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1992-12-22
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╔╗ ╔╗ ╔══╗ ╔═╗
║╚╗╔╝║ ╔═══╗ ═╦═ ╦ ║ ╚╗ ║ ╚╗
║ ╚╝ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╔╝
║ ║ ╠═══╣ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╠═╣
║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╚╗
║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╔╝ ║ ╔╝
╩ ╩ ╩ ╩ ═╩═ ╚═══ ╚══╝ ╚═╝
MailDB 1.0α(C) by Carlos Gonçalves Batista
QWKConverted Data Base and TXT2REP and REP2TXT
To use with IBM PC and compatibles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index:
══════
01 - Disclameirs and software licence
02 - Why MailDB?
03 - Thanks
04 - Support BBS's
05 - How to register?
06 - MailDB basic concepts
07 - Configuracion(MAILDB.CFG)
08 - Getting MailDB started
09 - Guide to MailDB's Menu System
10 - TWIT-Lists and CFG's
11 - Line Opcions(TXT2REP and REP2TXT)
12 - MailDB Log's file(MAILDB.LOG)
13 - DOS ErrorLevels
14 - Windows 3.1 and MailDB
15 - Tips and Advices
16 - Historics
17 - MailDB's Future
18 - Acknowlodgments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
01- Disclameirs and software licence:
═════════════════════════════════════
■ This program and all is documentation is Copyright of Carlos Miguel Salas
Gonçalves Batista. All Rights Reserved.
■ The author specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose and MailDB license granted herein in
particular, and without limiting operation of MailDB gram license with
respect to any particular application, use, or purpose. In no event shall
the author be liable for any loss of profit, lost savings, commercial
damage, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
or inability to use MailDB even if the author, Carlos Batista, or an
authorized distributor of MailDB has been advised of the possibility of
such damages, or for any claim by any other party.
■ You can freely distribute MailDB if and only if these three conditions are
satisfied:
≡ MailDB file and accompaning materials(documentation) must be all together
≡ MailDB and its documentation must not be altered in any form
≡ You cannot charge any special fee for distributing MailDB, except for
cover your own distribution costs
■ Distributors of Shareware and Public Domain software MUST obtain written
permission from Carlos Batista before distributing MailDB and must follow
the above conditions. Permission is almost always granted.
■ This software cannot be used for the devolpment of other projects, and it
cannot be included by any means in any other software or software package.
■ The files that MailDB produces, this is the module files; with the .MIQ,
.MIL, .HFS, .CBS extensions are interely yours to do what you want with
them at your responsability and charge. If you used them in any other
software that implies the divulgation of that files, you must give the
credits to MailDB on the documentation or on the program itself.
■ Bulletin Board system operators may post MailDB on their BBS for
downloading by their users without written permission, only if no special
fee is necessary to access MailDB files (a general fee to access the BBS
is acceptable).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
02- Why MailDB?
═══════════════
■ The thing that made me programming MailDB, was the need of a program of
this kind in the Shareware market.
There are a lot of good(and bad...) MailReaders, a lot of MailReaders with
DataBase from messages. But no program that generate and manage a Data Base
independent of the MailReader.
■ At last OLX(tm)/SLMR(tm)/KingQWK(tm)/Blue Wave(tm)/Jabber(tm) users can
have a Data Base of messages without leaving is favourit mail-reader!
■ Its obvious that the MailDB is a complement to a a Mail Reader like OLX
or SLMR. And this is because the MailDB only keeps a Data Base of messages
(and believe me, it's not ONLY that!!! :) ) that is exactly what OLX and
SLMR don't do!
■ As so, the MailDB was designed so it can work in the reader directory, and
be as organized as ever!
■ Let's see now some of the reasons to use(and register!) MailDB:
≡ Data Base of normal ASCII files created from normal .QWK format files
≡ Total conversion of one .QWK or of only one message, or only of one
conference, etc...
≡ Configuration files to optimize certain operations
≡ Backup/Restore of a module
≡ String consult(case sensitive)
≡ General consult of all messages in the module
≡ List of messages inside the module in use
≡ See a determined message
≡ Possibility of giving commands when consulting a message
≡ Export a message from the module to a normal, readable text file
≡ Exclusion list on the following QWK fileds; FROM, SUBJECT and
CONFERENCE. Possibility of including that exclusions on a CFG to
automatizate the process
≡ Execute a DOS command
≡ DOS Shell
≡ NDOS, 4DOS, etc... support in shelling operations
≡ Color Pull-down menus
≡ TXT2REP, this is a conversion of a normal text file to a .REP file format
ready to be sent to a BBS. With a Tagline with the user name(registered
versions only).
If the file is to big to fit into a single messages, it will be 'cut'
into several messages. If te file BBS_ID.REP already exists, new messages
will be appended to it.
≡ REP2TXT, to those who want to keep they replies in a normal text file.
≡ Support to the major compacters of the market(ARJ, ZIP, LHA, ARC)
≡ Automatic descompression of the .QWK and of the .REP
≡ Automatic compression of the .REP (on TXT2REP)
≡ On-Line description of all opcions in the menu system
≡ Information about the .MIQ (size, number of messages, etc...) inside the
menu system.
■ Having a Data Base of messages is so essencial as reading it.
How many times didn't you need to convert a file to REP format and had to
type it? How many times did you need to confirm a quote? How many times
did you need to see a anciente message of a theme that you need now?
How many QWK do you have stored? When will you be able to finally keep
a Data Base of your mail?
The answer is NOW! With MailDB 1.0α
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03- Thanks:
═══════════
■ To all those who back-me-up and helped me making this programa my sincere
thanks. Some of them were my ßeta Testers(marked with (ß)):
- Afonso Vicente(ß)
- Carlos Santos(ß)
- Duarte Oliveira(ß)
- Fernando Madruga(ß), Author of the copy rotine that integrates MailDB
- Joäo Cabral(ß), for all the technic help in all fases of the project
- Jaime Amaral(ß)
- Pedro Rosa(ß), Blaster BBS SysOp.
- Sérgio Duarte(ß)
■ And a very, very special thanks to my brother; Vitor Salas Baptista
■ To Eduardo Oliveira, also Blaster BBS SysOp
■ To Mario Pozzetti, SysOp of SkyShip BBS
■ I wish to thank also the FREENET conference users for all the support in
the program last fase in particular to Luis Bita.
■ To the mysterious author of the QWKINFO.ZIP file
■ To Borland Int. for the excelent Turbo C 2.0
■ To Mark 'Sparky' Herring the author of QWK Format.
■ To PKWare for the excellent PKLITE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04- Support BBS's and how to contact the author:
════════════════════════════════════════════════
■ The MailDB as a project and I as a the programmer, have the special
support of two BBS; Blaster BBS and SkyShip BBS.
In both of them exists a PRIVATE SUPPORT CONFERENCE for those users
that register and is there that I make the support to them.
■ Blaster BBS, is a Public Bulletin Board System dedicated to the
Multimedia and Sound Support. Is number is:
Node 1: 351-1-3878640 * 24H * 2400 to 14400K
■ SkyShip is a Public BBS with general interest, is numbers are:
Node 1: 351-1-3527623 * 24H * 2400 to 14400K MNP only
Node 2: 351-1-3151435 * 24H * 1200 to 14400K
Node 3: 351-1-3151436 * 24H * 1200 to 14400K
■ If by any reason you need to contact me, you can do it by two ways:
1st: Leaving a message to CARLOS BATISTA in Blaster BBS or SkyShip BBS
Main Board's Conferences.
2nd: Writing a letter to the following adress
Carlos Batista - MailDB Project
Av. Aviaçäo Portuguesa, 23 - 1ºDrt
2700 Amadora
Portugal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05- How to register?:
═════════════════════
■ MailDB is a program issued under the Shareware concept. This implies
a simply honor agreement : "Use first, pay latter".
What I mean is that; I the programmer, give you the user, a 15 days trial
period, in wich you are free to use the programa without any limitation.
After that period and if you continue to use the program, you must pay a
register fee.
(MailDB is not CrippleWare, as so, the program is full functional in the
ShareWare version)
■ The user that register MailDB will have the following advantages:
≡ The registered user will not have to wait 3 seconds on the program start
and the exit messsage will also disappear.
≡ For the user that registers with is usual login name (acess BBS's name)
on the conversion of QWK can check how many messages are destined to him
≡ It will be given acess to the TWO MailDB PRIVATE SUPPORT CONFERENCE
(on Blaster BBS and on SkyShip BBS), for register users only, and in
that conferences you will get a every day help.
In there you may also find files relating MailDB to Download freely(only
paying the connection, obvsiouly.)
≡ The register user will have acess to a register number to work with is
register expression, that will alow you, within other things to;
Have your name on the messages converted by the TXT2REP function, having
your personal ID in all MIQ's, removal of the exit screen, etc...
≡ To those who register, it will be delivered at home a printed copy of
this manual.
≡ To the register user I guarantee that this register fee and register
number will be suited for all future versions.
≡ It's only with your support that other excellent programs like MailDB
can be available at such low prices.
■ To the user who register MaiLDB will be asked a register expression,
that expression cannot be bigger than 20 caracters and preferebly must be
a personal name or a business name.
Expressions like: 1111, oasoas, Me, etc. are not accepted.
In no circunstance can be two equal register expressions.
■ The price is the following (Shipping and Handling included):
- 1500$00 Portuguese Escudos if you are inside Portugal
- £7 English Pounds if you are in a European Comunity Country
- $12 American Dolars(or equivalent) to the rest of the world.
■ There are two ways to register MailDB, that are the following:
≡ Filling the file REGISTER.TXT:
Send the filled file and the money to:
Carlos Batista - SoftWare Dvl.
Av. Aviaçäo Portuguesa, 23 - 1º Drt
2700 Amadora
Portugal
≡ Connect to SkyShip BBS on Lisbon, Portugal and fill the
script(questionaire) number one. And send the money to the
adress given above. This possibility is for those that by any chance
have 'lost' the REGISTER.TXT file. The Skyship number is
on point 04 of the manual.
■ All checks and postal orders must be in the name of Carlos Miguel
Salas Gonçalves Batista.
■ Please give me a 15 days period to arrange all the register user benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06- Basic MailDB concepts and requisitions:
═══════════════════════════════════════════
■ Before anythig else here's a little description of some terms used so far
- .MIQ, .MIL, .HFS, .CBS are the extensions used by MailDBe and is purpose
is to more efectivily manage a modeule. The file name of the files with
thies extensions is the modeule name that you choose when execute MailDB
Those extensions names mean:
≡ .MIQ: Name that came form previous messages and in direct traslation
means Merge It(first name of MailDB) QWK. Is the files that
contains the messages.
≡ .MIL: The same as .MIQ; Merge It List. The file were the message list
is.
≡ .HFS: Header and File Size, is the index file for the module
≡ .CBS: Connect Beetweem Sessions, to make the connection beetween a
a MailDB session and another.
- Module: I refer as module as the group of all those four files with
those extensions an with the same name, that is the name that you give
when execute MailDB.
- 'Msg' and 'Msgs' are the same as E-mail Message.
■ MailDB only works with the MESSAGES.DAT and CONTROL.DAT files existing in
the .QWK file format. MailDB DOESN'T alter the .QWK! It only reads those
two files and that is all he needs from the QWK.
■ You need the following to work with MailDB on your PC:
- A IBM PC, XT, AT, i386, i486 or PS/2, or compatible
- Will need a operating system equal or superior to MS-DOS 3.3 or
compatible.
- You need at least 111 Kb of free conventional memory to run MailDB.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07- Configuracion(MAILDB.CFG):
══════════════════════════════
■ MailDB is configurated from a normal ASCII file, without any special
formats(like WordStar or Display Write). And be editable on a normal
editor like EDIT that came with MS-DOS 5.0
■ The file MUST be called MAILDB.CFG and it must be on the same directory as
MAILDB.EXE, on other way it will not run.
■ To configure MailDB to your system edit the file MAILDB.CFG that came in
the MAILDB10.ZIP file and edit the following lines keeping in mind the
description of each one given here:
1st Line ........... C:\MODEM\DOWN\
In this line is the path to the directory where the
.QWK are. It's normally the same directory that
receives the files that you download from the BBS's
It must terminate with a backslash - '\'.
2nd Line ........... C:\MODEM\UP\
In this line it is the .REP path.
It's normally the directory where you put the files
that you want to upload to a BBS.
It has, also, to terminate with a backslash: '\'.
3rd Line ........... ZIP
This is the line were you indicate to the program of
what compressor you use in the QWk and REP files.
You'll write a three letter word that is the extension
that is associeated with the compacters.
The codes are the following:
Identifier: Respective compacter:
ZIP PKZIP/PKUNZIP
ARJ ARJ
LZH LHA
ARC PKARC/PKUNARC
All this programs must be found in the DOS path
And they must also have the name refered backwards
this is: PKZIP/PKUNZIP, ARJ, LHA, PKARC/PKUNARC.
And this is a priority! Without this steps followed
attentionsly you cannot run effectively the program
4th Line ........... UNREGISTERED≡0≡
The 4th line is used for the register process.
This line is very special: You'll have to separate
the name form the number by a ≡ (ASCII #240) and
you'll have to end the line with that same caracter.
This is, the format is: nome_de_registo≡numero≡
If you are not registered in the place of the name
you must put 'UNREGISTERED' and in the place of the
number you must put '0'. Like this : UNREFGISTERED≡0≡
■ The MAILDB.CFG design and the reading routine were designed so the even
most inexperient user could easily configurate MailDB, but;
■ If you have any doubt please contact me by one of the ways of the point
four of the manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
08- Getting MailDB Started:
═══════════════════════════
■ There are three possible ways to execute MailDB and they are all three
described in the next two points of the manual.
■ Please don not try to run MAILDB.EXE without MAILDB.CFG on the same
directory, the program won't let you do so.
■ If you want to enter MailDB Data Base Menu you must do the following
on the command line;
C:\MAILDB\MAILDB FILENAME
This is; Execute MailDB file giving as argument a filename and
only a valid DOS filename without extension or path!
■ To acess the two line opcions read carefully point 11 of the manual were
there acess is explained.
■ To see the line format on the various opcions and also to see some
examples of them call MAILDB on the command line WITHOU any argument.
■ If you have any doubts fell free to contact me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09- Guide to MailDB Menu System:
════════════════════════════════
■ The menu system(menu for now on), is destined to the management of the
Data Base. The menus are Windows(tm)-type, this is if any sub-opcion
exists they will appear under the principal opcion seleccioned. And the
windows are exploing-one type, with a little shaddow.
■ To aces the menu system; execute the program and give him as a opcion
a file name that will be the identifier of the module that you will use.
The file name must be in the DOS limitations for a file name, this is
8 characters maximum and CANNOT include some special characters: '.' or
'\'.
This argument CANNOT be a path like C:\UTILS\FICHEIRO.EXT or have an
extension appended to it. Only a 8-character-maximum file name like:
C:\MAILDB\MAILDB FILENAME
D:\MAILDB BLASTER
■ The control keys for the menu system are:
- Left Cursor: Move the highlighted opcion to the left
- Right Cursora: Move the highlighted opcion to the right
- TAB: Same as Left Cursor
- Home: Move the highlighted opcion to the first opcion
- End: Move the highlighted opcion to the last opcion.
- ESC: Iniciate exit sequence
- ENTER or Carriage Return: Choose a opcion or sub-opcion
- F1: It will appear on the screen a copyright notice and a register
user information
- F2: Informative screen, with informations regarding module size,
number of messages stored in module, etc...
The principal menu contains very imporatant informations about the module
in use. Let's see them:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ (opcions) │-> principal
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ opcions
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
├─────────────────────────────┬──────────────┬───────────────┤
│ (description) │* TEST.MIQ │ MailDB 1.0α │
└─────────────────────────────┴──────────────┴───────────────┘
│ │
└> Opcion or sub-opcion └> The name of the mudule in use
that is highlighted. If this module was already created
and contains messages a '*' will
appear before the name
■ Using teh keys described before you can easily manage MailDB DataBase
Feature. With them you can choose a opcion or sub-opcion to execute.
The available opcions(and sub-opcions) are:
≡ QWK: This opcion is destiny to put one more QWK packet inside the
module. After pressing <CR> it will be asked the name of the QWK to be
converted. If you have a file that is on QWK format but is extension is
not .QWK you are free to put the extension you want, but if you
introduce only the name, MailDB assumes that .QWK is the extension.
After that and if the packet really exists, it will be asked a comment
(opcional) that will be written in MAILDB.LOG. For example if you want
to put a comment saying - "The modem configuration is here." It will be
much more easy to know in each module it's in a consultation .
After that and if doesn't exist a CFG(see point 9 on manual) with the
name of the BBS it will be asked to you the excepcions to be made on
the convertion.
≡ PARCIAL: Here you'll have the chance to convert only a part of the QWK.
The major difference beetween QWK and PARCIAL opcions is that in
PARCIAL you must say what messages with determined field-caracteristics
are to be converted. And how? REsponding to some questions that will
appear to you.
For example if on the first question:
"TO name to convert?" if you introduce CARLOS BATISTA, MailDB will only
convert the messages TO CARLOS BATISTA.
On the second; "FROM name to convert?" if you introduce VITOR SALAS
MailDB will only convert the messages that came from VITOR SALAS.
The last question; "CONFERENCE number to convert?" If you put 0 MailDB
will only convert messages form 0 conference.
You can answer all three questions, and if you do that the messages
(following the previous example) TO CARLOS BATISTA, FROM VITOR SALAS
and from conference 0 will be converted.
If you put all three answer in blank none message will be converted.
≡ BACKUP: Here you can make a backup or restore of a module.
You can in this sub-menu restore the files backed-up with BACKUP command
with the RESTORE command. To do it just choose the sub-opcion RESTORE.
The .MIB file has inside the 4 files that 'are' the module in use, and
they are compacted by the compacter choosen on MAILDB.CFG, as simple as
that! So if you have any trouble on restoring the MIB file check if you
change the compacter on MAILDB.CFG.
You can also copie the MIB file to a diskette, keeping the module in a
safe place, for a future consult.
The restore sub-opcion makes a restore of the .MIB file that is on
the ...\MIQ directory! So of you want to restore some module you better
put it on the ..\MIQ diretory first.
ATTENTION: When you make a restore you'll delete the module that exists
with the same name! But when a sitution like that accurs a confirmation
question will be asked.
≡ CONSULT: The must complete menu on MailDB, it allows you to make four
kinds of consultations/views to the module in use.
When you press <CR> it will be shown to you a menu with four sub
opcions described below:
φ GENERAL: It will be shown to you all the .MIQ, message to message.
You'll be able to give commands when a message is at his end, you
can enter three differente commands:
(N)ext - If you press the 'N' or 'n' key a next message on MIQ will
be shown
(B)ack - If you press the 'B' or 'b' key the previous message will
be shown.
(F)ile - With this opcion you are able to export the message(and only
that message, to a DOS file.
If that file already exists the new message will be appended
to it.
(T)his - To re-read the smae message.
(E)nd - Exit general consultation and go back to main menu.
φ STRING: It searchs a string(sequence of ASCII characters)
to the maximum of 18 characters. When it founds the string
it shows the message(s) where that string is.
The string consult is case sensitive, this is the word 'ola' e 'OLA'
are differents!
The commands that you can give here are:
(C)ontinue - To continue string search
(F)ile - To export to a DOS file that message
If that file already exists the new message will be
appended to it.
(E)nd - To end string consult and return to main menu.
φ LIST: Here MailDB will show the list of the messages that are inside
of the module in use. It describies it using the following fields
FROM, TO, SUBJECT, CONFERENCE, NUMBER.
The commands that you can give here are:
(E)nd - Finish list
(C)ontine - Go to next page
(S)ee - See a determined message, after you choose the message
you wanna see, the commands are the same as on determined
message consult/general consult.
If you want to go back to consult list of messages you
musr re-select it.
φ RIGHT: With this sub-opcion you can consult a determined message
on the module. You can go directly to that message without reading
them all.
The commands are the same as on GENERAL consult.
≡ EXEC: This opcion is made toexecute a single DOS command. The directory
of start is the ..\MIQ
Finishing executing the command MailDB returns to the start directory.
You can use this opcion to EDIT .MIQ with a normal editor or to view it
with for example Vernon Buerger's LIST.COM, etc...
≡ UTILS: Two utilities to manage the modules:
φ PRINT: To print the .MIQ file, this is the file with the messages
converted.
What he does is to send the file to the DOS port known as PRN. As so
having the printer configurated in DOS will have the printer
configurated on MailDB.
I advise the utilization of continued paper, due to the dimension of
certain MIQ's may have.
φ CHANGE: To change the module in use without exiting MailDB. This will
make MailDB change the current module to the one that you indicated.
When answering; ENTER alone will make a abort of that command.
≡ DELETE: To delete or the module or the backup file(MIB). It will ask
for confirmation.
≡ SHELL AO DOS: Makes a well known DOS Shell. To return to MailDB execute
the command 'exit' on the DOS prompt.
If you ahve other command line interpreter different of COMMAND.COM
don't worry MailDB will Shell knowing that.
ou can freely change diretory when in a Shell, because MailDB don't
worry about that... :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10- TWIT list's and exclusions:
═══════════════════════════════
■ MailDB has a characteristic that allows to exclude certain messages of
being converted/included in the module.
■ As so you can exclude messages from being converted by its FROM name,
CONFERENCE number or SUBJECT.
■ There are two ways of making that exclusion; Trought a file with the
extension .CFG and with the name being the BBS_ID, this is the name of
the QWK that you download form the BBS, or you can also exclude by the
answer of some questions.
■ Those files CFG msut be on a directory above MAILDB's EXE and CFG file
And that directory must have the CFG name.
Ex: C:\MODEM\MAILDB -> Diretory where MAILDb.EXE and MAILDB.CFG are.
C:\MODEM\MAILDB\CFG -> Directory where the CFG's must be.
■ That file is a normal text filem editable in any normal text editor and
with the following chracteristics:
≡ On the first line is the SUBJECT to exclude:
Ex: HOLLYDAYS
≡ On the second line there is the CONFERENCE NUMBER to be eliminated:
Ex: 10
≡ On the third line there is the FROM name to exclude:
Ex: JOAO CABRAL
■ When you want to exclude only two(or one or zero!) fields put a blank line
(no characters at all!!!) on the place where the exclusion(s) field(s).
■ ATTENTION: MailDB, in this version, can only exclude ONE FROM, ONE TO and
ONE CONFERENCE, this is, you can't exclude conference number 1 and 2, only
1 or only 2...
■ ATTENTION: In any way the CFG must ALLWAYS have three lines! If this
doesn't happen it's must likely that the program will stop dragging with
him the operating system.
■ The other way to exclude is to answer three wuestions that will appear
when you are about to convert/include the messages to/in the module.
NOTE: The questions only appear if a CFG with a name of that BBS doesn't
exist.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11- Line Opcions:
═════════════════
■ MailDB has two line options, that I consider very usefull.
■ Those line functions are destined to include the REP in the MailDB program
Once the Data Base was designed only for QWK the REP have in the line
functions a special attention.
■ The opcion TXT2REP allows to send a normal text file(like AUTOEXE.BAT or
CONFIG.SYS) to the message area of a BBS using a normal REP file.
What MailDB does is convert the text file in to a REP packet all ready to
sent to the BBS.
If the text file is too big to fit in to a single message, MailDB cuts it
into several messages.
If already exits a REP file MailDB will append the new message(s) to that
REP file.
■ But the other command line opcion is the REP2TXT and is objectiv is to
convert the files with our replys - The .REP's -, from their "strange"
format to a normal text file.
- It's sintax is:
MAILDB /C BBS_ID TXTDEST
^ ^ ^ ^
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ └ Text file to be created with the contents of REP
│ │ └ REP name(without path and without extension)
│ └ Command that defines that the opcion REP2TXT is to be executed
└ Programa name
≡ The opcion that defines the operation REP2TXT - '/C' can be in either
capital letter(/C) or in small letter(/c).
≡ On TXTDEST if by any reason that file already exits the converted
messages will be APPENDed to the end of it.
≡ To the name of the destiny file(TXTDEST) is allways colocated the
extension .MIR for a better recongnize and to avoid possible conflicts
with existing files.
■ The second line opcion is the most powerfull and usefull of the two.
As the name indicates it converts a normal text file to a REP file ready
to send to a BBS.
- The sintax is:
MAILDB /T TXTSOURCE BBS_ID FROM TO SUBJECT CONFERENCE# [/P]
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └ Private Msg.
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ └ Conference number
│ │ │ │ │ │ └ Messages subject
│ │ │ │ │ └ Name of the receiving user [TO]
│ │ │ │ └ Name of the sending user [FROM]
│ │ │ └ BBS name. The same name of the downloaded QWK
│ │ └ Name(and path if necessary) of the file to be converted
│ └ Command that defines that the opcion TXT2REP is to be executed
└ Program name
≡ The fields are all obligatory (exception the last field - private flag)
this means that they must exists and be on the indicated order.
If not, the file will not be well converted.
This is nothing new to you, in your mail-reader all the fields are
obligatory.
≡ If by any chance it already exists a .REP with the same name, don't
worry! It won't be deleted, MailDB will out the new converted messages
on the end of the existing packet, this is appending the messages to
the existing REP.
≡ If the file is too big too fit into a single message, it will be cut on
to several messages with the same caracteristics
≡ And the file resultant, this is the BBS_ID.REP file is colocated on the
REP's upload directory defined in MAILDB.CFG
≡ When spaces are needed in the introducing of the fields, as for example
in the field FROM; you want to put 'VITOR SALAS' if you put a '_' on
the place of the space, this is 'VITOR_SALAS' the program will
correctly recongnize, otherwise not. The rule is simple: Were spaces
are needed use a '_'.
The same is apliable for the TO and SUBJECT fields.
See the examples in the end of this subject.
≡ Case don't matter on "/T" opcion.
≡ "/P" opcion is opcional and is destined to put a message(s) private(s)
case doesn't matter. It could be "/p" or "/P"
≡ Maximum size for each field is;
TXTSOURCE[256], BBS_ID[8], FROM[25], TO[25], SUBJECT[25], CONFERENCE[3]
The number inside the [] is the maximum number of caracters that the
program accepts.
≡ The maximum file size of TXTSOURCE is 1 MegaByte
■ Some examples of both line opcions:
- MAILDB /c BLASTER OLA
Convert the file BLASTER.REP, that is on REP format to the OLA.MIR file
that is a normal text file.
- MAILDB /C INTRIGA MSGS
Convert the file INTRIGA.REP, that is on REP format to the MSGS.MIR
file that is a normal text file
- MAILDB /t c:\txt\addit.doc blaster carlos_batista pedro_rosa ola 0 /p
Convert the file ADDIT.DOC that is on C:\TXT to the BLASTER.REP file
The messages are are to be sent(in private) by CARLOS BATISTA to PEDRO
ROSA in conferece 0(Main Board), and the message subject is OLA.
The BLASTER.REP is colocated on the upload directory choosen on
MAILDB.CFG
- MAILDB /T MAILDB.DOC INTRIGA CARLOS_BATISTA AFONSO_VICENTE A_B_C 1
Convert the MAILDB.DOC file that is found is the same directory as
MAILDB.EXE and MAILDB.CFG, to the INTRIGA.REP file where the messages
are sent by CARLOS BATISTA to AFONSO VICENTE in conference one(1).
The INTRIGA.REP is colocated on the upload directory defined on
MAILDB.CFG
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12- MailDB Log's file (MAILDB.LOG):
═══════════════════════════════════
■ MailDB created a file called MAILDB.LOG and that is obvisiouly a LOG file
What does this mean? Well, it means that in that file you'll encounter
a register of all the significant operations that you made on MailDB.
■ The line opcions(TXT2REP and REP2TXT) are not registered.
■ It's allways present the date and time of the event.
■ With this file you'll have a way to control your operations on MailDB.
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13- Errorlevels:
════════════════
■ When MailDB encounters some vital error or problem he allways tries to
gracefuly exits to DOS, and estabelishes a exit code.
■ Exit codes to DOS table:
Exit code: Description:
---------- ---------------------
0 Normal exit
1 MAILDB.CFG not found
2 Bad line argument
3 I/O Error
4 File too big (on TXT2REP)
99 Wrong register code
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14- Windows(tm) 3.x e o MailDB:
═══════════════════════════════
■ With the MAILDB10.ZIP is a file called MAILDB.PIF that is a Program
Information File to work with Windows(tm) 3.x
On this file are the information needed by Windows(tm) 3.x to correctly
execute MailDB over Windows enviromnent.
■ Also inside MAILDB10.ZIP is a other Windows(tm) file, a .ICO file, that
is the icon figure to identify MailDB inside Windows(tm).
■ To put MailDB working under Windows(tm); copy the MAILDB.PIF to the
Windows(tm) directory and then enter Windows(tm). And creat a new item
using as executable the MAILDB.EXE file, the following operations are
easy to understand.
Then to put the MAILDB.ICO identifying the MailDB program follow the
following steps; Highlight the MailDB icon press ALT+ENTER choose
'Change Icon' box and then make a browse to found the file MAILDB.ICO
in your tree structure and finally when you have found it choose 'OK'.
■ When you choose the MailDB icon, a argument will be asked, obvsiously is
as the same format as in DOS, the only difference is that you have to
put it in a window and not in a DOS line :)
■ Intensive tests were made on MailDB working over Windows(tm) and no error
(as a UAE) was detected. But MailDB was written to a DOS envirnoment and
not to the Windows(tm), as so, is natural that by any chance a error will
occur, but the possibility of that happen is very remote...
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15- Advices and Tips:
═════════════════════
■ Do not creat and maintain modules superiors than, let's say 5000 messages,
maximum! For a better and optimized consult and a quicker module acess keep
this in mind.
■ If by any chance you edit the MIQ file and altered it, keep in mind that
some of the functions of the program will be affected! This is because the
HFS file or message positioning and size information will not be modified
■ In the menu system, if you want to read the messages destined to you make a
string search with your name or to the string PRIVATE for messages only to
you!
Or the messages from Mr.XYZ make a string consult to that string.
If you know the message number or the internal number inside MIQ, the
better! make a string consult using that number.
■ If you experience any trouble on opening files please check your CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT file and do one of this things; remove SHARE from
AUTOEXEC.BAT or increase the FILES=?? command on CONFIG.SYS.
In some computers the presence of the SHARE program in memory makes
impossible the correct utilization of MailDB, so if you experience any
troubles on the 'Include QWK' opcion check for SHARE before do anything
else.
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16- Historics:
══════════════
■ 0.01ß - First versionäo do MailDB. Only converted QWK2TXT.
(6/6/92) It was called MergeIT and it was destined to convert and merge
QWK packets.
■ 0.02ß - It started to handle .REP's and it has now a menu.
(1/7/92) It changed the name to MailMerge and now it converts QWK and REP
packets and merge it to two default files: MEREGREP.MI and
MERGEQWK.MI.
First ßeta testers: Fernando Madruga, Duarte Oliveira,
Jaime Amaral, Pedro Rosa.
■ 0.03ß - It started to consult the two files.
(19/7/92) A new opcion: Editing the files(removed)
One more ßeta tester: Joäo Cabral.
■ 0.04ß - BACKUP/RESTORE opcion. Some alterations on the QWK2TXT convert
(27/7/92) String consult...
■ 0.05ß - A LOG file: MMERGE.LOG
(1/8/92) Other alterations
■ 0.06ß - Beta testesting version
(2/8/92) First Manual.
■ 0.07ß - Totally rewrite! Now with a string consult much more efective,
(15/11/92)directed message consult,export of a message to a text file, DOS
Shell, BACKUP/RETSORE much quicker, TXT2REP and REP2TXT functions
REP files are now in line opcions and not in the menu, TWIT-Lists
colored pull down-menus
New name: MailDB!
All major functions were in this version elaborated.
Two more ßeta testers: Sérgio Duarte and Afonso Vicente
■ 0.08ß - Version especially designed for beta-testing. Equal to 0.07ß
(16/11/92)
■ 1.0α - Bugs corrected from the previous version.
(21/12/92)New features:
- Internal numeracion of the .MIQ
- F2 (info) function key with more subjects covered
- Optimazing of Backup/Restore functions and QWK convert function
- .QWK as a default extension
- Big alteracions in all consults opcions
- Comands in viewing the messages
- Changing module without getting out of the program
- List of existing modules
- Etc...
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17- MailDB Future:
══════════════════
■ MailDB will continue to have new versions with new features, such as
delete of a single message and dupe checking.
■ But... It is logic that a Offline Mail-Reader will evolute from MailDB, but
that will only happen if I see that the Shareware as a future as a trust
and honor concept.
■ Your register is essencial so that the Shareware in general and MailDB
in paricular can grow and expand more and more!
Your support will make that more good programs like this may be available
at such low prices.
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18- Copyrights:
═══════════════
■ SLMR/OLX is copyright of Mustang Software Inc.
■ MS-DOS and EDIT are copyright of Microsoft Corporation
■ ASCII stands for American Standart Code for Information Interchange
■ Turbo C is copyright of Borland Internacional.
■ .PIF, .ICO and Windows 3.1 are copyright of Microsoft Corporation
■ PKLITE, PKZIP, PKARC and ZIP and ARC are copyright of Phil Katz
■ ARJ is copyright of Robert K. Jung.
■ LHA, LZH is copyright of Haruyasu Yoshizaki
■ PC, XT, AT, PS/2 are copyright of IBM Corp.
■ i386 and i486 are copyright of Intel Corp.
■ WordStar is copyright of WordStar International Corporation
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Carlos Miguel Salas Gonçalves Batista
21 of December of 1992