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README.FMS
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1992-04-09
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RBBS-FMS OffLine Catalogue
File Generator and Reader
Documentation Version 1.0
Copyright 1992, by Rob Chandler
┌─────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 1.0 │░░░ LICENSING, DISTRIBUTING AND WARRANTY ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│
└─────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The RBBS-FMS Master Directory Splitter, Off-Line Reader and Off-
Line File Merger programs are provided as-is. You may distribute
them, as long as you do not modify any of the EXE files included
with the package.
Please support the hours of writing, testing and debugging, by
registering this software ($15 for the set).
The author will not be held liable to you or anyone for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including
any lost profits, lost savings, which may result from the use or
inability to use this software. (It's unfortunate this has to be
in here.)
┌─────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 2.0 │░░░ INTRODUCTION ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│
└─────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The idea for these programs is the result of a "what if" session
at the Fiorito (Dan's the Sysop at SYS-COM) residence. The enclosed
set of programs are the result of several late night sessions (gee
Rob, a search feature would be real nice) and input from the BBS
members ("will you guys quit getting beer in server!").
This package consists of 3 programs (SPTFMS is only needed by
the SysOp, RDFMS and MRGFMS are used by the members):
SPTFMS.EXE
OverView
This program will read through your RBBS/FMS master directory
file and create separate files ("sub-files") based on category code.
These individual files may be downloaded by BBS members viewed
offline with RDFMS (described later). A header advertising your BBS
may included at the top of each of the "sub-files". Private files
(category ***) are excluded from this process and directory chaining
is supported.
The Details
You must have at least 40 files defined in your config.sys, this
program will run faster if you allocate more files (up to 60). On
some multi-tasking systems you may need to allocate more than 60 files.
When running SPTFMS, the following information will be required:
a) Master Directory Name
This is the name of the FMS directory file that is to be
processed. If this is your first time using SPTFMS, I
suggest using your master directory (the one that contains
all your BBS files). On subsequent runs (ex: monthly), you
can process a smaller file that contains only the files added
to your BBS since the last time SPTFMS was used. This way,
your members will only have to download the updated information
and not the entire master file.
b) Temporary File Name
This is a work file used by SPTFMS and equal to the size
of the file specified in step a). An alternate drive may be
used for this file by giving the full path.
HINT - Don't bother using a RAM drive for this file, there
isn't much speed advantage.
c) Sub-File Prefix
This field allows you to define your own sub-file name.
You are allowed a maximum of 4 characters (ex: MSTR). The
structure of the "sub-file" names is:
ppppccc.eee where pppp is: the prefix name given
ccc is: the category code (ex: 001)
eee is: the extension specified.
HINT - When creating monthly "update" files, you should
an extension based on the date the "update" files
belong to.
(ex: April '92 would be .D92, A represents Jan,
through to L which represents Dec. The 92 of
course is the year).
HINT - Use a RAM drive here (if you can make one large
enough to contain all the "sub-files"). There
is a great improvement in processing speed. If
you can't set up a big enough RAM drive, then
defragmenting your hard drive before running
SPTFMS will help.
d) Sub-File Extension
This field lets you specify the file extension you wish
to use (ex: .DIR, the . is required).
e) ASCII Header File
A NON-COLOUR ASCII header (max 15 lines) may be inserted
into each "sub-file" by specifying the name of the header
file. To skip this option, leave this field blank or use
the name NONE.
f) Follow FMS Dir Chain
This option tells SPTFMS to continue with the next FMS
Directory file. The name of the "chain to" file is
contained at the top of the current Master Directory File
(see your RBBS doc's for more details).
RDFMS.EXE
OverView
This program will let your members read through the "sub-files"
offline. RDFMS requires an additional file named DIR.CAT, which
contains the "sub-file" prefix and extension used by the SPTFMS
program as well as the category code, category group and category
description for each active area on your BBS (see sample DIR.CAT).
You may also supply a help file (RDFMS.HLP) if you wish.
The Details
On the first screen, a list of category numbers and descriptions
are shown. After selecting an area of interest (a mouse may be
used to make the selection), a second screen appears with several
options. The up/dn arrow keys are used to scroll through the text
one line at a time and the page up/dn keys display the text one
screen at a time. Text searching is available by pressing "S", then
specifying the text (not case sensitive) you are looking for. The
entire file can be printed by selecting "P". Pressing ESCape will
return you to the first screen. You may also supply a help file
(RDFMS.HLP) if you wish. The help file be up to 68 characters wide
and 170 lines long.
MRGFMS.EXE
OverView
This program will let your members merge the new "update files"
with their existing "sub-files". The ASCII header will be removed
from their old file and replaced with the new one contained in the
"update". This program has two options, the first is a manual
update where your member updates one category at a time, the second
option (F2) is an automatic update. The automatic option will
update all "sub-files" for a given date. MRGFMS requires an
additional file named DIR.CAT, which contains the "sub-file"
prefix and extension used by the SPTFMS program as well as the
category code, category group and category description for each
active area on your BBS (see sample DIR.CAT). You may also supply
a help file (MRGFMS.HLP) if you wish. The help file be up to 68
characters wide and 170 lines long.
The Details
On the first screen, a list of category numbers and descriptions
are shown. After selecting the area to be updated (a mouse may be
used to make the selection), or using F2 the activate the Automatic
option, a second screen appears showing which category will be updated
and the date of the update. Automatic mode will update all categories
for a given period.
SAMPLE FILES INCLUDED
SPTFMS-A.CFG Contains the settings from the last time SPTFMS
was used. This file is only required by the host BBS.
DIR.CAT The first line of this file contains the sub-file
prefix and extension used by the SPTFMS program. The
remainder contains the category code, category group,
and category description for each active area on the
host BBS. This file is required on the host BBS and
the members' system.
HEADER.ANS This is a sample ANSI header file (only required
by the host BBS).
SAMPLE91.DIR A sample master directory file (Jan-Feb 1991).
Used to create initial sub-files for members.
UPDATE.C91 A sample master directory file for March 1991
only (used to create update sub-files for members).
┌─────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 3.0 │░░░ OTHER STUFF ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│
└─────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1) The latest timing tests were run with a 386-33 on a freshly
defragmented hard drive (this helps a LOT!).
BUFFERS & FILES : 40
FMS Directory Size : 471,073 bytes
Number of Records : 5607
Number of Categories: 30
Time Req'd (min:sec): 2:26
2) The SPTFMS program checks your CONFIG.SYS file to determine
the number of buffers allocated. If the QEMM Memory Manager is
present, then SPTFMS will also check the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
3) SPTFMS requires free space on your drive to be equivalent to
double the total size all FMS master directory files being
processed. Half of this space is used as temporary work space
(to protect your original file from nasties, like a power failure),
the remainder will be used by the sub-files being created.
┌─────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 4.0 │░░░ HOW TO CONTACT US ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│
└─────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The latest versions of the software are currently available from
SYS-COM BBS.
We've been testing & using this software at SYS-COM BBS since
Decmber 1991 and it appears that all the "quirks" (undocumented
features) have been worked out. If you have any comments, reports
about bugs, enhancements, etc., you can contact the author in the
following ways:
CompuServe : Rob Chandler 72537,1065
(I usually check for mail once a week, leaving a
message on Sys-Com is preferred)
SYS-COM BBS: (807) 768-1255 (USR Dual Standard)
(807) 768-0014
(807) 767-7945 (SysOp: Dan Fiorito, evenings & weekends)
Leave comment addressed to SYSOP, or E-MAIL to me.
Mail: Rob Chandler
615 Vickers St South (South IS important, there's a north)
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7E 1K2
Canada