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1996-08-03
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External Message Editor Configuration Explaination
══─────────────────────────────────────────────∙·.
Eventually, I would like to write my own Full Screen ANSi editor, however,
time is of the essence... errr, something like that! :) In any case, that's
a future version of READ.PPE! <g> For now, I'm gonna support some commom FS
editors!
Full screen editors supported in this version of READ.PPE
══─────────∙·┬·∙─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────══
IceEdit │ Tested with version 1.70, 1.75 & 2.00
GEdit │ (Not Tested Yet, hopefully added in next release)
WWIVEdit │ (Thinking about it, might insult a WWIV guru tho)
══─────────∙·┴·∙─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────══
Overview of using EXTx.BAT
══─────────────────────∙·.
If a file named EXT<NodeNum>.BAT exists in READ.PPE's current directory, it
tell's READ.PPE you are using an EXTERNAL MESSAGE EDITOR! Something NOT
supported by PCBoard itself. The way it works:
1. If EXTx.BAT exists, READ.PPE uses it to call the editor. If it does not
exist, READ.PPE uses PCBoard's own editor as normal. The only problem
using PCB's internal editor is there's no way to call the editor and then
regain control with the PPE. So, CALLED.PPE is used to RELOAD READ.PPE
which eats memory. After replying to about 15 messages, 115k memory will
be allmost gone! Besides that, PCB's internal editor is completely hard
coded. It's ugly, and un-changeable.
2. A parameter is passed to EXTx.BAT, and that is PPL's TempPath() var. This
is the directory MSGTMP, MSGINF, and DORINFO1.DEF are located for the
editor's use.
Advantages of using an external editor
══─────────────────────────────────∙·.
Configurablity to the max! Dependant upon the editor you choose to use, you
can have options never before dreamed of with PCBoard!
READ.PPE regains control *WITHOUT* loading again! So, this will save memory
and should solve all memory problems involved with READ.PPE! That is if the
message editor you use isn't a memory hog! <g>
When quoteing a message, line 1 of read.cfg will be used as the quote char!
Meaning, if you put ├, then in the full screen editor, all the quoted text
would look like:
├People say this ppe rulez! :)
Then, when reading the message (with read.ppe), "├" will be replaced with
line 2 as normal.
When quoteing, you can configure what will be before and after the quoted
text (ie. 'John Doe said to Jane Doe...', 'Jane Doe repiles...', See
quote.doc for more informations)
Disadvantages of using an external editor
══────────────────────────────────────∙·.
Dependant upon the editor used, you may have to use a FOSSIL driver if you
do not allready.
Configuring IceEdit to work with READ/ENTER.PPE
══──────────────────────────────────────────∙·.
I have tested READ/ENTER.PPE with IceEdit 1.70, 1.75 and 2.00. They seem to
be compatable withall three versions. Other versions may cause unpredictable
results. Use caution and common sence! (Note: See ICEEDIT.BAT for example)
Required settings are:
EDITCFG.EXE/Toggles
[Toggle Menu 1]
* Use Soft C/Rs NO
[Toggle Menu 2]
* Quote Format YES
* QBBS Compatible NO
* Errorlevels YES
EDITCFG.EXE/Other
* SysOP Security 110 (Or whatever you have set as your Sysop Sec Level)
* Dropfile Type DORINFO1.DEF
Now, you need to create the batch file to run IceEdit. Let's start with node
one. (EXT1.BAT)
In a text editor, create EXT1.BAT in READ.PPE's main directory. It should
look like this:
══──[EXT1.BAT-Begin]────────────────────────────────────────────────────∙·.
@echo off
rem EXTx.BAT - used by READ.PPE to run an external message editor with PCBoard
rem
rem %1 = Work Dirctory, where MSGINF, MSGTMP & DORINFO1.DEF are located
rem
rem ** Setup for IceEdit ** (Tested with versions 1.70, 1.75 & 2.00)
rem
SET IEDIT=C:\PCB\ICEEDIT\ ;Your path to IceEdit.EXE
C:\PCB\ICEEDIT\ICEEDIT.EXE /D:%1 /N:%PCBNODE% ;Run IceEdit with params *
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO MSGERROR ;Handle an aborted message
GOTO DONE
:MSGERROR
Echo Message Aborted>%1MSGABT ;Creates MSGABT for READ.PPE **
:DONE
SET IEDIT= ;Clean up the enviroment :)
══──[EXT1.BAT-End]──────────────────────────────────────────────────────∙·.
* The /D: parameter tells IceEdit where to find MSGINF, MSGTMP and
DORINFO1.DEF. This is VERY important!
** A file named MSGABT in the temp directory is needed to tell READ.PPE
the message was aborted. It need not contain any valueable informations,
just exist.
Configuring another editor to work with READ/ENTER.PPE
══─────────────────────────────────────────────────∙·.
At this time no other external editor has been tested, however, if it reads
MSGTMP, MSGINF and DORINFO1.DEF it *should* work. If your dareing, try it,
if not, send me the editor and I will! :)
Notes about DORINFO1.DEF! (Read this!)
══─────────────────────────────────∙·.
PCBoard does not support external full screen editors, nor is PCB's default
message editor configurable! So, the need for an external editor is great!
Unfortunatly, PPL doesn't have a way to write a DOOR.SYS file (that I know
of), and sence DORINFO1.DEF is less complex, I decided to support it
instead.
Now, to gather all the com port info for DORINFO1.DEF, READ.PPE reads it out
of the current node's PCBOARD.DAT file. If you use one PCBOARD.DAT file for
multiple nodes, the external editor will not address the correct comport!
Don't use an external editor! :) In a future version of READ.PPE I plan on
checking the /PCB eviroment to make sure your not using a different com port,
until then, deal with the memory problems and the non-configurable full
screen message editor... While your at it, bug the hell out of CDC and tell
them you want a configurable message header, full screen editor, and
configurable message quoter!
Reach out and touch someone?!
══────────────────────────∙·.
NOTE: If you have/know of a full screen editor you want to see supported,
tell me and I'll see what I can do.
Any questions? φ Need help? φ Suggestions? φ Comments? φ Contact me!
E-mail: maverick@phcc.org
Salt Air: Kenneth Padgett
Sysop of: The No-Name BBS (703) 323-6838
FTP: x136.pcboard.com /pub/bbs/antix
WWW: http://pages.prodigy.com/no-name/anti-x.htm
http://pages.prodigy.com/no-name/kenneth.htm