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───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ListMaster Pro v0.1a | Garrett Whitney | Gamma Software Design
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Master File List Generator
Version 0.1a
Written By Garrett Whitney
Gamma Software Design
ShareWare
Written and Compiled in QuickBasic 4.5
Compiled on Sunday April 18, 1993
For use with most any BBS
Table of Content's ............................................... Page
Shareware & Registration Information ................................ 1
Version Updates ..................................................... 2
The Configuration File & Setup ...................................... 3
PcBoard Configuration Editor ........................................ 4
Command Line Execution .............................................. 5
Future Releases ..................................................... 6
Special Note ........................................................ 7
Contacting the Author ............................................... 8
Page 1 - Shareware & Registration Information
ListMaster is a Shareware Program which means that you may use this
program free for a limited time, then you must register it. You may use this
program free for 30 days, after your 30 day trial period, you must register
it. Registration for ListMaster is only $5. Just fill out Register.Txt
and mail it to me with a check or money order. Since this is Distributed as
Shareware, I can not Garauntee that it is free of harm. Therefore i take no
responsibility for any damages which this program may cause. (Pretty
ir-responsible of me huh? I bet you heard your parent's say that to you a few
times!) I am not going to say that this program is error free either. If you
find an error, please let me know about it so i can fix it.
Registering ListMaster is easy and inexpensive. Just fill out
Register.Txt and mail it to me with a check or money order made out for $5
to Garrett Whitney. What this registration will do is tell me who is
interested in my program and wether I should continue to distribute future
version's or not. The $5 registration fee will also allow you free updates.
Once you have sent in your registration fee, you will only be asked to pay
for shipping and handling. You can also call a board carrying ListMaster Pro
and download it which will probably cost less. The $5 entitles you to free
updates and any help you need. I provide technical support through BBS, mail,
phone, or whatever you want to work out. This is a one time fee.
Page 2 - Version Update's
ListMaster v0.1a Updates
* A Configuration editor has now been added for PcBoard user's.
* Ansi & ASCii bulletins are now an option. They will be produced
after every run.
* A Colorized version of the master file list is available. This
version is colorized with PcBoard color codes. It is then internally
compressed. A special viewer is needed for the user to view this
file.
* A colorized/compressed file viewer is included for users to download.
This viewer will view the compressed/color listing.
Page 3 - The Configuration File
The Configuration File
Line 1 -> Gamma Programming Northwest Bulletin Board System
Line 2 -> Garrett Whitney
Line 3 -> Gamma Programming BBS - OPEN 10pm - 7am ONLY - (206) 830-0314
Line 4 -> 000000000
Line 5 -> PCBLIST
Line 6 -> 196
Line 7 -> skip
Line 8 -> D:\FILES\01\GPNFILE.LST
Line 9 -> PcBoard
Line 10 -> none
Line 11 -> none
Line 12 -> N <- New Addition
Line 13 -> GPNFILE.CMP <- New Addition
Line 14 -> 0 <- New Addition
Line 15 -> 0 <- New Addition
Line 16 -> 0 <- New Addition
Line 17 -> 0 <- New Addition
Line 18 -> Y <- New Addition
Line 19 -> BLT1 <- New Addition
Line 20 -> BLT1G <- New Addition
Line 21 -> 1
Line 22 -> Gamma Programming Information
Line 23 -> D:\FILES\01\
This is just an example of a configuration file that is used by
ListMaster. This is the Configuration that can be found in MASTER.CFG which
should be located in the Archive. With all of the feature's being added each
update, the CFG is getting pretty complicated. I will try and explain wich
line's are new addition's.
Line 1 is just the Name of your BBS. This will be placed in the output
file in the header as well as on the screen while ListMaster is running.
Line 2 is the name of the Sysop which will be placed in the header of
the output file.
Line 3 is a one line description that will be placed in the header of
the output file. I use this for the hour's of my BBS. You can use it for
anything: Description, Membership Price's, Phone Number, etc... I figured
one line would be enough. Especially with the two include files available.
If you think more description lines would make a big difference in your
Master List then let me know. I can always add something to allow you as
meny lines as you want.
Line 4 is where you put your Registration Code when you get it.
It does not matter what you put here but it is probably best to leave it as
it is. The Registration code removes the UNREGISTERED Evaluation Copy at the
end of execution and the 10 second delay. You will receive your registration
code when I receive your registration fee and form. Your registration code
will be processed the next business day.
Line 5 is the name of the File List that ListMaster will be reading
from to get the file's to place in the output file. For PcBoard, you are
allowed to use different List Filename's. If you do this, you will be able
to get around this feature by leaving this line blank and adding the
List Filename onto the Path. Example for Line 23 put D:\FILES\01\PCBLIST
This will work, I finally decided to see if it would and it did, thanks
to the fine structuring the program has. Man, what a good author ListMaster
has! Just kiddin.
Line 6 is an option that will allow you to customize your output file.
You may place a number here from 1 to 255. This number specifies a character
in the ASCii character chart. A total of fifty of these characters will be
placed under the File Area title when the master list is made. Look for a
program called ASCii.exe for a list of ASCii character's or just play with
it. You can see what a number will look like by holding down your ALT key
and typing in the number you want. This will work in DOS and most text
editors.
196 = Single Line (─) 205 = double Line (═)
Line 7 is the Archive command which is very flexable. You may
specify any acceptable DOS command on this line. You may place a command
or a batch file to run. I do NOT recommend specifying to run another
Executable program here unless it is something small like an archiveing tool.
An example would be:
PkZip D:\Files\01\GPNFILE D:\Files\01\GPNFILE.LST
This would create the Zip File GPNFILE.ZIP and include the Master List
GPNFILE.LST. For more information on using PkZip, consult your manual.
If one command line will not do what you want then specifying a Batch file
would be in your best interest. Make sure you either specify the path to the
batch to execute or the batch file reside's in the same directory as
Master.Exe. Example:
\Batch\LMZIP.BAT <- This would run LMZIP.BAT in the directory called
Batch on the current drive.
Any archiving tool may be used on this line since basically, it is just
executing this line on the DOS command prompt. If you do not want to use this
option then just put the word SKIP on this line. SKIP will tell ListMaster
to skip this option.
Line 8 is the path + filename you want ListMaster to generate as an
output file. This is the Master File Listing that is the outcome of
ListMaster. Be sure to include the path and drive or else you will end up
with a master file listing in the current directory.
Line 9 the Type of List you have. It can be one of three thing's.
ASCii -> This is for plain ASCii Text List's. These will basically
just be copied into the Master Listing. If your file list's are
readable then try this one and see how it turns out. If it doesn't
work then try the other options as well. It might work out. If none
of the BBS format's listed below work for your software, contact the
author and your software will be added to the support list if possible.
Spitfire -> This should be used if you use the code's in your
File List's. I hate how Spitfire uses that to seperate line's but
you have to live with it. You should use this feature if you have
's in your File List's. It is a little slower this way but it
look's nicer than with the little faces in it. Your output list
will be formated to the same way it is when Spitfire list's a file
list to an on-line user.
PcBoard -> This option will do the same as ASCii but will take out
the little pipe character's (|) before putting it into the Master
List. This will also remove anything after a % sign.
So if you use the WGM-DMS program that create's a header for your file
area's and you have it configured to keep the header in another
directory then WGM-DMS will put a %(path) line at the beginning of
your file list. The PCBOARD option will read the % sign and ignore
the line starting from the % sign to the end of the line.
Line 10 is a File that you may include at the beginning of your Master
File listing. After the Header is placed in the output file, ListMaster will
read in this file and place it exactly into the output file then begin listing
the file list's. An opening screen or short new's file would be good for this
option. If you do not want to use this option then put the word NONE on this
line.
Line 11 is a File that you may include at the end of your File
Listing's. After the File Listing's are done, ListMaster will check for this
file. If there is a file specified here, ListMaster will copy it line for line
to the output file. This way you can put an ANSI file or something in here but
it is adviseable that it just be a plain ASCii text file. I use it for a news
file or something similar. Use your imagination. If you do not want a file
to be placed at the end of the List, then just put the word NONE on this line.
Line 12 is whether you want to create a compressed/color list.
You may either put a Y or N on this line. Currently this option is unfinished.
Only a colorized list will be made, it will not be compressed.
Line 13 is the name of the Color/Compressed list and the path of where
you want it written to. This file will be a copy of your master file list but
it will have PcBoard color codes in it (See Lines 14-17). After the color
have been added, the list will be compressed internally. Your users will have
to download the specialized list viewer for this file. The list viewer was not
included in this version though as the list is not compressed. Once the user
has the file viewer, they can download this list and view it off-line.
They will have the option of color as well as saving space on your drive and
the users drive. There is more information on the File Viewer later in this
document.
Line 14 is the PcBoard code for the Normal Background color in the
color/compressed listing. (See list below) If you specified N on line 13
then you should put a 0 on lines 14 through 17.
Line 15 is the PcBoard code for Normal Foreground color.
Line 16 is the PcBoard code for Highlited Background color.
Line 17 is the PcBoard code for Highlited Foreground color.
PcBoard color code chart ->
Background (first digit) Foreground (second digit)
------------------------ -------------------------
Black = 0 Black = 0
Blue = 1 Blue = 1
Green = 2 Green = 2
Cyan = 3 Cyan = 3
Red = 4 Red = 4
Magenta = 5 Magenta = 5
Yellow = 6 Yellow = 6
White = 7 White = 7
Background w/Blinking High Intensity Foregounds
Black = 8 Black = 8
Blue = 9 Blue = 9
Green = A Green = A
Cyan = B Cyan = B
Red = C Red = C
Magenta = D Magenta = D
Yellow = E Yellow = E
White = F White = F
Line 18 is whether you would like ListMaster to create bulletins for
you. You may place a Y or N here. If a Y is placed here, both ANSI & ASCii
bulletins are created. These are internal generation functions.
Line 19 is the path and filename of the ASCii bulletin. The ASCii
bulletin will be created under this name and path. If you put an N on line
18 then you should still put something here. Put SKIP or NONE. It doesn't
matter but to be safe, keep something here.
Line 20 is the path and filename of the ANSI bulletin.
If you specified N on line 18, you should still put something on this line.
Line 21 is the Total number of File Area's that you want to be listed
in the Output File. You must not specify more than you actually list below.
You may have a number that is less than the total listed though.
An error will occur if you have a larger total number than the total you
have listed below.
Line 22 and every odd numbered line to the end of the file are similar
that they are all File Area Topic's. Every odd numbered line from Line 11
should be the File Area Topic. This will be underlined and the file's listed
below it.
Line 23 and every even numbered line to the end of the file should
be the Path to the List File listed in Line 5. You must leave a slash at the
end of the path. (Example: D:\Files\01\)
If you run a PcBoard BBS and have different File List Name like
PCBLIST1 and PCBLIST2 then you will be able to leave Line 5 blank and
put the List Filename after the slash on these line's. If you do it to one
then you must do it to all of them though.
Page 4 - PcBoard Configuration Editor
The configuration editor for PcBoard is named PCBCFG.EXE and should
have been included in the archive. Before actually running PCBCFG, you must
initialize it. Run the following line:
PCBCFG INIT
This will then ask you for the path and name to your CNAMES. file. Make sure
you don't put your CNAMES.@@@ file, put the one without an extension. This
will be written to a file called PCBCFG.DAT, do not erase it unless you
want to reinitialize. If your CNAMES file moves or has a name change then
you must run PCBCFG INIT again.
After running PCBCFG once, a file called MASTER.DAT will be created.
This file contains info on where your PCBLIST files are placed. It is
re-written upon each execution of PCBCFG.
To execute PCBCFG, you must either have an existing CFG or intend to
create one. If you have an existing configuration file, then you should
specify the name of the CFG file on the command line as so:
PCBCFG file.cfg
This will load file.cfg as the configuration. If you are editing a file, this
may be unecessary as it will ask you for a file name inside the program.
If you are creating a new file, you must either specify a filename on the
command line or MASTER.CFG will be created as the default.
Once you have gotten to the title screen, press any key to pass it.
You should then come to a menu of items 1 to 4. All you must do is type the
number, do not press enter. Selection 2 does not work at this time and will be
added in future updates. Selecting 1 will create a new CFG file. If you
specified an existing file on the command line then that file will be erased
if you continue. You must exit and execute again with a new CFG file.
A series of questions will be asked of you. Upon finishing this, you will be
returned to the main menu. You must then select 3 to edit the directories you
want listed. Your conferences will be listed at this time, your options are
to enter a conference number or hit Y. To exit this section you must hit Y
throughout all of your conference.
After you have selected a conference the directories in that conference
are listed. Select the number's you want added and then enter 0 to exit.
You will then be returned to the conference listing.
Note that after creating a cfg file, you should get a text editor and
edit out the line 22 and 23. It is automatically added as a safety feature
incase you don't add directories. Edit that out and then execute PCBCFG again
and select your conferences to add. It may be somewhat confusing but you
should play with it. If you run into any problems then contact me. There
will probably be a few problems with this program but I tried to get most
of them fixed.
Page 5 - Command Line Execution
ListMaster Execution
Now that you have the Configuration File setup, the rest is easy.
If your configuration file is NOT named MASTER.CFG then you MUST
specify the name of the CFG file on the command line. Example:
MASTER MYFILE.CFG
If MYFILE.CFG is not in the same directory as MASTER.EXE then
you must also specify the path before the filename.
This will run ListMaster and use MYFILE.CFG for the Configuration
parameter's. However if you are using MASTER.CFG for the configuration
file name then all you have to do is execute MASTER.EXE and it will
automatically look for MASTER.CFG. The rest is automated.
Page 6 - Future Releases
In future releases, I hope to have the following available:
File Viewer for color/compressed list
Color/Compressed list fully functionable
CFG Editor for Spitfire
Improve PcBoard CFG Editor
Include support for Wildcat! BBS
Include support for Auntie & RBBS software
Allow sysop to add SoundBlaster support to Color/Compresse list
Allow sysop to add EGA/VGA graphics to Color/Compress list
More to come...Thanks for obtaining this copy!
Page 7 - A Special Note
I would like to thank a few people for there participation in helping
me create this program. I would like to thank:
Jim Coleman for his help with PcBoard Sysop Darkstar's BBS
Darrell Dillard for help with Wildcat! Sysop Thundercat BBS
Derek Lyons for help with some routines
Richard Steiner for ditribution info.
William Rountree for help with routines Sysop Prime Base BBS
Thank you all. I would also like to thank everyone who registered
there copy of ListMaster.
Page 8 - For Your Information - Contacting the Author
ListMaster is pure QuickBasic Source Code. I used no libraries to
write it. If there is something special you would like ListMaster to do then
notify me and I can make a personalized copy for you or add it to the next
update.
If you have a copy od BRUN45.EXE and are running short on disk space
then I can Compile you a copy requiring BRUN45.EXE. This copy is about 50K
where the copy requiring BRUN45.EXE is only about 9K. Plus only 5K with
PkLite.
I am always happy to hear comment's so please give your opinion.
I can be contacted on the following Bulletin Board's:
Prime Base BBS (206) 871-9539 <- Support Board
Darkstar's BBS (206) 871-3965
Sports Complex (206) 692-2388
Vox Populi BBS (206) 895-1376
I can also be contacted through the following mail networks:
RIME - Shareware, QuickBasic, TurboPascal, Programming
MetroLink - Shareware
Fido - Shareware, Programming, QuickBasic
The latest public versions of ListMaster Pro can be found on the
following Bulletin Boards across North America:
Prime Base BBS (206) 871-9539 Darkstar's BBS (206) 871-3965
Thundercat BBS (206) 613-0688 Channel 1 BBS (617) 354-7077
Exec-Pc BBS (414) 789-4210 PC ToyShop BBS (503) 686-5055
Running Board (321) 229-5623 Vox Populi BBS (206) 895-1376
Remember that ListMaster is Shareware and Registration is only $5.
Please Register it by filling out Register.Txt and sending it to me
with a check or money order for $5 made out to Garrett Whitney.
QuickBasic is a Registered Trademark of Microsoft Inc.
PkLite is a Registered Trademark of PkWare & Phil Katz
PkZip is a Registeres Trademark of PkWare & Phil Katz
WGM-DMS is a Registered Trademark of Wayne G. Maas
Spitfire is a Registered Trademark of Buffaloe Creek Softare
PcBoard is a Registered Trademark of Clark Development Company
Wildcat! is a Registered Trademark of Mustang Software
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ListMaster v1.7 | Garrett Whitney | Gamma Software Design
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────