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Text File | 1994-11-09 | 53KB | 1,013 lines

ROBOTAPE v4.00 Full Version Release Date 11-09-94 COPYRIGHT (C) 1994, By Vince Jacobs Lone Wolf Software ***** IMPORTANT NOTICE ****** Look at the BETA REVISION history at the bottom of this document for vital information on upgrading from previous beta revisions. There has been some changes in the data structures! If your current version is beta revision 07 you must delete the file RTHARD.DAT and run RBCONFIG and go into the Hardware Window (F1) and edit the fields to match your system. If your using a beta revision older than 07, or running version 3.00 or 2.00, you must do a complete re-install. GETTING STARTED.... OK, let's start the setup process. You should unzip this in it's own directory. Do NOT unzip it in the same directory as an older version. The steps to setting up the door MUST be followed in this order. I REPEAT, THESE STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED AND IN THIS ORDER!!!! [Setting Up The Program] or [Follow These 5 Easy Steps To Happiness] STEP 1: Place the path to your tape drive's software in the PATH statement of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For a Colorado Jumbo this would be <drive>:\TAPE for a Colorado Trakker this would be <drive>:\TRAKKER. An example would be..... PATH C:\DOS;\TAPE;\FD blah, blah... up to DOS's 128 char limit. Read the above paragraph until you can say it BACKWARDS!!!! Also you must have a copy of DSZ or GSZ from Omen Technology in your system's path, one of these is used to perform the file transfers. Edit the GETFILE.BAT and SENDFILE.BAT files to reflect which one of these you will be using. Again, read this paragragh until the light bulb comes on..... Be sure you give the door program at least 490k of available memory to operate in. Errors could occur during restores if not enough memory is available to the door. If your BBS software has an option to swap itself out of memory when running a door, use it. An example would be Remote Access's *M switch on it's Optional Data command line. Let me repeat this, YOU *MUST* HAVE ENOUGH MEMORY AVAILABLE TO THE DOOR (ROBOT400.EXE), OR ERRORS MIGHT OCCUR. Currently a Fossil Driver MUST be used with RoboTape, I recommend the fossil driver X00, which is widely available. STEP 2: Run the program RBCONFIG.EXE, this is the configuration program. You will set all the paths and options with this program, you can also edit the user records from here. Hitting F1 will bring up the Hardware Window.... +-------------------------------------------+ Hardware+----+ | | | Tape Directory Path: C:\TAPE\ | | Write Log File Y/N: Y | | Path To Log File...: C:\SLBBS\ | | Name Of Log File...: ROBOT.LOG | | Limit Restore Hrs. Y/N: Y | | Tape Number In Drive..: 1 | | CD Number In Drive....: 1 | | | | | | | +---+ ESC +---+ F3=Clear Line +------------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ TAPE DIRECTORY PATH: Enter the path to the software that came with your tape drive, for the Colorado Takker series it would be something like C:\TRAKKER\ LIMIT RESTORE HOURS: If this is set to 'Y', then Robo Tape will only allow users to restore files within the time periods set in the Time Window (F9), you can set restore times for each day of the week. TAPE NUMBER IN DRIVE: Allows for multiple tapes to be used. Here's how the multiple tape system works. Each tape file area asks you what tape number this area belongs to. You can assign the areas a number between 1 and 999 in the File Areas window (F2) in RBCONFIG. You then set the current tape number that is in the drive by entering the Hardware Window (F1) of RBCONFIG. The tape number has nothing to do with the volume numbers on the tape, it's just an arbitrary number that the door will match up with what you have set in RBCONFIG to see if a tape file area is active and should be shown as an available area when doing an area change or searching for files. As an example, if you have file area 1 set as belonging to tape number 5, and you have the current tape number set to 4, then area 1 will not be shown to the user and cannot be accessed because the files listed in area 1 are not on the tape that is currently in the tape drive. By supporting multiple areas this way, you can label your tapes in numerical order 1-999 and setup all your tape file areas for all your tapes at once and not have to re-setup all the tape areas each time you change tapes. CD NUMBER IN DRIVE: Allows for multiple CD's on a single drive. Here's how the multiple cd system works. Each cd file area asks you what cd number this area belongs to. You can assign the areas a number between 1 and 999 in the File Areas window (F2) in RBCONFIG. You then set the current cd number that is in the drive by entering the Hardware Window (F1) of RBCONFIG. The cd number has nothing to do with the drive letter, or multiple drives, it's just an arbitrary number that the door will match up with what you have set in RBCONFIG to see if a cd file area is active and should be shown as an available area when doing an area change or searching for files. As an example, if you have file area 1 set as belonging to cd number 5, and you have the current cd number set to 4, then area 1 will not be shown to the user and cannot be accessed because the files listed in area 1 are not on the cd that is currently in the cd rom drive. By supporting multiple areas this way, you can label your cd disks in numerical order 1-999 and setup all your cd file areas for all your cd's at once and not have to re-setup all the cd areas each time you change disks. For multiple cd rom drives, you would want to make sure each file area on each drive that you want active, match the active cd number that you have set in RBCONFIG. Supporting multiple cd's in this fashion offers excellent flexibilty, as it is not drive or disk dependant, access is on an area by area basis. Now Hit F2 to bring up the File Area Window.... +--------------------------+ File Areas +-+ | 1 . GIFS On Tape | | 2 . Doors On Tape | +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Drive Type For This Area | | | | [ ] CD Rom Area [X] Tape Drive Area [ ] Hard Drive Area | | | | Press [TAB] To Change Area Types | +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | 9 . Windows Applications |OBS | | 10 . Windows Games And ETC... |--------------+ | 11 . Spreadsheets | | 12 . Database Programs | | 13 . Home And Family | | 14 . Text Editors And Viewers | | 15 . Text And Reference | | 16 . Lists And Info | | 17 . Health And Food Recipes | | 18 . Games And Humor | | 19 . Graphics And Paint | | 20 . GIF and Other Graphics | +---------------------------------+ Esc +-+ Highlight an area number and press ENTER, you will then be asked the type to make this area, the choices are TAPE, CD, or HARD Drive. Use the TAB key to move from one box to the other until the 'X' is in the box you want, then press enter. The Area Window will pop up for this area, the tape, cd, and hard drive windows are all different and require different info, so be sure and select the correct drive type when setting up each area. Below is the Area Window...... +--------------------------+ File Areas +-+ | 1 . GIFS On Tape | | 2 . Doors On Tape | | +-------------------------------------------+ AREA 1 +---+ | | File Area Name: GIFS On Tape | | | Path Of ASCII File: C:\LISTS\ | | | Path To Files On Tape: C:\GIFS\ | | | Tape Vol # Or Label: 2 | | | Access Security Level: 10 | | | Make This A Free Area: Y | | | Tape Number For Area.: 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---+ ESC +---+ DEL +---+ F3=Clear +-------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ | 18 . Games And Humor | | 19 . Graphics And Paint | | 20 . GIF and Other Graphics | +---------------------------------+ Esc +-+ PATH TO ASCII FILE: You must enter the directory that contains a FILES.BBS type of listing of the files for this area. DO NOT place the file name on this line, only the path to it. You will specify the file name in the import utility (FILEMGR.EXE) at a later time. PATH TO FILES ON TAPE: This is the path that the files were backed up on the hard disk from. If the files were on drive C: and in a directory called \GIFS then the path would be C:\GIFS\ TAPE VOLUME NUMBER OR LABEL NAME: This is the volume number that was assigned to this backup by the tape drive's back up software. Colorado assigns each sequential back up a volume number, other drive types may use a label name instead. ACCESS SECURITY LEVEL: Robo Tape reads the door information file from the bbs to get the current user's securty level, a user must have the value assigned here or higher to be able to see and access this area when doing an area listing of available areas. Make sure you don't set all your areas to a value that is higher than anyone has access to or there won't be any areas available to the user's when they enter the door. MAKE THIS A FREE AREA: If set to yes, then file ratios and file downloads are not used or enforced for this file area. TAPE NUMBER FOR AREA: You will want to match this number with the active tape number in the Hardware Window. If this number does not match the one set in the Hardware Window, then this area will not be accessable to the user, because more than likely the files contained in the listing for this area, are not on the tape that is currently in the tape drive. Below is an Area Window for a CD ROM file area..... +--------------------------+ File Areas +-+ | 1 . GIFS On Tape | | 2 . Doors On Tape | | +-------------------------------------------+ AREA 9 +---+ | | File Area Name: Windows Applications | | | Path To Files: D:\CDR05\ | | | Allow Uploads Y/N: N | | | Access Security Level: 10 | | | Make This A Free Area: Y | | | CDRom Number For Area: 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---+ ESC +---+ DEL +---+ F3=Clear +-------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ | 18 . Games And Humor | | 19 . Graphics And Paint | | 20 . GIF and Other Graphics | +---------------------------------+ Esc +-+ PATH TO FILES: This is the path including drive letter to the files for this area. ALLOW UPLOADS: This MUST be set to 'N' for all CD rom areas. CD ROM NUMBER FOR THIS AREA: This works just like the multiple tape setup. You will want to match this number with the active CD number in the Hardware Window. If this number does not match the one set in the Hardware Window, then this area will not be accessable to the user, because more than likely the files contained in the listing for this area, are not on the CD that is currently in the CD ROM drive. Now hit F4 to bring up the UTILITY WINDOW..... +-------------------------------------------+ Utility +----+ | File Operations Path: C:\TEMP\ | | DownLoad To UpLoad Ratio: 6 | | Files Per Day Limit.....: 15 | | Credit For Restore......: 1 | | Days To Delete Users....: 30 | | Type Of Tape Drive......: 9 | | Do You Want RIP Graphics [Y/N]: Y | | Security Level Ratio Overide..: 100 | | | | Activate DEBUG.LOG Log File...: Y | | | +---+ ESC +---+ F3=Clear Line +------------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ FILE OPERATIONS PATH: Special attention should be paid to this field. You will be asked to provide a directory name for which RoboTape will do it's file management in, all contents of this directory will be deleted each time the door is ran, so be sure you provide the name of a directory that doesn't contain files you want to keep. DOWNLOAD TO UPLOAD RATIO: If set to a value greater than zero, then this is the file ratio used by Robo Tape to determine if a user has met the sysop's required uploads to download requirement. If set to say the value of four (4) then the user nust upload a file for every four that s/he downloads. If you use this feature (in other words, set this to a non-zero value), be sure you have at least one file area in RoboTape that allows uploads. RESTORE CREDIT: If set to a non-zero value, this option will reward the user with the amount of credits assigned just as if the user had not downloaded this number of files. This figure comes into play when the door computes the user's file ratio, and is incremented by this amount each time a user restores a file. So if you set this field to the value of 1, then the user's upload ratio is not affected by the restore and download of any file coming off of the Tape Drive. If set to a value higher than 1, then anytime a user does a restore from tape, the door will deduct this amount from the total amount of files the user has downloaded, which will reduce the user's Upload to Download ratio. This feature is here to more or less reward the user for having to wait for a file to be pulled off of tape. DAYS TO DELETE USERS: Enter the number of days to keep a record of the user's and their ratios. This value is read in when this program (RBCONFIG.EXE) is ran with the -d commandline maintenance option. I recommend setting this to around 90 days to keep the user base manageable, and running the program with the -d commandline argument everyday to keep it optimized. TYPE OF TAPE DRIVE: This is where you tell Robo TApe what type of tape drive you are using. Four drives are supported internally, however if you select type 9, the door will use the batch file TAPEBAT.BAT to control the restore operations. You may edit this file to use the command line parameters for your tape drive's tape software. The TAPEBAT.BAT file comes setup to use the Colorado Jumbo and Trakker commands by default. The .BAT file is well documented, so you should be able to set up any tape drive made, so that it will work with RoboTape by simply editing this file for your system's configuration. Consult your tape drive's manual for the commands used from within a batch file to do a restore of a single file inside a volume to a directory on your hard drive. Also look at the TAPEBAT.BAT file for help on the commandline parameters that Robo Tape passes to the batch file. DO YOU WANT RIP GRAPHICS: If set to 'Y' then the door will attempt to auto detect if the user has a RIP graphics capable terminal. If a RIP terminal is detected, then most all of the menus and prompts will be sent to the user in RIP. The user can use their mouse to select options inside the door, as well as tag files and such. SECURITY LEVEL OVERIDE: If a user has this security level or above, then all ratios and limits do not apply to them. ACTIVATE DEBUG LOG FILE: If set to yes, then a log file named DEBOG.LOG will be created and appended to each time Robo Tape does a mission critical operations. This is here to help you (and me) determine what is wrong in your setup in the event something doesn't work right. If you enable this feature, be sure to delete the log every so often as it will get huge. Set this option to 'N' to disable this feature. Choose F5 to edit a user's record, this allows you to manually adjust a user's ratio or amount of files down/up loaded. Below is a look at the User Editor Window.... +----------------------------------+ User Names +-+ | 1 . BUTCH GRIMES | | 2 . CHRIS POOR | | +-+ Last Called 10/18/94 +-+ Ratio 0 To 1 +--+ USER 20 +-+ | | | | | User's Name: MIKE GARICK | | | DownLoads Today: 3 | | | UpLoads Today: 1 | | | Total DownLoads: 53 | | | Total UpLoads: 20 | | | Restore Credits: 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---+ ESC +---+ DEL +---+ F3=Clear +-------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ | 18 . LARRY BOWERS | | 19 . MARTIN BECKMAN | | 20 . MIKE GARICK | +-----------------------------------------+ Esc +-+ Hitting F6 brings up this document. Hitting F7 or F8 will bring up the compression commandline parameter windows. Hitting F9 will bring up the Restore Times control Window. You can control when Robo Tape will allow restores from tape on a daily basis. Below is the Restore Times Window.... +-------------------------------------------+ Times +----+ | | | Sunday :06:30 22:00 | | Monday :06:30 22:00 | | Tuesday :06:30 22:00 | | Wednesday:06:30 22:00 | | Thursday :06:30 22:00 | | Friday :06:30 22:00 | | Saturday :06:30 22:00 | | | +---+ ESC +---+ F3=Clear Line +------------+ ENTER=Edit +--+ STEP 3: (1) Run the program FILEMGR.EXE, this program will import the files for each area into RoboTape's internal file databases. You have two options from the opening screen..... F1 Import Files F2 DataBase Maintenance ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++ +------------------------------------------------------+ ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | JACOBS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | ROBO TAPE FILE DATA BASE UTILITY | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ | COPYRIGHT (C) 1994 BY VINCE JACOBS | ++++++++++++++ ++++++ +------------------------------------------------------+ ++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ALT-X To Exit You must set up your file areas in the RBCONFIG.EXE program before running FILEMGR.EXE and importing files. Let's import some files into the areas we have setup, select F1 and the import from ascii file window will pop up.... Select an area by highlighting it using the arrow keys and pressing ENTER. A smaller window will pop up asking you if you wish to (U)pdate Existing Files (R)ebuild File Area Database (A)bort File Import OPTIONS: F1 Import From ASCII File List F2 Scan Area For Orphans ESCape ++++++--------------------------+ File Areas +-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 1 . GIFS On Tape |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 2 . Doors On Tape |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++---------------------------------------------------------------------++++++ ++| (U)pdate Existing Files |+++++ ++| (R)ebuild File Area Database |+++++ ++| (A)bort File Import |+++++ ++| |+++++ +++---------------------------------------------------------------------++++++ +++++| 9 . Health And Food Recipes |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 10 . Games And Humor |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 11 . Graphics And Paint |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 12 . GIF and Other Graphics |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++ Use Function Keys +----------+ ESCape --+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The UPDATE option will simply add files that are in the FILES.BBS type ascii list to the files that are already in this areas database. If a file in the list is already entered in the database then it is not imported again and is skipped. The REBUILD option will delete the current database entries and start from scratch, it will read in the ascii file list (FILES.BBS) and build a new database from these entries. Any files that were in the database for this area before, but are not currently in the FILES.BBS type ascii file will not be imported. If you select either UPDATE or REBUILD you will be prompted to give the complete path to the ascii file that contains the list of files for this area. Type in the path and file name and hit enter, the ascii file will be read and all files in it will be imported in the database for this area. OPTIONS: F1 Import From ASCII File List F2 Scan Area For Orphans ESCape ++++++--------------------------+ File Areas +-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 1 . GIFS On Tape |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 2 . Doors On Tape |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++---------------------------------------------------------------------++++++ ++| Area Number 1 Area Name GIFS On Tape |+++++ ++| C:\LISTS\GIFS.BBS |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| Processing File |+++++ ++| C:\LISTS\BABE02.GIF |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| Writing Info To AREA001.xxx Data Base Files |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| |+++++ ++| [ ]CD ROM AREA [ ]HARD DRIVE AREA [|]TAPE DRIVE AREA |+++++ +++---------------------------------------------------------------------++++++ +++++| 17 . Health And Food Recipes |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 18 . Games And Humor |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 19 . Graphics And Paint |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++| 20 . GIF and Other Graphics |++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++ Use Function Keys +----------+ ESCape ---+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The files in each area are read from a plain ASCII file such as a FILES.BBS. When importing, the prompt for each area will default to the FILES.BBS file name, but you can type in any name you want in this field, this allows you to place all of your file listings in one directory. The format for the Ascii file must have the filename of each file, and the filename must start in the first column of each line. Below is an example of a line in a FILES.BBS type Ascii file that is in the format used by RoboTape. The filename will be read in and if the file area is a CD rom or hard drive area, the program reads the file's size, date and description and adds this to the database for this area. If the area is a tape drive area, the size and date are not read in, but the filename and description are added to the database. Below is an example Ascii file used by RoboTape to acquire the files and file info... FILENAME DESCRIPTION | | v v ROBOT400.ZIP Allows you to use your tape drive as a download source. FREQR100.ZIP File request robot, users can freq from other systems. ^ | MANDATORY SPACE BETWEEN FILENAME AND DESCRIPTION. Comments lines and such are ignored and are not imported. Selecting F2 from the IMPORT MENU screen will allow you to import orphan files that are located in this areas directory on cd or hard drive. This option will not work with files on a tape drive. This function will scan the directory of this area and search for file that exist but do not have an entry in this areas database. You will be prompted to either REBUILD or UPDATE the database, refer to the section above on the difference between the two. Once you chosse to either REBUILD or UPDATE you will be prompted for a default description line to be entered for each orphan file that is found. You then will be asked if you want to let the program search and automatically add each found orphan with the default description, or prompt on each found file and ask for a specific description. (2) From the OPENING SCREEN of FILEMGR.EXE you can select F2 to enter the File Area Database Manager. Highlight which area you want to work with and hit enter. You will be presented with a file listing of each file in this area's databse. Use the arrow keys to scroll up and down, hit enter to go to the next group. To quit scolling and return to the previous screen select (Q)uit. To work with a file, highlight it and select (M)anage File. This will pop up a editor window which will allow you to either (D)elete this record, (U)ndelete the record, (S)hezzle the file, or (V)iew the file. Below is what the Edit Screen looks like.... +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | AREA: 10 EDITING SCREEN FILES: 126 | | | | | | File Name: 2TRAINS.ZIP | | | | File Description: | | Two .BMP files of old trains. | | | | Uploaded By: System Operator | | | | Times Downloaded: 0 | | | | File Number: 1 | | | | (E)dit Record (D)elete Record (U)ndelete Record (S)hezzle (V)iew (Q)uit| +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Selecting (E)dit will all you change the fields, you may change the file desrciption, uploader name and etc. Selecting (D)elete will remove this file from the database, it wil not physically remove the file from the directory it is in. Selecting (U)ndelete will add this file back to the database, however, you must undelete the record before returning to the Area Listing Window, or else the database is packed and the record is permanently removed. Selecting (S)hezzle File will allow you to look inside a compressed file (ZIP, ARJ, LZH, etc...). A file box will pop up in the left hand corner of the screen and you can scroll up and down to list the files contained within the archive. If the archive contains a GIF, BMP, JPG, PCX, TGA, TIF, FLI or FLC graphic file, you can view it by highlighting the file and hitting the ENTER key. Ascii text files can also be viewed. Shezzle only works with CD and Hard Drive areas. STEP 4: Now we arrive at the actual door program ROBOT400.EXE. This is the door program you will call from your bbs software. Running the door portion of RoboTape is really simple.... Create a batch file to run the door program ROBOT400.EXE. The batch file should look something like this.... @ECHO OFF cd\DOOR ROBOT400.EXE C:\SLBBS\DOOR.SYS %1 CD\SLBBS You MUST make the directory that RoboTape resides in the current working directory, notice how we did this with the line cd\ROBOT in the above batch file example. You would then call the ROBOT400.EXE door with the path to the drop file on the command line as we did below.... ROBOT400.EXE C:\SLBBS\DOOR.SYS %1 The following door information files are supported.... Drop File Name / Type +----------------------------+ | DORINFOx.DEF (x = node) | | CHAIN.TXT | | SFDOORS.DAT | | CALLINFO.BBS | | DOOR.SYS (GAP/PC-Board) | | DOOR.SYS (Doorway style) | | DOOR.SYS (WildCat standard)| +----------------------------+ Some BBS software does not write the actual modem connect speed to the drop file, instead the locked baud rate is written to the drop file. This screws up ROBOTAPE's ability to calculate how long it will take for a user to download a file. I've added an option to pass the modem connect speed to the door on the command line by adding it to the end of the command line after the path to the door information file. Here's an example.... ROBOT400.EXE C:\SLBBS\DOOR.SYS <connect speed> where <connect speed> would be passed from the BBS to the batch file that you are calling the door from. As an example, here is how I do it using Search Light and a batch file called ROBOT.BAT Inside Search Light's menu editor..... Door Command....: ROBOT.BAT %R Command Path....: C:\SLBBS The %R is what Search Light uses to pass the modem speed on the command line. Now from within my batch file I would read the parameter in and pass it on to ROBOTAPE.EXE like so.... Contents of batch file ROBOT.BAT..... @echo off cd\DOOR ROBOT400.EXE C:\SLBBS\DOOR.SYS %1 cd\SLBBS The %1 above would translate to the modem speed passed to the batch file by Search Light's %R command line parameter. Most all BBS software has the ability to pass the actual connect speed to a door. SYSOP FUNCTION KEYS..... The sysop has the following functions available to him from within the ROBOT400.EXE door program. F1 Turns on status bar. F10 Turns off status bar. ALT-C Chat with user. ALT-J Drops to DOS. ALT-H Drops carrier on the user. Left Arrow Key Decrease user's time. Right Arrow Key Increase user's time STEP5: Running the programs with the maintenance command line parameters. (1) The programs RBCONFIG and FILEMGR both have command line options that you can use to run maintenance on RoboTape. The RBCONFIG.EXE program supports the -d parameter. This option will delete the users from RoboTape's user base that haven't called within the specified number of days you set in RBCONFIG. (2) The FILEMGR program supports the -r parameter. This will re-index the file databases and also compress the memo file used to store the areas file descriptions. These should be ran every night to keep RoboTape optimized. (3) The FILEMGR program supports the -t parameter. This option is great for systems that are on a file echo and use TICK or ALLFIX file robots. The -t option can be used to import files from the command line contained in each area's FILES.BBS list but are not yet in the area's database. Use FILEMGR -t followed by the number of each area to check. An example is FILEMGR -t 2 6 78 187 would add files to areas 2, 6, 78, and 187. This option is great for files that you receive from file networks via TICK or ALLFIX. See the BETA Revisions section below for more details on using this option. (4) The FILEMGR program will also generate a master file listing from the file area databases. You can limit which areas are included by passing the security level limit on the command line. To create a file listing use the following syntax... FILEMGR -m <SEC LEVEL> <FILE LIST PATH> an example.... FILEMGR -m 20 C:\FD\FILES\MASTER.LST The example above will create a master file listing of all areas that have a security level of 20 or below (64000 is the upper limit) and will send the output to the file MASTER.LST that is located in the C:\FD\FILES directory. NOTICE: Be sure to read the BETA history section that is included towards the end of this document for more program options and additions. OTHER NOTES: The programs make use of file compression programs for various operations. You should at the very least have a copy of PKUNZIP and ARJ in your system's path somewhere. Look at the compression windows F7 and F8 of the RBCONFIG program to see which compression programs are used, you may change these to match your system. The door makes extensive use of RIP graphics for the user, you may disable the RIP graphics if you wish from within the RBCONFIG program. However, I strongly recommend giving the user the capabilities of RIP. The door also has excellent support for GIF graphic files, the user is given the option at download time to convert GIFs to JPGs for faster transfer, also the JPG can be used as a preview of what the GIF looks like, therefore the user can decide if the GIF is actually worth the time to download. Most JPG files generated are around 10k and transfer in seconds. There is an ascii control file that the program GIF2JPEG.EXE reads in to control the amount of compression and rescaling used, JPEGCOMP.DAT is well commented and can be changed with any text editor. [BETA HISTORY....] Revision 08, 11/05/94 --------------------- This revision has support for multiple CD disks for a single drive... Here's how the multiple cd system works. Each cd file area asks you what cd number this area belongs to. You can assign the areas a number between 1 and 999 in the File Areas window (F2) in RBCONFIG. You then set the current cd number that is in the drive by entering the Hardware Window (F1) of RBCONFIG. The cd number has nothing to do with the drive letter, or multiple drives, it's just an arbitrary number that the door will match up with what you have set in RBCONFIG to see if a cd file area is active and should be shown as an available area when doing an area change or searching for files. As an example, if you have file area 1 set as belonging to cd number 5, and you have the current cd number set to 4, then area 1 will not be shown to the user and cannot be accessed because the files listed in area 1 are not on the cd that is currently in the cd rom drive. By supporting multiple areas this way, you can label your cd disks in numerical order 1-999 and setup all your cd file areas for all your cd's at once and not have to re-setup all the cd areas each time you change disks. For multiple cd rom drives, you would want to make sure each file area on each drive that you want active, match the active cd number that you have set in RBCONFIG. Supporting multiple cd's in this fashion offers excellent flexibilty, as it is not drive or disk dependant, access is on an area by area basis. I've gone into the FILEMGR and made the database manager alot simpler to get around in and to use. Each area now gives you a single-line pick list from which to choose a file to work with, much like a file listing. Found a few bugs that could have caused a problem during a local upload if the file already existed in the target path. Optimized the code and took out alot of the redundant stuff. Added the ability to pass the actual modem speed to the door, some bbs software passes the lock com port speed to the door information file, if this speed differs from the actual connect speed, the download time calculations would be wrong. Look at the section above on running the ROBOT400.EXE door program to see how to pass the door this parameter. REVISION 07, 10/24/94 --------------------- Just as promised, this beta revision has support for multiple tapes. As a result, you'll have to run the program DATABASE.EXE to update the file area data file, and then go into RBCONFIG.EXE, hit F2 and set up all your file areas again (joy!). Sorry, but I had to make a change to the file area data structure, and that facilliates having to change all the areas info, thus making earlier revisions imcomp- atible with revision 07 and above. If this is the first revision you're setting up, then this won't affect the normal set up procedures out- lined above. Here's how the multiple tape system works. Each tape file area asks you what tape number this area belongs to. You can assign the areas a number between 1 and 999 in the File Areas window (F2) in RBCONFIG. You then set the current tape number that is in the drive by entering the Hardware Window (F1) of RBCONFIG. The tape number has nothing to do with the volume numbers on the tape, it's just an arbitrary number that the door will match up with what you have set in RBCONFIG to see if a tape file area is active and should be shown as an available area when doing an area change or searching for files. As an example, if you have file area 1 set as belonging to tape number 5, and you have the current tape number set to 4, then area 1 will not be shown to the user and cannot be accessed because the files listed in area 1 are not on the tape that is currently in the tape drive. By supporting multiple areas this way, you can label your tapes in numerical order 1-999 and setup all your tape file areas for all your tapes at once and not have to re-setup all the tape areas each time you change tapes. Access is on an area by area basis. REVISION 06, 10/23/94 --------------------- Beta tester Joe Moody found a major bug that would keep FILEMGR.EXE from importing files, fixed. Sorry about that Joe. Found the bug that was causing the Extended File Info window to display the wrong file area number while doing a search. Added code that detects if a tape is not in the tape drive and warns the user. Also added code to advise the user a file was not located on the tape or is damaged, and prompts the user to continue restore operations or abort the restore session. The next revision will have excellent support for multiple tapes. REVISION 05, 10/17/94 --------------------- Revision 05 is now almost totally mouse driven (although a mouse is not required). I've added the ability to click on a filename or description to highlight it in the file listing. When choosing a file area the client is given a ten-key pad at the bottom of the area list to input area numbers with the mouse. The above requires the user to have a RIP capable terminal. The FILEMGR.EXE program will now import files that are in a FILES.BBS file in the area's directory into the database for that area as a command line parameter. This is great for importing files that are brought in from a file network via TICK or ALLFIX. Here's the syntax to call the importing.... FILEMGR -t <area number> <area number> <area number> etc.... The -t must be the first parameter followed by the area numbers 1 - 200. The following example would look for new file names in the FILES.BBS in each area's directory that are not already in the area's database. FILEMGR -t 2 10 24 79 132 187 200 This would import new files in areas 2, 10, 24, 79, 132, 187, and 200. This option allows you to import from within a batch file while doing maintenance. You may put as many areas as needed on the command line as long as the line doesn't exceed DOS's 128 char limit, and you may use more than one call if needed. Also the function that was supposed to auto create directories if they didn't exist, was not creating nested directories if a directory more than two deep didn't exist, it now works correctly. Beta History 09/25/94 --------------------- Beta tester Mike Garick requested that the File Area Name be shown to the user when using one of the file searching functions. The door also displays it's search status, so the user won't think it's locked when searching a large number of areas that contain a lot of files. The File Area Name and File Area Number are now displayed in the (E)xtended Info window while doing a listing. I also fixed a few bugs, spelling errors and added a few other goodies that will be apparent when using the door. UPDATE: 09/17/94 ---------------- [FILE * GIF2JPEG.EXE] As of version .02 of the Beta cycle I have added the above to the JPEG conversion routines. There is now a new .dat file that controls how robotape handles the GIF to JPG conversions. Take a look at the file JPEGCOMP.DAT it's an Ascii text file that is well commented on how to change the compression and re-scale values. [FILE * ROBOT400.EXE] Added RIP support to the restore box and new files search. Also added a few status indicators to let the user know that the door is searching for new files. [FILE * JPEGCOMP.DAT] This data file is used by the GIF to JPG conversion program GIF2JPEG.EXE You may edit this file to change the re-scale and compression ratios that are used when converting from a GIF to a JPG file. LINE 1 is the re-scale percentage used when adjusting the image's dimensions. Anything over a value of 100 enlarges the image and any value under 100 shrinks the image. Valid values range from 1 - 200. LINE 2 is the compression ratio used when the JPEG conversion takes place. Valid range is from 1 - 99, a value of 75 produces a significant saving in file size while still maintaining good image quality. A value less than 25 is not recommended. Running RoboTape Under DESQview... The following info pertains to DESQview and QEMM, This was sent to me by one of the beta testers, however I have not tried any of the settings to see how they work. However I do know that you MUST provide at least 512k to the window that Robo Tape will be running in, QEMM Modifications ------------------ Add DMA=32 to the end of the line that loads QEMM in your CONFIG.SYS. DesqView Modifications ---------------------- Next go into Advanced Setup and make the following modifications: Advanced Setup: Performance --------------------------- Task Processing Time (in Clock Ticks) Foreground: 2 Background: 2 Memory Usage (in K) Common Memory: 30 DOS Buffer for EMS: 20 Optimize Communications: 3 Allow Swapping of programs: Y Manage Printer Contention: Y Colorado Tape Backup Under Windows, compliments of Jack Smook ------------------------------------------------------------- If you receive a message that you have two versions of the VFINTD.386 file loaded, you probably need to edit your SYSTEM.INI file. To do so, carry out the following procedure: 1. Open your SYSTEM.INI file and locate the [386Enh] section. You should see two lines similar to the following: DEVICE=C:\TAPE\CMSDTAPE.386 DEVICE=C:\DOS\VFINTD.386 2. If you plan to use your Colorado Tape Backup program, add a semi- colon (;) before the DEVICE command for the VFINTD.386 file. If you plan to use Microsoft Backup, add a semi-colon before the DEVICE command for the CMSDTAPE.386 file. 3. Save the file, and restart Windows. From what i understand, this is to run colorado's tape.exe (dos version) in windows... Jack. RoboTape should run Multi-Node without any problems. The database routines are fully network aware and have record locking routines. Although, only one node can access the tape drive at once. Registration info..... The file REGIST.FRM is the registration form you will need to fill out and mail in. The current price for Robo Tape is $20 US dollars. Registration price is subject to change without notice. If your copy of Robo Tape is more than SIX months old, it is probably out of date and this form may not reflect the current registration price. You should call or freq my system (magic name ROBOTAPE) for the latest version containing a current registration form. This form is current as of November 1994. Netmail with questions or suggestions is always welcome, I will place a reply on HOLD for you to call and pick up within 24 hours. System Info.... FidoNet Address: 1:3813/309 BBS Number: 1-918-687-1612 Voice Support: 1-918-687-0274 About Voice Support.... I work three jobs and I'm hard to catch at home, so more than likely my wife will take a message. Read this document completely, especially the parts about editting the SENDFILE.BAT and GETFILE.BAT to reflect which protocol engine your using, DSZ or GSZ and that they are in your PATH somewhere. Also be sure that your tape drive's software is in a directory that is in your PATH, and that your PATH statement does not exceed the 128 character limit of DOS. Also if you log in and there aren't any file areas shown, you either have the wrong CD and TAPE numbers active in RBCONFIG's Hardware Window (F1) or your security access level is too low to access any of the file areas. Info On The Author..... Vince Jacobs Lone Wolf Software PO BOX 1755 Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402-1755 [The Ever Popular DISCLAIMER!] This is the full release version of RoboTape 4.00. There is no guarantee that it won't blow up at any time, though testing on my system for the last several months has shown it to be very stable. But there is no warrantee what so ever, neither expressed nor implied. I will not be held responsible for any damage caused by this program. Other programs mentioned in this document are property of their respective owners.