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_________________________________________________________________ AViewCom.Exe Version 6.4f 10/19/92 Archive View to Console and Comm port Copyright (C) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 by Cygnus Data Systems Daniel A. Durbin _________________________________________________________________ AViewCom v6.4 1 Contents -------- INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 FILES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 DISPLAY FILES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 READING DOOR.SYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 DIRECTORIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 MULTI-NODE SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 MULTITASKING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 RUNNING AVIEWCOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SysOp COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ONLINE COMMANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SYNTAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SETUP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 COMM PORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 EXTRACTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ANSI COLOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 PROTOCOL DEFINITION FILE . . . . . . . . . . 11 CONFIGURATION FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 PRIORITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Update User's Information. . . . . . . . . . 12 Installing your Registration Number. . . . . 13 EXIT CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . 13 DISCLAIMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 BUGS and LIMITATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 FUTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 DESCRIPTION ----------- AViewCom allows BBS callers to view archive contents while online, read ASCII files within archives, and download any file from within an archive. The ability to download files from within the archive is useful when a caller wants to read a document file prior to downloading the entire archive, or to retrieve one file that may have been corrupted during a previous transfer. Callers may also create a temporary archive containing any number of files from the original archive. Aviewcom supports arj, arc, pak, zip, zoo, lzh, lha, and some exe and com archives. AViewCom is written specifically with WildCat BBS in mind since WildCat has a [V]iew Archive file function in the files menu which makes a call to an external arcview program and passes the caller's specified filename to VIEWCOMP.BAT as a DOS parameter %1. However, AViewCom may be used with other BBS's which do not pass a filename as a DOS parameter. In this case, AViewCom may be run as a DOOR program. In the batch file, simply replace the [filename] parameter with an asterisk ('*'). AViewCom will then prompt the caller for the full pathname to the archive file. A configuration file may be used to specify directories to be searched for the file, so that only the filename without the path need be specified. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 2 INSTALLATION ------------ Make a subdirectory on your hard disk such as C:\WC30\AVIEWCOM and extract the distribution archive into that subdirectory. Modify the VIEWCOMP.BAT file to fit your configuration. Review the AVIEWCOM.CNF file and its uses and delete it if not needed. If you're not running WildCat, then modify it to include the sub-directories where you keep the archives posted on your BBS. Review the AVIEWCOM.PRO file and modify it as necessary. Make sure that all required archive utilities (e.g. PKUNZIP, PKZIP, ARJ, LHA, PAK) and your file transfer protocols (DSZ) are in a subdirectory which is included in your path statement (e.g. C:\UTIL or C:\WC30\PROTOCOL and C:\WC30\UTIL). FILES ----- Included: AVIEWCOM.CNF A sample configuration file AVIEWCOM.DOC This file AVIEWCOM.EXE The ArcView program AVIEWCOM.HLP Displayed when caller requests [H]elp AVIEWCOM.HST History of revisions AVIEWCOM.BYE Displayed after ALT-G hot-key logoff AVIEWCOM.PRO External Protocol Definition File DIGIFONE.TXT A Telephone Answering System Ad VIEWCOMP.BAT A sample batch file for WildCat WHATSUP.DOC Information on the latest haps ORDER.FRM Order Form Not Included: AVIEWCOM.SCR Welcome screen for ANSI callers AVIEWCOM.BBS Welcome screen for MONO callers AVIEWCOM.LOG Activity log for AVIEWCOM.EXE AVIEWLST.nnn Temporary archive filename list AVIEWnnn.??? Temporary archive used during downloading AVIEWCOM.DAT Created and erased by AVIEWCOM.EXE AVIEWCOM.STD Created when shelling to external programs USERINFO.DAT Created by WildCat - update by AVIEWCOM.EXE DOOR.SYS Created by WildCat - read by AVIEWCOM.EXE The file AVIEWCOM.CNF is primarily intended for Non-Wildcat systems. If you are entering all your options on the command line, then please delete this file to prevent AViewCom from reading options from it. DISPLAY FILES ------------- You may use your editor to create the welcome screen files. AViewCom will display the appropriate file depending on their color setting. If they have color selected but the .SCR file does not exist, the .BBS file will be displayed instead. AViewCom will expect to find these files in its "home directory" which is where AVIEWCOM.EXE resides. These files are not required, but if they exists, will be displayed. AVIEWCOM.HLP Displayed when the caller requests [H]elp AVIEWCOM.SCR Welcome screen, ANSI color version AVIEWCOM.BBS Welcome screen, monochrome version AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 3 READING DOOR.SYS ---------------- AViewCom will read DOOR.SYS and USERINFO.DAT (registered version only), which MUST be in the current directory. AViewCom will search the current directory for DOOR.SYS and USERINFO.DAT. If you CD to any other directory, you will need to copy these files to that directory before calling AViewCom. The shareware version will not read the DOOR.SYS file. You should however be able to use AViewCom normally. If you are using a non-standard comm port, you may use the -i and -b parameters to specify the comm port irq and base address. ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES --------------------- AViewCom needs more information than is provided in the DOOR.SYS and USERINFO.DAT files. It reads from the environment: WCPORTID=CommPort (Comm Port Number) WCBASEID=CommBase (Comm Port Base Address) WCIRQID=CommIRQ (Comm Port IRQ Number) Information that is not available from DOOR.SYS, USERINFO.DAT, and the environment include: WCRATIO=UD Ratio Limit (Sec Level U/D Ratio Limit) This is number of downloads divided by number of uploads. For example, WCRATIO=20 would mean limit to 20 downloads for every upload. DIRECTORIES ----------- Because of the number of files AViewCom uses, it is suggested that AViewCom reside in its own directory, although this is optional. While in its own directory, it should be run from the main WildCat directory, or from the node subdirectory for multi-node installations. This is done by simply adding the full pathname to AViewCom in the VIEWCOMP.BAT file. For example: C:\WC30\AVIEWCOM\AVIEWCOM %1 COM1 -W AViewCom is smart and knows which directory it is being run from and will look in that directory for its operating files. When AViewCom goes to extract files from archives, it will look in the working directory to check if the filename already exists. If it does, the file will not be extracted and the existing file will be displayed. When done, the pre-existing file will not be deleted. The best approach is to specify a temporary working directory which is normally empty in which AViewCom can extract and display files which will then be deleted when finished. The temporary working directory is specified with the '-p' option on the command line. For example: AVIEWCOM %1 COM1 -pC:\TEMP Please note that the directory pathname immediately proceeds the -p characters. You should make certain that the specified directory actually exists. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 4 MULTI-NODE SYSTEMS ------------------ WildCat places the DOOR.SYS file in the node subdirectory. Since AViewCom expects to find this file in the current directory, you must CD to the node directory in the VIEWCOMP.BAT file. You may keep the VIEWCOMP.BAT file in the C:\WC30 directory and use the %WCNODEID% environment variable in your CD statement to specify the appropriate directory. For example: CD C:\WC30\WCWORK\NODE%WCNODEID% MULTITASKING SYSTEMS -------------------- If your system is running a multitasking software, be especially aware of memory requirements. The multitasker, BBS, AViewCom and the extractor could all be resident simultaneously. AViewCom has been known to lock up tight with the combination of newer versions of DesqView, WildCat, AViewCom, and pkunzip. Older versions of DesqView present no problem. There ARE several Multi-Node systems now running under DesqView that use AViewCom successfully. If you are experiencing difficulties, please review your setup, make sure you have sufficient memory available to AViewCom, and try again. If you still have trouble, check the DesqView message folder on the CatHouse for current information regarding running under DesqView. RUNNING AVIEWCOM ---------------- AViewCom may be run directly from the command line. Simply specify the full pathname to the archive to be viewed (with no comm port specified, AViewCom will default to the local mode). You should try this before adding AViewCom to your BBS. The screen will clear and a prompt appears for ANSI display, then the filename to view. After answering, the contents of the archive will be displayed, and a command line prompt will appear. Then try adding it to your BBS. If you're using WildCat, modify your VIEWCOMP.BAT file to read: AVIEWCOM %1 COM1 (or whatever comm port you are using for your BBS). Once you're sure this is working okay, you may add other options, such as reading caller information from the DOOR.SYS (registered version only), a file which is created by Wildcat when shelling to an archive viewer. Add the '-w' parameter to the AViewCom command line. For example: AVIEWCOM %1 COM1 -W When using the -W parameter, AViewCom will read the WCBASEID and WCIRQID from the environment and the COM1 on the command line serves as a dummy variable which must still be present but will be ignored. Notice that case is not significant in command line parameters. Once all this is working, you may wish to further review the other options that are available as specified in the SETUP section of this documentation. If you have any trouble, start with things as simple as possible. Then add options one at a time and verify that each is working properly. Also, take time to read all options and review all files included in this archive package. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 5 Review the files included and delete ALL that are not applicable to your configuration. Most WildCat systems can use the VIEWCOMP.BAT file included. Review the syntax listed below to select options for your system. You may choose to specify all options on the command line, OR specify them in the AVIEWCOM.CNF file, whichever is most comfortable for you to use. However, if you use the command line for specifying options, please delete the .CNF files to reduce confusion. If you use the .CNF file, do not use the command line options. SysOp COMMANDS -------------- These commands are available ONLY in the registered version. The SysOp commands are read directly from the keyboard and are NOT accessible to the caller online. There is no possibility of the caller being able to drop to DOS. While the caller is online, the following commands are available to the SysOp. I will add any other commands you may desire - just make the suggestion! UP add 1 minute to caller's time. DOWN subtract 1 minute from caller's time. PG-UP add 5 minutes to caller's time. PG-DOWN subtract 5 minutes from caller's time. ALT-D drop to DOS. ALT-C chat with caller ALT-Q goodbye to caller (terminate aviewcom session) ALT-G Drop DTR and HANGUP on caller! The caller time adjustment does not carry through to WildCat when the caller returns to the BBS. This may change in the future. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 6 ONLINE COMMANDS --------------- AViewCom will allow BBS callers to read text files that are contained within an archive file. AViewCom will not display files with .com, .exe, .obj, or .ovl extensions. The file is also checked for nul characters contained within the first 255 bytes of the file and will not display it if there are any. If the file passes the tests, it will be extracted by making a DOS call to an external extractor which must reside somewhere in the DOS path (which includes the current directory). The file is then extracted to the current directory or temporary path, displayed, and deleted. However, if the file already exists before the call to the extractor, it is displayed, but not deleted. AViewCom displays the contents of archives in the following format. Performing ArcView on [Aview63c.zip] # FileName Stowage UnZIP Sz ZIP Size Pct Date Time CRC ═══ ════════════ ════════ ════════ ════════ ═══ ════════ ═════ ════════ 1 av-pif.dvp Implode 416 126 70% 03/29/92 12:15 A3D5C9F9 2 aviewcom.hlp Implode 11777 3801 68% 03/30/92 16:22 46B0F659 3 aviewcom.doc Implode 39398 13231 67% 04/17/92 16:57 5CB9CB7D 4 aviewcom.bye Stored 50 50 0% 03/29/92 12:15 FFCA0810 5 aviewcom.pro Shrunk 195 134 32% 03/29/92 12:15 ED85789B 6 aviewcom.hst Implode 15643 4559 71% 04/16/92 22:50 A1431DCE 7 aviewcom.cnf Implode 1718 1014 41% 03/29/92 12:15 32F790DE 8 order.frm Implode 2623 991 63% 03/30/92 16:19 49C97D97 9 viewcomp.bat Implode 1220 712 42% 03/29/92 12:15 CFFD0EBF 10 digifone.txt Implode 3260 1489 55% 03/29/92 12:15 C2CA5418 11 aviewcom.exe Implode 51698 31780 39% 04/18/92 01:29 87F04665 12 whatsup.doc Implode 8291 3770 55% 04/15/92 21:00 6B8379D3 ─── ──────────── ──────── ──────── ─── 12 File(s) Pkunzip Total 136786 62037 55% Enter [filename] or [#] to read, [D]ownLoad, [M]ark, [V]iew, [L]ist, or [H]elp [45] Mins Left [ # [filename] D M V L H [Return] to Quit]? The viewer is then presented with the above command prompt. The viewer may enter the filename as it appears in the view listing, or may enter the number associated with the filename (shown on the very left of the listing). [file] full filename of the file to view [D] download a file or marked files from the archive [M] mark a file [V] re-View the archive showing detailed information [L] list filenames, dates, and marked status [H] display AVIEWCOM.HLP [Return] terminate AViewCom session Not shown is the S command. This command displays the caller's "Statistics". This command is provided to check that AViewCom has properly read the caller's information from DOOR.SYS. For more details on Operation, please see the accompanying text file AVIEWCOM.HLP. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 7 SYNTAX ------ AViewCom [?] ? If first and only parameter, displays syntax help screen. In the arcview mode, AViewCom accepts the following parameters on the command line. Each is detailed below. AViewCom file [port] [-a#] [-b#] [-c] [-d] [-e#] [-i] [-l] [-p{tpath}] [-q] [-r#] [-t#] [-u] [-w] file is a required parameter. If omitted, there must be no other parameters on the command line and the caller will be prompted for a file to an archive file. file is any valid DOS pathname to the file to be viewed. The archive extension is optional and is added if not included. Some BBS's such as WildCat! pass the file as a DOS parameter. WildCat! uses %1. If the character '*' use used as file, other options may be specified and the caller will be prompted for a file to view. file may also be a filelist of files to view if preceeded with an '@'. eg @file.lst. port is either 'com#' or 'local' where # is from 1 to 22 This is an optional parameter and defaults to local. If neither of these are specified, local mode is entered and no transmission is sent to the comm port. In this manner, AViewCom may be run in the local mode. -a# is an optional parameter where # either 0, 1, or 2: 0 = no ANSI. In this mode, all display is MONO. 1 = ANSI color. All display is in ANSI color. 2 = prompt caller for ANSI color or not (default). For WildCat systems, this parameter is not needed if the -w switch is used, since this information will be read from DOOR.SYS (registered version only). -b# 4 digit hexidecimal comm port base address. This option is included if for some reason the information cannot be read from another source. For example: -b02E8. -c If -c is included on the command line, AViewCom will read options from AVIEWCOM.CNF file. If an asterisk is entered as the filename, AViewCom will search through directories that are listed after the #search command in the AVIEWCOM.CNF file. This option is included for non-WildCat systems which do not pass the filename to view as a DOS parameter. -d disables the download option. This is included for those systems which prefer not to allow downloading. If not included, downloading is enabled and external protocol programs must be somewhere in the DOS path. -q Disables prompt before shelling to external program while running under a DesqView environment. Use this if your system doesn't crash when reading a text file and you are running DesqView. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 8 -e# Used to specify an archiver where # is as follows: 0 pkarc (.COM or .EXE) 1 pkpak 2 pak 3 arc 4 pkzip [default] 5 zoo 6 lha 7 arj If you use code 2, make sure that PAK.CNF is such that the archive will not be deleted after extracting it. The specified extractor is also used to create the temporary archive which is assigned the name AVIEWnnn.???. Archiver versions supported (up to and including): PKXARC v3.61 PKUNPAK v3.61 PAK v2.51 ARC v6.02 PKUNZIP v1.10 (v1.93 is still alpha testing) ZOO v2.01 LHA v2.13 ARJ v2.30 Please let me know if an archiver has a more current version. -i comm port IRQ number. The registered version of AViewCom reads the comm port information including IRQ and port base address from the environment. The -i parameter is provided for systems not using WildCat, or for the shareware version. -l enables activity logging. If this is included, AViewCom will create and maintain an activity log called AVIEWCOM.LOG which will contain dates and times of all arcviews and downloads that occur. -n# is an optional parameter if omitted, defaults to no limit. If # is specified, it limits the maximum size of archive files created for download to #. -ptpath is an optional parameter and if omitted, defaults to the current working directory. tpath is any valid DOS path and specifies a temporary directory for the external extractor to use when extracting files. A useful tpath is a ramdrive. The '-p' indicates that a DOS pathname follows. -r# Define the connection baud rate for file xfer calculations where # is 300, 1200, 2400, 9600, 19200, or 38400. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 9 -spassword Normally, no password is required for the local sysop to drop to dos (not the caller!). If the -s parameter appears on the command line with no password, then drop to dos is disabled. If -spassword appears where password is any 15 character printable character (case IS significant), then the local sysop will be prompted for this password before they are allowed to drop to dos. If an incorrect password is given, a log entry is made and drop to dos is not allowed. -t# This parameter allows the SysOp to specify a maximum number of minutes that the caller will be allowed to spend in a session of AViewCom. # is the number of minutes to be allowed. In the WildCat mode, the time allowed is read from DOOR.SYS. AViewCom computes file transfer times as if the file were transfered at 95% efficiency. If the caller does not have enough time left for the file transfer, they will not be allowed to download the file. -u if included, instructs AViewCom to update the USERINFO.DAT file which contains the number of files and kilobytes the caller downloaded during the current session of AViewCom. This option is available only for registered callers using WildCat v3.n. The ShareWare version AViewCom does NOT write any information to USERINFO.DAT. -v Disable direct screen writes. AViewCom uses bios writes for everything except saving the screen when dropping to DOS and shelling out ext prots or any archiver/extractor. Disabling direct screen writes provides compatibility with programs like DesqView and is not normally necessary. Also, disabling direct screen writes slows down the capture of the screen considerably. -w Read the DOOR.SYS file for caller information. With this option, the DOOR.SYS file is read for caller information and the caller's download ratio and number of downloaded kbytes are checked. The caller will not be able to download files if the ratio has exceeded the values set for ratio limit. If no limit is defined, the upload/download ratio is set to 1:20. AViewCom will search the current directory for DOOR.SYS. If you CD to any other directory, you will need to copy this file to that directory before calling AViewCom. This parameter is active ONLY in the registered version. -z This is a temporary parameter used to override LINE 30 in DOOR.SYS which is incorrectly written by WildCat and sometimes causes AViewCom to report that the user has exceeded the download kbyte limit. This bug exists in v3.00, v3.01, and v3.02 of WildCat. Including this parameter on the command line will ZERO the caller's DAILY DOWNLOAD KBYTES. Therefore, if the caller has exceeded the daily downlaod kbyte limit, AViewCom will still allow downloads. However, the TOTAL KBYTE LIMIT is still in effect. Note: WildCat v3.50 corrected this problem. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 10 SETUP ----- COMM PORTS ---------- AViewCom will display the contents of an archive to the local console and to COM1 through COM22 as specified on the command line. If no comm port is specified, AViewCom enters the local mode and no output is sent to the comm port. Standard IRQ and Base Address are used for comm ports 1 to 4. Extended comm port numbers are assigned IRQ and Base Address as listed below. These defaults may be overridden on the command line with the '-b' and '-i' parameters, or by specifying the '-w' parameter on the command line and using the environment variables for wildcat to specify the base address and irq number. Specifying COM0: forces AViewCom to the local mode. BASE, IRQ = PORT # BASE, IRQ = PORT # LOCAL COM0 0x0368, 7 = COM11 0x03F8, 4 = COM1 0x0368, 9 = COM12 0x02F8, 3 = COM2 0x0278, 5 = COM13 0x03E8, 4 = COM3 0x03E8, 7 = COM14 0x02E8, 3 = COM4 0x03E8, 9 = COM15 0x0378, 7 = COM5 0x03E8, 5 = COM16 0x0278, 9 = COM6 0x02E8, 7 = COM17 0x0368, 5 = COM7 0x02E8, 9 = COM18 0x0278, 7 = COM8 0x02E8, 5 = COM19 0x0378, 9 = COM9 0x0268, 7 = COM20 0x0378, 5 = COM10 0x0268, 9 = COM21 0x0268, 5 = COM22 EXTRACTOR --------- AViewCom does not require any external programs to display the filenames within the archive. It does require an external extractor to display text files and extract files for downloading. Before displaying a text file, AViewCom makes a DOS call to an external extractor which may be anywhere in the DOS path. AViewCom examines the archive extension to determine which extractor to use. The SysOp may specify a temporary path to extract files to with the '-p' parameter on the command line. Review the '-e' command below for further information on extractors. Please be aware that the BBS shells to AViewCom which shells to an extractor. If AViewCom will display the archive contents, but will not display a text file, then the trouble must be in shelling out to the extractor - possibly not enough memory (different extractors require different amounts of memory), or the archiver is not in the DOS path. ANSI COLOR ---------- AViewCom can display ANSI color. If the '-a1' parameter is included on the command line, the contents are displayed in color locally and to the remote caller. If ANSI is selected, an ANSI device driver is required for the host computer. However, a color monitor is not required. You must have a line in your CONFIG.SYS file resembling the following: DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS If an ANSI driver is not installed and ANSI is selected the display will be cluttered with ANSI escape sequences. When running under DesqView, you need to install the DesqView ANSI driver (DVANSI.COM) by calling it from the batch file that starts up WildCat. Please refer to your DesqView manual for info on DVANSI.COM. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 11 PROTOCOL DEFINITION FILE ------------------------ AViewCom will allow BBS callers to download any file that is contained within an archive file. AViewCom makes a DOS call to external protocols which may be anywhere in the DOS path (including the current directory). External protocols can be specified in the file AVIEWCOM.PRO which is included with a few standard protocols. The file is then extracted to the current directory or temporary path, transfered, and deleted. However, if the file already exists before the call to the protocol, it is sent, but not deleted. Including '-d' on the command line disables the downloading feature. If the caller has marked several files for downloading, AViewCom will extract these files and archive them into a temporary file called AVIEWnnn.??? using the default archiver PKZIP, and nnn is a number chosen to distinguish temporary filenames. An archiver other than PKZIP may be specified with the '-e' option. AVIEWCOM.PRO: This file defines the command line switches to be used with external protocols. Each line in the file is a definition for different protocols. Every line MUST follow the following format: Title,key,pathname,args Title = Protocol name displayed to the caller (spaces okay). key = Letter designation entered by caller during selection pathname = External Protocol Filename. This may be as simple as "dsz" or may contain the extension "dsz.exe" or may also contain the full pathname "c:\util\dsz.exe". args = command line arguements passed to the external protocol to specify the type of file transfer. This may be any number of switches which MAY be include spaces. Parameters ---------- %1 = comm port number %2 = ADDR,IRQ (eg 3E8,1) base address and irq number of comm port %3 = filename %4 = baud rate The comm port number is passed as %1. The ADDR,IRQ numbers are passed as %2 in the form compatible with that required by the DSZ PORTX parameter. For example "3E8,1" for com3. These fields MUST be separated by one comma and NO spaces! Any other format will cause unpredictable results! Please refer to the AVIEWCOM.PRO file included as an example. The filename is always provided automatically as the last arguement passed to the external protocol. You MUST include comm port number! The filename to be transfered is passed as %3. If %3 is omitted, then the filename will be appended to the end of the parameter list. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 12 CONFIGURATION FILE ------------------ The text file AVIEWCOM.CNF is provided for NON-WILDCAT systems, but may also be used by WildCat systems and may be edited with any ASCII editor. The options are outlined in AVIEWCOM.DOC and a sample AVIEWCOM.CNF file is provided. If the file AVIEWCOM.CNF exists, options will be read from a configuration file. The configuration file may contain ';' to indicate comments. The rest of the line after the ';' is ignored. Lines beginning with '#' are command lines. Recognized commands are: #search ;search directories #paths ;paths to search #port ;com port #video ;ANSI or MONO #temporary ;extracting directory #extractor ;type of extractor #nodownload ;disables downloading #log ;enables activity log #timelimit ;max minutes allowed #update ;update USERINFO.DAT #wildcat ;read DOOR.SYS After each command line, another line begins containing options for the last command. The paths command is used to specify directories to search for the requested archive file. There is no limit to the number of directories which may be searched. See the included AVIEWCOM.CNF file for further information. PRIORITY -------- AViewCom will accept options from (low to high priority): lowest: 1) defaults 2) the command line 3) DOOR.SYS (port, ansi, timelimit only) 4) wildcat configuration (environment SET) highest: 5) a text configuration file (AVIEWCOM.CNF) The lowest priority option settings are overwritten by the highest option settings. If you don't need the AVIEWCOM.CNF file, delete it. Most systems can do without it. It is mainly included for non-WildCat systems to list directories to search for the file. For WildCat systems, you should be able to list all of the options you need on the command line. Update User's Information ------------------------- AViewCom will now save information on the caller's downloading activity. If the caller has downloaded anything, the number of downloads and the download kbytes are saved in a file called USERINFO.DAT which is used by WildCat to update the user databases. There are 2 types of information that are updated: Downloads (Line 17) Download Kbytes (Line 18) AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 13 Installing your Registration Number ----------------------------------- If you have registered AViewCom, you will receive a registration number which will appear on your diskette label, and on the receipt you receive from Cygnus Data Systems. Use this number with the registration program included on the distribution diskette. If you do not have this program, and you have registered AViewCom, you may call my BBS listed at the end of this document and download it. If you do not have an account on my BBS, I will first have to validate your account and give you access to the registered directory. You may then use this same program to install your registration number into all future releases of AViewCom. These functions are enabled when AViewCom is registered: 1) A "Registered to" message is displayed with your BBS name 2) The User Update function 3) Will read WCPORTID, WCIRQID, WCBASEID from environment 4) Will read DOOR.SYS and USERINFO.DAT files 5) Will remove "Please register" message upon exiting 6) Will enable the SysOp functions Please note: WildCat v3.00 incorrectly writes line 30 of DOOR.SYS which should the user's daily download kbyte total. It instead writes the same value as in line 48 which is total download kbytes (from day one!). This WildCat bug may cause AViewCom to give the message "Sorry, you have exceeded your daily download ratio". EXIT CODE --------- A DOS errorlevel of 1 is returned when an error in command line parameters is encountered, or upon any error during execution. AViewCom monitors carrier detect and returns a DOS errorlevel of 2 upon loss of carrier detect. It also monitors keyboard inactivity. If no keyboard activity occurs for 3 minutes while waiting at a prompt, AViewCom exits with a DOS errorlavel of 3. CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -------------------------- AViewCom was inspired by the ArcView function in Perspective Data Systems by Carey Nash. Original versions used his code, but have since been replaced by my own. The ShareWare version may be freely distributed but may not be sold for any reason. The registered version may NOT be distributed and may only be used on one system per registration. The comm port communications are interrupt driven. The original interrupt request vector is saved and replaced with a local interrupt service routine. The original ISR is replaced on exit. AViewCom v6.4 AViewCom v6.4 14 To register your copy of AViewCom, print the file ORDER.FRM. You may wish to use your editor to fill in the blanks before printing the form. If you choose to register AViewCom, you will receive the latest version of the program, and a printed manual. In addition, I will be able to continue to support AViewCom and provide additional features and enhancements. See future below. Daniel Durbin 6216 Agee Street #124 San Diego, CA 92122-3533 (619) 457-2532 (voice) (evenings) (619) 457-2665 (data) DISCLAIMER ---------- THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO USERS OF THIS PROGRAM FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF USE OF THIS PROGRAM. BUGS and LIMITATIONS -------------------- FUTURE ------ All suggestions are welcome and encouraged and may be mailed, emailed or phoned to me anytime. This is a continuation of AViewCom and many enhancements and improvements will be added and supported. I thank all those who have given me feedback and encouragement. * An optional menu file supporting WildCat control codes. * Option to ignore form feed, or to clear screen for each one. Daniel Durbin_______________________________________________ SysOp: Cygnus X-1 BBS | CIS: 73447,1744 (619) 457-2665 (data) | GEnie: D.DURBIN AViewCom v6.4