The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/f/fnls098b.zip/FNLSCAN.DOC

Text File | 1993-03-04 | 14KB | 334 lines

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                          FNLScan Documentation File
                                Version 0.98ß
                       (c) Copyright 1993 - Stacy Smith


                                Courtesy of:

                        The Bloom Beacon-Picayune BBS
          Node 1: [phone] (USRobotics Courier Dual Standard)
             Node 2: [phone] (USRobotics Courier V.32bis)
                              FidoNet 1:276/112
                                  Intelec

                                Stacy Smith
                              Route 6 Box 189
                           Forest, Virginia 24551


┌────────────────────┐
│  1. Introduction:  │
└────────────────────┘

FNLScan was developed because many of my users who use Fidonet Netmail kept
coming to me wanting to know if there was a node in such-and-such a place, or
what address this-or-that person was at. While unzipping the nodelist and using
a text editor to search the nodelist, I groused that I wish they could do this
themselves. Now they can using FNLScan, the Fidonet NodeList Scan door.


┌───────────────────────────┐
│  2. Features of FNLScan:  │
└───────────────────────────┘

      ∙ Scans the standard NODELIST.nnn text file (uncompiled nodelist). This
        format was chosen since it is available to all Fidonet systems,
        regardless of mailer or BBS software used.
      ∙ Most door text is contained within text files that can be modifed by
        the user. This will allow simple customization by the sysop for foreign
        language support and different tastes.
      ∙ Optionally logs all FNLScan operations.
      ∙ Fully multinode and multiuser compatible.
      ∙ Supports most BBS software through the use of PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS,
        CALLINFO.BBS and DORINFOx.DEF door drop files.
      ∙ Supports IRQs 2 through 15 and any COM port address.
      ∙ Supports FOSSIL drivers.
      ∙ Supports Digiboard multiport cards.
      ∙ Written completely in C for optimal speed, using Microsoft C/C++ 7.0.
      ∙ Lifetime registration; pay ONCE and your registration number will work
        on all future versions!


┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  3. Files Included in the FNLScan Distribution Archive  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

        FNLSCAN.EXE     Fidonet NodeList Scan door program
        FNLSCAN.DOC     This file
        FNLSCAN.CFG     Sample configuration file
        WELCOME         Text door welcome screen file
        WELCOMEG        Graphics door welcome screen file
        MENU            Text door menu file
        MENUG           Graphics door menu file
        HELP            Text help file
        HELPG           Graphics help file
        CLOSE           Text closing file
        CLOSEG          Graphics closing file
        HISTORY.TXT     FNLScan revision history in reverse order
        REGISTER.FRM    Registration form for FNLScan
        FILE_ID.DIZ     Internal description file

When you unzip the distribution archive, you should see my PKZIP authenticity
verification stamp, and a '-AV' after every file in the archive:

        # SSU301    The Bloom Beacon-Picayune BBS

If there are any files missing or added, or the -AV stamp is missing, the
archive has been tampered with. It would be advisable to call my BBS (listed at
the top of this document) for the latest version of FNLScan.


┌───────────────────────────┐
│  4. Program Requirements  │
└───────────────────────────┘

To the best of my knowledge, this door will run on most any machine capable of
running a BBS package. My BBS setup is PCBoard 14.5a/10 running under DESQview
on a LANtastic network, but other sysops that I have been in contact with have
successfully implemented FNLScan on a wide variety of hardware.

FNLScan requires DOS 3.x or later, as it uses DOS SHARE-compatible file reads
and writes.  FNLScan's memory requirements are very small (about 80K or so), so
it can be run as a shelled door versus a dropped-to-DOS door, if your software
supports such a mode.


┌───────────────────┐
│  5. Registration  │
└───────────────────┘

FNLScan is not free; nor is FNLScan is crippled to force registration. FNLScan
is fully functional, and will always remain so. The only variation with the
registered copies is no time delay and beg message.

Why register? Besides a clean conscience, you will get a registration code that
will work for all future versions of FNLScan, and will remove the delay and
message displayed upon closing the door.

The registration fee for your unique code is $15 for non-commercial BBSs (not
too bad, eh?). The registration fee for commercial BBSs, defined if you run
your BBS in the course of a commercial business or for profit, is $30. Other
variations are available; refer to the file REGISTER.FRM for all registration
options. Please print the file REGISTER.FRM and fill it out. You can print out
the form by issuing the following command from the DOS prompt:

        TYPE REGISTER.FRM > PRN


┌───────────────────────────────────────┐
│  6. License, Warranty and Disclaimer  │
└───────────────────────────────────────┘

I'll keep this part short and sweet, and dispense with the legal-ese:

        License: You are allowed to use FNLScan for 30 days, after which you
           must either register FNLScan or stop using it completely. FNLScan
           registration is a license for your use of FNLScan; I retain
           ownership of the software. A single registration applies to a single
           BBS system, regardless of the number of computers used in the
           system. If you run two or more distinct BBS systems on the same
           computer(s) (with different names), you require two or more FNLScan
           registrations. Refer to the registration form for the currect
           pricing structure.

        Warranty: There isn't one. The only thing I'll guarantee is that
           FNLScan will take up disk space, and will disappear when deleted.

        Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for anything bad that happens. FNLScan
           works here, but I cannot be held responsible for it not working on
           your computer or doing any damage to hardware or software.

If these aren't agreeable with you, then the best thing to do is delete FNLScan
right now. I'll do my best to help any user (registered or not) that wants to
use FNLScan, and I'll act on bug reports quickly, but I simply cannot and will
not be responsible for anything bad, like lost data, disk crashes, or whatever
else you can think of.


┌───────────────────┐
│  7. Installation  │
└───────────────────┘

GENERAL INSTALLATION:
─────────────────────
Make a subdirectory on your hard drive. For the purposes of this document,
we'll call it "C:\FNLSCAN". Unarchive the FNLScan distribution archive into
this subdirectory. You've more than likely already made it this far, if you're
reading this file. <grin>

The FNLScan system opens a few files simultaneously for various reasons. I
would recommend that you have a minimum of FILES=30 per node in your system
CONFIG.SYS file for a single-node system, since FNLScan is run in conjunction
with your BBS software.

If you are running under a network or a multitasking operating system, you
should already have DOS's SHARE.EXE loaded. You must have SHARE loaded in order
to take advantage of the file sharing and locking methods used by the FNLScan
program to prevent data loss. (If you are running a single-node system without
a multitasker, SHARE is not needed).

Edit the configuration file to suit your needs. Proper configuration will
require you to refer to this section, the previous section and the section
titled "Configuration", which has an in-depth explanation of each configuration
parameter and its function.

Note that for the FNLScan program, you can obtain a limited program syntax
screen simply by executing the program name "FNLSCAN".

INSTALLATION INTO YOUR BBS SOFTWARE:
────────────────────────────────────
FNLScan must be run from its own subdirectory; this is required so it can find
the text files required for display. Only two command-line parameters are
required for FNLScan:

        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -Dc:\bbs\door.sys

where -C defines the configuration file for FNLScan, and -D is the complete
path and filename of the door drop file. This should be sufficient for most BBS
systems. In general, your BBS batch file will look like the following:

        CD \FNLSCAN
        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -Dc:\bbs\door.sys
        CD \BBS
        BOARD

* NOTE: If you choose to run FNLScan as a shelled door, calling the BOARD batch
        file is unnecessary, and will hose up the node.

If you are running a multinode system, you can use environment variables such
as PCBDRIVE and/or PCBDIR created by PCBoard to define the locations of the
door drop files. This type of door batch file would use the same batch file for
all nodes, and would like something like:

        CD \FNLSCAN
        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -D%PCBDIR%\pcboard.sys
        CD %PCBDIR%
        BOARD

If required, you can provide the COM port information directly to FNLScan by
using the -I and -A command switches:

        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -Dc:\bbs\door.sys -I4 -A3F8

where -I is the COM port IRQ line and -A is the port base address (in hex).

FNLScan is capable of using a FOSSIL driver, and automatically detects if you
are running PCBoard /M and uses the appropriate FOSSIL port. However, if you
need to force FNLScan to use a FOSSIL driver, use the -F command switch with
the FOSSIL port number as the argument:

        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -Dc:\bbs\door.sys -F0

FNLScan is also capable of directly accessing a Digiboard multiport I/O card.
This can be defined using the -M command switch with the Digiboard channel
number as the argument:

        FNLSCAN -Cfnlscan.cfg -Dc:\bbs\door.sys -M1

Note that these parameters can also be passed to the batch file using
environment variables as previously discussed.

CUSTOMIZATION OF FNLSCAN TEXT FILES:
────────────────────────────────────
The WELCOME/WELCOMEG, MENU/MENUG, HELP/HELPG and CLOSE/CLOSEG files may be
modified by the sysop if desired. However, some caveats before you start:

    - The files should not be deleted or renamed. FNLScan expects to find these
      files as currently named in the currently logged subdirectory.
    - FNLScan does not recognize PCBoard @ variables.
    - FNLScan does not recognize PCBoard @Xnn color macros; use standard ANSI
      codes.


┌────────────────────┐
│  8. Configuration  │
└────────────────────┘

The sample configuration file included in the distribution archive is heavily
commented, but some additional information is provided below:

REG_CODE
    The registration code EXACTLY as provided to you on your registration
    letter. If this is an unregistered version, comment out this line. Note
    that this is case-sensitive, as the serial number, BBS name and sysop name
    are all encrypted into this code.

BBS_NAME
    The BBS name EXACTLY as provided to you on your registration letter. If
    this is an unregistered version, comment out this lines. Note that this is
    case-sensitive!

SYSOP_NAME
    The sysop name EXACTLY as provided to you on your registration letter. If
    this is an unregistered version, comment out this line. You get the picture
    by now...

NL_PATH
    The full pathname (including the trailing backslash) to where the
    uncompiled nodelist is kept. FNLScan will always grab the latest nodelist
    if more than one is available. For optimal scanning speed, this file could
    be copied to a RAM disk in AUTOEXEC.BAT.

LOG_FILE
    FNLScan can write scanning and error information to a log file, if desired.
    This is the path/filename of the log file for FNLScan to record its
    activities; comment it out if you don't want any disk logging.


┌──────────────┐
│  9. Support  │
└──────────────┘

If you require support for FNLScan, I can be contacted by any of the following
means:

    ∙ Fidonet Netmail addressed to Stacy Smith, node 1:276/112
    ∙ Intelec BBS Doors conferences
    ∙ The ULP Support conference (#42) on Salt Air (PCBoard support BBS)
    ∙ The Support conference (#2) on my BBS (listed at the top of this
      document).


┌─────────────────────────────┐
│  10. The Future of FNLScan  │
└─────────────────────────────┘

FNLScan will be supported as long as I'm in the BBSing business (which will be
quite a while...once it's in your blood, you can never shake it <g>). The
FNLScan system will be continually expanding it's features, so get your
comments in now! Some current plans:

      ∙ Develop code to read compiled nodelist formats (e.g. Version6,
        Version7, Front Door, etc.).
      ∙ Speed enhancements.
      ∙ Any ideas from you guys? Thanks! <g>

If you have any other suggestions, contact me by U.S. snail-mail or on my BBS
at the number at the top of this document.

Thanks for giving FNLScan a try!


┌────────────────────────────────┐
│  Appendix A:  DOS Errorlevels  │
└────────────────────────────────┘

The following is a list of the errorlevels than can be returned by FNLScan:

        0           Successful execution
        99          Help screen (executing a program with no or an
                        insufficient number of arguments)
        100         Could not close all open files
        101         Unknown command line parameter
        102         Configuration file not found
        110         Unable to allocate heap memory
        111         Unable to open or lock disk logging file
        200         Undefined error (internal to FNLScan program)