A program for a personal computer that allows the user to read and reply to messages from a computer system when not logged onto that system. The act of using an OLMR to read messages offline. Packet A collection of messages linked together, either created for reading offline or for uploading replies.
Packets are almost always multiple files compressed together into a single file.
QWK An offline message packet format, originally created for use with specific BBS and FidoNet software. Now a widely used standard for OMR with many BBS's. Because of its original intent, QWK is not designed to work with Usenet news posts or Unix mail messages. There are many OLMR programs that work with the QWK format, available for almost any machine out there. An offline message packet format that is Usenet news and Unix mail compatible.