Phoenix, Arizona-- May 6, 1991 -- MacWizards releases new software utility for Macintosh Second Sight™ BBS Fidonet systems. Fidonet contains over 6,000 nodes worldwide with private and public mail services. The new product developed is named “Origin Counter and Sectalyze”. This technology will allow Macintosh Second Sight™ BBS Fidonet systems the ability to track who is contributing to the public echoes and calculate statistics about them.
Features of “Origin Counter and Sectalyze” include:
1). The ability to create a database in tab format containing the BBS systems participating on the echo during a certain period, sysop name, number of posts, city, state, BBS phone number, and Fidonet node number.
2). The ability to create a text justified report for posting in a message or for BBS users viewing. This tool will allow BBS users to know who may read and respond to their messages, they may post in a particular echo. This listing contains the BBS systems name, sysop, number of posts, city, state, and Fidonet node number. Here is an example:
 
3). The ability to create a text file that identifies the number of posts by individual point systems off of any BBS. This information will help Sysops understand the impact of their point systems and how the activity of points compares to local message posting. Here is an example:
 
How does it work?
“Origin Counter and Sectalyze” work as a team. Origin Counter collects the data necessary to create the reports. This is done by running “Origin Counter” in the Tabby event. Each time new messages arrive “Origin Counter” writes the names of the nodes that have incoming messages and writes this information in the Tabby folder. Later at the system operators leisure Sectalyze will evaluate the data, retrieve information from the nodelist and write reports requested by the system operator. Once “Origin Counter” is installed and “Sectalyze” reports are initially created, reports can be updated simply by running “Sectalyze” again.
Set up?
Insert the Master disk and copy Origin Counter‚Ñ¢ to the same folder as your Texport program for Second Sight. Copy Sectalyze‚Ñ¢ to your Tabby Folder.
 
Rename your Texport file to Texport*. Next, rename Origin Counter the same name as your Texport file was before:
 
Now double click on the new Origin Counter‚Ñ¢ file while holding down the mouse. You will see the following display:
 
Now set the Next Launch button to Texport* or whatever you renamed Texport. The nice thing about this install is that you do not have to change any of your Tabby strings. The program will automatically replace the export utility, then run the export utility and the remaining tabby strings.
Now you set the message numbers of the echoes you wish to monitor, the text type you want it saved as, and whether you desire a full scan of your existing messages. The full scan will turn off automatically after it runs once. From now on Origin Counter will store the following files in your Tabby folder:
 
These files contain a listing of all contributing node and point numbers contributing to the echo with the same number. These files continue to grow until you truncate them or trash them.
Using Sectalyze‚Ñ¢
Now that the Tabby folder has our data we can analyze it at a time of our choosing on the BBS or on another Mac setup away from the BBS. The files necessary for this process are Sectalyze‚Ñ¢, the Origin Log requested and the Node List if you want the Database and BBS lists. We simply double click on Sectalyze‚Ñ¢ holding the mouse button down:
 
This will provide us with the following configuration dialog box:
 
You now set one or all of the reports you wish generated and press the OK button. The next dialog allows us to select the Origin Log we wish to process:
 
Now double click on the desired Origin Log (and only an Origin Log), The program will then ask for a name for the Point text file analysis and the location of the node list. Once this information is provided Sectalyze will produce three (3) great reports. The BBS report can be used to let users know who is on a particular echo at the time. The points file can be used to examine point contributions and the database is a tab delimited file of all statistics for database use. This utility should really help all of us keep track of who is on the echo contributing to the message traffic.
Support and input?
If you have questions about “Origin Counter and Sectalyze” please call or send mail to Michael Bean, 718 E. Campbell Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234 (602) 892-5454, Fidonet 1:114/56 (Michael Bean), GEnie: MichaelBean, AppleLink: UG0116, Modem: (602) 495-1713 (Michael Bean).
How to Order...
“Origin Counter and Sectalyze” is available during this introductory period for $20 in U.S. funds and $2 for shipping. The product is currently available and shipping. When ordering please include the name of your BBS system, address for shipping and phone, along with a check for $22. Visa may be utilized as well at a price of $27.00. International orders please add $10.00 for shipping.
Send orders to:
MacWizards
718 E. Campbell Ave.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(602) 892-5454
Additional products available through MacWizards include:
 
"BBS in a BOX"...
The only Macintosh CD ROM with descriptions of over 7,000 files ready for use with Second Sight and Telefinder BBS systems. The CD may also be used for personal use utilizing the On Location Directories or the text file "Allfiles.db" which includes full descriptions of all files available. This CD is a subscription service with issues released in April and October of each year. Retail price is $119 and is available from Wayzata, ComputerWare, Maya, MacZone or MacWizards at (602) 892-5454.
 
SS->TF Filer‚Ñ¢...
This utility allows Second Sight‚Ñ¢ file descriptions to be imported to Telefinder format. This utility allows conversion from Second Sight‚Ñ¢ to Telefinder‚Ñ¢ file format, the ability for Telefinder Sysops to utilize Second Sight‚Ñ¢ file tools and compatibility between Second Sight‚Ñ¢ and Telefinder dual BBS systems. This utility will be available for $30.00 on May 1, 1991. Send $30 to Michael Bean at 718 E. Campbell Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234 (602) 892-5454 to order.
