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TOWN.DOC
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1991-03-16
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11KB
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255 lines
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The TOWN CRYER --------------------------------------- v 1.0
The TOWN CRYER
(C)Copyright 1990, G. Gillis
Town Cryer - A QBBS/RBBS/RA style doorway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This door provides a place to post messages, bulletins, notes,
and announcements - and is a semi-dedicated message base for clubs,
groups, associations, organizations, news areas, or any other purpose
limited only by the SYSOP or SIGOP's imagination.
Why? Although most BBS's have message areas and conferences, this
door was written to be slightly different. Nothing like a 'special'
area for a group of users.... Additionally, this door requires
a 'poster' to enter an EXPIRATION DATE for the message or announcement
posted. The 'maintenance' program for this door will run every night
and scan the messages for that expiration date, automatically eliminating
those messages and announcements that have 'expired'. This method is
unlike most BBS methods which 'bump' messages only when the number
of messages exceeds a certain size.
This door is completely configurable - from the catagories down to the
instructions.....
Files Necessary for Operation:
TOWNCRYR.EXE - the main executable file
TOWN.INS - Town Cryer Instructions
TOWN.DAT - Town Cryer Catagories
CAT1.DAT \
CAT2.DAT -- ASCII data files created by TOWN CRYER
CAT3.DAT /
TOWN.DOC - What you're reading now.
DORINFO1.DEF - information file required by TOWNCRYR.EXE
--------------------------
MTOWN.EXE - nightly maintenance program.
THE FILES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOWNCRYR.EXE: This doorway was written with Turbo Pascal 5.5. As such,
this door requires no other external support files - leaving
it's size and speed desirable for those with limited Hard
Drive space. This door does require the presence of the
RBBS/QBBS 'DORINFO1.DEF' file - if your BBS doesn't directly
create such a file, there are many 'door conversion' utilities
available. This door operates locally, as well as through
COM ports 1 through 4. Multi-node systems? I don't know...
It's not been tested on such a system, nor have I insured
that this will work on such a system. This door operates
compatibly with BNU and X00 FOSSIL drivers - and it's
recommended that you always use a FOSSIL driver.
All files should be placed in the same directory - including
the DORINFO1.DEF file. The TOWN CRYER responds to both
ANSI and ASCII users, however, it does require you not use
40 column screens (unreadable).
TOWN.INS: This is an optional instructions file written in ASCII.
If a user requests to read these instructions, the program
will check to see if this file is present. If so, it will
be presented, if not, a message will inform the user that
instructions aren't presently available. Any word processor
to include EDLIN, will work in drafting up this file. It
must be named: TOWN.INS or it won't be recognized.
TOWN.DAT: Perhaps the MOST important file next to the main executable
one... this file contains the NAMES of the three catagories
available through the TOWN CRYER. YOU DECIDE the
catagories - I've only included 'sample' catagories.
These can easily be changed via a text editor. The file must
be named TOWN.DAT though, and must contain four lines of
information. The first three lines are the catagory names.
The last line (fourth line) contains a number which represents
the maximum number of posts that you will allow your users per
call to this door. This is just a gentle reminder to your
users not to get too carried away.... this can be bypassed
by the user by exiting and re-entering the door, starting
the count all over again. But again, this is simply to be
a gentle nudge not to go overboard.....
Example:
A typical TOWN.DAT file might look like:
Fishing and Boating Club
Astronomical Society of the Northern Cities
The Bridge Builders Association
10
Note, the first three lines are catagories, the last line
is a number. You may edit and alter as often as you like -
making this system completely open to whatever you wish
it to be.
TOWN.DOC: This file.
CAT1.DAT --- CAT2.DAT --- CAT3.DAT:
These are the three files created by TOWNCRYR.EXE for each
of the catagories available. Each are the same structure -
and are ASCII files. Because these files are read
sequentially - I wasn't concerned with random access times.
Additionally, as they are ASCII, the SYSOP has the ability
to view, delete, modify, correct, edit these files without
the need for a special viewer/editor (as would be required
by any other type of file). Any text editor will do - to
include EDLIN (although that might be quite bulky).
MTOWN.EXE: This is the nightly utility file - it automatically browses
through the CAT1, CAT2, CAT3 data files and eliminates those
posts that have 'expired'. The SYSOP should have this run
every night when performing automatic system functions.
Disclaimer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real simple. The author (me) shall not be held responsible
for any damage, difficulties, legalities, dis-satisfactions,
or ANYTHING bad in connection with this software and package.
No matter what!
--------
Registration and Distribution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are free to use and examine this door for up to 30 days. At the
end of that time, you are required to either register this door with
the author or discontinue using this software. This software is
copyrighted (Form TX). When distributing this software, you will not
modify or alter the contents of this archived file.
REGISTRATION? Why Should I Register this? PLEASE READ!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why register?
It's inevitable.... many boards and sysops will run doors without
registering them - ever. Worse: some (as I've seen) will even run a
door and strip the copyright and authors name from that door - denying
the author credit for his or her work. This is an infringement of
copyright laws.
But.... This is going to continue to happen..... unfortunately.
By registering this software (and any software) - you are
encouraging the authors (including myself) to continue writing solid,
decent doorware. If you like this, and you use this... register it.
You will be supporting the SHAREWARE principles as well as encouraging
software authors to continue writing utilities and doors for your
system.
Additionally, although this system will run without being registered,
those that do register will receive a 5 1/4" disk through the mail with
a REGISTERED copy of the Town Cryer.
Support software authors....
CREDITS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Mach One of the Surf Board BBS (906-226-6253);
Turbo Pascal 5.5, a Borland product; and JPDOOR55 - by John Parlin.
Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please send comments, ideas, criticisms, and reports of bugs to me at
the address listed below......
REGISTRATION DONATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send Donation Check or Money Order of the amount of $5.00 U.S. dollars to:
Gregg Gillis
Address before May '91: 120 Northland
Marquette, MI 49855
Address after May '91: 4125 Stratford
Boardman, OH 44512
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Town Cryer v1.0 Registration Form:
Your Name: __________________________________
Address: __________________________________
City: __________________________________
State: ___ Zip: _______
SYSOP Name or BBS Name you would like this registered to:
__________________________________
BBS Type: _________________________
BBS PHONE NUMBER: _________________________
FOSSIL DRIVER: Y N Type: _________________________
MAX BPS: _________________________
TYPE COMPUTER: _________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank You!!!