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1996-01-21
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SFAdvisor v1.0
A Freeware Spitfire BBS Security Level Info Screens Generator
(c) 1996 by Robert G. Schiele
May be distributed freely.
Installation:
────────────
The archive containing the SFAdvsior files can be unpacked into any
directory you choose. An SFADV.CFG file must be reside in the same
directory, and the program must be run from this directory. The
configuration file MUST be named SFADV.CFG, but need not be mentioned when
SFAdvisor is run. The program is invoked by simply typing SFADV from the
DOS command line, or from a batch file.
Configuration:
─────────────
A sample configuration file is provided that works with my own
system. It is probably self-explanatory, but in any case, has to be setup
as follows:
LINE1 Your BBS's Name
LINE2 Path (including drive, but NOT filename or extension) to your
DAILYLMT.DAT file
LINE3 Path (including drive, but NOT filenames or extensions) to your
Spitfire display files
That's all there is to it. The example configuration that I use on my own
system is reprinted here below:
The Programmer's Corner BBS
C:\SF\
C:\SF\DISPLAY\
There should be no blank lines at the beginning or at the end of this file.
It may be created with any ASCII text editor you like.
How SFAdvisor Works:
───────────────────
SFAdvisor, once installed and configured correctly, will simply
read your DAILYLMT.DAT file, and then create ANSI (.CLR) and ASCII (.BBS)
files with the XXXSEC.BC format that will be displayed each time a caller
logs on your BBS. The caller is shown only the screen that is appropriate
to their security level and type of display. For instance, say you have a
security level on your BBS of 10 (possibly among others). After you're run
SFAdvisor, you'll have two screens (with others as well) that are titled
10SEC.CLR and 10SEC.BBS in your SF display directory. Each level 10 caller
will be shown either the 10SEC.BBS or the 10SEC.CLR file (depending on
whether their display supports ANSI or not) one time, each time they log on
your BBS.
As SFAdvisor runs, it shows you the contents of your DAILYLMT.DAT
file as well, giving you an opportunity, if you need to, to review exactly
what access levels you are currently supporting, and what their limitations
are. Personally, I find this useful, as the DAILYLMT.COM program that
creates this file, that is provided with Spitfire, does not show the
information in a format that is as easy, for me at least, to read.
If anything goes wrong, for instance, if you have a blank line
in the SFADV.CFG file instead of your BBS's name, or else you have an
invalid path included in the file, or if SFAdvisor can't find your
DAILYLMT.DAT file, the program will tell you what's wrong, then halt
without creating anything.
Why SFAdvisor:
─────────────
I wrote SFAdvisor because I like to show callers exactly what
privileges I'm allowing them when they log on. Spitfire shows them some
information, by itself, but not as complete as I'd like. It's possible (not
even difficult, if you'r proficient at creating ANSI screens using an ANSI
editor) to create similar screens on your own, manually. But, if you do
that, there is information that you have to manually insert, often
different for each level, from your DAILYLMT.DAT file, such as MPD (how
many minutes per day the caller is allowed), and whether or not there is a
file ratio in effect for their access level, and if so, exactly what that
might be. When and if you change your access levels, you then, if you do it
manually, have to go back and manually change all your screens. If you
support several access levels, this can be time-consuming. SFAdvisor
automates the whole process, and does it within seconds.
Licensing:
─────────
SFAdvisor is provided to you as freeware, which means you don't
owe me (or anybody else!) any money for the privilege of using it. You are
automatically licensed to operate SFAdvisor on as many computers as you
want, for as long as you want.
Disclaimer:
──────────
I make absolutely no representations that SFAdvisor will do
anything except take up space on your hard drive. Every reasonable
precaution (consistent with good programming practices) has been taken to
make SFAdvisor safe to operate, however, if you do choose to use SFAdvisor,
you do so entirely at your own risk. I will not be responsible for any
consequential damages, lost time, or anything whatsoever, arising from the
use of SFAdvisor. It works fine for me, on my own BBS. And I've tried, in
creating it, to simulate every possible error another user might commit
while running it, however, that does not mean that I can be positive that
it'll work for you. If you run it and like it, fine: you're free to use it
as long as you want. If you run it and don't like it or can't get it to
work, then don't use it.
Support:
───────
I can be reached for questions or comments regarding SFAdvisor (or
any of my other freeware software programs) via Internet email at:
<schiele@inetdirect.net>
I can also be reached via "snail mail" at:
Robert Schiele
927 N. Pennsylvania
Indianapolis, IN., 46204
Finally, you can always call my BBS, the Programmer's Corner BBS, at (317)
639-6796, from 3:00 PM until 12:00 Midnight (E.S.T.) seven days a week.
There, you'll always find the latest version, in case I ever decide to
upgrade the software.
Credits:
───────
SFAdvisor was programmed entirely in Microsoft's QuickBASIC 4.5,
then complied and liked using Ethan Winer's excellent PDQ linking library.
This accounts for the program's small size and speed. Several assembler
routines were also utilized from Garry Spencer's (of Spencer Technology,
Memphis, TN) GPS library for QuickBASIC, which he has generously provided
as freeware.
As always, much, much credit and thanks go to Mike Woltz and
Buffalo Creek Software for the creation and support of Spitfire, for my
money, the very best BBS software yet written for the PC. Quite obviously,
without him and his first-rate programming skills, none of the rest of us
would be writing Spitfire utilities.
"Spitfire" and "DAILYLMT.COM" are (c) Mike Woltz and Buffalo Creek Software
"PDQ" is (c) Ethan Winer and Full Moon Software
"GPS" is (c) Garry Spencer and Spencer Technologies
"QuickBASIC 4.5" is (c) Microsoft Corportation