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Magnum One
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Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso
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d1
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filecat.arc
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README.DOC
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1986-05-14
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On this disk is the source code for FILECAT.COM... a file
cataloging database. NOTE that to compile this code you must
have Turbo Pascal version 3.x, PLUS the Database Toolbox.
I would appreciate it if you would advise me of any major
changes you may make -- especially if you are considering
distributing the revised program. PLEASE make it clear that
any such programs have been modified from the original
FILECAT. The last thing we want to happen is a number of
different versions floating around.
DO NOT DISTRIBUTE ANY VERSIONS THAT USE A DIFFERENT DATA
RECORD DEFINITION (FRec Type Definition)! To do so would
destroy the basic concept of standardized TRANSFER.DAT files
on library disks.
If you are using this source code just for self-
education... GREAT! If you are using this source code to add
some features for a local application... GREAT! But please
don't mess up a good thing by distributing any versions that
get too far away from the original. Rather send your
suggestions or revised code to me and I will incorporate them
(with proper credit) and get upgrade notices to all known
users. I may be making a mistake distributing this code...
I hope that all recipients will play fair.
Enough of that... about the code: I'm proud of a lot of
the program, but embarassed about some of it. What you are
getting is exactly what was used to compile the program
(mistakes, workarounds and all). I was going to clean up the
code and distribute nice, clean well-commented stuff, but was
afraid I might mess something up. If you examine the program
you will see a lot of duplication and some questionable
programming practices. But please understand this program
was written in a big hurry (about 3 evenings) and once it had
been distributed to over 15 members to catalog our library,
some suggestions and bugs were discovered that had to be
fixed RIGHT NOW. DOS 3.1 and 2.1 caused me some problems
which I still haven't figured out... I quickly kludged a
workaround. There cropped up a monochrome windowing problem
which I (again) still haven't debugged -- again another
workaround.
Now that I can breath again, I am doing a complete
revision that will be programmed in a clean, efficient manner
-- incorporating the suggestions I've received. If you would
like to know when the revised program is ready, let me know.
Unless something terrible happens, I will continue to offer
the source code.
Thank you for your interest. Please keep me posted with
your suggestions and comments.
Kenn Flee
Jamestown Software
2508 Valley Forge
Madison WI 53719
PS: As a final request, I ask that that you DON'T distribute
this source code. By having someone write to me is about the
only way I have any idea who the actual users are. I figure
the cost of a disk and some postage is a small price to pay!