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Training Class Log
Topic: Software Library Management
Dated: April 1, 1995
ICS Larry: ------======ooOoo======------
ICS Larry: Welcome to the ICS "Software Library Management" training class!
ICS Larry: ------======ooOoo======------
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: I'll be using PowerTools (a WAOL add-on) macros for most
ICS Larry: of this class. Thus if you have any questions, I'd recommend
ICS Larry: waiting for a short pause between the macros, and .........
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: For Questions - Please send a ? to screen, and I'll put you in my
ICS Larry: "queue" list.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: For Comments - Please send a ! to screen, and I'll put you in my
ICS Larry: "queue" also.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Please remember to ask any questions that you have! As that is
ICS Larry: one of the MAIN reasons for these training classes. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Btw ... during TOS class, I learned that .....
ICS Larry: sending more than 7 lines of chat to screen at once is a TOS :X ouch! ;D
ICS Al: really???
ICS Larry: So, nobody report me please! ;d
ICS Sparky: LOL
ICS Terry: NOt me
ICS Larry: Yeapers ;)
ICS Larry: Onwards .... ;)
ICS Larry: First off, I encourge everybody to read thru the Software Library
ICS Larry: training documents that are available inside the Fatdome's "Company
ICS Larry: Support" area, as they contain lots of good info. The files are .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Dated 1/23: Software Library Class (Log of last class)
ICS Larry: > Dated 5/03: Procedure - PC File Names
ICS Larry: > Dated 5/03: Training #1 - File/Library
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Addition Important Note -- Throughout this training class please be
ICS Larry: sure to holler if you have any questions! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Btw ... everybody find those files okay? If not ... holler and I'll forward you copies.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Addition Note -- There are sometimes different "Software Library"
ICS Larry: procedures between the PC and Macintosh platforms.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Specifically, their are some different procedures for writing file
ICS Larry: descriptions, "keyword" text formatting, and how to note if the file
ICS Larry: has been virus checked.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Bascially, today we will be covering the Software Library procedures
ICS Larry: for the PC side of things, and where needed, we'll discuss the
ICS Larry: specific Macintosh requires also.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: !
ICS Larry: By the way .... are there any Macintosh users here today?
ICS Larry: <-- adding Al to queue ;)
ICS Sparky: <--pc
ICS Al: FYI I'm Mac .. so it won't be a waste of time to talk mac
ICS Terry: PC
ICS Al: that was my !
ICS Larry: Okay .... where needed, I'd be sure to give ya the Mac "side of the story". ;)
ICS Larry: Lets go over "why" we need to these library procedures .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > 1st - they help provide a professional appearance to the libraries.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > 2nd - they help promote downloading, by giving us standards for
ICS Larry: issuing new uploads their search "Keywords", creating file
ICS Larry: descriptions, and creating Subject lines and generic file "labels".
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > 3rd - they provide easy maintenance of the libraries.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > 4th - they make it easier for the customers to determine if they
ICS Larry: (or want) the file.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Questions? Comments? Please holler! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Okay, about the actual Software Library Tools! ;)
ICS Larry: I'd like everybody to use keyword FATDOME, and enter the
ICS Larry: "STAFF INFO & TRAINING SITE" area ......
ICS Larry: Then enter the "SOFTWARE LIB - EVERYONE HAS TOOLS".
ICS Larry: {T:8).
ICS Larry: BTW, you'll probably need to resize your windows so you can
ICS Larry: see the library and this chat room both.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: btw -- that {T:8) was a bad macro :X ouch ;)
ICS Larry: Please holler once your inside the software library! ;)
ICS Al: <===sees an april fools day file
ICS Sparky: There!
ICS Terry: I'm there
ICS Larry: The first indicator that you have library tools will be the addition of a
ICS Larry: couple extra buttons when you enter the software library, such as a
ICS Larry: "See Hidden" and "Edit" button.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: By the way ..... Does everybody here already have library Tools?
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: yes I do
ICS Sparky: yep : )
ICS Terry: Me too
ICS Larry: Whew ;) Okay, onwards ..... ;)
ICS Larry: Okay, lets lightly go over some of the extra buttons, starting out with
ICS Larry: the easy one first. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > The SEE HIDDEN button ... when anybody uploads a file, the file is
ICS Larry: placed in a hidden portion of the library, where only those with tools
ICS Larry: can see them. This allows new uploads to be tested, virus scanned,
ICS Larry: and edited, BEFORE we release them to the public. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Okay, go ahead an click on the "See Hidden" button.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: You'll notice there's a file in the hidden area titled "AUTOEXEC".
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: We'll be using that file today to mess around with. Go ahead and
ICS Larry: double-click on that file, so you can see the file description info.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Please holler once you've had a chance to look over the file
ICS Larry: description, so I'll know when your all ready to move onto the next
ICS Larry: part of the class. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: ready (it's a mac file .. so there)
ICS Larry: (basically, the file description is a mess for the file currently) ;)
ICS Sparky: <-- read it!
ICS Terry: Read it
ICS Larry: Okay, one sec ...... ;)
ICS Larry: Okay ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: (Hehe, okay I'm secretly editing the file now .....) 0:)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Now close the file description windows for the file, then double-click
ICS Larry: on it again.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Okay, you'll see a big difference in the file description now!
ICS Larry: I was sneaking around, and edited the description while nobody was
ICS Larry: looking. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: aaahh the virus check line added?
ICS Larry: Notice the difference? (I added AUTOR, NEEDS, etc). ;)
ICS Larry: Al, yeap, and my initials at the end ;) We'll get to that in a sec too ;)
ICS Larry: Everybody ready?
ICS Terry: I see them
ICS Al: ok now I'm puzzled
ICS Al: your initals are where Larry?
ICS Sparky: I don't see your initials
ICS Larry: Al ... I think I put them at the end of the file description ... sec! I better check ;)
ICS Terry: Bottom left corner !
ICS Al: did you hit Modify Larry? <g>
ICS Larry: Yeapers ;) Lol! Btw .... they're LIL ;)
ICS Al: I don't see them ... we're talking the Blackjack file?
ICS Larry: Nopers ... the AUTOEXEC file ;)
ICS Al: duuuh
ICS Larry: Anyways, you get the idea .... bascially, what I did was "clean up" the ....
ICS Al: ok ok
ICS Larry: file description, so it followed the ..... oh! Thats the next macro ;)
ICS Sparky: I have it
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: (back to macros) :)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Lets go over how I got the file into the proper format .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Basically I used the procedures outlined in the "PC File Names"
ICS Larry: training document, to correctly format the file. I recommend you all
ICS Larry: read thru the "PC File Names" document .... for now lets lightly go
ICS Larry: over some of the procedures .... as follows ......
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the SUBJECT: line (for both PC's & MAC's)
ICS Larry: This starts out with a "Generic Label" that is in all CAPITOL letters
ICS Larry: (maximum of 8 characters long), followed by the : character, and then
ICS Larry: followed with some descriptive text about the file.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: An example of this could be something like ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: (generic label): (descriptive text about file)
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: AUTOEXEC: V1.0 The Perfect Autoexec.bat
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Questions so far? ;)
ICS Terry: nope!
ICS Al: no
ICS Sparky: no
ICS Larry: Okay ;)
ICS Larry: (whoa, ya all getting A's today!)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the "Generic Label" ....
ICS Larry: For most files -- We just use the actual "FileName" for the generic
ICS Larry: label. As an example, for my AUTOEXEC.BAT file we used
ICS Larry: "AUTOEXEC" as the generic label).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the "Generic Label" .....
ICS Larry: For certain types of files we use a "Category" instead of a "Generic
ICS Larry: Label". This is used to show which "Category" the file falls into.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: An example of when to use "Category" instead of "Generic Label"
ICS Larry: would be for things like GIF pictures, or a SimCity "Saved Games".
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding "Category" .....
ICS Larry: Again, these should be in all CAPITAL letters, with a maximum of 8
ICS Larry: characters (ie: using exact same format as a "Generic Label").
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Here's a couple examples of using "Category" ......
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: GIF: Photo of Mt Saint Helens Volcano
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: SC2000: City by the sea
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: AVI: Flight thru clouds movie
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Any questions about when to use a "Category" instead of a "Generic Label"?
ICS Al: no
ICS Terry: I'm with ypu, so far
ICS Sparky: no
ICS Larry: Hmm .... :::erasing A's, putting down A+'s!:::: ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: One last note about "Category" .... Where possible ALWAYS try
ICS Larry: to use "Standard" category names. Best way for me to describe
ICS Larry: this would be to use some BAD examples. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Here's some bad examples of "Category" useage (for SimCity 2000):
ICS Larry: SC2: City by the sea
ICS Larry: SC 2: City near volcano
ICS Larry: SimCity2: City by lake
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: The correct method would be more like this .....
ICS Larry: SC2000: City by the sea
ICS Larry: SC2000: City near volano
ICS Larry: SC2000: City by lake
ICS Larry: .
ICS Sparky: ?
ICS Larry: Sparky ... go ahead ;)
ICS Terry: ?
ICS Sparky: Are the categories defined somewhere?
ICS Larry: Nopers, not really ;/ Tho ....
ICS Larry: Usually you can get a good idea by browsing thru files availalble online.
ICS Al: !
ICS Sparky: Ok, but with a new game
ICS Sparky: Or new concept, the first to upload
ICS Sparky: gets to create the category title?
ICS Larry: Hmm, I'd say use your "generic label" .... if over time that "type" of file becomes ...
ICS Larry: "popular", then you might want to think up a "category" instead ....
ICS Larry: and go back thru the older files, and update the SUBJECT: lines. ;)
ICS Sparky: ok! : )
ICS Larry: Al, please go ahead ;)
ICS Al: It's really easy to get an idea if the file libraries are consistent by browsing libraries ...
ICS Al: I'm lucky enough to have responsibility now for all, the Mac sc2000 files :)
ICS Al: done
ICS Larry: Whoa, thats a big company to handle .... betcha they keep ya busy! ;)
ICS Larry: Terry, go ahead please ;)
ICS Al: yup .. the uploading kiddies are incredible
ICS Terry: I think i've got it from the above
ICS Larry: Okay .... onwards (once I remember which macro was supposed to be next) :X
ICS Larry: One last note about the SUBJECT line .....
ICS Larry: If you have a library that contains a mixture of PC and MAC files,
ICS Larry: it is sometimes a good idea to note which type of computer the file is
ICS Larry: for (within the SUBJECT line), as follows .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: PACMAN: Pacman Clone (PC)
ICS Larry: SUBJECT: PACMAN: Pacman Clone (MAC)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: That covers the SUBJECT: line .... questions so far? ;)
ICS Terry: None here
ICS Sparky: no : )
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the EQUIPMENT: line
ICS Larry: This line starts out with "EQUIPMENT:" (note the capitalization),
ICS Larry: followed by a list of any special "Hardware" equipment needed to run
ICS Larry: the file. Typical entrys might be something like ...
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: EQUIPMENT: PC Compatible, VGA, Mouse
ICS Larry: EQUIPMENT: 486 PC Compatible, SVGA, Mouse
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: !
ICS Larry: Oops, for Mac's, maybe something like EQUIPMENT: Mac, SVGA (ack! ....
ICS Larry: <--- Doesn't know if Mac's got SVGA.
ICS Larry: Go ahead Al ;)
ICS Al: macs don't :)
ICS Al: Many users (uploaders) give the specific equipment that THEY used ...
ICS Al: I try to change it to generic when I know
ICS Al: but how obsessed should we be on this?
ICS Al: done
ICS Larry: Excellent comment! Actually, I'd recommend seeing if the "upload" contains ....
ICS Al: (they say things like Perfora 475 ..
ICS Larry: a "README" type file, and check to see if it contains "hardware requirements".
ICS Sparky: ?
ICS Al: generally mac is mac ...
ICS Larry: If not, or your not sure .... then I'd recommend not adding any "requirements" that your ...
ICS Larry: not really sure about. ;) Over time, you'll know if there's a problem, via the old ....
ICS Larry: "Ask the Staff" emails ;) (which we'll cover a bit later tonite).
ICS Larry: Sparky, go ahead please ;)
ICS Sparky: If all of my files are flat ascii, readable on Mac or PC, what do I put in the equip. field?
ICS Larry: Another good comment! In that case .... if there's NO special hardware requirements ....
ICS Larry: then, don't include the EQUIPMENT line. ;)
ICS Sparky: ::whew!::::
ICS Larry: Just leave it totally out of the file description ;)
ICS Larry: Hehe, I hear that sigh of relief ... of not having to update 1,000 older files ;)
ICS Sparky: No kidding!
ICS Larry: heh ;)
ICS Larry: Any other questions?
ICS Sparky: not here
ICS Terry: no
ICS Larry: okay ;) onwards .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: One note regarding the EQUIPMENT line .... The "PC File Name"
ICS Larry: training document was created some time ago, and it says that we
ICS Larry: should NOT list the type of computer needed (ie: PC or Mac) on the
ICS Larry: EQUIP line. (Ouch!) ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Just FYI .... I'd HIGHLY recommend adding the type of computer
ICS Larry: needed to the EQUIP line, as many forums now contain both PC and
ICS Larry: MAC files.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the NEEDS: line
ICS Larry: The NEEDS line starts out with "NEEDS:" (note the capitalization),
ICS Larry: followed by a list of any special "Software" requirements needed to
ICS Larry: run the file.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: For example, lets say the file requires Windows 3.1 and WordPerfect
ICS Larry: V5.0. You'ld need to input that info in the NEEDS: line as follows:
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: NEEDS: WordPerfect V5.0, Windows V3.1
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Also for the NEEDS: line ....
ICS Larry: If the file has been compressed, you'll need to input which
ICS Larry: decompression program is needed to "UnZip" the file. Examples for
ICS Larry: this could be something like .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > NEEDS: An UnZipping Program
ICS Larry: This is used only for files that have been compressed using a format
ICS Larry: that is compatible with AOL's "Automatically Unzip files at Log off"
ICS Larry: feature (ie: Files compressed with PKZIP V1).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > NEEDS: PKUnZip v2.04
ICS Larry: This is used for files that are zipped using PKZIP V2.04. Also note
ICS Larry: that you'll need to ADD the following information to the file description
ICS Larry: (just below the "Keywords" or "Type" section) ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: **WARNING: This file requires V2.04 of PKUNZIP.EXE to unzip
ICS Larry: properly. America Online's automatic unzipping option will not work
ICS Larry: on this file. PKUNZIP can be found in the Free Uploading library of
ICS Larry: the PC Games Forum or PC Utilities Forum.**
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Oh! For Sparky's text files ..... normally for Text Files, we input the following ....
ICS Larry: NEEDS: Any Text File Viewer
ICS Sparky: Yes! ::another sigh:::
ICS Larry: ;) Any questions about the NEEDS: line?
ICS Terry: None
ICS Larry: Sparky, by the way, if ya don't have that on all the files, I won't worry to much ....
ICS Sparky: no
ICS Larry: about it. ;) Maybe just update the last few weeks worth (or whats reasonable).
ICS Al: a short one ...
ICS Larry: Go ahead Al ;)
ICS Al: if the file was compressed with an automatically decompressor after aol signs off
ICS Al: should that be noted?
ICS Al: (was that clear, Larry?)
ICS Larry: Hi there Lynne! Welcome ;)
ICS Al: also talking about newer versions of aol software
ICS Larry: One sec Al ;)
ICS Al: ok
ICS Lynne: Hiya Larry :D
ICS Larry: Lynne, we're sorta half way thru the class .... tho, please holler if you have any ....
ICS Larry: questions! ;)
ICS Larry: Lynne - Also, I'll email you a copy of tonite class log.
ICS Lynne: I'm sorry about that.... and I'll *also* be afk for a few.... 8's a bit early for me, but I
ICS Larry: Al ... sorry for delay there ;) When a file is compressed using a "format" that is ...
ICS Lynne: really wanted to attend! :D
ICS Larry: compatiable with AOL's "Auto decompress at Log-off", all you need to input for the ....
ICS Larry: NEEDS: line is === NEEDS: An UnZipping Program
ICS Larry: Al, wasn't sure, did that answer your question? ;)
ICS Al: yes!
ICS Al: thanks
ICS Larry: Welcome ;)
ICS Larry: Lynne - By the way, so'k if you need to slip out for a bit .....
ICS Larry: Lynne - as I'll send you a copy of log. ;)
ICS Larry: Lynne - and everybody too! ...... also please remember, if at ANYTIME you have ....
ICS Larry: questions about the class info, I'm just a Email away .... just ask, I'm happy to help! ;)
ICS Lynne: ok.... and I would appreciate a copy of the log! :D
ICS Lynne: and brb.... gotta put the boys to bed :)
ICS Larry: Anyways, onwards team ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the Keywords: line
ICS Larry: This one gets a bit confusing as these aren't "keywords" that are
ICS Larry: used to navigate thru AOL (like keyword Fatdome). These are actually
ICS Larry: "Search words" that will be used to search for the file, using AOL's
ICS Larry: QuickFind feature (or other types of file searching features). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: The Keywords line starts out with the word "Keywords:" (note the
ICS Larry: capitalization), then it should list the Author's Name, then the
ICS Larry: Company Name, followed by all other keywords.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: The keywords line is limited to 69 characters, though AOL's search
ICS Larry: engine won't pick up any keywords that have been "word wrapped",
ICS Larry: so it is VERY important to limit the keywords to just 1 line of text.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Regarding keyword formatting ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > For PC's .... seperate each keyword with a comma.
ICS Larry: Example: Lucas1, Lucas Arts, Arcade, VGA, Win31
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > For Mac's .. seperate each keyword with a space.
ICS Larry: Example: Lucas1 Lucas Arts Arcade VGA System 7
ICS Larry: .
ICS Sparky: ?
ICS Al: !
ICS Larry: Sparky, go ahead please ;)
ICS Sparky: I thought we got email about bringing conformity to that
ICS Sparky: the use of commas in keywords
ICS Larry: yeapers, hehe .... thats the next macro I think :X
ICS Sparky: <--mind reader!
ICS Larry: Sparky, so I don't repeat myself, next macro covers that part I think ;)
ICS Larry: Al, go ahead please ;)
ICS Al: so Lucas and Arts are two keywords ... but I'll await the next macro too
ICS Larry: Al, actually I don't have a macro about "2 word" company names. ;)
ICS Larry: Tho! When you do have a "2 word" company name (like Lucas Arts) ....
ICS Al: ok
ICS Larry: You would normally NO seperate the 2 words with a comma ;)
ICS Larry: Ie: Lucas, Arts <---- Incorrect
ICS Larry: Lucas Urts, <--- correct
ICS Larry: oops, Arts ;)
ICS Larry: Al, did that answer the question?
ICS Larry: Ack! Typo alert also :X "NO" above was supposed to be "NOT" ;)
ICS Larry: Al, wasn't sure if that answered your question.
ICS Al: ok
ICS Larry: Oh oh, hope Al ain't punted ;/
ICS Al: no still here
ICS Larry: Whew ;) Okay, onwards .....
ICS Larry: Couple notes regarding Keywords:
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 1) For MAC files -- Along time ago the keyword search field was sort
ICS Larry: of limited, and thus they decided NOT to use comma's within the
ICS Larry: keyword line (bascially, to save space).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Since that time, the keyword search field as been increased,
ICS Larry: so if you want to, you CAN use comma's to seperate keywords.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: (Sparky ... that answer the question you had?)
ICS Sparky: Yes!
ICS Larry: Whew ;) Okay ... onto #2 .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 2) Its a good idea to go thru the files within your software library and
ICS Larry: make sure the Keywords are listed using the correct method.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: If your library contains lots of files, I'd recommend not trying to
ICS Larry: correct them all, but instead just fix up the most recent 10 to 20 files
ICS Larry: (and be sure that new released file use the correct method).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 3) All "Forum" files (PC Games, Windows, PC Telecom, etc) have
ICS Larry: their files included in AOL's search engine, and thus the Keywords
ICS Larry: line is very important.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Only some of the "Company Forums" have their files included in
ICS Larry: AOL's search engine. AOL eventually will include them as part of the
ICS Larry: search engine .... so it VERY important to make sure you include the
ICS Larry: Keywords line (ie: its better to do the keywords NOW, then having
ICS Larry: to go back and do them all later)! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: ::cough:: Unless, you can get somebody else to fix'm up for yas ;)
ICS Larry: Questions about the Keywords: line?
ICS Sparky: no : )
ICS Al: no
ICS Terry: Would a MAC treat LUCAS Arts above as 2 words?
ICS Larry: <-- Hopes Lynne was able to wrestle those kids to bed okay ;)
ICS Larry: Terry ... actually, Mac's and PC's would both treat it the same ....
ICS Larry: Terry .... when dealing with any "2 word" (or more) name ....
ICS Larry: Terry.... the complete name is seperated only by a comma at the end of the name.
ICS Terry: ok, got it
ICS Larry: example: Larry, Larry Company, Vga
ICS Larry: Okay ;) Onwards ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Regarding the Type: line.
ICS Larry: This line starts with the word "Type:" (note capitalization), followed
ICS Larry: by the distribution status of the file. Typical entries are Shareware,
ICS Larry: Public Domain, Freely Distributed, Demo.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Since this is a rather complex subject, to save hours today, I'd just
ICS Larry: recommend reading through the "PC File Names" training document,
ICS Larry: as it contains some excellent info about how to determine which
ICS Larry: "Type" to use.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Regarding Copyrighted Software -- When in doubt, DO NOT release
ICS Larry: the file, and instead contact your IC Supervisor. (ie: Let them do the
ICS Larry: dirty work!). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Any questions about the Type: line?
ICS Terry: None here
ICS Sparky: no
ICS Al: no
ICS Larry: > Regarding the "File Description".
ICS Larry: This is the general information that describes the actual file. This
ICS Larry: text should ALWAYS be supplied by the Uploader (ie: the Co. Rep).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Sometimes the Co. Rep will supply text that is cryptic or contains
ICS Larry: lots of spelling errors. In those cases, Email the Co. Rep and
ICS Larry: request corrections (as an attached file via Email, then you can
ICS Larry: "Cut & Paste" the updated info into the file description).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Also note -- Never release a file that doesn't contain a "File
ICS Larry: Description", or doesn't contain a good "File Description". I you do,
ICS Larry: you'll probably be getting lots of "Ask the Staff" emails about the file!
ICS Larry: (We'll cover this topic more, later in the meeting). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: typo alert again ;) I you do .... was supposed to be "If you do" ;)
ICS Larry: Any questions about the actually "file description"?
ICS Sparky: nope!
ICS Terry: no
ICS Al: no
ICS Larry: Hmm, I think ya all must of picked up the "cheat sheets" earlier today! ;D
ICS Sparky: lol
ICS Larry: Onwards ;)
ICS Larry: > Regarding those "other" lines! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 1) For PC files only, after the "file description" you'll need to input ...
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: The "To Run, Enter:" line. This info can usually be found while doing
ICS Larry: your "file checking" (Virus Scan, etc). Just input the command used
ICS Larry: to start the program.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: (By the way ... Mac users don't need this line, since, well ... hehe ....
ICS Larry: their lots easier to use!). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Note: For GIF's, AVI's, Data files, Text Files, or other files which
ICS Larry: aren't programs, do not include the "To Run, Enter:" line.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 2) After that, we have the "Documentation" line.
ICS Larry: Again, this is ONLY needed for PC files. For this line we just
ICS Larry: input the main DOC file contained with the program, so that the user
ICS Larry: knows where to look for help. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 3) After that, we list the "Previous Number of Downloads:" line.
ICS Larry: This line is only included if there was previous versions of the file
ICS Larry: available.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: For example, lets say PACMANV1 was downloaded 500 times. Later,
ICS Larry: a newer version, PACMANV2, was released (which fixed bugs, etc).
ICS Larry: We would hide the original file, then note at the bottom of the new file
ICS Larry: "Previous Number of Downloads: 500".
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 4) After that, for MAC users ONLY, we would include a line stating
ICS Larry: that the file had been virus scanned. For PC files, we DO NOT list
ICS Larry: this info (though you MUST still do your virus checking!). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: For MAC files, we would state .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: "This file has been found virus free using Disinfectant Vx.x" (where
ICS Larry: Vx.x is the version number).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Al: This file has been found virus-free using Disinfectant 3.5. ait
ICS Larry: Sounds good! ;) Thanks Al ;)
ICS Larry: One Note -- We'll discuess Virus Scanning methods in a different
ICS Larry: class, as that's a lenghty subject all on its own! ;)
ICS Al: (my macro .. sorry for the interruption)
ICS Larry: Lol! So'k ;) Comments always welcome! I'm still learning also ;)
ICS Larry: 5) Okay, now for the LAST line in the file description! Yeaaa! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: On the very last line, you will need to input your INITIALS. Do NOT
ICS Larry: do this until AFTER you have done all your file checking stuff (as
ICS Larry: the initials are used to show who did the virus checking, etc).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Any questions about those last few lines in the file descriptions?
ICS Terry: None
ICS Sparky: no
ICS Al: no
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Congrats! Your finally done editing and updating the File Description!
ICS Larry: All thats left to do is select MODIFY, and the updated info will be
ICS Larry: saved! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: --==oO Okay! Our file is ready to release! Oo==--
ICS Larry: Right? Well, actually ...... Nope!! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Here's the steps needed before a file can be released .....
ICS Larry: 1) File must pass the "File Checking" procedures (like virus scanning,
ICS Larry: download testing, functionality testing).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 2) File needs to have its "File Description" fixed up (ie: Subject line,
ICS Larry: Equipment line, Needs line, etc).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 3) You'll also need to be SURE the Co. Rep actually wants the file
ICS Larry: released! (I'd recommend finding this out FIRST before doing the
ICS Larry: virus checking and "file description" stuff). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > How do you know if Co. Rep wants file release? .....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: I'd start off by asking your Co. Rep the following ....
ICS Larry: -- Is it okay if I release all files that you ( the Co. Rep) upload?
ICS Larry: -- Is it okay if I release all files that customers upload?
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Usually the Co. Rep won't want customer uploads released, so you'll
ICS Larry: probably have to contact the Co. Rep on each new "customer upload".
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: In some cases, the Co. Rep won't want ANY customer uploads in
ICS Larry: their software library, and in that case, you won't need to worry about
ICS Larry: testing these uploads (ie: Just delete them, and send a nice note
ICS Larry: to the uploader that XYZ company doesn't accept uploads). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Any questions so far?
ICS Al: yes
ICS Larry: Go ahead Al ;)
ICS Terry: I'm with you :)
ICS Al: I was told that if an upload is inappropriate for a certain library that we should contact the forum
ICS Al: leader to see if there was a place for the uploaders software before deleting it
ICS Al: (of course my supervisor is a particularly elegant guy :)
ICS Larry: If your supervisor said that ..... be sure to follow his/her instructions. Basically ....
ICS Al: (unless the company feesl strongly or it;s an inappropriate upload)
ICS Larry: the procedures we cover in this class are "general". Many of the Super's have their own ...
ICS Al: thanks Larry ... that's clear
ICS Larry: ways of doing things, and in those cases you'll need to follow their instructions. ;)
ICS Al: (hiya pam who just sneaked in)
ICS Sparky: Hiya Pam!
ICS Larry: Pam! Hi there ;)
ICS Terry: HI Pam
IC Pam: {{{ Al }}} {{{ Larry }}} {{{ Terry }}}
IC Pam: {{{{{{{{ Lynne }}}}}}}
ICS Larry: Nothing for Lynne and Sparky? 0;>
ICS Lynne: {{{{Pam}}}}
IC Pam: {{{{{{ Sparky }}}}}}}
ICS Sparky: :/
IC Pam: Yep.. You betcha!
ICS Lynne: LTNS!
IC Pam: My two favorite people!
ICS Larry: Whew! ;)
IC Pam: <--- burying myself back in email...
ICS Larry: Hehe, okay ... take care in there Pam ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Okay, time for a short recap of the procedure! ;)
ICS Lynne: btw, Larry... I'm bak ;>
ICS Larry: 1) Check for new uploads each day (if possible).
ICS Larry: 2) Once a new upload is found .....
ICS Larry: 3) Determine if Co. Rep will actually want it released.
ICS Larry: 4) Then do your file checking (virus scan, Zip testing, etc).
ICS Larry: 5) Then update/correct the File Description.
ICS Larry: 6) If all the above is okay .... Release the file! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Sounds simple right? 0:)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: *** Last topic for today is ... The "Ask the Staff" (ATS) function.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Almost all software libraries have a "ATS" button located within them.
ICS Larry: When a customer uses this feature, their questions or comments are
ICS Larry: sent via Email to EVERYBODY that has "Library Tools" for that
ICS Larry: specific library (which would include you, the Co. Rep, and various
ICS Larry: other people). ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Who should answer the "ATS" emails? And "How"? ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: General rule for "ATS" emails is:
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 1) *IF* the customers question is related to a function within AOL
ICS Larry: (ie: How to download, I receieved a bad download, I can't find the file
ICS Larry: I downloaded, etc), then YOU should offer a reply (and be sure to
ICS Larry: "CC" everybody listed on the original email).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: > Who should answer the "ATS" emails? And "How"? ....
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: General rule for "ATS" emails is:
ICS Larry: o.
ICS Larry: 1) *IF* the customers question is related to a function within AOL
ICS Larry: (ie: How to download, I receieved a bad download, I can't find the file
ICS Larry: I downloaded, etc), then YOU should offer a reply (and be sure to
ICS Larry: "CC" everybody listed on the original email).
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Dang it! My macro's are revolting! ;)
ICS Lynne: de ja vu ;>
ICS Larry: Sorry about that repeat :X
ICS Al: they're not that bad larry ...
ICS Al: <g>
ICS Sparky: <--has written some revolting macros myself : )
ICS Larry: hehe ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: 2) *IF* the customers question is about the actual file (ie: Is this the
ICS Larry: newest version, does this version fix bugs, etc), then it is the CO.
ICS Larry: REP's duty to offer a reply. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: One note about the "ATS" emails -- Here's where your
ICS Larry: communications with the Co. Rep comes into play. Be sure to talk
ICS Larry: with your Co. Rep so they know which ATS's you'll be handling.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Also let them know that you would like to be "CC" on any ATS emails
ICS Larry: that they reply to. Basically, its much easier if you and the Co. Rep
ICS Larry: can work together as a team on the ATS's. ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: And lastly, there might come a day when you receive a ATS email,
ICS Larry: where a customer states they receieved a virus from a download.
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Hopefully this will never happen! But if it does, here's the
ICS Larry: procedure ......
ICS Larry: 1) Hide the download file AT ONCE! ;)
ICS Larry: 2) Send a very brief email to the customer, letting them know
ICS Larry: that you have removed the file from the library, and will be checking
ICS Larry: the file to virus again.
ICS Larry: 3) Then contact your IC Supervisor ..... ie: Let your supervisor
ICS Larry: do the dirty work on contacting the customer with more details if
ICS Larry: needed! ;)
ICS Larry: .
ICS Larry: Any questions/comments about the "Ask the Staff" emails?
ICS Terry: Not here
ICS Sparky: no : )
ICS Al: nope
ICS Lynne: yep...
ICS Larry: :::holding key to prison gate, er classroom game:::
ICS Larry: Oh! Go ahead please Lynne ;)
ICS Lynne: how could a file that's been virus checked suddenly get one? Is this a hacker thing, or is
ICS Lynne: it possible that a virus could slip past our virus scan?
ICS Larry: 2 things about that ....
ICS Larry: 1st - we only can check for "known" virus, and we must use the required Scanning ...
ICS Larry: software.
ICS Larry: So, its possible a virus could get by us :/
ICS Larry: Tho! Its must more likely that the person's anti-virus program that they have ...
ICS Larry: installed on their computer is super touchie, or maybe not compatiable with the file.
ICS Larry: Thats why, when we get any concerned customer's complaining about a possible ...
ICS Larry: virus, we always HIDE the file at once. Then, send your Supervisor to work on it ;)
ICS Larry: Lynne - That answer your question?
ICS Lynne: sure does :D
ICS Larry: Okay .... :::putting out key again:::
ICS Larry: ::unlocks gate to classroom::
ICS Al: great ... I lose an hour tonight
ICS Larry: Weeee, You all passed with flying colors! Congrats ;)
ICS Al: (unlike everyone else :)
ICS Sparky: Thanks, Larry!
ICS Lynne: ::standing back so I don't get trampled in the stampede to the playground::
ICS Al: ::throwing cap into the air::
ICS Larry: Al, ya lost an hour somewhere?
ICS Terry: Thanks
ICS Al: at 2 am, larry
ICS Al: But I'm gonna stay awake and watch it go
ICS Larry: Weee, sounds good! ;) Daylight saving thing?
ICS Al: uh huh
ICS Terry: zzzzzz.....
ICS Al: spring forward and stuff
ICS Larry: Ack, thats today?? :X
ICS Sparky: Al, I'm losing it, too!
ICS Al: really Sparky? you on the right coast also?
ICS Al: <===BDU
ICS Sparky: You bet!
ICS Lynne: BDU?
ICS Larry: Glad somebody tells me this stuff! Gees, I'd of been late for tomorrows class :X
ICS Al: Brain Dead User, lynne
ICS Larry: heh ;)
ICS Lynne: ahhhhh ;>
ICS Al: an acronym I learned in my years at Tech live
ICS Al: said with greatest respect of course <g>
ICS Larry: Along with RTM ;)
ICS Sparky: which is...?
ICS Al: oooh Larry you really did take the TOS course :)
ICS Larry: Read the Manual (tho, thats not the full acronym) ;)
ICS Al: Pam can I say the acronym?
ICS Al: heh heh
ICS Al: there is an ftp site at mit ...
ICS Larry: Lol! ;D
ICS Al: RTFM.MIT.EDI I think
ICS Al: EDU
ICS Sparky: IM's work, you guys!
ICS Al: ok ok
IC Pam: Oppss... I'm REALLY buried! :)
ICS Al: <===behaving
ICS Larry: heh ;) Wonder with the Internet Cops gona crash that one :X
ICS Al: naaahh
IC Pam: Of COURSE, Al... you can mention the institution with 3 letters. <g>
ICS Larry: Anyways, I'm off to edit the log! Oops, I mean upload the log. 0:)
ICS Al: LOL thanks Pam you are sooo good to me
ICS Sparky: Our 6 o'clock news had yet another feature on AOL and child porn last night :(
ICS Al: leave this aprt out larry <g>
IC Pam: I know... but then you deserve it. :)
ICS Al: Really Sparky???
ICS Larry: Niters all ;) Be sure to email me with any questions ;)