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1994-08-08
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TBBS Userlog Importer
by Paul Blitz
Version 1.00
13/04/94
Introduction
============
I am about to change from using another BBS system to TBBS, version 2.2,
and want to be able to import the userlog details from the old BBS.
I decided to make this a 2-part process: One program will EXPORT the details
from the other BBS to a "standard" format, comma delimited. By "standard" I
mean a suitable common format that I have selected, so that exporting
programs can be written for many other BBSES.
In case I decide to "tweak" the comma-delimited file format in any way, the
first line of the import file contains a "version number": if this format is
not compatible, then TUIMP will flag it up as an error. This might save a
lot of future heartache, sorting out problems!!
This program is written specifically for importing a userbase into a NEW
TBBS setup: with this in mind, my belt-and-braces approach does the
following:
1) TUIMP will rename your old USERLOG.BBS to ULOGBBS.BAK, and your USERLOG.PTR
to ULOGPTR.BAK, just in case you need to recover them. (However, taking a
back-up copy before running TUIMP is something that any sensible TBBS sysop
would do!)
2) Only the sysop record is retained from the existing TBBS USERLOG.BBS
file.
3) The sysop's pointer to the USERLOG.PTR file is zeroised.
4) The USERLOG.PTR file is itself "zeroised" (ie to be exactly like the
distribution copy): if it doesn't exist, it will be created.
5) The USERLOG.INX file is deleted.... TBBS will recreate this file when you
run TBBS again.
Where specific data is not imported, either the Sysop's USERLOG.BBS setting
will be used as defaults, or the items are "zeroed": the details of these
are given later. It is probably that you will want to apply a template
globally after running TUIMP, so if the settings are wrong, you should be
able to "recover" without any problems.
If you run this on a COPY of your TBBS USERLOG.BBS (which is a sensible
idea), then make sure that when you go live with these NEW versions, that
you delete the old "working" copies of *ALL* of USERLOG.BBS, USERLOG.PTR and
USERLOG.INX before you copy over the newly created files. If you do not do
this, then there is no doubt that TBBS will screw up, due to the confusion!
A separate file details the format of the input file: this can be created
either manually (rather you than me), from a database, or by a suitable
"exporting" program, from your existing BBS userbase file.
*REMEMBER*: TUIMP is designed for NEW TBBS systems, and will completely
erase any users you may have in your current userlog, and will obliterate
all details in the .PTR file.... this program is NOT suitable for ADDING new
users to an existing TBBS setup.
Running the program
===================
The program calling syntax is:
TUIMP <input file>
.... if you don't give an input filename, it will use a default filename of
"USERLOG.TXT.
TUIMP will look for your USERLOG.BBS in the current directory ONLY: if TUIMS
can't find it there, it will simply exit with an error.
The backup files, together with the new USERLOG.BBS and USERLOG.PTR files
will be created in the current directory.
The returned error levels are:
0 : Program ran OK
1 : Error in command line parameters
2 : Control-C / Escape was pressed during program
99: Internal procesing error (eg: out of range value)
All errors will also return an error message on the screen, with as
much useful information as possible.
Copyright Etc:
==============
Hobby Use:
----------
Lets put it simply: I wrote this program, so if anyone makes any money
from it, its going to be me! I therefore hold the copyright on this
work of art (!).
If you actually ENJOYED the program, or found it really useful, then I
ask you to send me either a small donation (cash - UK pounds and US dollars
- is acceptable), or something else in lieu (if you are THAT skint, send me
a picture postcard or two, and tell me how much you love the program <grin>)
Comercial Use:
--------------
If you want to use the program in any way that is even remotely
commercial (*), then you may do so ONLY with my permission ...... just
contact me: I AM friendly, and I don't cost THAT much!!!
(*) I'll define "commercial" as a "system run with the intention of making
profit for the sysop, or run a for a commercial organisation". So if you do
charge users to use your BBS, but ONLY with the INTENTION of it being
sufficient to cover the costs, then I'll take the lenient view that you are
running a NON-commercial system. A "Support BBS" for a "for profit" business
/ organisation is deemed to be commnercial.
If in doubt, common sense (mine!) will prevail!
How to find me:
===============
Paul Blitz,
25, Woodgreen Road,
Harestock,
Winchester,
Hants,
SO22 6LZ.
Feel free to write to me, or contact me by phone at home (between
20:00 and 22:00 (UK time) ONLY please) on +44 962-885696.
You may call my BBS: "The Cardboard Box BBS" on +44 962-880278 (for those of
you in the UK, who don't understand international dialling, call 0962
880278).
You can send email to me at Fidonet 2:252/201, or Chatnet 44:2520/201.
Revision History
================
1.01- 08/08/94 : 2 sillies:
(1) user name must be forced to caps
(2) password should be null-padded, not space-padded
1.0 - 13/04/94 : Initial version.