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1991-01-02
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The documentation is Copyright 1991, Cory Wright, TRC Development
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PowerNews/PCB v2.50 Cory Wright, TRC Development January 2, 1991
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Abstract
--------
PowerNews allows sysops to create, modify, and maintain multiple sets
of news bulletins. The sysop has full control over colors and text
layout. PowerNews sports a full-fledged text editor with mouse support,
preview before saving, reverse chronological news entry, built-in
viewer, importation of text files into bulletins, colorization of
standard ASCII text files for use either on the BBS or for
correspondence, editing of existing news screens, and deletion of
individual news screens within a single news files, and much more.
∙ PowerNews/PCB allows creation and maintenance of the security specific
logon news screens along with the NEWS and NEWSG files for the main
board and up to 1024 other conferences.
∙ PowerNews/PCB is flexible enough to create any other ASCII and ANSI
file that you may need to create.
∙ PowerNews/PCB allows the colorization of any ASCII text file.
∙ PowerNews/PCB allows the importation of text into a news screen
News files
----------
PowerNews creates and maintains both the ASCII (normal file name) and
ANSI ('G' appended to filename) news files; therefore, when bulletin
files without extensions are mentioned throughout the document, you
should assume that it concerns both the ASCII and ANSI files.
The NEWS and NEWSG files (ASCII/ANSI) are shown to every user as they
log on. Therefore, use them to announce system-wide information that is
pertinent to every user on the BBS. I use it to announce the addition
of new doors, new conferences, and other things like a script
questionnaire that needs to be filled out.
The Security Specific announcement files are quite useful if you know
how to implement them. Simply use the Security Specific option when
choosing the news screen you wish to create. You will be asked for a
security level. Just enter the number, and type in the news! In the
future, any user with that security level will see the news you've sent
to his specific security level.
One example of a practical use of this feature is when you wish to keep
your beta testers informed of updates. I have beta testers that call my
system. Since beta software is constantly changing, you could give the
testers an access level of 70 in PCBoard. Then use PowerNews/PCB to
write news to them with security 70 as outlined above. You can keep
certain groups of people informed in an efficient manner with the use
of this feature.
Using PowerNews
---------------
All options are self-explanatory. You may access help from the main
menu by pressing F1. The following is a description of each function:
Key Description Extended information
--- ----------------- -----------------------------------------------
[A] Add a news screen Appends an individual news screen to your choice
of files. From this selection, you may type
freely, or import text to edit in your bulletin.
[E] Edit a news file Loads your editor to edit the ASCII version
of the entire news file you choose. Upon
exiting, your ANSI news file is reconstructed.
[D] Delete a news Lists headings of all news screens in the file
screen you choose. You may relist the headings, view
individual bulletins, delete specific screens,
or delete all screens in the file.
[T] Reconstruct ANSI Reconstructs an ANSI version of the news file
news file you choose. The ASCII version of the file must
be in the PowerNews format. Use the [C]olorize
option to colorize unformatted files.
[V] View a news file Allows viewing of an entire news file via the
built-in viewer. Use the cursor keys to move
about the news file.
[C] Colorize a file Constructs a colorized file, not in PowerNews
format for use in a bulletin or elsewhere.
Choosing any of the upper commands will cause a selection menu to
appear. Three choices are possible at the selection menu.
∙ F1 - will allow you to manipulate the main NEWS/NEWSG files.
∙ F2 - will allow you to manipulate conference NEWS/NEWSG files.
∙ F3 - allows entry of security specific news files.
∙ F10 - will allow you to type your own file name in to work with.
∙ ESC - sends you back to the main menu
Everything is self explanatory within the program, but if you have any
questions, feel free to write me at the address at the end of this
document.
Guidelines for use
------------------
PowerNews/PCB should be run from your PCBoard directory. The first time
you run PowerNews/PCB, you will be told that the program cannot find
the PNEWSPCB.CNF file. You should answer (C) to continue running the
program. If this message appears in the future, make sure you ran the
program from your PCBoard directory. If you didn't, then choose (A)bort
and change to the correct directory. You may wish to make a batch file
called PNEWS.BAT (or just NEWS.BAT) and place the following lines in
it:
e:
cd\pcb
pnewspcb
This way, you can be positive that you were in your PCBoard directory
(in this case, E:\PCB) when running the program. Make sure you have at
least 256k free when running PowerNews/PCB. Memory required varies
depending on the number of conferences you have on your BBS.
PowerNews/PCB only supports 1024 conferences at this time. I will be
more than happy to compile a special version that will handle more
conferences if necessity dictates.
Registration
------------
If you use PowerNews/PCB! for over 30 days, you are required to
register the software. Registration has been made easy with the built
in registration form. After the introduction screen, press <R> to go
into registration mode. Enter your name, address and other pertinent
information, then let your printer do the work!
Standard Demo License
---------------------
PowerNews is a Shareware program, and uploading of the code to various
bulletin boards and Shareware libraries is encouraged; however, the
following limitations are imposed:
1) Under no circumstances should the code be modified or distributed in
any other form than what it was originally supplied by the author. The
exception is that PowerNews may be compressed using techniques other
than ZIP, but the de-compressed form of PowerNews must remain intact.
2) PowerNews may not be redistributed in any manner other than
electronic file transfer unless cleared with the author beforehand. No
money may be received for PowerNews except to cover for
telecommunications / service charges, and in such a case the cost may
not exceed $5.00 US.
3) PowerNews may be run for 30 days, an adequate time to allow for full
testing of the software. If, after running the code for 30 days, you
decide not to purchase the registration license and number, you must
forfeit this license and remove PowerNews from operation on your
system(s). You may keep a copy online for distribution purposes only.
4) PowerNews may not be hacked or modified in ANY manner, including but
not limited to modifications leading to the use of features intended
for registered users only. These features are listed in the program and
may be listed under "Limitations" in this document.
5) The registration license is non-transferable and under no
circumstance may the registration number of another individual be used
to enable these features or to meet any other purpose.
Registration License
--------------------
1) Once purchasing the registration license, limitations are lifted and
the license is extended for life. All future releases of PowerNews will
be made available, registered, for no additional charge. In any event
that PowerNews does not work properly, the author, Cory Wright, shall
be liable for no more than $10.00 US, and then only if an honest
attempt was made to contact the author and the situation remained
unresolved.
2) Registering PowerNews entitles the registering party access to The
Rising Connection BBS or whatever location support is maintained. This
privilege is guaranteed for as long as the program is being developed
and supported. Access may be terminated if any rules or regulations of
the bulletin board are broken by the registering party.
3) The registration license is non-refundable and non- transferable
without prior consent of the author, Cory Wright. The name of the
bulletin board may be changed if evidence is given that the board is
truly changing names and in such a case the old registration number may
not be used under any circumstances. A processing fee may apply to
change a BBS Name.
Disclaimer
----------
The author, Cory Wright, takes no responsibility nor liability for any
data loss, incurred costs, or equipment damage resulting from the use
of PowerNews, unless evidence can be given to show that the code was
written to do so intentionally, at which point, the author, Cory
Wright, will be liable for no more than $10.00 US.
A support BBS is provided for PowerNews/PCB: The Rising Connection
615-531-8789
HAYES ULTRA 9600 V.32
Thanks again for trying PowerNews/PCB!. I hope that I've done an
exemplary job on the program. I welcome all comments and suggestions!
Mail all comments, questions, and registrations to:
Cory Wright
P. O. Box 53041
Knoxville, Tennessee 37950-3041