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Monster Media 1994 #1
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WILDCAT
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CONV2XX.ZIP
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WC_CONV.DOC
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1994-01-09
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WC_CONV - Screen conversion utility for Wildcat! v2.xx
During the process of setting up and maintaining a BBS, I soon found
that many of the utility programs that I use to create screens and
bulletins were adding screen control codes to the display files that
were causing problems, such as '--More--' appearing one line before the
end of the display, the spacebar exit being disabled, the clear screen
function not being enabled, etc.
Some of the utilities were also creating their display screens in my
Wildcat directory and I then had to move them to their final
destination, after editing them and embedding or removing the screen
control codes.
This process, although fairly easy to automate using batch files got to
be a pain, hence I wrote this program.
WC_CONV works in the following manner: First, a configuration file is
created for up to 10 screens to convert. The conversion process then
takes places automatically. Since there are some screens that you may
want to execute every time an Interrupt 60 occurs, and yet others that
you want to take place only during a scheduled event, I have allowed the
name of the configuration file to be sent as a parameter. If the name
is not passed, it will default to WC_CONV.CFG and prcessing will proceed
with the setup as defined in that file.
The configuration file, which is a normal text file, will be read by
WC_CONV and the files correctly modified. The configuration file(s)
contain the following data in the order specified.
line 1 - number of input screens to process
line 2 - path and file name of input file 1
line 3 - path and file name of output file 1
line 4 - 5 character string of Y or N in order:
clear the screen before displaying,
prevent spacebar from stopping the display,
prevent --more-- from appearing before end,
force --more-- prompt at end,
delete original file
example: YYYYY will cause the scrren to be displayed, prevent
the spacebar from stopping the display before the end,
prevent --More-- from appearing in the middle of a long
display, force the --More-- prompt at the end and delete the
original screen file.
.
.
.
these lines are in the same order as 2, 3, 4 for a total of 10 screens
line 31 - 5 character string for screen 10
That's all there is to it. If you like WC_CONV, have suggestions or
comments, feel free to call the author and/or SLEEPLESS NIGHTS BBS at
(512) 396-8903 or write to Thomas Harris, Rt. 3, Box 83X28, San Marcos,
TX 78666-9117.
I would like to contribute something to the software world, but I would
also like to upgrade this old XT clone to something better, so although
this is not beggarware, any contribution would be nice. It is not required.
I must also add a disclaimer. I will take no responsibility for its
operation on your system. Although every effort has been taken to
ensure that this code is as bug-free as possible, there are always
circumstances under which any software may fail. I cannot foresee any
reason that there would be any difficulties, but please be forewarned.
I am using it myself, so let that speak for itself.
I will however, be happy to send the source code for any small contribution
if you would like it. If you do want the source code, please send enough
to cover the price of a diskette, or to cover the phone call to upload it
to you, and/or postage.
This program was a quick and dirty fix for a painful problem. There is
more on the way. It has already been suggested by Ed Bixby, sysop of
Chow Chow Chow, also here in San Marcos, that I expand this to enable
the translation of the @ codes generated by TheDraw for Wildcat! 3.xx to
something usable by Wildcat! 2.xx, since TheDraw unfortunately does not
handle the control codes needed by Wildcat! 2.xx correctly. Look for it
soon.
If you in Texas, how about giving Sleepless Nights a call?
Or for that matter, Chow Chow Chow at (512) 754-8795.
BTW: I have been having very good luck in creating down and dirty
screens with ANSIMS.EXE by Alan Deala. Since it is public domain
according to his documentation, I have included it in this package as I
received it off the Internet.