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1993-02-03
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PCBFormFiller v1.1 (c)1993 Accutrak Computer Solutions Inc.
Programming and design - Ryan Kleinfeld & Dick Boorsma.
This software is not free! Feel free to share it with others,
but if you continue to use it after a period of one month,
you are REQUIRED to register it.
However short this document may be, I know the first thing you want to
do is see the program, not the documents. Just type "FORM .\ SET L"
to run a sample of it in local mode. (Note that there is a space after
the '.\'). When running this, note that the current password is "PASSWORD"
until you change it.
What is PCBFormFiller? It will replace the standard script-style forms
which PCBoard currently offers with a true "Form". If the user supports
ANSI, he can move around from blank to blank entering data, and always
go back to previous blanks. The user is allowed to see the full page
BEFORE even entering a single answer.
Why have I created it? After being quite dissapointed that NO ONE knew
of a form filler of its type, I took it upon myself to make one.
What are the advantages of using this program? Looks and originality.
What is included:
-----------------
This version of PCBFormFiller comes complete with two pre-made forms.
One form was designed to replace the "(W)rite user info" command.
The other form was designed for BBSs which offer or require donations
or subscriptions.
The proper syntax for running PCBFormFiller is:
FORM [path to USERS.SYS] [form name] [L]
The first two command line arguements are required, the last
is optional, and is for Local mode.
I have included a sample USERS.SYS and PCBOARD.SYS file to
make this demo easy to try out. Simply type the following:
FORM .\ SET L or FORM .\ SUB L
Your users should need no instructions, as filling a form is quite self
explanitory. The only thing you do need to do is add two new commands
to your main menu, and install the two forms as doors.
Some features which the current version have are:
■ Ability to read a default value for a blank from the USERS.SYS file
■ Set a default value for a blank manually
■ Compare blanks to be sure they are the same
■ Compare blanks to be sure they are NOT the same
■ Set an echo back character (For blanks like "DOTS WILL ECHO")
■ Allow only certain responses to a blank
■ Allow only a minimum and a maximum amount of characters in a blank
■ Allowing templates for a blank (This is used in the phone number
blanks to create the "(___)___-____" )
■ Compatible with PCBoard's color coding scheme (the @X codes)
■ Automatic error messages when the user has made a mistake.
(These dissapear upon the next keypress)
■ Saving info typed into the blanks back to the USERS.SYS file.
■ Uses the com port & baud rate read in from the PCBOARD.SYS file
■ Internal carrier monitoring routine. If the user drops carrier,
PCBFormFiller will return to PCBoard, and hang up.
■ Internal com routines. No other type of interface is required.
SETTING UP PCBFormFiller:
-------------------------
Setting up PCBFormFiller is just like setting up a door.
If you do not know how to set up a door, please refer to your PCBoard
manual.
Each form should be set up as a seperate door with the name of the door being
the exact command you want your users to enter in order to access the form.
You must select "YES" to create "USER.SYS" in the door setup for each form.
There is no need to have the form filler take up a seperate directory for each
form. Simply put all the program files in one directory, and let your batch
files take care of which form is run.
A sample batch file for the "SET" form would look something like this:
Cd\Doors\FormFill <- change to the directory where PCBFormFiller is
Form C:\PCB\ SET <- Run the form "SET". USERS.SYS is in "C:\PCB\"
Cd\PCB <- Return to the PCBoard directory
Board <- Return to PCBoard
Once you have all of your forms set up as doors, you must add the commands
to your main menu. (If you do not know how to edit your menu, please refer
to your PCBoard manual).
Since this is the first version of this program which has gone public,
ANY bug reports would be appreciated!
THE EXCHANGE BBS
c/o ACCUTRAK COMPUTER SOLUTIONS
511 5th Street South
Lethbridge, Alberta
CANADA
T1J 2B9
This program may be used for a period of one month free of charge.
If you continue to use this program after one month, you must register it.
In Canada, the registration cost is $12.00. For U.S. registration, please
enclose $10.00.
Along with registering, you will receive the following benefits:
■ The latest update of PCBFormFiller
■ Custom made SET and REGISTER forms for your BBS - FREE
■ No more opening "UNREGISTERED" screen - PCBFormFiller will look like
part of PCBoard.
■ FREE technical support - Phone (403)380-6559 Mon-Fri 1:00p-4:30p MST
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE FORMS...
-------------------------------
If you want custom made forms, you must call our BBS at (403)380-6556, and
use the name "REGISTER FORMFILLER" (No password will be asked). You should
then upload a file containing the following information:
■ The EXACT form screen you want to be displayed (Either in ANSI
or PCBoard's @X format)
■ The maximum & minimum length of input for each blank
■ If the data from the blank should be saved to a data file, we
need the name.
■ If only specific answers are allowed, we need to know what they are.
■ Are there blanks that cannot be edited?
■ If there should be a default for any blank, let us know.
(Defaults can be specific strings, or "USERS NAME" etc.)
■ Are there blanks that must be the same? Ones that can't be the same?
■ Do any blanks need an echo character (Like "DOTS WILL ECHO")?
■ Should the data in any blank be uppercased?
■ Does the data from any blank need to be saved in PCBoard
(Like "HOME PHONE #", etc)
After uploading this file, leave a (C)omment to the SysOp with your
registration number, your name, and the file name(s) you have uploaded.
When you register, you will get the SET and REGISTER forms custom-made FREE.
Any additional forms will cost $30.00 Canadian or $25.00 in the U.S.
As soon as your registration payment is received, we will upload the new forms
and your instant registration number to your BBS (uploaded in your private
section, of course).
INSTRUCTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE TWO PRE-MADE FORMS...
--------------------------------------------------
The "SET" form was designed to replace the (W)RITE USER INFO command.
On my menu I have phrased the command "(SET) user configuration".
This form should need no further explanation, as it simply lets the user
change his/her configuration. This form originally let the user change
his FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL also, but since I have no way of knowing what
external protocols you may have set up, this function has been removed.
If you would like this function on your "SET" form, you can specify this
when getting your form custom made.
The "SUB" form was designed for boards which require or accept
donations/subscriptions. Whenever a user fills this form, a data file
called "REGISTER.DAT" will be created in the PCBFormFiller directory.
The format of the file is as follows:
(MM/DD/YYYY) Users Name
(MM/DD/YYYY) When to contact them by phone
(MM/DD/YYYY) What phone number to contact them at (Defaults to home #)
(MM/DD/YYYY) Where they heard of your BBS
(MM/DD/YYYY) YES or NO if they want to subscribe or not
(MM/DD/YYYY) How many months to subscribe for
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
Future versions may include a data-file reader/editor to make the data files
easier to manage.
You will notice that there is a few blank lines at the bottom of this form.
Originally I had posted my subscription rates & address there. This has
been removed since everyone has different subscription rates.
(Note that the only valid answers for "HOW MANY MONTHS TO SUBSCRIBE" are 0-12.
With a custom made form, this can be altered.
And just like every other program.....
No one associated with THE EXCHANGE BBS or Accutrak Computer Solutions can
be held responsible for any loss or damage due to the use or misuse of the
data contained with this program.