never thought of asking -- but it reveals two aspects of CompuServe that are new to me: first, the sleazy way that the management operates in not sharing this efficient way to retrieve information; and second, the flip side, the open-handed way some people willingly offer hard-earned information just to be helpful. I'm a newcomer to the online scene, and I'm only afraid that the trend is moving toward the greed and away from the sharing. Thanks a million! I don't know if you remember me, but I wrote you awhile ago about an article in Online Access regarding WinCim Autopilot. I just wanted to take the time to thank you.You responded immediately by sending me a copy of your autopilot help file. I've been using it constantly ever since. It's nice to see that there are people out there willing to lend a hand to a complete stranger. As a new member to Compuserve it made me feel right at home. Wow. Thanks. The world suddenly seems like a nicer place because of your Help file. Just read more thoroughly your great help file for Auto-pilot. It answered a lot of my questions about Auto-pilot, and a lot I would never have thought of. Also gave me a few laughs. Your help file is the most enjoyable I have ever read. I've just been through a *certain* help file you put together for the benefit of us poor benighted CIS users. This just to say thanks for an excellent laugh and some valuable insight into the goings on behind the scenes. Keep up the good work. I've just downloaded your Guide to Auto-Pilot file and am overcome with joy ! I've been trying to find some software to automate the retrieval of messages etc for some time, but with no luck. And although I've not fully tried all your suggestions yet I'm sure that my search is now over. I've also got a few friends who have been looking too. Needless to say your help file will soon be winging its way to their mailboxes. Whoaa, what an eye-opener ! Hey, that's some superb sleuthing you did. This needs to be broadcast to everyone with a CIS account!. . . . . . Thanks again, Brett. Keep up the outstanding work. I have been using your Macro Reference for Non-Programmers help file for a while now, as I find it a very useful source of information for the WinHelp developer, and certainly easier to understand and extract information from than the likes of Microsoft's HAG [Help Authoring Guide] help file. If you do do any work in HTML or HTML Help, and release it on your page, I would be grateful if you would drop me an email letting me know. ROFL!!! Your Guide to Auto-Pilot has been the greatest fun I've had in AGES! <VBG> Thanks a million! Of course, I've also appreciated *immensely* the extra help in understanding a few more tips for using Auto-Pilot -- especially the "Interactively Marked Items" function (I just couldn't figure that one out on my own). Thanks for the documentation. Most fun I've had reading docs in a long time. Enjoyed your sense of humor--and your brevity! Subj: Your Custom and Pilot Files
From: ALVIN B. 75203,3312
Mr. Merkey,
I was on the Microsoft forum picking up bits and pieces last night. Today I decided to check out exactly what it was I had taking up my hard drive space and finally came across your file WinCim Customizing Kit. Well I've got to tell you that you floored me. I didn't think that you could do these things to this program! I continued to read then decided to go back to the Microsoft forum and retrieved the Guide to Auto-Pilot. I laughed....... alot...... You see I'm an engineer. Not of software like you, hardware service is my game. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you!!! In case no one has ever told you there are people out here that appreciate your knowledge and input. I've only been on CServe a few months and I was considering cancelling. Now I think I'll stick around a little longer. Keep up the good work and good luck to you my friend. I have just unzipped the one and only Guide to Auto-Pilot. I appreciate your devoted time and energy to develop this file. I not only found it very useful making Auto-Pilot very simple to use but the anecdotes were worthwhile reading. Funny and VERY informative is the way I would describe it. The best part was finding the "Secret Door" and really getting some inside information. This should be required reading for all Cserve Members. I have truly enjoyed this great twist on help files! It makes help fun, enjoyable and encourages me to use it. You are _THE_ man!!! Dude, there's even hidden stuff in your guide to the hidden stuff!! You are _so_cool ! ! !
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
<not being sarcastic> I _love_ it. I was wondering if I could up-load it to another forum, specificaly the student's forum? Please let me know. Read your Guide to Auto-Pilot! GREAT STUFF! I've been using Auto-Pilot, but the things you've said are very, very nice. Glad to see you're around! May the Force be with you. Live VERY Long and Prosper!

Brett Merkey
2405 Lighthouse Dr.
Palm Harbor, FL 34685

E-mail: bmerkey@tampabay.rr.com