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██████████████████████████████████████████
██ █░░░░░░░██
██ MaxTools █░░░░░░░██
██ █░░░░░░░██
██ 16 Separate Utilities █░░░░░░░██
██ For █░░░░░░░██
██ Maximus System Operators █░░░░░░░██
██ █░░░░░░░██
██ Version 1.02 █░░░Θ░░░██
██ █░░░Θ░░░██
██ (Copyright 1992-93) █░░░░░░░██
██████████████████████████████████████████
< ALL RIGHTS RESERVED >
MaxTools is a Copyright of Michael Jones
Maximus is a Copyright of Scott Dudley
Catdisk is a Copyright of Rick Hillier
Netware Lite is a Trademark of Novell, Inc.
Lantastic is a Trademark of Artisoft, Inc.
Desqview is a Trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems
OS/2 is a Trademark of IBM Corporation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title ----------------- Page
------ ----
Introduction to MaxTools .................................... 1
Brief overview of MaxTools executables ...................... 2
Getting started.............................................. 3
FA (File area displayer) ............................... 4
MA (Message area displayer) ............................ 4
MakFM (Make a file area menu) ............................. 5
MakMM (Make a message area menu) .......................... 6
FBSD (Files.BBS size/date add & remover) ................. 7
MaxMenu (Displays log on/off Ansi menus) .................... 8
MaxBul (Bulletin Door) ..................................... 9-10
MaxLog (Max.Log trimmer ) .................................. 10
MaxCat (Makes Files.BBS from Catdisk DTA) .................. 10
MaxCD (All file list generator) ........................... 11
MaxMuv (Command line hurl utility) ......................... 11
MTDoor (Bridges the gap for non Maximus doors) ............. 12
MTExist (Rewrites files.bbs with only files that exist)...... 13
MyMail (Forwards a copy of all echo mail addressed to you).. 13
MBBS (Creates a psuedo Areas.BBS ) ....................... 13
MaxLev (Sends messages to new users & level changes ....... 14
Beginning of a great adventure .............................. 14
- 1 -
INTRODUCTION TO MAXTOOLS
BEFORE RUNNING ANY OF THE UTILITIES MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE
READ AND UNDERSTAND LEGAL.DOC ENCLOSED. ALSO README.1ST
MaxTools started out as a few odds and ends that I put
together for a few friends and myself. Well, one thing led
to another and I decided to go full force. I was going to
write every utility one could think of for Maximus. Well
around the 10th utility I realized that ideas spawned more
ideas and that I was getting a little restless. I finally
decided that I would stop at 10. There is no way I would
write any more then 10 utilities for Maximus. So anyway,
there I was writing my 16th utility.... Welcome to MaxTools!
Before I continue I would like to mention that this is
shareware and not public domain. I will not kick and scream
that if you do not register, the devil will get you and that
I belong to the SPA and that they have listening devices
on your phone. I will not make my programs beep, sing, and
give screens that tell you to type in a number or it will not
work.
Instead I decided to give you 16 programs for the price of
one that are fully functional. If and when you decide to
use these programs on a regular basis I do ask that you
register so that I will be inspired to write more.
Registered users get the benefit of designing my next
release. I fully encourage registered users to write me
letters telling me how they want the program to run.
Not how I want it to run. When you are ready the file
REGISTER.FRM is there for your review. Now back to business.
MaxTools is a cluster of 16 utilities for Maximus. Most do one
thing well. Many do a lot more but I purposely designed them
in a way where, if you wish to not use certain features, you
need not have them stare you in the face.
All of the MaxTools, are command line driven utilities that
have help built in for those of you, like myself, don't care
to sit down to breakfast over a manual.
This manual is provided for those of you to prefer to have
one.
- 2 -
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MAXTOOLS EXECUTABLES
FA.EXE - Display your File/Msg areas listed in your
MA.EXE FileArea.Ctl/MsgArea.Ctl just as it appears
on-line prior to compiling.
MAKFM.EXE - Makes a file menu for CDROM users displaying what areas
are on or off line. Output formats include TXT, ANS, &
MEC.
MAKMM.EXE - Same as MakFM only it is for the message areas and
serves a different purpose. Spares the need of users
to scan all areas for mail. *See documentation for info.
FBSD.EXE - Removes/Adds file sizes and dates from Files.BBS files.
MAXMENU.EXE - Allows you to display ansi welcome screens.
MAXBUL.EXE - Remember what bulletins used to be on older BBS's?
That is what this is and more. MaxBul can have submenus
locked off by security level and run doors as well,
either by shelling or "exiting with an error level".
MAXLOG.EXE - This shortens your Max.log by the number of days that
you specify on the command line.
MAXCAT.EXE - If you catalog your disks with CatDisk 4.40 and have
descriptions specified, you need this. Dump a disk in
a file directory and run MaxCat. MaxCat will create
your files.bbs with descriptions for files that exist.
MAXCD.EXE - Generates an all files list by security level and
optional templates for each security level.
MAXMUV.EXE - A command line version of Hurl that supports wildcards
and has the same syntax as DOS copy command.
MTDOOR.EXE - This will update your LastCall.BBS with a dorinfo1.def
or Door.Sys file. Great for lotto doors that do not
support Maximus.
MTEXIST.EXE - Rewrites your files.bbs file with only the files that
exist.
MYMAIL.EXE - Scans all echo areas for messages that are addressed to
you and rewrites them into the message area of your
choosing.
MBBS.EXE - Creates a pseudo areas.bbs file for MyMail.
MAXLEV.EXE - Generates messages to users whose access levels change
and to new users. You create the messages. You decide
which levels get which messages. An example text file
that you might create is Disgrace.Dwn which would get
sent to somebody lowered to disgrace. Supports callback
verifiers.
- 3 -
GETTING STARTED
System requirements are simple.
- 8086/88 processor or above
- DOS Version 3.3 or above
- Maximus BBS software
In order to reduce clutter forming in your already busy
Maximus subdirectory, MaxTools keeps all of its data files
in it's own subdirectory. You need to create a subdirectory
off of your Maximus directory called "MaxTools".
Example: C:\MAX>MD MAXTOOLS
In order for MaxTools to find its own data files and Maximus
data files, Maxtools needs for you to create a DOS environment
variable called "MAXIMUS" and have it pointing towards
your Maximus subdirectory.
Example: C:\MAX>SET MAXIMUS=C:\MAX\
Note: Your best bet is to enter this command in your
autoexec.bat file and reboot your system.
Netware Lite and Lantastic users should see the file
NETWORK.DOC for tips on how to make MaxTools work better
for you in a networking environment.
You are now set up for most of the maximus utilities!
Please see the setup procedures for each separate
utility that you wish to use.
- 4 -
MA.EXE & FA.EXE
(Message Area & File Area Displayers)
- Purpose
MA & FA do nothing more when executed then display
your file or message areas as they would appear on
line. These were created so that you do not have
to recompile Maximus to see the changes that you have
made. Many times a simple typo will force you to
recompile.
- Setup
These two utilities are the only exceptions to MaxTools
setup. They do not require an environment variable or
the MaxTools sub directory.
- Execution
To run either utility make sure that they are either
in your Maximus subdirectory or in your path. You need
to be in your Maximus subdirectory when they are
executed. There are no command line switches for either
utility.
- Notes
Areas displayed are all areas not commented out in your
CTL files.
- 5 -
MAKFM.EXE
(Make File Area Menu Utility)
- Purpose
MAKFM was created for CDROM users that rotate out CD's
on a regular basis. MakFM creates an external file
area menu just like the one displayed when you select
'A' from within a file area for an area change.
The only difference is MAKFM places the word "offline"
in place of the area but leaves the area name there.
- Setup
Output format choices are specified on the command line.
- Execution
Command line syntax is: MakFm <switch> <filename>
Valid switches are t-text, a-ansi, and m-mecca.
Maximus default colors will be used if ansi or mecca
is specified.
- Notes
Please see maximus documentation for enabling external
file area menus. Output will overwrite any existing file
of the name specified. A sample output file will look
like the following:
File Areas ──────────────
1 ... General Downloads
2 ... FidoNet Related Files
3 ... G-Rated GIF's
offline ... Graphics Misc
offline ... Shelter Shareware
6 ... Unchecked Uploads
- 6 -
MAKMM.EXE
(Make Message Area Menu Utility)
- Purpose
MakMM works almost identical to MakFM but serves a
completely different purpose. When a user logs on
to your BBS and chooses [yes] for scanning mail
there is a good chance that he/she may have to wait
awhile if you have a large amount of echos. Let us
say that you decided to limit the scan to the first
area. When you lower the highest message scan in
Max.Ctl you are also lowering the highest message
area to be displayed with the [A]rea command.
They can still access the hidden message areas, they
just won't know that they exist. That is unless you
have an external message area menu. That is where
MakMM comes in.
- Setup
Same as MakFM
- Execution
Same as MakFM
- Notes
MakMM works identical to MakFM except that it does
not check to see if an area exists or not.
FBSD.EXE
(Files.BBS file size and date stamp add & delete utility)
- Purpose
CDROMS, File Doors and other goodies are all coming
to a home near you. In order to enjoy these we need
a way to add and delete file dates & times from
Files.BBS files. FBSD does this on the fly.
- Setup
FBSD does require that the Maximus environment variable
is set.
- Execution
To add file size and date time stamps the syntax is:
FBSD a <path + files.bbs> <path + where the files are>
To remove:
FBSD d <Path + filespec> (Wild cards acceptable)
- Notes
Caution:
When Fbsd removes size and date, it only removes
the 2nd and 3rd entries. So if you happen to have
/t /b after the file name, that is what will be removed.
Please review your files.bbs files before using this
option.
- 7 -
MAXMENU.EXE
(Displays any file locally and through the comport)
- Purpose
This utility was designed for those who wish to
have a nice big ansi screen or display text files
without dealing with Mecca.
- Setup
Requires Maximus variable
Type: MaxMenu setup
MaxMenu will ask you for various modem switches and
give you helpful hints as to what would work well with
your system.
- Execution
Syntax: MaxMenu <port> <Baud> <Lines per page> <Abortable>
- Port
If port is 0 (local) MaxMenu will try to emulate whatever
baud rate is specified. I don't claim accuracy in the speed
but it is semi close.
- Baud
The only exception here is if you are locking your
port to 38400 then this should always be 38400.
- Lines per page give the user More [y,n,=] at
that length. 0 = none
- Abortable is whether or not you wish to enable
the user to abort menus with either CTRL-C,
CTRL-K, or space bar. CTRL-C does not work locally.
Lines per page must be specified if this option
is to be enabled.
- Notes
Loss of carrier is detected and MaxMenu will
return control to the BBS if the user hangs up.
If the user sits at a prompt longer then 3 minutes
MaxMenu will display a message "Call back when you are
there" and hang up on the user and, return control
to the BBS
- 8 -
MAXBUL.EXE
(Maximus Bulletin Menu and Door Manager)
- Purpose
MaxBul gives you those old style bulletins that used
to be popular as well as has the ability to run doors
or events. All of which are controllable by security
levels. When using it to run doors, you may use it
in conjunction with MTDoor and have a fully featured
door manager.
- Setup
* MaxBul does require a Dorinfo1.def or door.sys file.
To start off with setup we will concentrate on the
bulletin feature. This is needed for running doors
anyway. The first thing that you need to do is
set your Maximus variable. Then you need to
type: <MaxBul Setup> (Setting are the same as MaxMenu)
MaxBul will have created a subdirectory called
<Environment-Variable>+ MaxTools\MaxBul
- MAXBUL (CREATING YOUR FIRST BULLETINS)
Now you need to create your first bulletins.
The bulletins go into the newly created MaxBul
directory. Create the following:
BULLET1.MNU - Your main menu for MaxBul
BULLET1.001 - Bulletin #1
BULLET1.002 - Bulletin #2
- MAXBUL (CREATING SUB MENUS)
But what if you had a bunch of bulletins on dog
racing and you did not want them on your main menu?
Bulletin 3 can be a submenu.
BULLET3.MNU - Sub menu when they choose 3
MaxBul is configured by what files exist rather then
having a configuration program. So you are free to
do what you want and all that you have to do is
create the files!
- MAXBUL (SECURITY LEVELS AND RESTRICTING ACCESS)
Individual submenus or main menu bulletins are all
that can be restricted. If you wanted BULLET2.MNU
or BULLET1.002 to be restricted you would create
a file called BULLET2.LEV and in the first line
place the highest security level that may access it.
- 9 -
- MAXBUL continued (RUNNING DOORS) (SHELL)
After MaxBul executes a bulletin, MaxBull looks for
a batch file that matches that bulletin. The batch
file looked for is BULLETxy.BAT
Where x = the bulletin menu # and y = the bulletin.
EXAMPLE:
BULLET2.002 - BULLET22.BAT
BULLET1.003 - BULLET13.BAT
MaxBul would then execute it with the following
syntax: BULLET13.BAT <port> <baud>
Your batch file then could be something on the order
of:
@echo off
Mydoor.exe -p%1 -b%2
- MAXBUL (RUNNING DOORS) (EXIT WITH ERRORLEVEL)
Exiting with an error level works the same way as SHELL
except instead of the file ending with .BAT you give
it with the extension of .ERR
This can be a 0 byte file. It just has to exist.
You will need to execute MaxBul with a batch file and trap
error levels as you would a front door loop.
- 10 -
MAXLOG.EXE
(Shortens your Maximus Log file to x number of days)
- Purpose
MaxLog shortens your Maximus log file and MaxTools
log files to x number of days specified on the command
line.
- Setup
Requires maximus environment variable.
- Execution
MaxLog <Num of days> <File name>
- Notes
MaxLog uses the number of days which exist in the log
and not the actual number of days.
MAXCAT.EXE
(Maximus Catdisk 4.40 Integrator)
- Purpose
For those of you who have been keeping your files
on disk and decided to post them on Maximus, here is
and easy solution. MaxCat takes files that exist in a
directory, and checks for them in catdisk DTA files.
If they exist, MaxCat will then append the file name
and descriptions to the files.bbs file for you.
- Setup
Requires the Maximus environment variable.
- Execution
MaxCat <path + Catdisk.dta file> <Files bbs file>
You must be in the directory where the files are.
The catdisk.dta and files.bbs may be elsewhere
- Notes
I know that Rick changed the file formats in the earlier
versions. I am not sure what they are now. For all
purposes use it with Version 4.40.
- 11 -
MAXCD.EXE
(An ALL FILES LIST generator)
- Purpose
MaxCD works with or without CD's. This one was alpha
and beta tested primarily with them. MaxCD has plenty
of options to choose from. It has been kept in mind
users that rotate their CD's. An option for showing
whether files exist or not has been added for that
purpose.
- Setup
Requires MAXIMUS variable to be set.
Optional templates may be created in the MaxTools\MaxCD
subdirectory. The template names are the access level plus
a TPL extension. An optional header file MASTER.TPL may
also be created which is placed at the top of the file
list generated.
- Execution
Syntax : MaxCD <Sw1> <Sw2> < Security Level > <OutFile Name>
Example: MaxCD 1 0 Disgrace J:\AllFiles.Lst
Switch 1: Exist Switch
1 - See if each file exists. Place a '*' in front if they do.
0 - Do not check to see if the file exists
Switch 2: Format Switch
1 - Attempt to format into even columns
0 - Straight copy of files.bbs files. (No format)
- Notes
None
MAXMUV.EXE
(Command line version of Hurl)
- Purpose
Works like the common DOS move utility that moves files
from one location to another except this one moves file
descriptions as well.
- Setup
Maximus environment variable is required.
- Execution
MaxMuv <Source> <Destination>
- Notes
Maxmuv does require that full paths are specified
on the command line. MaxMuv also requires that these
are specified in your FileArea.Ctl. Also MaxMuv checks
for duplicate paths in your FileArea.Ctl and if they
exist, MaxMuv will tell you so and terminate. All of
these precautions are necessary to protect your files.
MaxMuv will tell you when something is up.
- 12 -
MTDOOR.EXE
(Writes information from updated DOOR.SYS & Dorinfo1.def to Maximus)
- Purpose
You have a lottery door or a call back verifier that
you like but it does not support Maximus. It does update
the DORINFO1.DEF and the DOOR.SYS though. If that is
the case MTDoor is your link.
- Setup
MTDoor requires the Maximus environment variable.
Run: MTDoor Setup
Toggle options that you wish to be updated and
security level translations.
- Execution
MTDoor requires a special mecca syntax.
Syntax: [xtern_run]@MTDoor.exe <switch> <Path + Door file>
- Notes
Name Toggle in setup should always be set to OFF unless
you really know what you are doing. Only enable what you
are required to use.
MTEXIST.EXE
(Rewrites Files.BBS files with only the ones that exist)
- Purpose
You have deleted files and now you need to update your
Files.BBS files. MTExist will do that for you.
- Setup
Requires the Maximus environment variable.
- Execution
Syntax: MTexist <switch> <File Path> <Path + Files.BBS>
Vaild flags are:
Raw - Rewrites stripping all info from files.BBS
(Good for one line descriptions and no headers)
Lite - MTExist takes caution examining what needs to be
removed
- Notes
The raw option is only for those who have many lists to
process such as CDRoms that come with prefab file lists
with 1 line for each description.
- 13 -
MYMAIL.EXE
(Scans all echo areas for mail that belongs to you)
- Purpose
If you enter messages on busy echos but do not have time
to read them daily, MyMail will do it for you and, forward
to a private mail box messages addressed to you.
- Setup
Requires Maximus environment variable.
Requires an AREAS.BBS file. If you do not have one the next
utility (MBBS.EXE) will create one for you.
- Execution
Syntax: MyMail <Areas.bbs file> <Mailbox dir> <Name to scan for>
- Notes
MyMail only supports *.MSG at this time.
MBBS.EXE
(Creates a Pseudo Areas.BBS file for MYMAIL.EXE)
- Purpose
You want to use MyMail.Exe but your system does not
use an areas.bbs file.
- Setup
Requires Maximus environment variable.
- Execution
Syntax: MBBS <Areas.BBS file>
- Notes
It is a pseudo areas.bbs file and should not be used with
other programs.
- 14 -
MAXLEV.EXE
(Sends canned messages to new users and access level changes)
- Purpose
Sends canned messages to new users, people whose access
level is lowered, access that is raised, new users that are
validated via call back verifiers.
- Setup
Requires Maximus environment variable.
Requires BBS to be inactive. MaxLev will politely
abort if the BBS is active.
To Setup MaxLev type: MaxLev Go
MaxLev will create its directories and create a
backup compare copy of your user file.
Now type: MaxLev Write All
MaxLev will write sample canned messages for you.
For more information on messages, filenames, variables
consult MaxLev's on-line help system. It is a mini tutorial
that will take you through understanding the magic of
MaxLev.
- Notes
[none]
THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT ADVENTURE
The response from MaxTools just being mentioned on MUFFIN was
incredible. I apologize if I missed anyones messages.
I welcome all feedback however, if it requires a response please
put somewhere in the message to "Respond Hold" if it is via
NetMail and then poll me in a day or two to pick up your
answer. I wish that I could send CRASH email to everyone but,
the cost is too prohibitive.
I am also opening up a message area called MaxTools. This is available
as a non backbone echo for those who want it. Messages will be
on hold status for pickup. It will be for users who wish to swap
ideas, have questions answered or, drop suggestions for
enhancements. Drop me a private netmail if you wish to be
provided a feed.
I hope that all of this will help get your questions answered
and give you a better chance to be heard.
Thank you for your support!
Michael Jones FidoNet: 1:133/115
Shelter From The Storm Data : (404)518-1356
Post Office Box 769192
Roswell, GA 30076
Please see THANKS.DOC for Officially Registered Distribution
Points.