home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Monster Media 1993 #1
/
MONSTER.ISO
/
wcfdoc.zip
/
WCFILE.DOC
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-12-05
|
50KB
|
992 lines
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 1
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
WHAT IS WCFILE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . 6
COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THE SOURCE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
INSTALLING WCFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
COMMAND REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
INTERACTIVE OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ADDING FILES WITH DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Move filename and description pointers . . . 11
File group specified after description . . . 12
Add to file area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Set "Uploaded by" to . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Add keywords automatically . . . . . . . . . 13
Insert extended descriptions . . . . . . . . 13
Keep downloads and uploader information . . 13
Add files not on disk as "offline" . . . . . 14
Use today's date instead of file date . . . 14
Change descriptions for existing files . . . 14
ADDING FILES WITHOUT DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . 15
Add to File area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Use today's date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Prompt for description . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Add keywords automatically . . . . . . . . . 16
SCAN FILES & DIRECTORIES INTO MEMORY . . . . . . 16
BATCH OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Add files w/o description . . . . . . . . . 17
Add files w/ description . . . . . . . . . . 17
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Force Mono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Force Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Set default uploader . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Set default file area . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Set default positions . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Drive/directory to scan at startup . . . . . 17
Load table of cross references . . . . . . . 17
Set "Offline" flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Do NOT insert keywords . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Insert extended descriptions . . . . . . . . 18
Keep downloads and uploader info . . . . . . 18
Use today's date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Change descriptions for existing files . . . 18
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 2
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ADDING CD-ROMS TO WILDCAT! USING WCFILE . . . . . . . . . . 19
LOGGING AND ERROR MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
WHAT IS WCFILE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . 4
COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THE SOURCE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INSTALLING WCFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
COMMAND REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INTERACTIVE OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ADDING FILES WITH DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Move filename and description pointers . . . . 9
File group specified after description . . . 10
Add to file area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Set "Uploaded by" to . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Add keywords automatically . . . . . . . . . 11
Insert extended descriptions . . . . . . . . 11
Keep downloads and uploader information . . 11
Add files not on disk as "offline" . . . . . 12
Use today's date instead of file date . . . 12
Change descriptions for existing files . . . 12
ADDING FILES WITHOUT DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . 13
Add to File area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Use today's date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Prompt for description . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Add keywords automatically . . . . . . . . . 14
SCAN FILES & DIRECTORIES INTO MEMORY . . . . . . 14
BATCH OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Add files w/o description . . . . . . . . . 15
Add files w/ description . . . . . . . . . . 15
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Force Mono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Force Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Set default uploader . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Set default file area . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Set default positions . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Drive/directory to scan at startup . . . . . 15
Load table of cross references . . . . . . . 15
Set "Offline" flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ADDING CD-ROMS TO WILDCAT! USING WCFILE . . . . . . . . . . 17
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 3
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LOGGING AND ERROR MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 4
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
INTRODUCTION
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
This documentation is organized for use as an initial setup
guide, and as a reference book. Introductory information on
WCFILE is presented first, followed by step-by-step installation
and configuration instructions and command reference.
Since this version of WCFILE has been rewritten completely, it
introduces many new functions and concepts. We urge you to become
familiar with the program by printing, reading and saving this
documentation file. The WCFILE program has context-related online
help available by pressing [F1] at any point in the program.
However, there is no substitute for reading the operational
reference to become familiar with the numerous features
available.
After you have installed and run WCFILE, the manual will serve as
a reference guide. It is indexed extensively. After completing
the initial setup you should be able to easily locate material on
any topic by checking the Table of Contents or the Index.
WHAT IS WCFILE?
WCFILE is a utility for adding files and file descriptions to
your Wildcat database, whether those files exist on your hard
drive in your regular Wildcat file areas, on CD-ROM in regular
Wildcat file areas, or in any path or subdirectory on your
system, whether it's on a CD-ROM, a hard drive, or even off-line.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
WCFILE does not have any special hardware requirements beyond
what is needed to setup and run WILDCAT! BBS -- its only specific
requirement is sufficient free disk space to add to your WILDCAT!
files database, and create its own temporary files during
operation.
WCFILE 2.2 is designed to operate with WILDCAT! BBS 3.x in the
Single Line, Multi-Line and Professional versions only. WCFILE
will NOT work with version 1.x, 2.x, or WILDCAT! TEST DRIVE
Here is the suggested minimum hardware and software
configuration:
IBM Personal Computer (or true compatible).
384K (minimum) free RAM.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 5
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hard disk drive.
80 column monochrome or color monitor.
PC-DOS or MS-DOS, ver 3.0 or later.
Wildcat! BBS version 3.x
A CD-ROM drive is optional.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
WCFILE was designed for ease of use, and this manual should
contain the answers to most of your questions. Read it first and
check the appendices for trouble-shooting procedures.
You may first want to call our own WILDCAT! Public-access system
at 805-395-0650 and leave a quick question to our technical
staff. You will NOT have full access on your first call since we
need you to fill out the user database information, such as your
password, etc. Your security access will be raised as soon as
possible, usually within 24 -- 48 hours, providing your WILDCAT!
registration information is on file. This method of obtaining
support is especially useful if you want expert guidance
regarding the most advanced features.
Another alternative is CompuServe where we are a part of the PC
Vendor Support Forum. You reach us by typing GO PCVENA and then
selecting Sub Topic 9. Our PIN is (75236,3312).
If you are still unable to find the answer to a question or just
need a quick explanation, please call us between 9:00am and
5:00pm Pacific time. You can reach technical support at (805)
334-2240.
Support is not available by mail or FAX.
When calling for support please:
- Have your Wildcat! registration number ready.
- Be at your computer with your manual handy.
- Be ready to describe the problem in detail.
- If possible, be ready to duplicate the problem on your
system.
- Please be ready to refer to your DOS manual for questions
regarding DOS. A working knowledge of DOS is absolutely
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 6
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
necessary.
- You can call technical support direct at (805) 334-2240.
WCFILE is constantly undergoing enhancements and revisions. This
is normal software maintenance. The current version of WCFILE may
be a major or minor release. We can provide the best support to
users who are running the current major release, and encourage
you to keep your software updated. The cost is minimal and the
benefits are great.
LIMITED WARRANTY
THIS PRODUCT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM
IS ASSUMED BY YOU. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU (AND
NOT MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OR ITS DEALERS) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST
OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. FURTHER,
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE
REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF, OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE
OF THIS PROGRAM IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY,
CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE; AND YOU RELY ON THE PROGRAM AND ITS
RESULTS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. CANNOT
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SYSTEM DAMAGE, LOSS OF PROFIT, OR ANY
OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM
THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT.
Mustang Software, Inc., DOES warrant to the original licensee of
a REGISTERED product that the program disk(s) on which the
program is recorded be free from defects in materials and
workmanship under normal use and service for a period of ninety
(90) days from the date of delivery as evidenced by a copy of
your receipt. Mustang Software, Inc.'s entire liability and your
exclusive remedy shall be replacement of the disk not meeting
Mustang Software, Inc.'s Limited Warranty.
DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND COPYRIGHT
COPYRIGHT
WCFILE software and this document is (C) Copyright 1992 Mustang
Software, Inc. All rights reserved. WCFILE is a Trademark of
Mustang Software, Inc.
Any specific hardware/software names used in this document are
trademarks of specific manufacturers.
Regardless of the method of marketing, WCFILE is not in the
public domain. It is copyrighted by Mustang Software, Inc. All
rights are reserved. We grant you the right to make and
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 7
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
distribute as many copies of WCFILE as you wish, or post it for
download from your BBS.
The latest version of WCFILE is always available from the Mustang
Software HQ! BBS, at 805-395-0650.
THE SOURCE CODE
The source code for WCFILE is not available. This decision gives
us the ability to guarantee the integrity of our product in this
era of software contamination. It is not available either under
the TEST DRIVE concept, or as a Commercial product.
INSTALLING WCFILE
Before you run WCFILE (or any other BBS utility that works
directly on your datafiles) for the first time, BACK UP. We'll
say it again. BACK UP your important BBS files.
WCFILE requires no special installation routine. Simply extract
WCFILE.EXE, WCFILE.HLP and WCFILE.DOC from the distribution file
and place them in your WILDCAT! home directory. This is normally
C:\WC30.
COMMAND REFERENCE
WCFILE should always be run from your WILDCAT! home directory
(the one that contains MAKEWILD.DAT). It must be run with a
unique WCNODEID= setting, or you will defeat the file locking
mechanism and corrupt your WILDCAT! databases. If you are running
the single line version under DESQview, you MUST bring down
WILDCAT! before running WCFILE. If you are using the Autonode
feature on a multiline system, WCFILE will find a free node
number to use.
INTERACTIVE OPERATION
Here is a brief overview of the way WCFILE functions when used
interactively:
WILDCAT! BBS has two ways of locating files within each file area
on your system. The first way is to store files in the drive and
path specified in the File Area Definition section of MAKEWILD.
The second way is to store files in other drives and paths
throughout your system (including files in multiple
subdirectories on a CD-ROM drive), adding them to a WILDCAT! file
area by specifying their true path.
WCFILE supports both options, allowing you to add files anywhere
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 8
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
on your hard drive, and practically any CD-ROM, to your BBS.
THE MAIN MENU:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WCFILE v2.0 - File database utility for WILDCAT v3 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╒════════════ WCFILE MENU ═════════════╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Add files - With Description File │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Add files - No description file │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Scan Files & Directories into Memory │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Exit │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╘══════════════════════════════════════╛░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
ESC-Exit F1-Help
From the main menu you can select the following options:
■ Add With Description File
This option will add files to your WILDCAT! file database,
importing descriptions from a prepared description file.
This may be an ASCII text file on a CD-ROM, an ALLFILES list
from a BBS, or a capture file from an online session.
The default here is to add files which exist in the drive
and path pointed to by MAKEWILD's File Area Definition for
each area.
You may also add files which exist in other drives and paths
to a WILDCAT! file area by using the Scan Files &
Directories Into Memory option first. This procedure stores
the true path for each file in memory, and adds this
information to the WILDCAT! file database when you add these
files.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 9
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ Add Files without Description File
This is a quick way to add files on your disk to your
Wildcat file database. You have the option to enter
descriptions manually for each new file. This option only
adds files which exist in the primary file area path
specified in Makewild. Move the files to the path specified
in MAKEWILD and then select this option.
■ Scan Files & Directories Into Memory
This option scans a drive and/or subdirectory, and memorizes
the file names and true paths. This is so WCFILE can locate
the files in the case that they are not present in the
directory as specified by MAKEWILD.
Scanning other drives and paths allows you to add files to a
file area, even if the files exist outside the file area's
path as specified in MAKEWILD. This is done by adding the
file's true path to your WILDCAT! file database. This option
allows you to add files on CD-ROM drives with unusual
directory structures.
■ Exit
Leave the program
ADDING FILES WITH DESCRIPTION
You will first be prompted to enter the drive, path and name of
the text file you wish to import. If you know the drive, path and
filename of the description file you wish to import, type the
information into the window now. You will notice that the window
will scroll left and right, allowing you to type in a full path.
Or, you may use the [F2] key to bring up a pick list of files in
the current drive and subdirectory. Here is a sample screen
showing the use of a file pick list:
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 10
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WCFILE v2.0 - File database utility for WILDCAT v3 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╒ F:\PRIVATE\MUSTANG\*╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ allfiles.lst 251k │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╒════════════ W│ allfiles.zip 96k │═╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │ ansi.key 1k │ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╒═════════════════│ backup.bat 1k │════════╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Description File│ beta-app.zip 6k │ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╘═════════════════│ bsdemo.exe 71k │════════╛░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Exit │ cdfiles.lst 89k │ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │ employ.txt 2k │ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╘══════════════│ files.lst 1k │═╛░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ firework.exe 4k │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ fpi_msi.txt 5k │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╘═══════ for more ═╛░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
ESC-Exit F1-Help F2-Pick Drive
Press [F2] again from this screen to get a pick list of available
drives. Move the highlight bar to the drive or file you wish to
select, and press [ENTER].
WCFILE will load the selected text file into a window, and you
will then see the screen pictured below. We are using
ALLFILES.LST from the HQ! BBS as an example. On the following
page is an example of how the description file looks when loaded
into WCFILE:
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 11
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WCFILE v2.0 - File database utility for WILDCAT v3 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
░░╒══════════════════════ Add Files With Descriptions ══════════════════════╕░░░
░░│**** WC! BBS Advertisements │░░░
░░│ │░░░
░░│AD4BBS.GIF 6,662 02/11/92 | ad for BBS generic │░░░
░░│DwnLds: 28 Last DL: 02/23/92 | │░░░
░░│ │░░░
░░│ADELIGHT.SCR 7,098 12/29/91 | Ad for Afternoon Delight BBS (407)870-│░░░
░░│DwnLds: 70 Last DL: 02/24/92 | │░░░
░░│<══ File ══> <════════════ Description ════════════│░░░
░░│1 12 36 │░░░
░░│ Move filename & description pointers: (enter to change) │░░░
░░│ File group specified after description: N Add to File area: 1 │░░░
░░│ Set 'uploaded by' to: JOHN DOE │░░░
░░│ Add keywords automatically: Y │░░░
░░│ Insert extended descriptions: N │░░░
░░│ Keep downloads and uploader information: N │░░░
░░│ Add files not on disk as "offline": N │░░░
░░│ Use today's date instead of file date: N │░░░
░░│ Change descriptions for existing files: N │░░░
░░╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
ESC-Abort F1-Help F2-Pick F10-Go
WCFILE scans your text file for names and descriptions of files
to import. A wide range of text file formats are supported -- for
example, an ALLFILES.LST from a BBS, a capture file from an
online session, or a description file on a CD-ROM.
Here is a step-by-step discussion of the options available in
this screen:
Move filename and description pointers: (enter to change)
For WCFILE to use your text file to import descriptions, you
need to tell it where the file name and description fields
begin and end. The arrows at the bottom of the file
description should point to the start and end of the file
name and description fields within the description file.
To line up the pointers with the beginning and ending of the
name and description fields, press the TAB key to highlight
an arrow, then move the arrow left or right using the LEFT
and RIGHT cursor keys. You cannot make the file name field
shorter than 12 characters, or the description field shorter
than 20 characters.
Note that WCFILE will permit file names with interior
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 12
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
spaces, as well as file names with a dot. For example,
"LOGIN.COM" and "LOGIN COM" would both be considered valid
by WCFILE. On the other hand, file names without extensions,
for instance "LOGIN", would not be considered valid by
WCFILE.
When you have positioned the arrows correctly, press F10 to
continue.
File group specified after description:
Some CD-ROMS (for example RBBS in a Box) contain file group
information at the end of the file description field,
showing the file's true location on the disk. By answering
"Yes" to this option, WCFILE will read the path information
and store it in the file database. If a file group is
specified, WCFILE will pop up a list of available file areas
when it encounters a file with a new group number, so that
you can match group number to WILDCAT! file area. "Skip this
area" is an additional option in the pick list.
Add to file area:
You may add files to one WILDCAT! file area at a time.
Please select the file area you would like to update. By
default, only files which exist in the path specified in the
file area definition for each area will be added. If you
Scan files & directories into memory first, files specified
in the description path, that reside in other paths or file
areas will be added to the database. Press F2 to pop up a
pick list of available WILDCAT! file areas.
Below is a screen snapshot of a file area pick list:
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 13
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WCFILE v2.0 - File database utility for WILDCAT v3 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
░░╒══════════════════════ Add Files With Descriptions ══════════════════════╕░░░
░░│**** WC! BBS Advertisements │░░░
░░│ ╒════════════ File Area ════════════╕│░░░
░░│AD4BBS.GIF 6,662 02/11/92 | a│ 1 - Utilities ││░░░
░░│DwnLds: 28 Last DL: 02/23/92 | │ 2 - Games ││░░░
░░│ │ 3 - CAD Support Files ││░░░
░░│ADELIGHT.SCR 7,098 12/29/91 | A│ 4 - Word Perfect Utilities ││░░░
░░│DwnLds: 70 Last DL: 02/24/92 | │ 5 - Text Information ││░░░
░░│<══ File ══> <══│ 6 - UPLOADS (private until rev'd││░░░
░░│1 12 34 │ 7 - ││░░░
░░│ Move filename & description poi│ 8 - ││░░░
░░│ File group specified after descri│ 9 - ││░░░
░░│ Set 'uploaded b│ 10 - ││░░░
░░│ Add keywords automati│ 11 - ││░░░
░░│ Insert extended descrip│ 12 - ││░░░
░░│ Keep downloads and uploader inform│ 13 - ││░░░
░░│ Add files not on disk as "off╘═════════════════════ for more ═╛│░░░
░░│ Use today's date instead of file date: N │░░░
░░│ Change descriptions for existing files: N │░░░
░░╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
ESC-Abort F1-Help F2-Pick F10-Go
Set "Uploaded by" to:
This is the name which will appear in the "Uploaded by:"
field in the WILDCAT! file database. The default is the name
of the sysop, as entered in MAKEWILD.
Add keywords automatically:
Select "Yes" for this option if you want WCFILE to generate
keywords automatically from the file description, answer
"No" to leave the keywords blank.
Insert extended descriptions:
If you answer "Yes" to this option, WCFILE will import
multi-line file descriptions into the "Extended Description"
field in your WILDCAT! file database for each entry. Be
aware that this will take additional space in your file
database.
Keep downloads and uploader information:
If you answer "Yes" to this option, WCFILE will preserve the
name of the uploader and the number of downloads for each
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 14
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
file.
WILDCAT! two-line file descriptions containing this
information are supported directly. Other text file listings
should contain the information in the following format(s):
■ The text "UPLOADED BY:" should be at the beginning of a
description section.
■ The number of downloads should be specified by "<nnn>" or
"[nnn]" at the beginning of a description section.
Add files not on disk as "offline":
This option allows you to add "Offline" files to your
WILDCAT! database, by importing a list of filenames and
descriptions for files which do not actually exist on your
disk. WCFILE will set the "Offline" flag in each database
record, and WILDCAT! will prompt your users to generate a
request to the sysop if they wish to download these offline
files.
Use today's date instead of file date:
If you wish the files you add to your database to show up as
"New files" regardless of the actual file date, WCFILE will
add them to the database using today's date.
Change descriptions for existing files:
If this option is set to "Y", WCFILE will use the file
descriptions in the text file to overwrite the descriptions
in your WILDCAT! file database. This option is useful for
adding descriptions to files currently in the database, but
lacking descriptions, or to import a spell-checked, edited
text listing of your file database to replace incorrect
entries.
Use this selection with caution -- it could overwrite valid
file information with invalid information, or even describe
a completely different file than the one in your WILDCAT!
database if a file name in the list happens to match a file
name in your database.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 15
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ADDING FILES WITHOUT DESCRIPTIONS
You may add files to one WILDCAT! file area at a time. Please
select the file area you would like to update. By default, only
files which exist in the path specified in the file area
definition for each area will be added. If you use the Scan files
& directories into memory first, files in other paths will be
added to the database.
You will see the following menu:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WCFILE v2.0 - File database utility for WILDCAT v3 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░╒════════════ WCFILE MENU ═════════════╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ Add files - With Description File │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░╒═══════════ Add Files Without Descriptions ════════════╕░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ Add to file area: 1 │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ Set uploader to: JOHN DOE │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ Use today's date: N │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ Prompt for description: Y │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ Add keywords automatically: Y │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░│ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░╘═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
ESC-Abort F1-Help F2-Pick F10-Go
Add to File area:
Again, you may add files to one WILDCAT! file area at a
time. Press [F2] for a pick list of available file areas.
Set uploader to:
This is the name which will appear in the "Uploaded by:"
field in the WILDCAT! file database. The default is the name
of the sysop, as entered in MAKEWILD.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 16
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Use today's date:
If you wish the files you add to your database to show up as
"New files" regardless of the actual file date, WCFILE will
add them to the database using today's date.
Prompt for description:
Answer "Yes" if you would like WCFILE to prompt you to type
in a file description for each file added to the database.
Add keywords automatically:
Answer "Yes" if you would like WCFILE generate keywords
automatically when you type in the file description. This
option may be selected only if you answer "Yes" to the
"Prompt for description" option.
SCAN FILES & DIRECTORIES INTO MEMORY
This option scans a drive and/or subdirectory, and stores the
file names and true paths in a temporary file. Use the Add With
Description File selection after scanning with this option to add
files to a WILDCAT file area.
Scanning other drives and paths allows you to add files to a file
area, even if the files exist outside the file area's path as
specified in MAKEWILD. This is done by adding the file's true
path to your WILDCAT! file database. This option allows you to
add files on CD-ROM drives with unusual directory structures.
This also allows you to add files to more than one WILDCAT! file
area, when using the "Add files with descriptions" option. WCFILE
will add ALL files it finds in valid WILDCAT file areas to the
correct area if the disk is scanned prior to adding files with
description.
To use this option prior to adding files, enter the drive letter,
or subdirectories within a drive, that you wish WCFILE to scan.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 17
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BATCH OPERATION
WCFILE offers a number of command line parameters and switches,
for interactive and batch mode processing. To use WCFILE in a
batch processing event, the /D command line switch is required,
along with any necessary combination of command line options
listed below:
/D Add files w/o description - NON
INTERACTIVE
/D:<descrfile> Add files w/ description - NON
INTERACTIVE
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
/M Force Mono
/C Force Color
/U:<uploader> Set default uploader
/A:<area> Set default file area
/P:fs,fe,ds,de Set default positions of start and end
of filename and description for add
w/description (if they're not valid the
defaults of 1,12,34,76 are used). The
length of the description must be at
least 20, the filename at least 12
/S:<scanarea> Drive/directory to scan at startup
/X:<xreffile> Load table of cross references for add
with area specified at end of
description. File should be in the
format:
<Listed File Area>,<Wildcat File Area>
<Listed File Area>,<Wildcat File Area>
<Listed File Area>,<Wildcat File Area>
<Listed File Area>,<Wildcat File Area>
If this is not specified you will be
prompted for each new file area.
/O Set "Offline" flag for files not found
on disk
/N Do NOT insert keywords
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 18
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
/E Insert extended descriptions
/K Keep downloads and uploader info
/T Use today's date instead of file date
/C Change descriptions for existing files.
Here are some example command lines for batch processing:
WCFILE /D:\TEXT\MASTER.DIR /P:1,12,34,80 /A:1
WCFILE /D:\ROMAREA6.LST /S:G\ /A:12 /T
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 19
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ADDING CD-ROMS TO WILDCAT! USING WCFILE
Since each CD-ROM is arranged in a slightly different way, and
updates are frequent and unpredictable, WCFILE takes a "generic"
approach to adding these ROMs to your WILDCAT! database.
Your first task, when installing a CD-ROM to use with WILDCAT!,
is to take a look at its structure.
The easiest to install are those with lots of files organized
into a group of directories by topic. A good example of this
would be the CARRS (Nightowl) disk. Each subdirectory contains a
text file listing the contents of that directory, with file
names, dates, sizes, and descriptions.
All you need to do to install CD-ROMS organized this way, is to
make a note of the paths on the CD-ROM, then run MAKEWILD and add
each of these paths as a file area. Then run WCFILE, scan the
entire disk, then select "Add files with descriptions". Type in
the name and path of the description file(s), and let WCFILE
process it.
Other CD-ROM disks are organized differently, with files in
multiple subdirectories but belonging to the same file area.
These require you to create a WILDCAT! file area that points to a
subdirectory on your hard drive. Scan the disk using the "Scan
Files & Directories into Memory", then use the "Add files with
descriptions" option, as above.
WCFILE will enter these files in your WILDCAT! file area, and
place the true location of the file in the "Path on CD-ROM" field
in the file database. It will create zero-byte files for each
file name on your hard disk in the primary file path you
specified for WILDCAT! for this file area. The zero-byte files
help speed up wildcard searches by reading a DOS directory rather
than the file database for this function.
A third type of CD-ROM, typified by "RBBS in a Box" organizes
files in multiple subdirectories, but includes a cross-reference
number at the end of the file description line in the "DIR" file.
If this information is present in the file, first scan the disk,
then use the "Add files with descriptions" to add the files.
Toggle the "File area specified at end of description" to "Yes",
and let WCFILE add the files. WCFILE will prompt the operator to
select a WILDCAT! file area for each cross-reference number.
LOGGING AND ERROR MESSAGES
WCFILE logs its activity in WCFILE.LOG, and reports the name of
each file added to the database. When adding files with
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 20
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
descriptions, any text in a description file which WCFILE is
unable to parse will be logged for your examination.
Fatal errors cause WCFILE to exit to DOS, display a descriptive
error message in bright white flashing letters on screen, and
write the error message to the WCFILE.ERR log in the \WC30
directory before returning control to Wildcat. These messages are
usually self-explanatory.
Complete lockups are rare, and usually indicate a hardware
problem, or a TSR or other program interfering with WCFILE. One
type of program known to cause problems on some systems when used
with WCFILE and WILDCAT! are TSR file compressor-decompressor
programs -- those which claim to increase hard disk space.
A few error messages may be the result of a corrupted Wildcat
database -- these are usually caused by running WCFILE and the
single line version of Wildcat in two DESQview windows at the
same time, or by duplicating node ID numbers in the multi-line
versions of Wildcat. Certain third party utilities which do not
lock and unlock files properly may cause share violations or
locking problems if run concurrently with WCFILE.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. WCFILE 2.0 21
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────