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ZODIAC.DOC
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1991-03-29
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Well here it is! Version 2.0 of zodiac, the popular horoscope generation
program now supports a COLOR bulletin! The documentation is not extensive,
mainly because it really isn't necessary.
Zodiac will "cast" daily horoscopes comparable to any that you might find
in your local newspaper. It can be run as a stand-alone program or as a BBS
daily utility to prepare a daily horoscope bulletin. The output can also be
slightly modified to add your BBS name, a bulletin header and a bulletin
trailer.
To print a horoscope simply enter the command ZODIAC. The output will contain
an introductory banner, a calendar of the current month, a little information
on the current phase of the moon (this really influences the casting of the
horoscopes) and the horoscopes for each house of the zodiac.
Following is a summary of zodiac's command line structure:
Usage: zodiac [vh] [-b filename] [-C|c colorfile] [-d datafile]
b - create bulletin (and bltg if color) is specified file
v - display version and serial information
h - display help (this) screen
c - color output on, use the specified file for colors
C - color output on, use the default color
d - use the specified data file rather than default
As you can see, not much to it. But the bulletin is rather nice and a
couple of mispellings have been cleaned up from v1.1 of the program.
Also added in v2.0 is the ability to define an environment variable to
identify the location of your zodiac.dat and zodiac.clr files. This
variable is SSA_LIB and it should be set to the drive/path designation
of the directory that contains the above two files.
PLEASE NOTE THIS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN v1.1 and v2.0 of zodiac. In v1.1 the
data file only had to be in the same directory as zodiac. In v2.0 and
higher you must either use the environment variable to identify the
data file OR use the command line switch of -d. Failure to do so will
cause zodiac to fall back to its default structure.
Although there are differences between version 2.0 of zodiac and 1.1 ...
hopefully for the better. The zodiac data file structure is still the same.
It contains seven lines. Line 1 is the name of your BBS as you would like it
to appear in the bulletin. Lines 2 - 4 are used as the bulletin header while
lines 5 - 7 are the bulletin footer.
Line 1-> Your BBS Name Here
Line 2->
Line 3-> ==========[ SSA - Bulletin #11 ]=============================================
Line 4->
Line 5->
Line 6-> =============================================================================
Line 7->
Zodiac 2.0 also allows for modification of the default color arrangement.
This is done by specifying a colors file. The file zodiac.clr in this archive
contains an alternate color arrangement for the bulletin as well as complete
instructions for creating your own arrangement.
Shareware vs Registered version. Zodiac is not really free, but you an I both
know that many Sysops will run this program without ever registering it. It
has already happened with v1.1 and earlier versions. And I had only asked
for a $5.00 registration at that time!!!
Zodiac 2.0 isn't crippled, so if you as a fellow sysop feel that you don't
want to register the program but do want to continue to use it you may do
so with a clear conscience. HOWEVER you will not be able to specify your
BBS name nor identify unique headers or footers for your bulletins. These
features are only active in a registered version. Also, as an unregistered
user please do not look to me for support. I had many calls to SSA BBS
requesting the addition of color, but from the poor registration (less
than 15) results I really wasn't too motivated to make the addition except
for my own use.
As a Sysop I understand all too well the costs associated with operating
a BBS. Therefore BBS system operators who choose not to register the
software may still utilize the evaluation copy for their boards. Also, I
am willing to swap registrations with BBS operators who are also software
authors. Simply send me a diskette with a REGISTERED version of your
door or PCBoard utility software and a stamped, self-addressed return
mailer and I will send you a registration activation program by return
mail. Since I'm accepting your software blindly I must insist on the
stamped, self addressed return mailer. If it is not provided I will not
respond.
Registration of Zodiac 2.0 is $25, a significant increase from the earlier
release, but an increase with a reason. For the $25 registration fee you
will receive a one year subscription to SSA BBS and will be able to
download your unique registration program. This program will allow you to
activate (ie register) the copy of zodiac you have in use AS WELL AS any
future releases immediately. Since our normal 1 year subscription is $25
anyway this means that you are obtaining the registered version of zodiac
v2.0 free!
I can also provide the registration program via floppy, however there will
be an additional $10 media and mailing charge.
Please use the enclosed mailer to complete your registration of Zodiac.