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DATAVIEW.DOC
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╙─────╜ ╙─────╙ ╙ ╙─────╙ ╙─────╜ ╨ ╙─────╜ ╙──╨──╜ 4.7
───══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───
The BEST Online Archive Viewer for WildCat BBS Systems
───══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───
Copyright (C) 1994 by Ryan Cramer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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What is DataView ..................................... 1
Copyright ............................................ 2
Liability ............................................ 2
Files included in the archive ........................ 2
Files you should have before setting up DataView ..... 3
Setting up DataView with WildCat! 3.xx ............... 3
Setting up a GIF viewer with DataView ................ 5
Description of features .............................. 5
Modifying the DataView prompts ....................... 9
Modifying the DataView display files ................. 9
What do you get for registering? ..................... 10
Registration information ............................. 10
Registration form .................................... 11
Where to get DataView support ........................ 12
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 1 ■
IMPORTANT: If you have not yet read README.1ST, please go back and read
that file before you continue with this documentation file.
WHAT IS DATAVIEW?
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DataView is an online archive viewer designed for WildCat 3.xx BBS
systems. When you use the [V]iew command from WildCat's file menu, or
file listing menu, DataView will show you the contents of a ZIP, ARJ,
LZH, PAK, SDN, ARC, or EXE archive. However, that is just the beginning!
While in DataView, you can:
* Read text files.
* Read binary files (in hex mode).
* Perform text searching on both text & binary files while in read
mode.
* Perform filespec listings of the archive (ie: *.DOC).
* Scan the archive for viruses.
* Scan the integrity of the archive.
* View an archive within an archive, and perform all of these
functions while doing that.
* Create new archives and download them. DataView has all internal
protocols (Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem, Kermit).
* Certain security levels (configured by you) can delete and add
files to archives.
* The ability to view information on GIF files.
* Full file marking (just like Wildcat).
* GIF information viewing
* When you try to [R]ead a MOD music file, it will give you a full
technical description of the file including all samples names.
* much, MUCH, more!
DataView is designed to work with WildCat 100% and to provide a seamless
interface to it. In fact, DataView uses many of the same communications
and utility libraries that WildCat does. Here are some nice features
worth mentioning:
* Support for both standard Uart ports, and Digiboard ports.
* The ability to define all of your own prompts and menu files
using a method similar to WildCat's MKWCTEXT.EXE. In fact, you
can customize DataView to look any way that you want it. You can
even modify the listing output! DataView uses standard Wildcat @
codes or ANSI codes. Of course, all of this is completly
optional, and most people will probably like the default
DataView prompts and menus best, but if your like me, you'll
want to change everything. :)
* Download and sysop access is fully configurable in DVCONFIG.
* All archiver, extractor, integrity scan, add/delete command lines
can be edited in DVCONFIG.
* The easiest installation you will ever experience!
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 2 ■
COPYRIGHT
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DataView (Version 4.7) is distributed under the Shareware concept. You
are granted a limited license to use and share it under the following
conditions:
o DataView is not distributed in a modified form.
o No fee is charged for DataView itself.
o All references to the copyright and author are retained.
There is a small fee for this program. Please read the registration
section.
You may use DataView for a trial period of 60 days. After this time,
you must decide to either register DataView or discontinue using it. It is
illegal to continue using it after the 60 day trial period.
This program and ALL FILES included in the archive are:
Copyright (c) 1994, Ryan Cramer, All Rights Reserved.
LIABILITY
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The author makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including
without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness
for a particular purpose. The author will 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. The author
will not be liable for any damage to data or property which may be caused
directly or indirectly by use of the program.
When trying new software, always backup any and all important files on
your system.
FILES INCLUDED IN THE ARCHIVE
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Below is a listing of files included in the archive DATAV46B.ZIP.
Please be certain that you have all of these files before continuing.
FILE DESCRIPTION
──────────── ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DATAVIEW.EXE DataView executable file
DATAV-IM.EXE DataView executable file (digiboard version)
DVCONFIG.EXE DataView configuration program
────────────
DATAVIEW.DOC DataView documentation - you're reading it!
REGISTER.FRM DataView registration information & form
README.1ST Important information to read first!
WHATSNEW.DOC Whats new with this version of DataView?
────────────
DVCONFIG.HLP DataView configuration program help file
DVMAIN.BBS Main menu file for DataView
DVSYSOP.BBS Sysop menu file for DataView
DVHELP.BBS DataView online help file
────────────
VIEWCOMP.BAT Sample VIEWCOMP.BAT file required by WildCat!
DESC.SDI Quick description of DataView
FILE_ID.DIZ Quick description of DataView
────────────
DVTEXT.DAT DataView prompt file
DVTEXT.ASC DataView ascii prompt file (as an example)
──────────── ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 3 ■
FILES YOU SHOULD HAVE BEFORE SETTING UP DATAVIEW
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Below is a listing of files required to operate DataView. Please note
that you only have to have the archivers listed below which correspond
to the archives on your board (ie: if you only have .ZIP files, you should
only need PKZIP & PKUNZIP). However, it is wise to have all those below
for a complete setup.
Required Files Ext Acceptable versions
─────────────────────── ─── ─────────────────────
PKZIP.EXE & PKUNZIP.EXE ZIP v2.04g, 1.10, or greater
ARJ.EXE ARJ v2.30 or above
LHA.EXE LZH v2.13 or above
PKPAK.EXE & PKUNPAK.EXE ARC
PAK.EXE PAK v2.51 or above
─────────────────────── ─── ─────────────────────
Please also make sure that you have a copy of SCAN.EXE by McAfee
associates if you enable the virus scanning feature of DataView.
SETTING UP DATAVIEW WITH WILDCAT! 3.x
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1. Make a directory off of your Wildcat home directory called
"DATAVIEW". ie: "C:\WC30\DATAVIEW".
2. UNZIP the archive DATAV47.ZIP to this directory.
3. Change to the directory that you just created and unzipped the files
to. Once there, run the program DVCONFIG.EXE.
WARNING: This section of the documentation does not describe how to
configure DataView in the configuration program, you *MUST* use the
help by pressing F1. There is some very important information in
the context sensitive help, so if you do not make use of it, you will
not configure DataView correctly. If you want, review the file
DVCONFIG.HLP as a supplement to this part of the documentation.
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 4 ■
4. Now, once you are back in DOS, change back to your WildCat home
directory (ie: \WC30). With a text editor, create a file called
VIEWCOMP.BAT. Your VIEWCOMP.BAT should look like the following:
C:\WC30\DATAVIEW\DATAVIEW.EXE %1
If you are using a digiboard version of Wildcat (IM) then your
VIEWCOMP.BAT should look like this:
C:\WC30\DATAVIEW\DATAV-IM.EXE %1
Of course, you will want to specify your directories and drives for
those listed in the example above.
Make sure that you do not have any change directory commands in
your VIEWCOMP.BAT. Your VIEWCOMP.BAT should just have a single line
which is just like the example listed above.
Note that the "%1" parameter is automatically translated to the
archive name to view when WildCat executes it from the [V]iew
command.
5. If you are using nonstandard base addresses or IRQs, you will want to
set your WildCat environmental variables. If you are not using
nonstandard base addresses or IRQs, then you will want to skip this
step. If your not sure, skip this step and jump down to step 6. :)
You will normally want to set your environmental variables from your
CAT.BAT file for that particular node.
The two variables that you should set are: "WCIRQID" and "WCBASEID".
So, to set these variables in your CAT.BAT file, you would simply add
the lines:
SET WCIRQID=<your IRQ for this node>
SET WCBASEID=<your base address for this node>
Here is an example:
SET WCIRQID=7
SET WCBASEID=$2F8
Note that the "$" should appear in front of the base address as this
is the standard Wildcat convention to specify that this number is in
hexidecimal notation (which is how base addresses are specified).
Note that you would want to set these variables in your CAT.BAT file
BEFORE WildCat is executed, otherwise they would not be set when
DataView is executed. :)
6. DataView is now all setup and ready to roll! :) Login into WildCat
and give it a try to make sure that everything is working correctly.
If it isn't, go over these instructions again, or get in contact with
me at one of the numbers listed at the end of this documentation.
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 5 ■
SETTING UP A GIF VIEWER WITH DATAVIEW
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If you would like to have DataView automatically call up an external
program when someone tries to view a GIF file, then DataView provides a
couple of batch files for this purpose:
VIEWGIFL.BAT - Called when a local user attempts to view a GIF file
VIEWGIFR.BAT - Called when a remote user attempts to view a GIF file
DataView passes the full path and filename of the GIF that the user is
attempting to view. I am not familiar with any programs which allow this
type of GIF viewing, but the request came from MSI so I put it in there. :)
I would imagine that it would look something like this:
C:\UTILS\VIEWGIF.EXE %1
You will have to create the VIEWGIF?.BAT files with a text editor if you
want to use this feature. These .BAT files (you can use one or the other or
both of them) should be placed in your \WC30\DATAVIEW\ directory. If you do
not have any of those BAT files there, then by default DataView will
display the resolution, version, and number of colors in the GIF file to
the user.
DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES
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1. [L]ist
The list command simply lists all of the files in the archive. This
is the same listing that you get upon entering DataView. When you do
a list, you may also add the optional filespec parameter which will
list only those files which match your given filespec. Here are some
examples below:
L *.DOC - lists all files with the "DOC" extension.
L COMM*.* - lists all files starting with "COMM".
L - lists all files in the archive
L M - lists all marked files
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 6 ■
2. [R]ead
The read function will allow you to read a text file or a binary file
from within an archive. Simply specify a file number, name, or wildcard
(or a mixture of them) and DataView will display all of the files to you
which match your command stack.
If the file is a text file, DataView displays it to you in the normal
way that you would expect to view a text file, however, if the file
is a binary file (ie: an EXE or something) DataView will display it
in a hex dump mode.
In hex dump mode, you would see 16 bytes for each line. On the left
side of the screen, you would see the values of each byte represented
in hexidecimal notation. On the right side of the screen you see the
ascii character that each byte represents. All non-printable ascii
characters will appear as a period.
While in the read function, there are many different things that you
can do:
[F]ind
The find feature will let you search for text in the file. Upon
invoking the find feature, you will be prompted to enter a text
string to search for. After you enter it, DataView will search
through the whole file until it finds a match. If no match is found,
you will get the message "Search string not found." You may press the
spacebar to abort the search at any time.
If DataView finds a match, it will show you the page that it found it
on. The search string that was found will appear highlighted. If you
are not in color mode, you will not be able to see where the text is,
however, DataView places the first match in the middle of the page so
you should be able to locate it easily.
If multiple matches are found, they will also be highlighted as you
scroll through the file.
After doing a successful search, if you invoke the find feature
again, you will be prompted if you would like to continue searching
for your previous search string. If you enter "yes", DataView will
show you the next occurence. If you enter "no", it will prompt you
for a new search string.
[J]ump
The jump command simply prompts for a line number that you would like
to jump to. This is a quick and easy to get to a position in the file
that you are reading. DataView will give you a range list of line
numbers so that you have a good idea of where you want to go.
[P]gUp
The pageup feature does exactly what it says, it jumps to the
previous page that you were viewing. This way, if you missed anything
on the last page or any number of pages above, you can easily get
back there to read it.
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 7 ■
[<|>]
This feature allows you to do horizontal scrolling either to the left
or to the right. You activate this with the "<" key or the ">" key.
These are NOT the arrow keys, they are the "," and the "." keys with
the shift key being held down.
Horizontal scrolling will allow you to read files that are longer
then 80 columns. You may come across BBS lists and such where this
feature will come in very handy.
If you are reading a binary file in hex dump mode, then horizontal
scrolling won't really provide any benefit for you since the hex dump
only takes up 75 colums.
3. [A]rchive view
While viewing compressed files in DataView, you may occasionly or
frequently come across archives which have additional archives within
them. You can view these archives just like the one that you are
currently viewing by using the archive view feature.
After specifying a filename or file number, DataView will extract the
file and determine if it is actually an archive. If it is not an
archive, DataView will return back to the current archive that you
are viewing. If the file IS an archive, DataView will view it just
like the current one that you are viewing. You will be able to use
all of DataView's features just as usual.
When or if you are ready to return to the previous archive, use the
[P]revious command from the main menu.
4. [I]ntegrity scan
The integrity scan feature shells to DOS and calls up the
corresponding archiver for the archive that you are viewing to
perform an integrity check. DataView intercepts the result from the
archiver and reports back to you. If any of the files in the archive
are corrupted, you will get a message that one or more files in the
archive are corrupted. Otherwise, DataView will report that there are
no errors. The integrity scan feature is only available for ZIP and
ARJ archives.
5. [V]irus scan
Because the virus scan feature can sometimes be slow, DataView will
first prompt you if you are sure you want to perform a virus scan.
The virus scan feature is only slow if the archive contains a lot of
files which contain executable code in them.
First, all of the files that contain executable code in the archive
are extracted to a temporary directory. After that, DataView will
call up the SCAN.EXE virus scanner by Mcafee Associates and report
the result back to you. If the file contains any viruses, you will be
notified.
DataView also reports the version of SCAN being used so that you can
be ensured that a relatively recent version of the virus scanner is
being used. This is important because an older virus scanner can
easily miss new viruses.
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 8 ■
6. [M]ark
The mark feature allows you to mark files for later download. Specify a
list of file numbers, filenames, or wildcards and DataView will mark all
of those files for download.
7. [U]nmark
This feature is the opposite of the Unmark feature. It takes the same
kind of command line, except you specify files which you would like to
be removed from the marked list.
8. [C]lear marked
There's not much that can be said about this one, it simply clears all
files that you have marked. :)
9. [E]dit marked
The edit marked feature provides a better interface for the above three
commands. It splits those commands into a seperate menu and also shows
you a listing of the current marked files. This feature works very much
like WildCat's edit marked feature. Some may find it easier to access
the above three commands through this edit marked menu, but others may
find that accessing the commands with parameters is a faster way to go
about it.
10.[D]ownload
The download feature lets you create new archives from files contained
in the archive that you are viewing. You can pass file numbers, names,
or wildcards to this command. If you have previously marked files,
DataView will give you the edit marked menu (described above) so that
you can verify that these are the files that you want to download. If
you do not have any marked files, DataView will prompt you for them.
Once you have chosen the files that you want to download, DataView will
then prompt you for the archiver that you want to use. Under most
situations, the folling three will be available:
ZIP, ARJ, LZH
Of the three, ZIP is the standard and usually the best one to choose. If
you only have one file marked, DataView will also give you the option
"[N]one" so that your file will not be compressed.
After you choose an archiver, DataView will start extracting the files,
then it will create the new archive (if you have chosen one of the three
above mentioned archivers).
At this point, DataView will prompt you for the protocol that you would
like to download. The following four will be available:
Xmodem, Ymodem, Kermit, Zmodem
Under most cases, Zmodem is the best protocol to choose. After that,
DataView will start sending the file, and the rest is up to you! :)
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 9 ■
MODIFYING THE DATAVIEW PROMPTS
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Modifying the DataView prompts is a very similar procedure to modifying
the Wildcat prompts. Follow these steps:
1. Run DataView with the command line "EXPORT".
example: "DATAVIEW EXPORT"
2. DataView has now exported all of its prompts to DVTEXT.ASC. These
prompts are just in a standard ascii text file format. You may edit
them with any text editor which saves and loads files in standard
ascii text format.
You may now modify the colors or prompts in any way that you wish.
3. Once you are finished modifying the prompts, save DVTEXT.ASC and run
DataView with the "IMPORT" command.
example: "DATAVIEW IMPORT"
4. Thats it! Next time you run DataView, the prompts will be changed to
match your changes.
* Note that this feature only works with the registered version of
DataView.
MODIFYING THE DATAVIEW DISPLAY FILES
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DataView uses three different display files which you may modify, they
are:
DVMAIN.BBS - DataView main menu
DVHELP.BBS - DataView help file
DVSYSOP.BBS - DataView sysop menu
You may use standard Wildcat @ codes or ANSI codes in these files. I
would suggest using the ANSI drawing program "TheDraw" if you want to
modify these files.
If you would like seperate display files for color mode, you may also
create the files:
DVMAIN.SCR - DataView main menu (color mode only)
DVHELP.SCR - DataView help file (color mode only)
DVSYSOP.SCR - DataView sysop menu (color mode only)
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 10 ■
WHAT DO YOU GET FOR REGISTERING
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By registering DataView, you can continue using it beyond the 60 day trial
period, in addition, the following features are enabled by the registration
key:
1. The download feature (probably the MOST useful feature in DataView)
2. The prompt editing feature
3. The sysop features (adding & deleting files from archives!)
4. DataView displays that it is registered to your BBS.
5. Full tech support (BBS, voice, internet)
6. Other features that are coming in DataView 4.8 will only be available in
the registered version. See README.1ST for more info on some of the
features that may be added.
In addition, to this date, all upgrades for DataView have been free since
version 1.0. I plan to continue this trend unless the program ever requires
a total rewrite which is unlikely.
If after the 60 day trial period, you should decide either to register
DataView or to stop using it. It is illegal to continue using it beyond the
60 day trial period.
DATAVIEW REGISTRATION
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Registration is a really easy process, simply follow these instructions,
and you will be registered! Thanks for your support!
1. Fill out the registration from in the file REGISTER.FRM and print
it out.
2. Mail the form with the $22 check (+$3 if you want it delivered
via snail mail) to me at the following address:
Ryan Cramer
8300 Riding Ridge Place
McLean, VA 22102
3. Call Data Connection BBS in 5-7 days from the time that you
mailed the registration and your registered key will be waiting
for you attached to a message. If you would prefer, the
registration can be mailed to you instead. See the below
registration form for more details. The phone number for Data
Connection BBS is:
Data Connection BBS 1 ■ (703) 506-8598 ■ 16.8k HST DS
Data Connection BBS 2 ■ (703) 847-0861 ■ 21.6k HST DS
->In addition, if you have internet access, I would be happy to UUENCODE
the registration file to you. Just let me know. FYI: My internet address
is: rcramer1@mason1.gmu.edu
DATAVIEW 4.7 REGISTRATION FORM
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Today's Date : [__/__/__]
Your name : [__________________________________________________]
Address : [__________________________________________________]
: [__________________________________________________]
City & State : [__________________________________________________]
ZIP code : [_____-____]
BBS name : [__________________________________________________]
BBS phone(s) : [__________________________________________________]
internet address : [__________________________________________________]
(leave blank if not available)
Please indicate type of payment (check one):
[_] Check
[_] Money order
How would you like to receive your registered copy (check one):
[_] Pick it up at Data Connection BBS
[_] Receive it via snail mail (remember to add $3 S/H)
[_] Receive it via internet (uuencoded directly to you)
T O T A L @ $22 per copy...................[_$_______________________]
* Please make checks & money orders payable to "RYAN CRAMER".
Ryan Cramer
8300 Riding Ridge Place
McLean, VA 22102
Leave any additional comments below, and THANKS FOR SUPPORTING DATAVIEW!
■ DATAVIEW PAGE 12 ■
HOW TO GET DATAVIEW SUPPORT
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The best way to get DataView support is through Data Connection BBS.
There are special conferences and file areas setup just for DataView
support on Data Connection BBS.
╓ ╓ ╓
║ ╓║─ ╓║─
╓─╢ ╓─╖ ║ ╓─╖ ╓─╖ ╓─╖ ╖─╖ ╖─╖ ╓─╖ ╓─╖ ║ ╓ ╓─╖ ╖─╖
║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ╟─╜ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╙─╜ ╙─╙ ╜ ╙─╙ ╙─╜ ╙─╜ ╜ ╙ ╜ ╙ ╙─╜ ╙─╜ ╜ ╜ ╙─╜ ╜ ╙
██▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀██─┐
█║ Providing DataView Support ║█ │
█║ -──────────────────────────────────-─ ║█ │
█║ Node 1: (703) 506-8598 16.8k HST Dual ║█ │
█║ Node 2: (703) 847-0861 21.6k HST Dual ║█ │
█║ -──────────────────────────────────-─ ║█ │
█║ McLean, Virginia ║█ │
██▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄██ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can also reach me on the Mustang Software headquarters BBS as I call
there about twice a week. My user name on the MSI BBS is "RYAN CRAMER" and
its best to contact me in the "3rd party utilities" conference.
You can also contact me by Internet: rcramer1@mason1.gmu.edu
I log onto my internet system about twice a day, so you can get a really
fast reply from me there! :)
Thanks for trying out DataView!
Ryan Cramer