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──────────────────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄───▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄──────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄─────────▄▄▄▄▄─────▄▄▄▄──▄▄▄▄──────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄─────▄▄▄▄───────▄▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄─────▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄▄───────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄▄────────▄▄▄▄──▄▄▄▄──────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄─────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄────────────────── ──────────────────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄────▄▄▄▄──────▄▄▄▄──────────────── T H E L O G I C A L C H O I C E [DZKWR211.ZIP] DZK War-Rank Version 2.11 by: David Zarnitzky Kenneth Klose special thanks: Tom Vought Table Of Contents INTRODUCTION................................................1 Purpose..............................................1-1 Features.............................................1-2 Legalities...........................................1-3 System Requirements..................................1-4 BULLETINS...................................................2 Ranks................................................2-1 ANSI..........................................2-1-1 ASCII.........................................2-1-2 Information..........................................2-2 ANSI..........................................2-2-1 ASCII.........................................2-2-2 SETUP.......................................................3 Extracting...........................................3-1 Files................................................3-2 Configuration........................................3-3 Registration Name.............................3-3-1 Registration Number...........................3-3-2 Global War directory..........................3-3-3 ANSI Ranking Bulletin Path and Name...........3-3-4 ASCII Ranking Bulletin Path and Name..........3-3-5 ANSI Information Bulletin Path and Name.......3-3-6 ASCII Information Bulletin.Path and Name......3-3-7 Color Configuration...........................3-3-8 Default................................3-3-8-1 USE.........................................................4 Batch Files..........................................4-1 without Parameters............................4-1-1 Parameters....................................4-1-2 /C-Configure...........................4-1-2-1 /R-Rank................................4-1-2-2 /A-ASCII Path...................4-1-2-2-1 /N-ANSI Path....................4-1-2-2-2 /I-Information.........................4-1-2-3 /S-ASCII Path...................4-1-2-3-1 /Z-ANSI Path....................4-1-2-3-2 SUPPORT.....................................................5 REGISTRATION................................................6 INTRODUCTION 1 Purpose 1-1 DZK WAR-RANK is a utility that generates a variety of information about the current status of the Global War OnLine game for BBSs. The information is presented in clear charts with ANSI color codes for use as BBS Bulletins. Features 1-2 ■ Supports Global War OnLine Game Version 2.XX! ■ Generates clear, concise, attractive charts in professional ASCII and Hot ANSI graphics. ■ Generates two reports, one containing the name, rank, and score of each player, and the other containing a detailed breakdown of each game containing player names, rank, armies, continents, and commendations ■ A windowing Configuration system with built in context-sensitive help makes setup quick and easy. ■ Reads Global War's WAR.CFG as well as its own WAR-RANK.CFG to dynamically adjust to your settings such as Multi-Node or lower limit in the rankings. ■ Powerful command line options allow you to override defaults set during configuration on the fly. ■ The foreground and background colors of generated bulletins are easily configurable through the interactive configuration system. Legalities 1-3 Users of DZK War-Rank must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "DZK War-Rank is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-quential, which may result from the use of DZK War-Rank." DZK War-Rank is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using DZK War-Rank and continue to use DZK War-Rank after a 30 day trial period, you must make a registration payment of $8.00 to DZK Development Group. The $8.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one BBS system, single or multiline. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Anyone distributing DZK War-Rank for any kind of remuneration must first contact DZK Development Group at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering DZK War-Rank immediately (However DZK Development Group must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of DZK War- Rank.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of DZK War-Rank along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive notification of upcoming releases of DZK products with a quarterly DZK Newsletter during the first year of their registration. System Requirements 1-4 ■ IBM PC or Compatible with at least 175K of available RAM. ■ MS-DOS Version 2.00 or later for single node operation. ■ MS-DOS SHARE.COM Version 3.1 or later, loaded into memory for multi-line operation ■ Global War Version 2.00 or later by Joel Bergen BULLETINS 2 Ranks 2-1 The Ranks Bulletin is a listing of all Global War players, their scores, and their respective ranks. Only Players with scores above levels set in WAR.CFG (The Global War configuration file) will be listed. Rank names will also be determined by values set in WAR.CFG. ANSI 2-1-1 A ranks bulletin with ANSI color codes can be created. ASCII 2-1-2 A ranks bulletin without ANSI color codes can also be created. Information 2-2 An Information Bulletin is a listing of each active Global War game. Including players' name, armies, countries, continents, last turn, time until next turn, and commendations. The information bulletin will also indicate whether the game is a normal or team game, and it will pair team partners ANSI 2-2-1 An information bulletin with ANSI color codes can be created. ASCII 2-2-2 An information bulletin without ANSI color codes can also be created. SETUP 3 Extracting 3-1 The files contained in the distribution archive DZKWR211.ZIP should be extracted into the directory from which you intend to run DZK War-Rank. If you have extracted these files elsewhere, please move them to the directory where you intend to run them before proceeding. Files 3-2 The distribution archive DZKWR211.ZIP should contain the following files when extracted: README.DOC ■ A brief description of DZK War-Rank SYSOP.DOC ■ This Documentation file REGISTER.DOC ■ War-Rank Registration form WAR-RANK.EXE ■ Executable bulletin maker VENDOR.DOC ■ A notice for vendors and SysOps who wish to distribute DZK War-Rank STATS.DOC ■ Statistics on current version of War-Rank When configured, DZK War-Rank will create the file WAR-RANK.CFG. This is a machine readable configuration file that only WAR-RANK.EXE has use for. Do not edit or delete this file! Do not move this file to a directory other than the directory containing WAR-RANK.EXE. Configuration 3-3 Configuration of WAR-RANK.EXE is very easy. War- Rank has its own built in configuration system. To use the configuration system simply add the "/C" switch to the command line. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /C") The configuration system provides an easy-to-use, menu environment. It utilizes pop-up windows, vertical menus, and formatted entry windows to provide a system that is straightforward and powerful. Using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, highlight the option which you wish to configure and press [ENTER]. When a menu item is highlighted, a brief description and current setting are displayed in the entry window at the bottom of the screen. When selected, the highlight bar will disappear, and the cursor will be placed in the entry window, allowing you to change its contents. Hitting ESCape or [ENTER] will return you to the menu. The only two exceptions to this system are the color configuration (explained later) and end configuration options. Selecting end configuration, or hitting ESCape will prompt you whether or not to save the changes you made and will then return you to the DOS prompt. Registration Name 3-3-1 This field is for registered DZK War-Rank users only. Upon registering, you will be given a notice containing your registration name and number. In this field enter your registration name EXACTLY as it appears on the registration letter sent to you by DZK Development Group. CAUTION: Because your registration name determines your registration number, incorrect enter of this field will cause DZK War-Rank to ignore your registration. Registration Number 3-3-2 In this field enter your registration number from the registration letter sent to you upon registration as mentioned above. CAUTION: Because your registration name determines your registration number, incorrect enter of this field will cause DZK War-Rank to ignore your registration. Global War Directory 3-3-3 This field should contain full path to the Global War files WAR.CFG, WINNERS.WAR and WARxx.DAT (i.e. "C:\BBS\DOOR\GWAR\"). Include the trailing backslash. ANSI Rankings Bulletin Path and Name 3-3-4 In this field enter the default path and filename for the ANSI Rankings bulletin. When DZK War-Rank generates the rankings bulletins this is the default location and filename for the ANSI output. This should be whichever screen or bulletin you wish to use (i.e. "C:\BBS\BULLETIN\BULL10.ANS"). ASCII Rankings Bulletin Path and Name 3-3-5 In this field enter the default path and filename for the ASCII Rankings bulletin. When DZK War-Rank generates the rankings bulletins this is the default location and filename for the ASCII output. This should be whichever screen or bulletin you wish to use (i.e. "C:\BBS\BULLETIN\BULL10.ASC"). ANSI Information Bulletin Path and Name 3-3-6 In this field enter the default path and filename for the ANSI Information bulletin. When DZK War- Rank generates the information bulletins this is the default location and name for the ANSI output. This should be whichever screen or bulletin you wish to use (i.e. "C:\BBS\BULLETIN\BULL11.ANS"). ASCII Information Bulletin Path and Name 3-3-7 In this field enter the default path and filename for the ASCII Information bulletin. When DZK War- Rank generates the information bulletins this is the default location and name for the ASCII output. This should be whichever screen or bulletin you wish to use (i.e. "C:\BBS\BULLETIN\BULL11.ASC"). Color Configuration 3-3-8 When chosen, this option allows you to configure the color set for both the rankings and information bulletins. DZK War-Rank will place you in our color configuration system. Three windows will appear on your screen. On the left of the screen will be a window showing all 128 possible foreground/background combinations. On the right will appear to bulletin mach-ups. On top is a representation of the Rankings bulletin, and on the bottom the information bulletin. The field that is currently being configured will be blinking, and a brief description of it will appear under window showing the color combinations. Use the cursor keys to move a box highlighting the current color combination for the blinking field. As you move the cursor, the box will highlight the color combination that you are currently on, and the mach-up's color will change. When you have decided on a color for the blinking field hit [ENTER] to go onto the next field. When you are through configuring colors hit ESCape. Default Colorset 3-3-8-1 DZK War-Rank is equipped with a default color set which we believe to be the most eye-catching combination of colors for both bulletins. However, as in earlier versions we allow you to configure the War-Rank color set for either bulletin. NEW: In previous versions, you were required to register before being allowed to configure the colors, however we have removed that cripple, both registed and unregistered users will be able to configure the bulletin colors. USE 4 WAR-RANK has been designed for ease of use and maintenance. Its built in configuration program and extensive command line options make WAR-RANK a powerful compact tool that doesn't require a collection of support files that take up valuable space. When designing WAR-RANK we took into consideration the needs of SysOps. Being SysOps ourselves we know how important it is to make WAR-RANK easy to configure in interactive mode, yet have the ability to change the configuration in a hurry from a remote system. We have therefore developed a series of command line options that can override defaults set by WAR-RANK's interactive configuration mode. This allows you to override the WAR-RANK configuration by simply adding parameters to the command line that calls WAR-RANK. Batch Files 4-1 Because BBSs require automated operation in the absence of a SysOp, they depend heavily on batch files. WAR-RANK has been designed with this in mind. When creating, or appending the batch file that will call WAR-RANK, you will appreciate the extensive command line options which allow maximum configurability, without having to load the WAR- RANK interactive configuration system. without Parameters 4-1-1 Regardless whether you run WAR-RANK from within a batch file, or from the DOS prompt, WAR-RANK will not perform any function without at least one valid command line option. Instead, it will list to the screen, all valid command line options, and all support options, with a brief explanation of each. Parameters 4-1-2 The WAR-RANK command line, will consist of the name WAR-RANK, followed by at least one primary parameter, and as many as four secondary parameters. Primary parameters cause WAR-RANK to execute one of its three primary functions. Secondary parameters are used to direct the output of the primary functions, and override output defaults set with the WAR-RANK interactive configuration system. Since secondary parameters, only modify the execution of primary functions they are useless unless one of the two primary output functions has been specified. /C-Configure 4-1-2-1 The command line parameter "/C" is the first of the primary parameters. It invokes the WAR-RANK interactive configuration system, and allows you to configure, or reconfigure the WAR-RANK defaults. Upon completion of configuration, WAR-RANK.EXE produces a file called WAR-RANK.CFG, in order for WAR-RANK to operate properly, this file should not deleted, altered, or moved from the directory that WAR-RANK shall be run from. /R-Rank 4-1-2-2 The command line parameter "/R" invokes the WAR- RANK Global War Ranking function. This function will open the necessary Global War files to obtain player information, and generate the ANSI and ASCII versions of the rankings bulletin. The bulletins will be saved to the file names that you specified in the WAR-RANK interactive configuration system, or secondary command line parameters (explained later). (i.e. "WAR-RANK /R" will cause WAR-RANK to create the rankings bulletins) /A-ASCII Path 4-1-2-2-1 The "/A" option is the first of two secondary command line parameters that can be specified in conjunction with the "/R" rank option. This option can be used to override the path and filename for the ASCII rankings bulletin set in the interactive setup, and specify a new one. This, and all other secondary options, is useful for changing the WAR- RANK output, without invoking the interactive configuration system, or changing the permanent WAR-RANK.CFG configuration file. The "/A" option must be immediately followed by the drive letter, and full path and filename of the desired ASCII rankings bulletin output file, with no intervening spaces or punctuation. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /R /AD:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO4.BBS") The "/A" option must be specified in conjunction with the "/R" option or else WAR-RANK will not attempt to produce the rankings bulletins at all. Using "/A" by itself without specifying a path and filename will cause WAR-RANK to not generate an ASCII rankings bulletin. /N-ANSI Path 4-1-2-2-1 The "/N" option is the second of the two secondary command line parameters that can be specified in conjunction with the "/R" rank option. This option can be used to override the path and filename for the ANSI rankings bulletin set in the interactive setup, and specify a new one. The "/N" option must be immediately followed by the drive letter, and full path and filename of the desired ANSI rankings bulletin output file, with no intervening spaces or punctuation. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /R /ND:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO4.SCR") The "/N" option must be specified in conjunction with the "/R" option or else WAR-RANK will not attempt to produce the rankings bulletins at all. Using "/N" by itself without specifying a path and filename will cause WAR-RANK to not generate an ANSI rankings bulletin. The "/A", and "/N" options must be used with the "/R" option, but do not need to be used in conjunction with each other. If only one is specified, only the name and path of the one associated output file will be changed, the other will be output to the name originally specified in the WAR-RANK interactive setup. The "/A", and "/N" options can be used together to specify new paths and filenames for both files. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /AD:\WILDCAT\BULLETIN\BULL2.BBS /ND:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO6.SCR" this command line would output the ASCII bulletin to BULL2.BBS, and the ANSI bulletin to HELLO6.SCR) /I-Information 4-1-2-3 The "/I" command line option will direct WAR-RANK to create the ANSI and ASCII information bulletins. These information bulletins contain all pertinent information about ALL the active Global War games, and can be rather lengthy. The information bulletins will be output to the files specified in the interactive configuration system, or the secondary command line switches. /S-ASCII Path 4-1-2-3-1 The "/S" option is the first of two secondary command line parameters that can be specified in conjunction with the "/I" information option. This option can be used to override the path and filename for the ASCII rankings bulletin set in the interactive setup, and specify a new one. The "/S" option must be immediately followed by the drive letter, and full path and filename of the desired ASCII information bulletin output file, with no intervening spaces or punctuation. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /I /SD:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO4.BBS") The "/S" option must be specified in conjunction with the "/I" option or else WAR-RANK will not attempt to produce the information bulletins at all. Using "/S" by itself without specifying a path and filename will cause WAR-RANK to not generate an ASCII rankings bulletin. /Z-ANSI Path 4-1-2-3-1 The "/Z" option is the second of the two secondary command line parameters that can be specified in conjunction with the "/I" information option. This option can be used to override the path and filename for the ANSI rankings bulletin set in the interactive setup, and specify a new one. The "/Z" option must be immediately followed by the drive letter, and full path and filename of the desired ANSI information bulletin output file, with no intervening spaces or punctuation. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /I /ZD:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO4.SCR") The "/Z" option must be specified in conjunction with the "/I" option or else WAR-RANK will not attempt to produce the information bulletins at all. Using "/Z" by itself without specifying a path and filename will cause WAR-RANK to not generate an ANSI information bulletin. The "/S", and "/Z" options must be used with the "/I" option, but do not need to be used in conjunction with each other. If only one is specified, only the name and path of the one associated output file will be changed, the other will be output to the name originally specified in the WAR-RANK interactive setup. The "/S", and "/Z" options can be used together to specify new paths and filenames for both files. (i.e. "WAR-RANK /SD:\WILDCAT\BULLETIN\BULL3.BBS /ZD:\WILDCAT\DISPLAY\HELLO7.SCR" this command line would output the ASCII bulletin to BULL3.BBS, and the ANSI bulletin to HELLO7.SCR) SUPPORT 5 Because of the nature of our small shareware business, we cannot provide the software support by phone. We will, however, answer any questions of registered and unregistered users may on our support BBS, or through the mail. Before you call our BBS, or write a letter, please reread the documentation, the answer to your question may be there. If your problem is trouble in setup or execution, solution through the mail, or on the BBS should be simple and uninvolved. If, however, you have a technical question regarding an error with OUR product, voice conversation may be necessary. We can provide only limited voice support for REGISTERED USERS ONLY. We will determine whether voice support is necessary based on your description of the problem in your message or letter. Please be brief, but detailed, in describing your problem. Include any error messages you receive, any TSRs or multitaskers you run, and the version of WAR-RANK, Global War, and BBS software you are using. Our support BBS number is (908) 566-8267, and we support speeds from 1200 to 38400 Baud HST and 9600 Baud V.32. Our support mailing address is: WAR-RANK Support DZK Development Group 162 Highway 34 C2 Suite 280 Matawan, NJ 07747 REGISTRATION 6 WAR-RANK is NOT free. It is released to you for trial under the shareware concept. If you like this utility, and will continue to use it on your BBS, register it. Registration for WAR-RANK is only $8 ($10 if outside the U.S.) in U.S. funds. Registering provides you with information about all DZK products, limited voice support, and a unique registration number. The registration number allows you to replace the word "UNREGISTERED" in the bulletins with your name. To register, send a check or money order payable to Kenneth Klose, along with the completed registration form (REGISTER.TXT) to: WAR-RANK Registration DZK Development Group 162 Highway 34 C2 Suite 280 Matawan, NJ 07747 Upon receipt of your registration, we will immediately send you your registration number and late breaking news about DZK products. You will also be able to receive limited voice support for technical problems.