Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/PCBOARD/TVIEW30.ZIP/TEXTVIEW.DOC

Text File | 1994-02-26 | 23KB | 500 lines

     ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
     │                           TEXTVIEW 3.0                          │
     │         A PCBoard Programming Language based Application        │
     │       By Joseph Sheppard - The Ledge PCBoard [phone]     │
     └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    ───────────
    DESCRIPTION
    ───────────

    Textview allows the Sysop to make text based features available to
    callers in an online magazine format.  It includes an option to
    allow your users to download from a list of files you specify. The
    sysop can also give extra time in the application to users of a
    defined security level. All of the PCBoard function keys are
    supported, including Sysop Chat (F10).

    TextView is written using the PCBoard Programming Language.  This
    being the case, the program is compatible with any setup that is
    successful at running PCBoard 15.1 or greater.

    Downloading is handled using your PCBoard setup, so all of the
    protocols you have working in PCBoard, will be used automatically
    by TextView including external protocols.

    Textview can shell to another program or batch file from inside
    TextView if you wish. This can be any kind of routine you like as
    long as you have enough free memory to support it.

    The program supports menu branching.  You can make up menu
    selections, that when selected execute another Textview based
    feature, and will return to the original feature when exited. This
    can be done in multiple layers.

    TextView features can be launched from most files that can be
    displayed via PCBoard.  For example, you can launch a TextView
    feature from your Bulletin menu.

    TextView can launch other PPE programs.  Simply place an
    exclamation point, followed by the path and name of the PPE, plus
    any parameters needed to run the PPE in the first column of any
    TextView displayed file, and the PPE program will be executed!

    If you have software that you want to distribute to users of a
    certain security level only, you can make TextView available to
    users with the same security level as your customers or higher.
    When your customer goes into TextView, he can read new product
    information and download an ZIP of the latest version of your
    software. You choose the download path, so you can put the files
    in a directory only accessible via TextView.  You can even give
    him extra time when he is in the application, which will be
    deducted when he exits, restoring the original time he had left
    when he entered.

    The following user created files are supported in both ASCII and
    ANSI:

    Welcome screen     (TVHELLO & TVHELLOG)
    Menu screen        (TVMENU & TVMENUG)
    Download Directory (TVDIR & TVDIRG)
    Goodbye Screen     (TVBYE & TVBYEG)

    TextView can display as many files as you can support on your
    system ASCII and ANSI versions are displayed depending on which
    mode your caller is in.  The caller has the option to toggle
    between ANSI and ASCII display mode.  Both file formats
    (ASCII/ANSI) are supported, but not required.  If one or the other
    format is unavailable, the caller will be shown what is available
    for that menu selection. TextView will also convert PCBoard @x
    color codes on the fly, as well as text @VARIABLES@.

    Command stacking is supported, so callers can capture several menu
    selections with a command such as 1;2;3;4;NS.

    ─────
    SETUP
    ─────

    Here is a description of the files you will need to get started:

    1. Filename:         TV.PPE
       Purpose:          Textview program
       Location:         The directory specified in CMD.LST

    2. Filename:         TV.CNF
       Purpose:          Defines parameters for TV.PPE
       Location:         The directory specified in CMD.LST

       Sample File:

       RESERVED
       D:\TV
       20
       0
       0
       M
       D:\TV\DL
       RESERVED
       DEFAULT
       TextView
       N
       RESERVED
       NONE


       Explanation:

       RESERVED: Reserved for Future Use.

       D:\TV: This is the path to the files you want to display.  I would
       suggest putting these files in their own directory.

       20: This is the number of files available for display. It can
       be any number higher than 1.

       0: Replace this with the security level you want to all more
       time in the application for.  For instance if you are providing
       product support for your level 50's and up, AND you want to
       give them more time in the application, put a 50 here.  If you
       don't want to give anyone more time put a 0 here.

       0: Replace this with the number of minutes you want to add to
       the security level defined above.  If you want to give your
       customers an extra 15 minutes in the application, then put a 15
       here.  If you don't want to add any time, put a 0 here.

       M: This line tells TextView how you want to handle downloading.
       Your choices are: Single file, Multiple files or No files
       (downloading not allowed).  If you only have one file that you
       want available for downloading, then put the letter S on this
       line.  If you have a list of files you want the user to be able
       to download then put an M on this line.  If you don't want the
       user to be able to download at all, put the letter N on this
       line (if N is selected the download option won't appear on the
       command line at all).

       D:\TV\DL: Replace this with the path to the files you want the
       user to be able to download.  Be sure that there is nothing in
       this directory that you don't want downloaded because the user
       will be able to take whatever is there.  Please don't call me
       and yell at me because a user downloaded the USER file while in
       TextView.  The only way this could happen is if you screw up
       and put \PCB\MAIN on this line.  IMPORTANT: If you have
       selected the Single file option (an S on line 6) then you will
       need to add the filename to the path (example
       D:\TV\DL\FILES.ZIP).  If you aren't going to allow downloading,
       then put the word NONE on this line.

       RESERVED: Reserved for Future Use.

       DEFAULT: This line affects Registered Versions of TextView
       only. Registered Sysops may place a filename on this line,
       which must include the path if the file isn't in the same
       directory as TV.EXE. The file named on this line must be an
       ASCII file containing the names and paths of the files to be
       displayed.  This feature is designed to cut maintenance time
       for Sysops who display online magazines which are updated
       frequently, but have the same filenames week to week.  USAToday
       and NewsBytes are examples of these types of magazines.  The
       files must be listed in the order that they appear on the menu.
       For example, a file that had these three lines:

       D:\PCB\GEN\WELCOME
       D:\PCB\GEN\NEWUSER
       D:\PCB\MAIN\CALLER

       Would cause TextView to display your WELCOME screen if the
       caller chose #1 off the menu.  Your NEWUSER file if he chose #2
       and your CALLER log if he picked #3.  The number of files
       listed in this file MUST be the same as the number you have on
       line 3 of the .CNF file.

       The files NBYTES.TV and USA.TV (included in TVSAMPLE.ZIP) are
       examples of how this option can be used for easy maintenance of
       the Newsbytes and USAToday.  And can be activated by registered
       users if they specify one of these filenames on line 9.

       TextView: You can give your TextView application a name that
       will be placed in the CALLER log to let you know what features
       are being used.

       N: TextView can run as a "Sub-System".  This means that you can
       run one application, then follow it with TextView
       automatically. The original purpose for this is to display game
       door scorecards.  One put the letter Y on this line followed by
       the desired prompt, and TextView will give the option to answer
       (Y)es, (N)o, (G)oodbye before running.  For a score door, the
       sysop might put the following on this line:

       Y;View the Scorecards?

       TextView will show:

       View the Scorecards?
       (Y)es, (N)o, (G)oodbye: _

       If the caller answers Yes, then TextView is run, and he is
       shown the material.  If he answers No, then he is returned to
       the BBS.  If he answers Goodbye then he is properly logged off.

       This feature is valuable if you want to give a user certain
       material to read before or after a particular application. For
       example, you might use it to launch an TextView application
       from a bulletin, giving the user an option to execute the
       feature or not. Leave the letter N on this line if you don't
       want TextView to act as a "Sub-System".

       RESERVED: Reserved for future use.

       NONE: Replace this with the name of a batch file or program you
       would like your users to be able to run from the TextView menu.
       This can be any kind of routine you like as long as you have
       enough free memory to support it.  Programs that write directly
       to screen will need a program like Marshall Dudley's "Doorway"
       to redirect the output.  The program or batch file specified
       must be in the same directory as TV.PPE. The user can run the
       routine by typing the word you put on this line.  For example,
       if the routine you want to run is called REGISTER, then you
       would need a program called REGISTER.EXE or REGISTER.COM, or a
       batch file called REGISTER.BAT in directory with TV.PPE.  Then
       your caller would type the word REGISTER from the TextView
       command line to run the routine.

       ──────────────────
       TEXTVIEW AS A DOOR
       ──────────────────

    3. Filename:           TEXTVIEW
       Purpose:            Used by PCBoard to run the TextView from
                           the DOOR menu
       Location:           Your Door batch file directory

       Sample file:

       @ECHO OFF
       ECHO !D:\TEXTVIEW\TV.PPE D:\TEXTVIEW\TV.CNF > PCBDOOR.TXT

       Explanation:

       @ECHO OFF: Stops echoing commands to the local screen

       ECHO !D:\TEXTVIEW\TV.PPE D:\TEXTVIEW\TV.CNF > PCBDOOR.TXT:
       Creates a file called PCBDOOR.TXT in the default directory for
       the node the caller is on.  Inside the file is the command to
       run the specified TextView feature from the door menu.

    Note: In order to run TextView from the Door menu, you must enter
    TEXTVIEW in your DOORS.LST file.  This is done by via
    PCBSETUP.EXE.  Set it up as a SHELLED door, by putting the letter
    "Y" under the column that says "SHELL".

    ───────────────────────────
    TEXTVIEW FROM THE MAIN MENU
    ───────────────────────────

    To execute a Textview based feature from the Main Menu Command
    prompt, you must put an entry in your CMD.LST file.  To do this,
    you have to run PCBSETUP.EXE.  Go from the main menu to "File
    Locations", then to "Configuration Files".  Next cursor down to
    your CMD.LST file and hit F2 to edit it.  You must put in an entry
    for each TextView based feature.  It might look like this:

    Command         Security      PPE/MNU File -or- Keystroke Replacement
    ============    ============  =======================================
    1) NEWUSER      10            D:\TVIEW\TV.PPE D:\TVIEW\NEWUSER.CNF
    2) SUPPORT      10            D:\TVIEW\TV.PPE D:\TVIEW\SUPPORT.CNF


    The First column is the word the caller will type to view the
    feature.  The second is the minimum security level the caller must
    have to use the feature.  The third is the command required to run
    the feature with the location of TV.PPE first, and the location of
    the configuration file second.

    ────────────────────────────
    TEXTVIEW FROM A DISPLAY FILE
    ────────────────────────────

    You can automatically execute a TextView feature from most files
    that PCBoard can display.  For example, I launch three different
    TextView features from my Bulletin Menu.  One menu item is for
    information on the U'NI-net Echomail Network.  When the caller
    goes to read this item, the TextView U'NI-net Menu is instantly
    produced, from there the caller can read from a menu of text
    files, or even download programs.  When the caller exits that
    feature, the Bulletin menu prompt is displayed!

    The way this is done is to go into BLT.LST from PCBSETUP.EXE and
    assign a file name to display as a bulletin.  Then hit F2 to edit
    that file.  Place a single line in the file to execute the
    TextView feature you want.  The line must start in column one with
    an exclamation point, then the path to TV.PPE, a space, then the
    name and path of the configuration file.  It would look like this:

    !D:\TVIEW\TV.PPE D:\TVIEW\UNI.CNF

    You can launch other PPE's as well in this from an TextView based
    feature.

    Several features can be stacked in this fashion.  For example, on
    my BBS a caller can go to the Bulletin Menu, Select "New User
    Information", the "NewUser" TextView menu is produced instantly.
    From there, if the caller selects the menu item for "Information
    on Internet Email", the "Internet" TextView menu is produced. When
    the caller exits the Internet feature, the Newuser menu is
    produced, and when that is exited the Bulletin prompt is back.

    This makes TextView amazingly flexible.  If you run another
    program of mine called DDoor, you can launch any door on your
    system from a TextView menu selection!  < Shameless Plug <g>

    ─────────────────
    FILES YOU PROVIDE
    ─────────────────

    The following files can be used to enhance your TextView features.
    You don't have to create them. If you don't, then the code will
    handle it by skipping to the next step, so if you don't want to
    support an ANSI version of each file, simply don't include it.  If
    you do use these they must be in the path defined by you in
    TV.CNF. These files can be created with any ASCII or ANSI editor,
    or PCBEDIT from CDC. Security Level specific and Language Specific
    files are also supported, as well as RIP screens.

    TVHELLO & TVHELLOG: These are like PCBoard's WELCOME & WELCOMEG.
    will be shown to your callers inside the application.

    TVDIR & TVDIRG: This is the directory of files you are offering
    for download in the TextView application.  If you don't allow
    downloading, then this file need exist.  You can use any of the
    PCBoard directory maintenance programs to create and maintain this
    file, including PCBFILER.  This file will be automatically
    colorized.  To make this work correctly, reserve the first three
    lines of the file for header information.  Have the first filename
    and description on LINE 4.

    TVBYE & TVBYEG: This the last thing the caller sees before leaving
    the feature to go back to PCBoard.

    TVx & TVxG: These are the actual files available for viewing.  x
    equals the menu number of the file (So, TV1 and TV1G would be Menu
    item 1). It is VERY important to remember to rename each feature
    in this manner. This is written in the same manner as the PCBoard
    Bulletins (BLT1, BLT1G, etc.).  Registered users may specify their
    own filenames in a file defined on line 9 of the .CNF file.

    ──────────────────
    NON-STANDARD PORTS
    ──────────────────

    If your non-standard setup (multiport board or whatever) works
    with PCBoard, it will work with TextView.  Don't give this a
    second thought, this is one of the reasons I completely rewrote
    the program using the PCBoard Programming Language.  Compatibility
    is guaranteed!

    ────────────────────────────
    TEXT VARIABLES & COLOR CODES
    ────────────────────────────

    All display files will respond to the standard PCBoard text
    variables and color codes. Place the variables anywhere in any
    line to be displayed by TextView and they will be translated.

    ───────────────────────────
    DOWNLOADING INSIDE TEXTVIEW
    ───────────────────────────
    Under most circumstances, Downloading with TextView is simple,
    because it uses PCBoard's own downloading routines.

    However, when you want to give people who don't have downloading
    access on your BBS the ability to download specific files
    inside a TextView application, it can be a little tricky.

    First, you must give these callers some daily K-bytes in the PWRD
    file.  TextView bypasses the fact that they don't have access to
    the main board (D)ownload command, but they still have to have
    some K-Bytes available in the PWRD file for it to work.

    The other consideration is that the routine from PCBoard that
    TextView uses to download files, flags only the legit files they
    are allowed to download, but then presents them with a prompt to
    "Download Flagged Files (Y)".  I found out that if the caller
    answers (N) to this question, he can then flag any file on the
    system!  To get around this, you have to manipulate your FSEC file
    a bit.  Here is what mine looks like:

        D:\NU\DL\,*.*,10,
        ,*.*,30,

    The first line lets anybody with level 10 or greater download any
    file in my D:\NU\DL directory.  This is the directory for my "New
    User Door".  The next line tells the system to only allow level 30
    or above (registered users) to download from any other directory.

    If you set it up this way, your unregistered callers can download
    from the TextView door, but if they try to flag other files on the
    system, they will get a security message.

    The FSEC file can be edited using PCBSETUP.EXE.


    ────────────
    REGISTRATION
    ────────────

    TextView represents years of work.  I have been supplying updates
    of this program since June of 1988.  In November of 1993 I did a
    complete rewrite as a PPE without charging people who registered
    the program before anything.  The fact that TextView is a PPE
    guarantees future compatibility with PCBoard.  If you exploit the
    full power of TextView it will become an important part of your
    BBS.  For this reason, you should pay to register it.

    If you find that your are still running TextView 30 days after
    setting it up, or if you'd like to unlock the registered features,
    please call The Ledge PCBoard at 818-896-4015 and type REGISTER at
    the main menu command prompt.  This will allow you to register by
    MASTERCARD, VISA, DISCOVER or AMERICAN EXPRESS.

    If you prefer to pay by check or money order, please fill out
    REGISTER.TXT and send it in with a shareware contribution of
    $20.00 in US Funds.

    Registered users will receive a file called TV.KEY that when
    present in the same directory as TV.PPE will bypass all
    "unregistered" references, bypass the "Press Enter to Continue"
    prompt before TVHELLO is displayed, and will allow you to use line
    9 of the .CNF file to specify your own custom filenames for
    display instead of TV1, TV2, TV3, etc.

    Valid TV.KEY files will automatically register this version of
    TextView and ALL FUTURE VERSIONS!  There is no need to call my BBS
    each time I release a new TV.PPE to get your registered copy.
    Just download it from any source and your TV.KEY file will unlock
    the new version for you just by being there no mumbo-jumbo, no
    passwords...just run the program!

    I can be reached at my BBS, The Ledge PCBoard [phone] -
    HST/V.32bis, U'NI-net Echomail Network (for which I am the
    International host), Internet: [e-mail], Compuserve:
    76175,623 or US Mail at the address listed in REGISTER.TXT.

    If you contact me on my BBS, please ignore the mail-in validation
    procedure.  Simply leave me a [C]omment with your questions and I
    will validate you as a "visiting Sysop" without delay.

    LEDGE SUPPORT: Please note that on your first call to the ledge,
    you can enter the Ledge Support area.  It is a TextView feature
    that will allow you to view the current "TEXTVIEW.DOC" file and
    download the very latest version of TextView. You DON'T have to be
    a registered user on The Ledge to use this service! Please let me
    know you called though so I can validate you for future calls.

    While this program performs fine on my system, I can't guarantee
    that it will work at all on yours.  If you have a problem, contact
    me and I will attempt to solve the problem.

    ──────
    THANKS
    ──────

    Thanks to Samuel Smith, the genius behind Prodoor, ProKit, HS/Link
    and other programs we have all benefited from.  I learned to
    program in Turbo Pascal so I could write the original TextView
    door using Sam's door kit routines.  I have moved on to the
    PCBoard Programming Language, but I still owe Sam a lot for making
    his source code public so I could learn from it.  Sam's Tool Shop
    BBS can be reached by calling [phone].

    Thanks to Charles Shapiro, Sysop of Absolut(e)ly Temporary (702)
    254-8601 for his valuable help in beta testing TextView.

    Thanks to Mark Rapp, Sysop the MicroSellar BBS [phone] for
    some great technical suggestions that were very helpful in the
    creation of the original TextView door.

    ──────────
    DISCLAIMER
    ──────────

    I make no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including
    without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or
    fitness for a particular purpose.  I shall not be liable for any
    damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential
    arising from a failure of this program to operate in the manner
    desired by the user.  I shall not be liable for any damage to data
    or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by the use
    of this program.

    IN NO EVENT WILL I BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY
    LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
    DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM,
    OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.