BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/doors_1/bbsbul11.zip/BBSLIST.DOC

Text File | 1992-05-02 | 10KB | 187 lines

                        A.C. Software BBSBULL

This program does two things.  First it keeps a database of BBSes and
sysops.  (I use it for a Visiting Sysop BBS list.)  Second, it generates
a nicely formatted bulletin listing the BBSes in either alphabetical
order or by area code by BBS name, with Wildcat 3.0 color codes or in
plain text (for printing out or use in other BBS programs).

INSTALLING BBSBULL:

Best to put it on its own directory but if you want to put it in the
WC30 root directory, be sure to keep all the files together.  The
package you received should have:

           BBSBULL.EXE  --> the executable program
           BBSBULL.DOC  --> this documentation
           SAMPLE.TXT   --> Sample list of Cheese Whiz Visiting Sysops
                             (text)
           SAMPLE.BBS   --> Sample list for bulletin with WC30 color
                             codes embedded.
           LISTBBS.DBF  --> Database with one record in it for Cheese
                             Whiz (you DO want that in there, don't you?)
           PRT.EXE      --> Handy printing program for printing out
                           these DOCS.  Type in at DOS prompt:
           QUES0002.DAT --> Sample BBS visiting sysop questionaire which
                            can be used on a Wildcat! 3.02 BBS or modified
                            with MAKEQUES.EXE
           CONFIG.BAT ----> to easily reconfigure BBSBULL anytime you want.
           WHATS.NEW -----> a version update history

     PRT BBSBULL.DOC (press {ENTER})

And it will print out these docs with page numbers, headers.  You can
put in up to 5 files on the command line with PRT.

When you run BBSBULL, it will put up a screen asking you the name of
your BBS for the Title of the Bulletin.  It will ask you if you want the
words "VISITING SYSOP" included in the title of your BBS list. This
allows you to use it as a regular BBS list as well as a Visiting Sysop
BBS list. It also allows you to put in a two line message.  You can skip
the message if you want but must enter the name of a BBS.

On this configuration screen, touch {ENTER} on the last field to save
it.  You can move up and down between fields with the arrow keys. (See
the control keys at the end of this documentation for other editing
shortcuts you can use.)

If later on, you change your mind and want to configure the program
differently as to BBSname or message, simply erase the "BBB.MEM" file
and then the next time you run BBSBULL, it will allow you to fill in
this information again.

After you have filled in the information and pressed {ENTER} on the last
field, then it will make indexes and put you into the file window part
of the program.

USING BBSBULL:

This program has everything to do on one screen and you don't go to
separate menus to do things like other programs .....    You see
the "file window" on the screen which is like a list.  If you want
to browse through it, you can press the UP or DOWN arrow keys or you
can go a screen down by pressing the PgDn key and a screen up, by
pressing the PgUp key.  You can go to the END of the file by holding
down the CTRL key and tapping the PgDn key.  You can go to the TOP
of the file by holding down the CTRL key and tapping the PgUp key.

The light bar on the screen tells you what record you are on.  If you
want to EDIT a record, move the light bar that THAT record and press
the RETURN [or ENTER] key.  You will see a window appear on the screen
and you can change anything on the record you want.  If you decide to
not make any changes or don't want to save the changes you made, just
press the ESCape key and the record will remain the same as it was
before.  Pressing F2 or RETURN on the last field will write the changes
you have made to the file.

To ADD a record to the file, press the INSert key.  Just fill in the
blanks in the window which appears on the screen and then, when done,
press RETURN [or ENTER] on the last field, or press F2.  Press ESCape
if you change your mind about ADDing a new record.

DELETING or removing a record is a two part process.  First, you press
the DELete key and select "Delete" from the little menu which pops up.
It will mark the record which the light bar is on as a DELETED record.
If you change your mind and don't wish to DELETE that record, then,
press the DELete key again and you will see that the word, "Delete",
has been replaced with "UNdelete" <because the record is already deleted.>
Select "Undelete" and the record will be UNmarked as deleted.  If you
HAVE deleted the correct record, then you need to take the second step.
You need to get rid of the record forever.  This you do by pressing the
DELete key again, and selecting "PACK" from the menu.

Sometimes you might want to find a record really fast or sort the file
in a different order.  You use the SEARCH option for this.  Press F5
<function key 5> and you will a red box pop up with three blank fields
in it.  Fill in the field you want to search on and it will then, do an
indexed search on that field.

You can search on sysop name (first name first), BBS name or Area
code/phone number.

You can type in the first part of the BBS name, Sysop's first name or
just the area code and it will put you either on the correct record if
only one record satisfies the search word you put in, or on the first
record which fits, or if there is NOTHING like it in the file, it will
put you right after the place where it WOULD be if it were in the file.

Now, the file is ordered contigent on what you searched on.  Like if you
searched on the BBSname, you will see the file is in the order of the
BBSname.  If it is NOT in the right order after you searched or if you
searched for something you knew was in the file and it didn't go to it
and you checked the spelling and you spelled it right, then touch the
{DEL} key, select "PACK" and that will fix the indexes.  These are B+
tree indexes (complex!) and occasionally, they get confused.

MAKING A BBS BULLETIN:

To make a bulletin ordered by Area Code by BBS name, press F8 <function
key 8>.  You will see a box which says "WILDCAT 3.0 color codes?".  If
you answer "Y",  (or press {ENTER}) it will print to disk in the same
directory you are, a formatted BBS list with Wildcat color codes
embedded.  This file is called "BBSLIST.BBS".  All you do is rename it
to whatever bulletin number you need it for.  Like if you wanted this
list up as Bulletin #1, you would type in at the DOS prompt:

    C:\WC30\>>REN BBSLIST.BBS BULL1.BBS  (touch {ENTER})

IF you answer "N" to Wildcat 3.0 color codes, it will print to disk an
ascii text list suitable for putting up on a non Wildcat BBS (if anyone
would not want to run the best BBS program for some reason!) or printing
out to printer.

Pressing F9 makes a list ordered by BBSname.  It works the same as F8.

If you are done using the program and want to quit, Press the ESCape
key.  A small MENU will pop up and give you the choice of Quitting,
or PACKing or returning to the program.  You would PACK if you
search for something that you know is in the file but it doesn't find
it.  Or if you get an error message at the top of the screen about it
being "unable to open NAMEX.NTX" or the like.  Sometimes after a storm,
the indexes may be messed up.  Just select the PACK option from the QUIT
menu and you will be "in business" again.

If PACKing doesn't help the indexes, simply go to DOS and delete
all the files with an ".NTX" extension.  Then, when you run the program
again, it will remake all the indexes.  DO NOT DELETE THE FILE WITH
a ".DBF" extension. That's your DATA files!

When you are in this program, the DATA FILE is OPEN at all times and
so, BE CAREFUL to NEVER NEVER NEVER leave the terminal while in this
program!!!  If you need to walk away, EVEN FOR A FEW MOMENTS, press
the ESCape key and EXIT this program!  ALSO, be SURE to make REGULAR
backups with FULLBAK or FASTBACK.  Taking this care may save you work
later!

The following Control Keys work while adding or changing a record

      CTRL and y: this will clear out a field in the record or delete a
                  line in a comment.
      CTRL and f: moves one word to the right.
      CTRL and a: moves one word to the left.
      CTRL and t: deletes the word the cursor is on.
      END <key> : moves to the END of the line.
      HOME <key>: moves to the beginning of the line.

      F2 (function key 2) : always exits and saves to disk
     {ESC} (the ESCAPE KEY) always exits WITHOUT saving.

This program was produced at the Phoenix location (and only location) of
A.C.Software, POB 7643, Phoenix, AZ 85011.  For a $10 registration fee,
I will customize the colors and other SMALL changes.  Also, I will upload
to your BBS (or inform you) of updates.  I have lots of additions and
enhancements planned so this could be handy!

Log on our support BBS, CHEESE WHIZ BBS 602-279-0793 running the
awesome, state of the art software, WildCAT! 3.02!

              ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════╗
              ║          Another application from           ║
              ║               A.C. Software                 ║
              ║                                             ║
              ║                 (co) 1992                   ║
              ║              by Sue Widemark                ║
              ║  Reliability, Quality, speed and service!   ║
              ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════╝