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Hacker Chronicles 2
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504.NEWMSG.DOC
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1990-07-19
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How to use KJ4LQ New Message Printer V 6.0 (NEWMSG.EXE) Page 1 of 3
SYSOPS, here is a program I wrote to reduce the drudgery of daily
chores each of us must go through to keep the BBS running smoothly.
I am a lazy sort, and figured there must be a better way to keep
track of what is coming into the BBS than the list/read/list/read
ritual we all endure. NEWMSG.EXE will automatically send EVERY new
message entering the PBBS to LPT1 for immediate printing, or to a
user specified file for printing at a later time. It does this once
every hour, at the time you specify. What it won't do is give you
"TO FROM @ SUBJECT BID", unless it is included in the message proper;
but it still has cut my keyboard time down to zilch! If I see some-
thing "improper" on the printout, then I sign-on and browse around
the BBS. I have gone days without signing-on since I started using
NEWMSG; I just drop by the printer and zip off the messages that have
arrived since last time I dropped by, skim through them, and then go
back to whatever it was the XYL had me doing in the first place!
KJ4LQ New Message Printer V6.0 can be used with any BBS that
stores messages in files with the format n - nnnnn or n.xxx -
nnnnn.xxx (where n is a number from 0 through 9). If the message
text file uses an extension, i.e., nnnnn.MAI, etc., then the /E:xxx
switch must be used (see below). It is free to all to use, at your
own risk. It has been uploaded to various Landline Ham BBS's as
"NEWMSGV6.ZIP", with the following files included:
o NEWMSG.EXE (The program)
o NM-PIF.DVP (The DESQVIEW (tm) window [NEWMSG])
o NEWMSG.DAT (The next message pointer)
o NEWMSG.DOC (This file)
o CHANGE.DOC (Changes between version 2.00 and 6.00)
To install this program under DESQVIEW (tm), do the following steps:
1) Copy NEWMSG.EXE into an executable files directory, i.e.
C:\DOS, D:\DV, C:\BIN, or wherever you put such things.
2) Make sure the "SET PATH = " command in AUTOEXEC.BAT
includes the directory used in STEP 1.
3) Copy NM-PIF.DVP into the DESQVIEW (tm) directory, whatever
you have named it, then under DV, use the AP, O/ther
commands to install it. Now, use the CP, NM commands to
edit the DV setup to suit you application. The program
needs 50 KB window space; and all that need be done to
the included NM-PIF.DVP file is change the drive where
\BBS directory is located, i.e., change D:\BBS to C:\BBS,
if that is where your \BBS directory is.
4) To prepare for the first run, you need to create a file
in the \BBS directory called NEWMSG.DAT. This file
contains one record, which is the MESSAGE NUMBER of the
next message to print. Issue the following DOS commands
(this example is for D: drive):
d:
cd \bbs
copy con newmsg.dat
nnnnn <enter> (nnnnn is last message on your BBS)
<control-z>
Page 2 of 3
There are seven valid command line switches available in version 6.0
that may be used with NEWMSG. The switches are not case sensitive,
and can be used in any combination. NM-PIF.DVP has samples of these
switches, used at KJ4LQ BBS. The switches are optional, and the
defaults take effect if not used:
/E:xxx (xxx = message file extension) Example: If your PBBS software
uses the format 12345.DAT to store message text, then use
"/E:dat" switch for proper operation. (default = no extension)
/F (use form feeds between messages, default = no form feeds)
/H (print headers along with message text, default = none)
/H2 (print first and last headers, but NO others, default = none)
/M:nn (where nn is the minute of the hour to print new messages,
default = 00)
/O:{drive}{path}[filename] (Redirect output to the named file. Useful
if you don't want to print while away from the equipment.)
WARNING: This MUST be last switch on the command line!
/S (disables internal timers and screen output for operation
under the control of a parent server program)
NEWMSG is now ready to go to work for you! Open your BBS windows as
normal, then open NEWMSG window. The copyright message will appear,
and NEWMSG will cycle immediately, printing any new messages, then go
into the "waiting" mode. There are two commands available to the SYSOP
while the program is idle, as follows:
<control + f> Force a print cycle. NOTE: A regular timed print
cycle will always leave the latest message unprinted
because that message may still be in transit to the
BBS. Forcing a print cycle will print the last
message, regardless of whether it is complete or not,
however, it will again be printed at the next timed
cycle (if the next message has arrived), or at any
forced cycle where it is still the latest message.
<esc> Exit to DOS (Close window)
Page 3 of 3
USING NEWMSG UNDER SERVER CONTROL - The following steps are written
for W0RLI ver. 11.xx users; other BBS systems may handle servers
differently:
1) If you have never used the W0RLI server routines, PLEASE READ
Hank's documentation, as the following steps assume you are
familiar!
2) Set window size for SERVER.EXE to 144 K minimum.
3) In SERVER.MB, add the line: ! {drive}{path}nm.bat
4) In your executable files directory, create the file NM.BAT with
the following text:
newmsg /S [/switch2][/switch3]...
(Note the /S switch MUST be specified to disable all internal
keyboard, timer, and screen functions. All other switches may
be used as described earlier.)
NEWMSG will now run at every server cycle, which you have specified
in INIT.MB .
DISCLAIMER: This program is simplistic in nature, and little error
trapping has been included to recover from YOUR mistakes!
If an unexpected error occurs, the program will terminate,
and send an error message to the console. It is advised
that you SET YOUR BBS SO IT DOES NOT DO AN AUTOMATIC DAILY
CLEAN-UP, as some messages may be deleted before they are
printed!!! Best way to handle a clean-up is to first, force
a print cycle first using <CTRL + f>, then do a clean-up. If
you goof, just edit NEWMSG.DAT to reflect the next message
number you wish to print.
Send queries, suggestions, etc., to KJ4LQ @ KJ4LQ.VA.USA.NA, Ed Lowe,
449 Wittington Drive, Chesapeake, VA. 23320-7522 73!