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SYSOP.DOC
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1991-11-23
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SYSOP.DOC
Shopdoor is a bbs door program that is used for "Classified
Ads" from the bbs users. It was written using Ted Freeman's
excellent DOORFRAME door interface library. This library
allows the door to interface to most any bbs software out
there, using the bbs's own door information file. e.g.
PCBOARD.SYS, CALLINFO.BBS, DOOR.SYS etc. As of this
writing, the following formats are supported:
PCBOARD.SYS (PcBoard systems using PCBOARD.SYS only)
USERS.SYS (PcBoard systems using USERS.SYS)
DOOR.SYS (Systems that support DOOR.SYS)
CALLINFO.BBS (For Wildcat systems)
DORINFOx.DEF (QBBS/RBBS/RA. Replace x with node number)
SFDOORS.DAT (Spitfire systems)
CHAIN.TXT (WWIV Systems)
USERINFO.DAT/DOOR.SYS (Wildcat 3.x systems)
Shopdoor is all menu driven, and easy for the user to grasp
and use. At the same time, it is very versatile, offering a
number of different ways to search and display, the ability
for a user to delete HIS OWN entries, automatically keeps
items in categories, has the ability to list items by type,
("For Sale", "Trade", etc)., by category,
("Cars","Software","Animals", etc), word search and many
other features. Shopdoor uses Random Access files, which
means a user can directly access an entry that is the 100th
entry, without waiting for the program to start at number 1
and go on till it reaches the entry.
DISCLAIMER:
This product is provided "AS IS" and the author specifically
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but
not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Dennis
White be liable for any loss of profit or any other
commercial damage, including but not limited to special,
incidental, consequential, or other damages.
COPYRIGHT:
SHOPDOOR and NEWSHOP is an original work by the author,
Dennis White, who retains the rights to the source and
object codes. SHOPDOOR and NEWSHOP is copyright 1991 by
Dennis White. The doors Development Library used to
interface the program to Bulletin Board Systems is
DOORFRAME, Copyright 1990 by Ted Freeman.
DISTRIBUTION:
SHOPDOOR/NEWSHOP is distributed under the Shareware
concept. You are encouraged to distribute copies of the
ORIGINAL compressed file, as long as all original files
are included in the archive, and none of the files have
been modified in any manner. After a reasonable
evaluation period, if you continue to use the program,
you are asked to register it. The program is FULLY
FUNCTIONAL as is, so what you will get for your $10 is
The blinking "UNREGISTERED" opening off the screen,
replaced with your BBS name and sysop name, and the
knowledge that you have done the right thing. (And any
help I can give you by calling the support bbs).
The author maintains a bbs at (601)-234-2963 24hrs. Any
questions or problems can be addressed to SYSOP (Dennis
White) on this bbs. (The Main Board is the name of the
BBS). Obviously, I cannot keep a copy of every type of
bbs software running just for test purposes. But
whatever type of bbs software you run, I will try and
find an answer for you. The program has been
successfully beta tested at a number of WILDCAT 3.0
boards and RA. It should work with virtually any popular
bbs software.
INSTALLATION:
You must be running DOS 3.x or above.
You should have the following files inside the archive
SHOPDOOR.ZIP:
NEWSHOP.EXE (The executable program) [can be renamed]
MAINHLP.HLP (Help file for the Main Menu)
VIEWHLP.HLP (Help file for the View Menu)
SHOP.DAT (Data file containing a single example item)
SYSOP.DOC (This file)
REGISTER.TXT (Registration Information)
SDCONVRT.EXE (Converts old datafile to new version)
SDCONVRT.DOC (instructions for using SDCONVERT.EXE)
SHOPDOOR.KEY (you will have this file if you registered)
* In addition to the above files, you should have a patched
copy of BRUN45.EXE either in the directory that runs
NEWSHOP, or in the DOS path. If you do not have this file
already, you may download it from The Main Board BBS, at
(601)-234-2963, or many other fine bbs's.
Make a directory and extract all the files from the
archive into this directory.
Run the program DOCONFIG.EXE (Type DOCONFIG from the DOS
prompt). Fill in the information asked for. All the
prompts are self explanatory. When asked for the path to
your door interface file, it wants the COMPLETE filespec
to that file. (door interface file is the file your bbs
creates upon calling a door. i.e. callinfo.bbs, or
door.sys, or dorinfo1.def or whatever and where-ever
your particular bbs software creates). An example of
this path would be:
C:\WC30\NODE1\DOOR.SYS
Once you have completed DOCONFIG.EXE it will create a
file called SHOPDOR.CFG in the directory it was started
from. This will be your configuration file and should
require no further modification.
==============Special note to multinode operation=======
You will need to create a SHOPDOR.CFG file for each node
you operate. So, rename SHOPDOR.CFG SHOPDOR1.CFG, re run
DOCONFIG.EXE for each node, renaming each CFG file as
above. Then when you call the door, place the correct
config file on the command line from the calling batch
file. For example, if node 2 calls the program, the call
should be: NEWSHOP SHOPDOR2.CFG.
Also note, that although you COULD have different
catagories in different nodes, it is not particularly
recommended, since ALL items will be stored in one
datafile, and the program will ignore catagories that it
doesn't find.
=========================================================
NOTE: The door will run with locked DTE up to 115.2K
Have the calling batch file change to the directory
containing the newshop files, start newshop with the
configuration file as a command line option. After leaving
the door, change back to your node home directory and restart
your bbs. For example, the calling batch file may look like
this:
CD\NEWSHOP <-- Change to proper directory
NEWSHOP SHOPDOR.CFG <-- Start door using cfg file
CD\BBS\NODE-1 <-- Change to BBS startup directory
BBS.BAT <-- Start up the bbs.
Remember, you must have a patched copy of BRUN45.EXE
somewhere in your DOS path.
The door interface module supports COM 1-4 on the standard
IRQ's. That is COM1 & COM3 - IRQ4 and COM2 & COM4 - IRQ3. If
you want to use a non standard IRQ, add the IRQ number after
the configuration filename, Like this:
NEWSHOP SHOPDOOR.CFG /5 to use IRQ5 instead of the
standard IRQ4 normally used with COM1. If you are using the
standard IRQ's, no /x parameter is needed.
This should get the door operational. If you have a problem
or for some reason it doesn't work for your setup, you may
call The Main Board BBS at 601-234-2963 and describe the
problem in as much detail as you can, and we will try to
resolve it. The bbs has a .QWK compatible mail door
to save on Long Distance $$$. It would be helpful if you
upload your SHOPDOR.CFG and calling Batch file for
examination.
SYSOPS: The DELETE routine will allow you to delete any item.
Choose DELETE ITEMS from the main menu, and the program will
display a screen with the words "These are the items you have
entered....blah blah" If the sysop has not entered any
items, there will be none listed, HOWEVER, when prompted to
enter the item number to delete, you may put ANY item number
in and it will delete it. So should the sysop want to delete
an item(s), log on, list the items however you like, make
note of the item numbers you wish to delete, and then delete
them as above.
Only the sysop has this ability, Users are allowed to
delete only their own items, IF the sysop has configured
the program to allow users to delete.
SOME OPERATIONAL NOTES:
When viewing the items users have entered, the screen will
list the HEADERS for the items, page at a time, and ask which
item number you wish to view. After entering the item number
to view, you will be shown expanded information on that
item.. i.e. a full page screen. Once the item has been
viewed, you will be returned to the header list, BEGINNING AT
THE NUMBER OF THE LAST ITEM VIEWED. You can enter "B" to
start the list over from the beginning. It is done this way
so that if there are several pages of items that match the
user's search criteria, the user doesn't have to start the
list over at the beginning after every item viewed.
Only item headers that match the search criteria will be
shown. For example, if a user requests to see item in
category "CARS", only the item headers in that category will
be shown. These may be numbered something like:
2
7
12
18
.
.
etc.
If the user then views item number 12, after viewing, he will
be returned to the same list, but this time will only see:
12
18
.
.
etc.
This is the 'mark' for the last item viewed mentioned above.
To see the whole list again, the user would enter "B" at the
prompt, to see item headers 2,7,12,18...etc again.
The program will automatically stamp the date a user enters
an item, the user's name, the type of item (FOR SALE, WANTED
etc), and if the item is not in the for sale category, it
will put "N/A" in the price field.
------------------------------------------------------------
VERSION 1.2 and above ONLY
The full screen view of an item will display a line that
reads: "Number of Times Read: <TIMES>"
In these versions, when viewing an item full screen, the
user will be asked, "Notify <USER> you are interested in this
item (y/N)". The default response of ENTER = No. However, if
the user viewing the item chooses Y, the program will then ask,
"Do you wish to leave <USER> a phone number where they can reach
you (y/N)?" Again, the default response is No. If the user
answers Y, the program will prompt for a (preformatted) phone
number, including area code, and then inform the user that the
owner of the item is being notified.
Next time the Owner of the item goes into the door, he will get
a message (immediately prior to seeing the main menu) that
<USER> is interested in thier <ITEM> and the phone number they
left is <PHONE NO>. (If they chose to leave a phone no.).
The program does this for every person who indicated interest
in any item the user has left.
Try the program...if you and your users like it..send $10,
download your registration key (about 50 bytes!), and
enjoy the way shareware works! You may continue using
the SHAREWARE version at no cost if you like, but you
are not subject to be notified of upgrades or changes,
and future support. The registration key will remove
the flashing UNREGISTERED words on the opening display,
and will place your name and BBS name on the opening
screen. I hope you and your users enjoy the program!
Dennis White
The Main Board BBS (TMB)
601-234-2963