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BBS2FMS v2.2 - (c) 1994 by Richie Molinelli
FILES.BBS (*.DIR) to FMS converter
History
v1.0 - 02/26/94 - not released
v2.1 - 02/27/94 - beta - limited release
v2.2 - 02/31/94 - public release
PACKING LIST:
The B2FV22.ZIP archive should contain the following:
BBS2FMS.DOC - This document
BBS2FMS.EXE - The 286 program .EXE
BBS2FMS.088 - The 8088 program .EXE
DESC.SDI - Description file for this archive
FILE_ID.DIZ - Description file for this archive
SAMPLE.CFG - Sample configuration file
BBS2FMS is distributed in .ZIP format and should contain ONLY the above
six files.
If this archive has been repackaged, it should contain ONLY the above
six files. If any other files are contained, you should obtain the archive
from another source.
WHAT IS BBS2FMS?
BBS2FMS is a program to convert FILES.BBS and/or old style RBBS *.DIR file
listing files to RBBS FMS format with category codes. It has the capability
of processing single files as well as running in "batch" mode to process a
list of files. It can create a master FMS file from all the individual
input files when running in batch mode. It accepts extended descriptions
written in both forward and reverse order. It will honor the "Uploaded by:"
mod for RBBS. It will wrap lines which exceed the desired description length
(that which is contained in RBBS CONFIG parameter #219). Additionally it can
create an unordered, unsorted list of files which can be sorted and used for
running macros.
WHAT CAN BBS2FMS BE USED FOR?
It's best uses are for converting old style RBBS *.DIR listings to the newer
and maintanence free FMS listings and taking all the FILES.BBS type files on
a CD-ROM and creating a master FMS listing for use with RBBS.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO RUN BBS2FMS?
Welp, a computer helps. Seriously, the only thing BBS2FMS requires is that
the input file(s) for processing contain the basic four pieces of data that
RBBS wants: the file name, size, date and short description. BBS2FMS will
attempt to get around a missing size by substituting the size "1024" and will
attempt to get around missing date(s) by substituting the date "01/01/80".
It may/will have problems if both the size and date of a particular file are
missing. It is advised to use either CONFIG or a utility like FMSCHK (by
Bob Hampton) to check the newly created FMS file(s) for errors when processing
is complete.
HOW DO YOU RUN IT?
Single file:
Ahhhh.... The meat of the document. BBS2FMS can be run two different
ways. The first of these is from the command line. BBS2FMS can process an
individual *.BBS file (*.DIR) file direct from the command line without
having to set up a configuration file. The syntax of the command is:
BBS2FMS /<input file> /<desc size> /<cat code> /R /F
where:
/<input file> - the name of the file to process - a *.BBS, *.DIR or
similiar files.
/<desc size> - the description field size from RBBS CONFIG parameter #219
/<cat code> - the three character category code you want for this listing
/R - this is an optional switch and can be omitted. This
indicates the input file is an RBBS *.DIR file with
extended descriptions in reverse format (see figure 2 below)
/F - this is an optional switch and can be omitted. This tells
BBS2FMS to write out the new FMS type file in reverse
format (see figure 2 below). This is great if you have a
*.BBS (*.DIR) that has extended descriptions in forward
order (see figure 1 below) and need them in reverse order.
Either or both of the optional switches (including their delimiters - "/")
can be omitted or included. The description field size must be what you have
entered in RBBS CONFIG parameter #219. If you attempt to exceed 46 characters
or less than 1 character, BBS2FMS will complain and exit. Your category code
must be three characters in length. If you exceed or input less than 3
characters, BBS2FMS will complain and exit. BBS2FMS will attempt to determine
if your input file has the extended descriptions in reverse order. If the
first file listed in your *.DIR (or *.BBS) file does not have an extended
description and the remainder have extended descriptions in reverse order
(see figure 1 and 2 below) then you must use the "/R" switch.
The "/F" switch is great for taking a forward ordered listing and reversing
it. Such listings are written out by the MUTIL.EXE program on the monthly
ASP disks.
*** Figure 1. (Extended Descriptions in forward format)
APR150.ZIP 410633 10-01-93 APROPOS FOR DOS 1.50 CONTACT MANAGER <ASP>
APROPOS is a powerful, yet easy-to-use package designed to help business
people manage their contacts and related activities. This convenient
database program also offers robust reporting and archiving facilities.
<ASP> Registration is only $49.95US.
APTENV.ZIP 59019 05-16-94 Print envelopes w/POSTNET codes & bulk mail
<ASP> Print envelopes and labels with POSTNET codes on any HP compatible
laser printer or Epson compatible dot matrix printer. Does bulk mailing and
prints zip code statistics for easy bundling. Supports multiple address
databases.
*** Figure 2. (Extended Descriptions in reverse format)
<ASP> Registration is only $49.95US.
database program also offers robust reporting and archiving facilities.
people manage their contacts and related activities. This convenient
APROPOS is a powerful, yet easy-to-use package designed to help business
APR150.ZIP 410633 10-01-93 APROPOS FOR DOS 1.50 CONTACT MANAGER <ASP>
databases.
prints zip code statistics for easy bundling. Supports multiple address
laser printer or Epson compatible dot matrix printer. Does bulk mailing and
<ASP> Print envelopes and labels with POSTNET codes on any HP compatible
APTENV.ZIP 59019 05-16-94 Print envelopes w/POSTNET codes & bulk mail
Batch mode (multiple input files):
BBS2FMS can also be run in batch mode for processing more than one file at
a time. To do this you set up a configuration file. There are two different
ways to get BBS2FMS to run in batch mode. The first is to create a
configuration file named BBS2FMS.CFG in the same directory as the executable.
You then run BBS2FMS with no command line. BBS2FMS defaults to looking for
the configuration file named BBS2FMS.CFG when no parameters are passed to it.
If it does not find the configuration file, it will display a help screen.
Optionally you can pass the name of the configuration file to BBS2FMS. The
configuration file can be any name with the extension ".CFG". BBS2FMS would
then be run with the following syntax:
BBS2FMS /<configuration file name>
BBS2FMS will check to see if the configuration file exists and will load it
if found. If it is not found, BBS2FMS will look for the default configuration
file before exiting and, if found, run that. With the ability to pass the
configuration file name to BBS2FMS, you can run it multiple times with
different sets of *.BBS (or *.DIR) files for multiple CD-ROM disks, etc..
in batch files while you go take a snooze. BUT... Believe me, BBS2FMS is
pretty fast.
What does the configuration file contain? The following is a sample file:
R ; "R" if extended descriptions are in reverse order
n ; "Y" if you want to run in quiet mode - no bell
46 ; description field size - from CONFIG param #219
F ; "F" to Force writing extended descriptions in reverse order
y ; "Y" creates one master FMS listing from the input files
ALLFILES.NEW ; The name of the master FMS file if "Y" above
y ; "Y" to delete individual files when done
Y ; "Y" to create a filename only listing for use with macros
FIDX.NEW ; The name of the unsorted file list if "Y" above
y ; "Y" if you want to write activity to a log file
ASP_ILES.BBS,001 ; All the remaining lines are the names of the individual
BUSINESS.BBS,002 ; files with their corresponding category codes.
COLLTING.BBS,003 ; Any text after the ";" delimiter is ignored
COMMIONS.BBS,004 ;
DATAIONS.BBS,005
In the above example the lines contain the following:
Line 1: You place an "R" here if the input files have extended descriptions
written in reverse order (see figure 2 above). Blank or any other
character indicates the input files are not in reverse order.
Line 2: "Y" if you want to run in quiet mode. Turns bell off on errors.
Line 3: The description field size taken from RBBS CONFIG parameter #219.
Must be from 1 to 46 inclusive or BBS2FMS will complain and exit.
Line 4: An "F" here "Forces" BBS2FMS to write out the processed file in
reverse order (see figure 2 above) while the input file has
extended descriptions in forward order (see figure 1 above).
Leaving blank or any other character will tell BBS2FMS not to
write a reverse order listing when the input listing is in forward
order.
Line 5: A "Y" here indicates that BBS2FMS create a master FMS file
where all the input files are combined for one main listing.
The name of this master FMS file is taken from line 5 below or will
default to ALLFILES.NEW. Leaving blank or any other character
will tell BBS2FMS not to write the master FMS listing.
Line 6: If you put a "Y" on line 4, then this is the name of the master
FMS file. If you have a "Y" on line 4 and leave this line blank
then BBS2FMS will default to using the name ALLFILES.NEW. This
line is ignored if you are not creating a master FMS file.
Line 7: If creating one master FMS listing a "Y" here will indicate to
BBS2FMS to delete all the individual processed files when completed.
Your original input files will remain. Leave blank or any other
character to retain the files.
Line 8: A "Y" here indicates to BBS2FMS to create and unsorted file listing
file. Each line in this file contains a file name and nothing else.
This file can be sorted and used for macros, etc.. Blank or any
other characters will prevent BBS2FMS from writing this file.
Line 9: If you put a "Y" on line 7 to create an unsorted file listing, this
is the name of the file listing file. If you have a "Y" on line 7
and leave this line blank then BBS2FMS will default to using the
name FIDX.NEW. This line is ignored if you are not creating a file
listing file.
Line 10: "Y" if you want BBS2FMS to create and write to a log file. Great
for trouble shooting.
Line 11 and up: From here on, each succeeding line contains the name of a
*.BBS (or *.DIR) file and the corresponding category code for that
file. The two parameters are separated by a comma. BBS2FMS will
read in the files listed here and process them.
The ";" delimeter allows you to comment the file. Anything after a ";"
will be ignored by BBS2FMS. Great for referencing. See the sample
SAMPLE.CFG file contained within this archive.
HOW DO I SET UP TO USE BBS2FMS?
Easy. Create a work directory. Copy BBS2FMS.EXE (286 on up version - the
8088 version is named BBS2FMS.088 and must be renamed to BBS2FMS.EXE) into
this directory. Running BBS2FMS without any parameters and without a
BBS2FMS.CFG file present will display the syntax for processing one file.
Copy all the files you want to process into this directory. If more than one
file is going to be processed for the listing, create a .CFG file and, using
the directions above, go to town.
OUTPUT FILES?
All output files have the same name as the input files but with the extension
".NEW". The default master FMS listing (if created) will be named
ALLFILES.NEW if no name is specified in the configuration file. The default
unsorted list of files (if created) will be named FIDX.NEW if no name is
specified in the configuration file.
BBS2FMS will also create a log file of activity named BBS2FMS.LOG if instructed
to do so and will create an error file named BBS2FMS.ERR if an error occurs.
Now the GOOD stuff:
WARRANTY?
Ya gotta be kidding. Not fit for any purpose other than to take up room on
your hard drive. It works for me......hopefully for you.
REGISTRATION?
Welp, BBS2FMS represents many hours of programming and debugging. It is not
crippled in any manner. You are free to use it. If you use it and are
satisified and want to encourage me to further this program (like eventually
searching the CD itself for the FILES.BBS files and processing them, creating
the FIDX and LIDX files, creating DIR.CAT and/or DIR.DIR files, etc), then
donations to my BBS are accepted. So are postcards. And registered versions
of programs you wrote. You can send any of the above to the following
address:
Richie Molinelli
P.O. Box 961
Levittown, NY 11756
You can net mail bug reports and/or suggestions to the following:
Fido: 1:107/272 and 1:107/273 BBS: The Small Time BBS
RBBSNet: 8:954/272 516-579-7929
Busilink: 10:110/3 Runnin' RBBS/Busimod v17.4a
1200 thru 14400bps