Current Shareware 1994 January/SHAR194.ISO/fileutil/bbsee30u.zip/UPGRADE.DOC

Text File | 1993-10-09 | 17KB | 388 lines

Upgrade documentation for BBSee V3.0  BBSEE30U

                      READ THIS SECTION FIRST

This text file is intended as interim documentation of the changes in
BBSee V3.0 for current users of BBSee.  I am swamped with other work at
the current time and I do not expect to complete the full documentation
until mid-November 1993.  I believe that users of BBSee 2.x will have little
problem adopting this new version and for them, I am making this upgrade
version available now.

If you are a new user, I suggest that If you have difficulties with the
program you review the version 2 documentation in the BBSEE25B archive,
and also try the on-line help that is available almost everywhere in
BBSee with the F1 key.

Users of BBSee 2.x must covert to version 3 (see the VERSION3.DOC file)
I foolishly did not provide protection to prevent BBSee 2 from reading
or writing BBSee 3 files, which can corrupt them or cause the wrong
version to hang.  Convert every database you use.  Also you should
backup any catalogs prior to coversion.

Note that I have distributing a version of BBSEE.EXE that has been
compiled for use on a '386 machine or higher.  A version compiled for
use on other machines in an archive, BBSEE30V  (Vanilla).  BBSee V3.0
requires up to 530K free memory in the 8086 version/no EMS.  With EMS
memory requirements reduce to approx. 480k.  The standard '386 version
with 64K EMS will run in about 440k.

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Whats New

GENERAL

o Improved Menuing System.
o Improved BBSetup
o Colour configuration enabled in shareware version.
o Input filename assistance
o 'Smart' Views based on file extensions.
o Hack Report Support

CATALOG

o Full formatted catalog print to printer, including duplex print in
  back-to-back and booklet formats.
o Generic disk label printing
o Multiple filespec catalog filename reports
o Catalog inclusion and exclusions filters
o Enchanced cataloging within archives.  Now with ARC, ARJ, LZH, PAK,
  SDN (both PAK and ARJ formats), SQZ, ZIP, ZOO.
o Catalog inside self-extracting EXE archives.
o FILE_ID.DIZ extraction in all formats, (works under OS/2)
o Cataloging function now one-pass operation.
o Catalog inside multi-volume archives.
o Archive catalog date based on file internals
o Specific PC Magazine file internal archive cataloging
o Improved disk volume label template logic
o Catalog tagging
o On-line catalog duplicate lists.
o Tagged catalog files (including duplicate files) are also tagged in
  File Manager to simplify catalog maintenace.
o Cataloging from input ASCII files.  This feature provides support for
  indirect cataloging from most tape-backup software.
o Volume Fill/Permanent flags
o Catalog Download Directory

BBS LIST MANAGEMENT

o Two primary 'Search Words' can save search passes
o Enhanced # of BBS (31) and CD/conference support (32)
o Embedded BBS List Import Commands
o Tag to Windows clipboard

o and more!

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Improved Menuing System.

I'm sure right off the bat will notice that the menu system has changed.
I've tried to come up with a CUA based design which I will be able to
copy when I introduce GUI versions.  All the features are are still
there, some have moved to what I consider more logical placements.
Global accelerator keys have changed, to those keys identified on the
menu system.

Sub-Menu Selection.

In addition to the main menu system, all of the sub-options available on
the various views have changed too.  Many of the old action 'words' have
been changed to more meaningful words.  As well these words can now be
selected by the cursor,letter or mouse, and act much more like the main
menu selection. Because the action word changes with cursor/mouse
selection, mouse manipulation should be easier.

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Improved BBSetup

Basically rewritten to allow on-screen user prompts and later on on-line
help.  There is also more intuitive option toggling, and mouse support.

Some of the new options are not yet implemented, and in fact changes for
some are not even implemented.  Also there is some redundancy to allow
for access to the previous options, but that will change in a later
release.  This is were most of the remaing work on BBSee exists.

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Enhanced Search Word.

The new View, Find Description allows for two primary words, rather then
one which should reduce the number of passes made through the database,
if need be.  As well the option to create the output file is on this
screen rather than a secondary output screen.  When a second word is
choosen the alphabetical return of packed database is by necessity lost,
but I believe this to be a trivial consideration.

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Enchanced cataloging within archives/DIZ extraction.

-  Self-extracting archive files can now be cataloged.   BBSee supports
   self extracting files made by ZIP, LHA, ARJ, ARC (MKSARC), SQZ, and
   PAK.  The eXtract function of the catalog uses the appropriate
   de-archive utility rather then running the .EXE file for more
   protection from virii.  Self extracting file content cataloging is
   configured in BBSetup.

-  ZIP file extraction is now done using the ZIP central directory at
   the end of the file which saves a significant amount amount of time,
   on reading the ZIP.  This allows better cataloging of multi-disk
   archives.

 -  SDN, SQZ, and ZOO archives cataloging is now fully supported.  You
   owe it to yourself to check out SQZ, it compresses well.  I have used
   the extension previously used by SYS files for the SQZ, which will
   mean that you might get a few funny displays.  This will be part of
   the conversion packages, but I consider this to be a small problem.
   BBSee now support ZIP, ARJ, ARC, LZH, SQZ, ZOO, PAK, SDN and
   self-extracting EXE formats.

-  SDN files are renamed .PAK files, but will shortly by renamed .ARJ
   files.  Presently the competition only support .PAK format of SDN,
   BBSee supports both

-  One directory pass rather than two, speeds things up by saving
   unnecessary disk reads, and also cleans up the output interface.

-  Archive cataloging of Volume Label and Sub-Dir names inside archives
   can be disabled.
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Archive Catalog Re-dating.

If enabled (in BBSetup) this feature dates an archive file, not on the
DOS file-date but on the most current file date in the archives.  More
configuration of this will be available as well as access in the File
Manager, and possibly by directory.

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Label Printing

A 'standard' disk label for 5 1/2 and 3 1/3disks can now be printed in
the Tree view, using standard Proprinter output codes which should work
on many LPT1 printers.  I haven't found a good continuous label for 3
1/2 inch disks to use as a model.  I support the IBM Graphic standard
and the HP LJ for the time being.

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Catalog inclusion and exclusions.

I've now incorportated the means to filter additions to the catalog
database by regular expressions.  BBSee reads two files (if they exist
in the catalog directory), which will either exclude or include (or
both) based on the regular expression filespec.  The default remains
include *.* and exclude nothing.  Filter filenames and the use of
catalog filters are configured in BBSetup, and can be temp. disable in
BBSee.

These files must be ASCII files, which can be created and edited using a
text-editor.  I did not want to gorge BBSEE.CFG with a lot of bulk.  The
limit on numbers is available memory, but I don't think it is too much
of a concern.

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Multiple Filespec, Catalog Reports.

The Catalog Filename report can now output a restricted set of regular
expression based filespecs.  The default is *.*, but if you change that,
you can add up to 10 in total.  Now you can output all your graphics files by
inputting

*.GIF
*.JPG
*.PCX
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Improved disk volume labeling/templates.

Various options from BBSetup can now be enabled.

- The template labelling display can now be totally eliminated if
  desired.

- Uncataloged disks (with or without a volume label) can have labels
  automatically modified to the next default template for bulk
  cataloging.  Use this with caution, it can be very automatic.

- A prompt before cataloging, after selecting the drive letter, can now
  be choosen.  This gives users a chance to change volume labels.

- BBSee can now, finally re-label some disks which BBSee, and DOS, could
  not do, which has been one of my 'pet' problems

- Automatic sequential label templates formats are

  AAAA ####
  AAAA-####
  ####
  AAAA#####

  Where A is an alphabetic and # is a numeric.  Any combination up to
  the volume label limit of 11 is supported.

- Can uncatalog lower case volumes  (using the Shift key)

- Force label to 11 characters.
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Catalog Tagging

It is now possible to tag files in ths Show Catalog option. One useful
difference with the Catalog Tags is that if you tag a catalog file, and
subsequently load the disk into BBSee's File Manager the File Manager's
tag will be set, and all the operations available for tagged files can
be performed (ie copy and delete).

Catalog tags can be listed in the View Tags option.  Note that Catalog
Tags and Description tags do not use the same logic, (catalog tags use a
file rather than RAM ), and if both tag types exist, prompts will be
provided to select the appropriate tag list.   I believe the top menu
option are self-explanatory except for Master which tags a catalog file
in the Master database.

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On-line Duplicate List

Under the Tag options, BBSee will now tag all duplicates, for viewing,
deleting etc as described above.

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Hack Report Support

Under the Utility option BBSee will now read the Hack Report .IDX or
.COL format files and cross reference it against the BBSee catalog and
master databases.  A concordance listing will show a summary report of
matching files from the master database, plus all cataloged files will
be tagged as catalog tags.  Optionally these files can be added to
.DEL file, to avoid ever seeing them in imported BBS lists.

Note that the 32bit CRC will be displayed for verification purposes.

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Input filename assistance

Now when input filenames are requested, it is possible to get a
filelist.  When a field is left blank and you push Enter, a pick list
for the current dir is displayed.  You can also simply enter drive: and
get a listing for that drive.  While not as good as a true dialog, it
was much easier to code.  I'll save the dialog for Windows.
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Optional hidden files and/or directory cataloging.

BBSee can now otionally catalog files in hidden directories, and exclude
hidden/system files, as configured in BBSetup.

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Tape Support, cataloging from input files.

It is now possible to catalog solely from input lists.  The main purpose
of this function will be to allow output listings from Tape backup
programs to be used as input to the catalog database.  For obvious
reasons, the format BBSee expects is same PCBoard format output by the
Import, allowing more flexibility on the format of the input lists.

Because of the input list structure, a new capability has been changed
in the IMPORT programming which basically allows for the maintenance of
directory information instead of BBS information.  For now BBSee's
IMPORT supports the CentralPoint structure. created by Central Point and
also those programs which can create DOS DIR-like listings.

The Central Point input file would be the .RPB file that the CPBACKUP
program can make when the Reporting to file option is enabled.  Use a
two pass import (option 2NM).  The IMPORT settings are,

Filename 1-12
Size     19-28
Date     31-40
Description 53-53  (this won't be used)

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Enhanced BBS and CD/conference support.

An extra 16 BBS's and an extra 16 conference areas can now be
configured.  The extra sixteen BBS's can be configured if you make
configure the 15th BBS as a 'Group' BBS.  The group BBS feature and the
conference support are mutually exclusive.


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Volume Fill/Permanent flags.

It is now possible to mark volumes with two new fields, fillable and
permanent.

- Non-Fillable volumes will not be identified during the fill process.
- Permanent volumes are marked with a * in catalog duplicate and new
  version reports.
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Smart Views.

Now in addition to the Shell programs there are 5 'smart' viewer options
which allow configuration of 5 more programs to view catalog files and
files in File Manager.  The programs can be made to open up
automatically on the file extension.  The archive viewer by default be
passed ARC,ARJ,LZH,PAK,SDN,SQZ,ZIP, and ZOO files, and the graphic
viewer will get GIF files, configuring an extension will override
defaults.

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PCMagazine Internal Archiving

A new option has been added to toggle internal archive cataloging of PC
Magazine files, with the filename format of V##n## and VOL##N##,
independantly of other archive catloging.
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View Catalog Reports

Immediate viewing of all the catalog reports can now be enabled.  As
well you have the option of selecting either the BBSee list or the
external LIST program configured as a smart viewer.
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Print Options

Quite a few print options can now be configured.  At present the print
report doesn't send any printer specfic commands, or even go to the
printer. It does create two files MYBBSEE.FMT which is a file formatted
for print with the selected configuration followed by the MYBBSEE.DPX
duplex (two-sided and two-column) version of the same file.  With 1/8
spacing 17 cpi I'll be able to get over 300 filenames per page, although
this is configurable back to normal.
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BBS List Import Commands

Two new 'commands' are allowed in IMPORT lists.  These allow creating
ASCII lists with overrides for BBS names and conferences.  To use them
enter
@BBS=name    - name is the BBS name in BBSee.
@Area=number - number is the ASCII number of the conference in BBSee

A third command @Directory= can be used to specify a directory in the
catalog by file list option.  IMPORT.EXE is aware of these options.

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Catalog Download Directory

A menu option, and a command line parameter (/d) have been added to
support the cataloging of your download directory with the catalog
name of

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Misc.

- Command line options strings can be passed to shells with $CATALOG$
- View Catalog 'Scans' now can be cancelled with an ESC
- More status counts displayed during filling.
- More BBS list formats
- Testing of multi-disk ZIPs.
- Rebuilt EMS usage functions.
- Specification of starting catalog sub-directories
- Double Space aware.
- PKUNZIP option configuration
- Improvements in the volume summary.
- Local BBS/Source selection and Catalog Options are toggles
- eXtract can be configured to go to a directory
- Option to not write BBS Area number
- There is now on option of fill to leave 4k of space during fills. This
  allows room for limited file expansion or for description files like
  4DOS's.
- Toggle not to get GIF resolution,
- Immediate view of catalog reports with internal viewer or optional list.