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┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ RA_FILES v2.3 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Running on RA 1.10 and above ONLY!
RemoteAccess FILES.BBS lister
Written by Ron Huiskes / Intersoft
(c) Copyright 1990-1991 by Intersoft
All Rights Reserved
Ron Huiskes / Interface
P.o. Box 528
2280 AM Rijswijk
The Netherlands
+31-70-3361380 / +31-70-3361381 +31-70-3360698
Netmail: [2:281/506@fidonet.org]
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ RA_FILES v2.3 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Introduction ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RA_FILES is a RemoteAccess compatible door which replaces the
menu type 31 (show files.bbs) in all your RA menus. RA_FILES
will enhance your file-area listings. Users can view the contents
of each archive, tag files and start filedoor with one touch of a
key.
How many times have you, as a user, logged onto an other BBS
wishing you could see the files inside the archives before
downloading them? Or, you just displayed the file list of a big
file area and found some interesting files, and you wished you
could scroll back to find the exact name? It all happens with
RA_FILES.
RA_FILES started as a small bonus program to RA_NEW, a fast new
files lister. During the last month I installed the new Filedoor
from Rob van Hoeven, and became more and more discontented that
users couldn't tag files.
Well, after the 1.2 release I rewrote RA_FILES completely from
scratch, and it now has the following features:
■ Fully configurable, great looks, all colors can be
changed.
■ Users can scroll back to the top of the listing.
■ Users can tag files creating Generic Filedoor
compatible tag-files (auto-load).
■ View total files and kilobytes instantly.
■ View contents of archives (including Arc type 7 &
Macintosh Sit)
■ View ASCII, ANSI, Avatar, GBS (Opus), TXT and DOC files
instantly.
■ Support for FILES.RA's "list security" and "download
security" levels.
■ Users can start an external filedoor from RA_FILES.
■ Users can start an external archive viewing door from
RA_FILES.
■ Support for any screen length (10-66) on user's side.
■ Support for long comments.
■ Complete ANSI and Avatar aware (Avt/0+ including RLE
compression).
■ DESQview, Multi-node, Fossil and EMS support.
■ Support for Livesystems Useron door.
■ RA look-a-like. Status bar works as in RA, as well as
most of the function keys!
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Installing... ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Installing RA_FILES is very simple. First you need to run the
RF_SETUP program. This will create a RA_FILES.SYS file. You can
put this file in the same directory as where you placed
RA_FILES.EXE. RA_FILES itself must be installed as a menu type 7
in your RA menu(s).
As for the optional data field, all it needs is:
<d:><path>RA_FILES.EXE <path to files.bbs> [-N:*N] [*M]
or if you use RA's file templates:
<d:><path>RA_FILES.EXE *0 [-N:*N] [*M]
The -N:*N parameter is only necessary if you are running in a
multi-node environment. Normally RA_FILES will try to detect
itself on which line it runs, but with the upcoming RA 1.10 the
source needs a change. So, if you run RA_FILES on your second
node, and in the status bar of RA_FILES you still see "Node: 1",
you must overrule RA_FILES internal detection by specifying
"-N:*N" on the command-line.
The *M parameter is only necessary if you don't have enough
memory available.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Setup Program ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The RF_SETUP program is the main part of RA_FILES. Here you can
change everything you like.
Sysop name: In this field you fill in your name exactly
as on the registration form. It will be used
to calculate your registration key.
Registration code: The code received from us after you've
registered, or 0 for unregistered.
Filedoor path: Full path and name of an external filedoor
program. This field reacts the same as a
menu type 7 command, and the following
parameters are valid:
*B: Present bps-rate.
*C: Full path to COMMAND.COM.
*F: User's first name.
*L: User's last name.
*M: Swap to disk or EMS.
*N: Node-number.
*P: Comms-port used.
*R: User's record number.
*T: Time left.
*0: Full path to the current file directory.
If you don't want your users to start
filedoor from within RA_FILES just leave
the field blank.
View-door path: Full path and name of an external archive
viewing program. This field reacts the same
as a menu type 7, and the following
parameters are valid:
*B: Present bps-rate.
*C: Full path to COMMAND.COM.
*F: User's first name.
*L: User's last name.
*M: Swap to disk or EMS.
*N: Node-number.
*P: Comms-port used.
*R: User's record number.
*T: Time left.
*0: Full path to the current file directory.
*9: Full path and name to the file the user
wants to view. If you leave this field
blank, the internal archive (and
text-files) viewer will be used.
Tag-file path: Complete path where the tag-file should be
created. You can let RA_FILES create a
tag-file in the current directory by entering
a '.', and if you leave this field blank the
user cannot tag at all.
Off-line String: Will be shown when a file is missing.
"Off-line", "On Request", "On disk", Make it
neat!
No Description: Should RA_FILES be unable to locate the
description a file, it will show this field.
Advanced setup: Here you can specify if ra_files must make
the compiled file lists must get the hidden
bit or not, and if they must be placed in one
special directory.
Colors: Press enter and you can change any color you
like, or simply change everything to the
build in default colors.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Long comments ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RA_FILES is able display comments longer than 1 line. You can do
this in two ways:
1. When you are editing a FILES.BBS comment, just type
ahead with everything you want to tell about the
program. RA_FILES will wrap the comment if it's to
long, and continue the next line.
2. Begin optional second, third (and so on) lines in
files.bbs with a '+'. These lines will also be
displayed correctly.
Artwork in your FILES.BBS must be preceded by a space per line.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Tagging ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Tagging is available in RA_FILES with by touch of a key. No need
to enter filenames manually, or to press a certain character.
Tagging with RA_FILES is a real pleasure. Even the numlock key
doesn't have to be toggled on to get it working. Users can
backscroll, switch to another file-area, untag already tagged
files, append or overwrite existing tag-files etc. RA_FILES
takes care of everything.
The tag-file RA_FILES creates is a generic filedoor compatible
file used by filedoor 2.0x and above...
The only limit to the tag system is that a user cannot tag more
than 30 files in one file area.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Archives ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Internal
--------
The built-in archive viewing source code was presented by Gerhard
Hoogterp and supports the following archives:
ARC, Arc-7, PAK, ZIP, LhArc, LHA, ARJ, HYPER, ZOO and Macintosh
SIT.
Common self-extracting archives are also supported:
PAK, LHA, LhArc (com & exe), ZIP and ARJ.
ASCII, ANSI, Avatar, GBS (Opus), TXT and DOC files will be shown
to the user instantly.
External
--------
If you want to start an external archive viewing door you can set
it up in RF_SETUP the same way as a normal menu type 7. Only if
this field is blank (empty) the internal viewer will be used.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Databases ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RFW by Rob van Hoeven and RAFM from Rene van Hoorn use huge
databases, BROWSE by Patrick Sjoberg compiles everything in
memory each time, and both methods are or time or space
consuming. Of course, RA_FILES also needs some kind of database,
but it takes a different approach.
Every time your FILES.BBS file has been changed, RA_FILES
compiles a hidden database in the same directory, and uses that
database to show the user all the files. ONLY when you add files
to your files.bbs file will RA_FILES compile this database again.
Fully automatic and while the user is on-line. This method is,
as I see it, the best method, since it's fast, and free of
maintenance! No need for an extra utility that compiles the
database(s), and the database(s) will only be compiled if there
is a need too.
Btw: If you want, all the compiled databases can be put together
in one directory. Specify this directory in the advanced setup
section of the setup program.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Behavior ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RA_FILES checks to see which screen-length the user has chosen,
and acts accordingly. If the screen-length is different than the
sysop's local screen (23 lines), tagging and viewing files will
look a little bit messed up on the local screen. This is normal,
and you can trust me that the user sees everything correct,
provided he has his screen length setup correct!
RA_FILES has smart fossil and carrier detect routines, no need
for a watch-dog or redirect program. As soon as the connection
is broken, RA_FILES returns to the BBS, and it can take
appropriate action.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Disclaimer ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RA_FILES was tested, and worked flawlessly on my system (3 lines
running under Novell). But this does not mean that RA_FILES will
work correctly in your environment. Please take every precaution
you think is necessary.
RA_FILES comes with limited warranty: NONE.
In no event shall Ron Huiskes and/or InterSoft be liable for any
damages caused by RA_FILES. The software is supplied as-is . If
it breaks in two, you own both halves...
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ License ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
RA_FILES is distributed as -SHAREWARE-.
RA_FILES is the copyrighted material of InterSoft & Ron Huiskes.
You may use RA_FILES for a period of 21 days on a trial basis in
order to determine it's suitability for your particular
application. After this period you must register RA_FILES.
Registration entitles you to use RA_FILES and any future version
of RA_FILES for as long as you wish. InterSoft or Ron Huiskes
are in no way obligated to provide future versions of, or support
for, RA_FILES. Whether new versions will be developed will depend
on the number of registrations received for this version.
You may not modify or otherwise reverse-engineer RA_FILES, and
RA_FILES may not be included as part of any software library
without prior written permission from InterSoft & Ron Huiskes.
If you do not agree with this license agreement you may not use
RA_FILES.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Registering ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The registration fee for RA_FILES is - in my opnion - very
reasonable and affordable.
Non-commercial: Dfl. 10,-
Systems that qualify for this category must be physically run
from a non-commercial site.
Commercial: Dfl. 50,-
All other systems.
Payments only by POSTAL MONEY ORDER, INTERNATIONAL POSTAL ORDERS,
CASH, EUROCHEQUE, GIRO or GIROTEL, payable to Ron Huiskes.
Foreign checks are NOT accepted, and everything must be written
out in Dutch currency.
Giro-account 6031590 (Postbank NV., Amsterdam) payable to R.
Huiskes, Rijswijk.
Print or reproduce the registration form enclosed in the RA_FILES
archive and send it, accompanied by your registration payment to:
Interface Software Interface Hq
P.o. Box 528 +31-70-3361380
2280 AM Rijswijk
The Netherlands.
You can also contact our US registration site for more
information:
Scott Livingston Phone Henge BBS
290F Brittany Farms Rd. +1-203-826-1153
New Britain, CT 06053
USA
After arrival of your payment and registration form, the key will
be sent to you by netmail. If you don't have a node-number, it
will be sent to you by regular mail.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ Credits ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ARC is a trademark of SEA inc.
ARJ is a trademark of Robert K. Jung.
Avatar is a trademark of George A. Stanislav.
Browse is a trademark of Patrick Sjoberg.
DesqView is a trademark of Quarterdeck Systems.
Filedoor and RFW are trademarks of Rob van.Hoeven.
HYPER is a trademark of P.Sawatzki and Klaus P.Nischke.
LZH and LhArc are trademarks of Yoshi.
PAK is a trademark of NoGate Consulting.
PKPAK and PKZIP are trademarks of PKWare Inc.
RAFM is a trademark of Rene van.Hoorn.
RemoteAccess is a trademark of Continental Software.
ZOO is a trademark of Rahul Dhesi.
The RA_FILES package is written in Turbo Pascal 6.0 and Turbo
Assembler 2.01, with help of the Turbo Debugger 2.01. Archive
viewing routines of Gerhard Hoogterp are used as well as
InterSoft's own Communication units.
Turbo Pascal, Turbo Assembler and Turbo Debugger are trademarks
of Borland International.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒ RA_FILES v2.2 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘