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CLASSIFY.DOC
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1992-08-08
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CLASSIFIED ADS
v1.4
by
Al Lawrence
Sunrise-80 BBS
(404) 256-9525
OVERVIEW
________
The CLASSIFIED Ads Door allows your callers to post classified ads in up to
15 different categories. The categories are defined by you, the Sysop, along
with the number of days you want the ads to be active. A maintenance program,
that runs at night in your event, will handle the purging automatically.
Note: There is no limitation to the number of classified ads you can have in
the database, provided you are running a registered version.
Unregistered version allows for 20 ads.
NOTE: Most errors will be logged to a file called DFRAME.ERR which is
created in the directory you run the door from.
INSTALLATION
____________
Installation is fairly easy and straight-forward. The following steps and
examples should have you up and running in a very short period of time.
It is assumed that you are familiar with setting up DOORS on your system.
To this end, only examples of the configuration file and Door batch file
are described.
1) Create a directory to hold all CLASSIFY files
2) Unzip CLASFYxx.ZIP into the the above directory
NOTE: BRUN45.EXE is not included but is required !!!
3) Create a configuration file, with a name of your choice, or
modify the supplied CLASSIFY.CFG file. A description follows:
** Location of system file (See Below)
SUNRISE-80 BBS Your BBS Name
Al Sysop's First nameAP
Lawrence Sysop's Last Name
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| READ! 1 CommPort \ These 2 lines are required |
| READ! 1 Node # / ONLY for GTUSER.BBS |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
00000000 Registration Number
# 2 1 = DO NOT Display ADOPT-A-DOOR Message
2 = Display ADOPT-A-DOOR message
# 2 Keyboard timeout value in Minutes
# NONE Drive:\Path\Filename to contain the
Bulletin summarizing all classified
ads in the database.
Y Y=Display the Originating BBS Name
N=Do Not Display the Originating BBS Name
N Y = Use European Date Format (DDMMYY)
N = Use Regular Date Format (MMDDYY)
# 0 Minimum Logon Security Level required to
enter a new AD option. Zero(0) will
allow access to everyone.
# 0 Minimum Logon Security Level required to
access the DELETE option. Zero(0) will
allow access to everyone.
# 0 Minimum Logon Security Level required to
access the MODIFY option. Zero(0) will
allow access to everyone.
00000000 Ads Exchange Program Registration Number
** = Replace with ONE of the following:
C:\BBS\PCBOARD.SYS <- For PCBoard systems using PCBOARD.SYS only
C:\BBS\CALLINFO.BBS <- For Wildcat! systems (prior to v3.0)
C:\BBS\USERINFO.DAT <- For Wildcat! systems using v3.x
(Note:DOOR.SYS must be in SAME directory)
C:\BBS\DOOR.SYS <- For ANY systems that support DOOR.SYS
C:\BBS\DORINFOx.DEF <- For ANY systems that support DORINFOx.DEF
C:\BBS\SFDOORS.DAT <- For Spitfire systems.
C:\BBS\CHAIN.TXT <- For WWIV systems
C:\BBS\GTUSER.BBS <- For GT Power
* if using this option you must put the
ComPort # on line 5 and the Node # on
line 6 of the configuration file
# = Requires registration to change to a different value.
NOTE: There are NO Blank Lines in the Config File!!
4) Create a batch file or modify the CLASSIFY file supplied. A
description of this file follows:
ECHO off
cd\BBS\DOORS\CLASSIFY Location of CLASSIFY files
CLASSIFY CLASSIFY.CFG EXE filename and CFG filename (Name
used in creating file in #3 above)
CD\BBS
BOARD
5) When running in more than one node, be sure to supply a
different configuration name for each node (your choice of name).
CATEGORY FILE (Classify.CAT)
----------------------------
Be sure to give a lot of thought to your choice of categories, since
the category position in this file is carried in each Ad record. This
means, if you set up the categories so that #2 was 'Want Ads - General'
and the caller entered an Ad under that category, the Ad would carry
category #2 as the category number. If you then decide that you want to
change the 'Want Ad - General' category to say, 'Announcements', then
the Ads carrying #2 in their record would be classified incorrectly.
The format of the Category.Dat file follows:
wwwwwwww,xx,y,z
Where w = Category name. Max length: 25 characters
x = Number of days to remain active. Min:1 Max 365
y = Should the program ask for COST ($$$) info. You
would answer Y for a For Sale type category and
an N for a WANT AD or Announcment type category.
z = Category security level. If caller's logon security
level is less than this security level, they will not
be able to enter or view an ad in this category. A
category security level of 0 allows anyone access.
NOTE: Maximum number of entries is 34.
Unregistered version can not change the supplied version
of the Category.Dat file.
WELCOME and GOODBYE Files
-------------------------
The following applies to registered versions of CLASSIFY ONLY!
If the program finds a file called WELCOME, it will display that file
after the opening screen and before the main menu screens. WELCOME must
reside in the same directory as CLASSIFY.EXE
If the program finds a file called GOODBYE, it will display that file
when the caller exits the program. It will display prior to displaying
the file called ADOPT.SYS (if you have created it). GOODBYE must reside
in the same directory as CLASSIFY.EXE
AUTOMATED PURGING
-----------------
When you set up the categories to be used in your version of CLASIFIEDS,
you are asked to define the number of days the ad should remain active.
By running the CLPURGE program in your nightly event process you will
ensure that the ads are deleted, automatically. The following is all
that is required to execute the purge:
CLPURGE CLASSIFY.CFG
^^^^^^^^^^^^
|
|------ or whatever you call the CFG file
Note: This is only available in registered versions!
DATABASE EXCHANGE
_________________
The optional Classified Ads Database Exchange feature will allow you
to participate in the exchange of Classified Ads databases with other
BBS' (Any number of BBS' can participate). The exchange program is
named CLEXCH and comes included in the CLASFYxx.ZIP file.
CLEXCH performs two (2) major functions:
(1) EXPORT: Extracts all active ads from the Classified Ads database.
It creates a file named CLASSIFY.EXP and will bypass any
ad already flagged for deletion.
(2) IMPORT: Imports the CLASSIFY.EXP file created by the EXPORT option
and merges all ads into the Classified Ads database. It will
not import any ads that duplicates ads found in the
existing database.
All BBS' involved in the exchange MUST run registered versions of BOTH
Classified Ads and Classified Exchange (CLEXCH). CLEXCH will only work
with version 1.4 of CLASSIFY or later!
It is critical that ALL participants in the exchange use the SAME
Category file. Failure to do so will result in ads meant for a certain
category on one system, showing up in a category totally unrelated on
another system.
To run the Exchange you do the following:
EXPORT: a) Change to the directory containing your CLASSIFY.DAT file
b) Issue this command: CLEXCH EXPORT CLASSIFY.CFG
If you use a different name for your Config file, then
substitute that name for CLASSIFY.CFG
c) Send (transmit) the CLASSIFY.EXP file to those invoved
in the exchange.
d) Delete CLASSIFY.EXP
IMPORT: a) Change to the directory containing your CLASSIFY.DAT file
b) Copy the CLASSIFY.EXP file that was sent to you by the
BBS you are exchanging with, to the directory used in a)
c) Issue the command: CLEXCH IMPORT CLASSIFY.CFG
If you use a different name for your Config file, then
substitute that name for CLASSIFY.CFG
d) Delete CLASSIFY.EXP
NOTE: When registering CLEXCH, you MUST use the EXACT SAME Sysop Name
AND BBS NAME as used for CLASSIFIED ADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NON-STANDARD COM SUPPORT
________________________
Support for COM 1-4 on the standard IRQ's - COM1/COM3 = IRQ4 and
COM2/COM4 = IRQ3. If you wish to use a non-standard IRQ, add the IRQ
number after the configuration filename. Let's assume your Door is
called FOOBAR and you want to use COM1 and IRQ5. The command line
passed to your Door would be:
FOOBAR FOOBAR.CFG /5
The /5 tells FOOBAR to use IRQ5 rather than the standard IRQ4 that is
normally used with COM1. No /x parameter is needed for the standard
IRQ's.
As an alternative, you may use an environmental variable on the command
line. To use the variable (following the example above), place a
SET IRQ=5 in the batch file used to bring up your BBS (you would need a
different IRQ number for each node). The command line would now look
like this:
FOOBAR FOOBAR.CFG /%IRQ%
This, in combination with the use of the environmental variables
described in the MULTI-NODE SETUP section will allow you to use one
batch file and one config file to run this door on all nodes.
MULTI-NODE SETUP
________________
All Sunrise Doors are Multi-Node capable. Each node must have the
ability to access a configuration file which will have its own system
file (DORINFOx.DEF, PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS, etc) defined on the first
line. There are 2 ways to accomplish this:
(1) Create a separate configuration file for each node. The only
difference between each file would be the location of the system
file for that particular node. For example, on my system there are 2
nodes and the first line of the config files would look like this:
NODE1: H:\PCB1\DOOR.SYS
NODE2: H:\PCB2\DOOR.SYS
Thus, if you have a 4 node BBS, you will need 4 configuration files.
(2) Use ONE configuration file for ALL nodes. This Door will recognize
the following PCBoard environmental variables:
PCBDIR (Directory containing the System file)
PCBDRIVE (Drive containing the System file)
Thus, the first line of the SINGLE configuration file, for this Door
would look like this:
%PCBDRIVE%%PCBDIR%\DOOR.SYS
NOTE: This option, as described, assumes that you are running PCBoard
14.5a software. The environmental variables are automatically
created by the software for each node.
HOWEVER, if you are running other BBS software you should be able
to set the variables EXACTLY as described below, for EACH node
(more than likely in each batch file you use to bring up EACH node):
PCBDRIVE=C:
^^^^^^^^^
PCBDIR=\NODE2
^^^^^^^^
Info with a carat (^) under it, MUST be typed as is. The rest
depends on your naming conventions.
This, in combination with the use of the optional environmental
variable described in the NON-STANDARD COM SUPPORT section, will
allow you to use one batch file and one config file to run this
door on all nodes.
ADOPT-A-DOOR
____________
Having been a Sysop for a number of years, I have had my share of problems
and frustrations getting financial support for my board's upkeep. A fellow
Sysop left a message on my board, not long ago, about a concept that was
being used by several boards around the country.
The concept, ADOPT-A-DOOR, allows a caller to register (ADOPT) a door. It
would be the same as sending in a donation, only this way it is earmarked
for registering a particular door. In a way, the user feels he/she is
"getting something in return". As a Door author I have decided to build
this concept into each of my Door programs. The concept replaces the
usual message "tell the Sysop to register this Door" we find in most
doors.
If the Door is unregisterd then a message appears on the opening screen
to that effect. After finishing or suspending a game, a message screen
is displayed about the ADOPT-A-DOOR concept. The message also tells the
caller to contact the Sysop to find out if there is any further details
to the ADOPT-A-DOOR concept. Some Sysops give extra D/L time, online
time, etc to callers that ADOPT-A-DOOR.
If the Door has been registered, either by the Sysop or other callers,
the names of those contributors will be displayed in the closing screen.
NOTE: If you want to display the names of the callers that contributed
to registering the Door, you must create an ASCII file called
ADOPT.SYS. You create it with an Editor or Word Processor. Enter
the name(s) of the contributors (one on each line, maximum of 5
entries, each a maximum of 30 characters long). This file must be
saved, in ASCII format, and placed in the Door directory.
LEGALITIES
__________
THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS ARE DISTRIBUTED "AS IS"
WITHOUT WARRANTY, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANYONE INVOLVED WITH
THE CREATION AND PRODUCTION OF THIS PRODUCT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF ANY USE THEREOF
OR BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY.
DISTRIBUTION
____________
You may make this file available for downloading from your BBS or you may
upload it to any BBS of your choice, provided that you do not make any
changes to the contents of the archive (ZIP file). The archive and its
individual contents may not be used by any service that charges any money
whatsoever, without the written permission of the author.
REGISTRATION
____________
Registration and the subsequent insertion of the registration number into
your configuation file, allows for the display of your BBS name on the
opening and closing screen as well as the reduction of a delay built into
the opening screen display along with the ability to change certain
values in the configuration file.
To register your copy of CLASSIFY, please fill out the registration form
(REGISTER.FRM) and mail it along with a small donation ($20,25,etc) to
the name and address on the form.
Be sure to use the proper upper/lower case when filling in your name and
BBS name, as they MUST match the way you entered them in the configuration
file. ^^^^
Based upon information supplied on the registration form, I will pre-
register you on my BBS. You will then be able to call SUNRISE-80 and pick
up your registration number.
MISC
____
The latest version of CLASSIFIED ADS and other fine SUNRISE DOOR programs
are always available for download from SUNRISE-80 BBS.
Remember, should you have any problems, questions or suggestions, be sure
to drop me a message on Sunrise-80 or in the RIME network (BBS_Doors,
PCBHints, SYSops) or on SMARTNET (SN_Sysops) or FIDO 1:133/410.