Software Vault: The Diamond Collection/The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO/cdr37/jm_mc_10.zip/MSG-CNT.DOC

Text File | 1995-03-06 | 14KB | 2,004 lines

                             Message Count v1.0
                  Copyright (C) 1994, by Cutting Edge Online
                             All rights reserved.

                  Programming and Documentation by John Marx


















       Cutting Edge Online                              [phone] Voice
       6372-B Kucinski Street                           [phone] BBS
       Fort Polk, LA  71459                             Hayes Optima 28.8k
       U.S.A.                                           FidoNet: 1:3817/9

 Message Count v1.0
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                              System Requirements

     The requirements for using this PPE are as follows:

          a.  PCBoard 15.21+ (This program was created with PPLC v3.0 and will
not work with any version less than 15.21.)

          b.  Enough space on your hard drive for installation of the
program.

          c.  It's not needed but placing this PPE and all your PPE's into
different subdirectories is helpful.  This allows you to more easily update
or remove a PPE with it's accompanying files.  Plus if you place more than
one PPE in a directory you may run into the program trying to use a file it
shouldn't.

     This is all that is needed to run this program.

 Message Count v1.0
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                               Program Overview

      Welcome to the PCBoard "Message Count" program. This program has been
designed to gather the total number of *ACTIVE* messages for system. This
program will create a bulletin as you feel fit with your own colors, design,
etc. This program is 100% SysOp definable, as all of our products our. This
program is being released as FREEWARE. There are several @macros@ within this
program to better customize the program to your taste. The current available
macros are as follows:

        Macro           Does
        @date@          Last date file was updated
        @time@          Last time file was updated
        @conf@          Total conferences defined in PCBOARD.DAT
        @sysconf@       Total number of conferences defined using the optional
                        command line parameter. This is covered in more detail
                        in the installation of the program.
        @inuse@         Number of conferences actually being used
        @active@        Number of ACTIVE messages in ALL of the conferences
        @confavg@       Average of ALL the messages divided by number of active
                        conferences on the system

     These macros must all be in upper case and the bulletin is created from
a file called DISPLAY, which is the display file you specify in MSG-CNT.CNF
file.

     Just follow the step by step instructions below and you will be running
in no time.

 Message Count v1.0
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                             Program Installation

     If you need a more complete installation help see the GUIDE.ME file
provided. This file was created to more easily guide new SysOps through the
process of installing FileMenu.

     To install this program you will need to do the following:

          1. First unZIP the archive into its new subdirectory.

          2. In you daily maintenance add a line which resembles something
             similar to:

                PCBOARD /PPE:D:\PCB\PPE\MSG-CNT\MSG-CNT.PPE [?????]

     Do you notice the [?????]? This is an optional parameter to the program.
If you're system is like mine and you plan WAY ahead you may need this
parameter to speed things up. I have 15,000 conferences defined, but only use
the first 1,000 so I have mine setup as:

                PCBOARD /PPE:D:\PCB\PPE\MSG-CNT\MSG-CNT.PPE 1000

     This tells the program to stop after 1,000 conferences. This does NOT
affect the @conf@ variable. It will still show the number of conferences in
your PCBOARD.DAT file.

        3. You will now need to edit the MSG-CNT.CNF file to your liking. There
           is a description for each line in this file within the .CNF file. If
           you don't wish the program credits (made by so-and-so) then there is
           an option to turn this off in the .CNF file.

        4. Your last file to edit is the DISPLAY file. This file is what your
           bulletin will look like when it's displayed. You may have @macros
           anywhere you desire in this file, including PCBoard @variables and
           color codes. There is no limit to the size or length of this file.

     That's all there is to it!  Enjoy!

 Message Count v1.0
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                           Possible Error Codes

     There are several reasons for error codes.  The main reason is something
went wrong in the program.  Even though all efforts have been made to remove
any and all possible errors there still may be some configuration we haven't
thought of.  As such we've included extensive error checking in all of our
programs to eliminate any and all possible errors.

     Errors will be shown to the caller on the screen explaining what went
wrong and why if the program can determine without a doubt what it was.

     All errors will be logged to the callers log!  This allows you to
correct any problems that your users might not tell you.  A lot of times when
an error occurs the users like "that's nice."  We feel that even as nice as
it would be for the user to explain to the SysOp what they were doing when
such errors occur, we know not to expect it so we've added this to the code
as well.  When it logs this information to the callers log it also logs the
exact saying that it gave to the user.  This gives you the most complete
information we can.

     You may also wish to check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" at the
end of this document for it may cover a question you are currently having
about PCBoard and PPE's.

 Message Count v1.0
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                             Contacting the Author

     I can be reached on either my BBS or through my home phone number at any
time.  If I'm not home and you receive the answering machine just leave your
name and number with a short explanation, if you can, of the problem.  I WILL
call you back as soon as I can and if you gave me a description of your
problem will more than likely have an answer for you when I do call you back.

     When you do call us with information about a bug in the program please
give us the following information.  This information will help us determine
what the problem is:

          1.  Program name and version number.

          2.  Type and brand of computer, hard disk, plus any peripherals.

          3.  Version of DOS plus any TSRs or device drivers in use.

          4.  Explanation of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.

          5.  Description of what is in memory from the MEM command (DOS 4
              and above users only) or a similar utility.

          6.  The exact problem you are having.  Please be as specific as
              possible.  Having a printout of the screen and/or being at your
              computer will be helpful.

     The Cutting Edge Online BBS operates 24 hours a day, is using a Hayes
Optima 28.8k modem, PCBoard 15.2/10 and the number is [phone].  You
will be able to download if you wish on the first call.  There are no
callback doors.  We do use CALLER-ID for just this purpose.  I personally
don't like callback doors and am sure many others feel the same.  We've
recently upgraded the system bringing the system to 13.2 Gigs online with
5 CD-ROMs.

     I'm available also on the PCBoard Support BBS, Salt Air.  I only call
once a week, normally on Saturday so the replies won't be as quick as you may
like.  I'm also in the FidoNet PCBoard, PCB-Net conferences.  Our FidoNet
address is 1:3817/9.

     If you have a problem, suggestion, comment, download or just wish to
talk please call and we will be more than glad to serve you.  We're not happy
until YOU are happy so let us know if we're doing something wrong.  If we're
doing it right tell your fellow PCBoard SysOps, if not tell US!