I urge Sysops to print this file out as a reference for when they set up UserGrabber. The data file (discussed below) has a lot of variables that need to be setup for proper operation of this application and its handy to have a "scratch copy" of this "Read Me" on hand to make notes. I have used a text data file because its a lot faster and easier to manage once it is set up. The overhead of a larger application taking more memory to have a built in setup dialog interface for variables that only need to be setup once didn't seem like a good idea to me. When upgrading from previous versions of BirthdayGrabber, always read and print this file because some of the data fields change from time to time as I continue to improve this application. You can also read further in the documentation under the title of "Upgrading" for a quick reference of what you need to do to upgrade from the previous version of the application. Finally, BirthdayGrabber is fast a typical Second Sight 3.5 Userlog with 400 users takes only 3 seconds to process on my Power Macintosh. Please read the System Requirements at the end of this document.
What is it?:
BirthdayGrabber is an application for Second Sight that analyzes your Userlog during a netmail or a nightly external launch of Second Sight and creates a nicely formatted birthday report that you can use as a SYSTEMx.MSG or a readable text file for you and your users to enjoy with optional ANSI color output (see the below example for what the output looks like).
Why Use It?:
Its fun, fun, FUN! I've seen these birthday lists on other systems and thought Second Sight could use one. With the creation of Second Sight 3.5, its Userlog now contains data of user's birthday dates. Included with this application is a survey file that will let your users enter their birth dates at login. Read the "About the Survey" file (contained in this archive) for more information.
What The Output File Looks Like:
Above you can see the result of launching BirthdayGrabber. A nice ANSI output is presented (for those users who can support it) and for those who cannot, Second Sight’s excellent ANSI filter will remove the colors and the boarders for you.
How To Set It Up:
1. Place BirthdayGrabber and the BirthdayGrabberData file in the same folder as your Second Sight application, they must be in the same folder as the BBS program to operate correctly.
2. Using a text processor (SimpleText, RedWriter) open the UserGrabberData file, you will see something that looks like this:
255
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:UserLog
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:Special Msgs:Bdays!
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:Gliders
[0;1;34;47mThe Final Nexus [0;30;47m
6
1
5
2
8
1
0
This file contains the variables and data that UserGrabber needs to operate, listed below are what each variable is; customize it to suit your needs.
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:Userlog -Path to Your Userlog
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:Special Msgs:Bdays! -Where to Save Birthday Msg Output
Macintosh HD1:SSBBS:Gliders -App to Launch When Done
[0;1;34;47mThe Final Nexus [0;30;47m -Your BBS Name (ANSI Optional)
6 -Header/Time/Date Color
1 -ANSI Boarder Color
5 -Color of Names/Dates
2 -Color of Today's Birthday Names
8 -ANSI Background Color
1 -1=Output file has a clear screen
0=Output file has no clear screen
0 -Used for Registration. If you have
not registered, leave as a 0.
ANSI Color Table for Above Variables
1 = Black
2 = Red
3 = Green
4 = Yellow
5 = Blue
6 = Magenta
7 = Cyan
8 = White
When To Use It:
Since everyone’s BBS is different, it is hard to say when to use UserGrabber. If you are using a netmail application, then you might as well run UserGrabber at the same time as part of your nightly mail activities. If your BBS runs some sort of maintenance utility that resets the Userlog (purges the inactive users) on a nightly basis, then you would want to have BirthdayGrabber in the launch chain after your Userlog is updated. If BirthdayGrabber is not your only timed utility, make sure that the next utility that you want to launch is the one specified in the “App to Launch When Done” string in the data file.
Note From The Author:
Thank you for taking the time to look at this, I hope it is a fine addition to your Bulletin Board System. It has taken me hours and hours of work to get it just right, so if you like it please send me just $5 to the address below. I’ll then keep you and your BBS on my list so you are the first to get the next version and any updates I may have for you. Also you may send any bug reports to my contact information. Most importantly it keeps me writing external applications for Second Sight and ensures that any comments or suggestions you have for BirthdayGrabber or any application ideas gets top priority with me.
Sincerely,
Steve Major
Contact Information:
Steven Major
P.O. Box 562
Champlain, NY 12919
The Final Nexus BBS: 518-561-3002
AOL: Steve Majo
eWorld: Steve Major
Internet: stevemajo@aol.com
Version History:
1.0.0 - Initial Release.
Register UserGrabber:
If you are using BirthdayGrabber, please register it. By registering BirthdayGrabber, you will get a registration code that will enable you to turn off the splash-ad for my BBS in the text file as well as the ANSI line above it.
Distribution:
BirthdayGrabber maybe freely uploaded to any Bulletin Board or On-Line service. Shareware vendors may include UserGrabber in any or all of their Shareware bundles, providing that I am notified by E-Mail or In Writing of the plans to include BirthdayGrabber.
System Requirements:
BirthdayGrabber will operate on any Macintosh with System 7.x and 768K available. BirthdayGrabber will only work with Second Sight 3.5 or above.
