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-
-
-
- HOST 2.2
-
- Miniature BBS host program
-
-
- by
-
- Bob Eyer
- [73230,2620]
-
- April 4, 1992
-
-
-
- ──────────────── SEE SHAREWARE NOTICE BELOW ──────────────────────
- For a fee, the author will modify program for custom
- applications.
-
-
- ══════════════════════ FEATURES OF HOST ══════════════════════════
-
- - Uses very little disk space, and less than 50K memory
-
- - Can be run 'right out of the box' with no configuration at all
-
- - Two types of local Sysop logon
-
- - ESC key abort to terminate online caller
-
- - User specifiable rings to answer on
-
- - Ringback option - user selectable wait time
-
- - Chat
-
- - Messaging
-
- - File transfer, typing files
-
- - Sysop shell to DOS - Available only to registered users
-
- - Caller log inspection for Sysop - Registered users only
-
- - Expert/novice menu and prompt modes
-
- - Automatic wipe minor prompts at or above 1200 baud
-
- - Ctrl-K/X (abort)
-
- - Selectable timelimit for non-Sysop callers
-
- - 2-minute prompt inactivity logoff
-
- - RTS/CTS hardware handshaking for maximum speed
-
- - In event string pool problems, ejects to DOS with
- error level 2, for batch file reprocessing.
-
- ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
-
- Syntax
- ------
-
- HOST [port baud] [LOCAL BUL]
-
-
- port The number of the communications port to be made active.
- HOST is capable of identifying ports 1-4, without
- supplementary specification of IRQ lines and addresses.
-
- If not mentioned, HOST defaults to 1.
-
- baud The baud rate at which to open the communications port.
- If not mentioned, HOST defaults to 9600. Valid baud
- rates are 300, 1200, 2400, 9600, and 19200.
-
- If 19200 is selected, HOST will assume the modem is a
- USRobotics Courier HST or Dual Standard, and will send
- &B1 &N8 to the modem to fix the modem to the DTE (the
- communications port), unless the user overrides by
- specifying a new value of FIXED in the HOST.CFG file (see
- below). In such case, remote must call at same speed.
- Under such conditions, the modem/DTE link will operate at
- 14.4k baud. Caveat: HOST's default response to a 19200
- fixed baud setting assumes that the default NRAM1 setting
- contains either &M4 or &M5. USR fixed baud settings
- require operation at least at level 4.
-
- At 9600 or below, HOST sends &B0, &M4, and &N0 to the
- modem, so that it will follow the caller's connect rate,
- unless the user overrides the NRAM settings in HOST.CFG.
-
- HOST does not, in its default configuration, save
- commands to the modem's NRAM, but resets modem settings
- to their previous states on exit. As a result, it is not
- necessary to reconfigure your dialling program for
- dialling out, after using HOST - unless you add &W to new
- values for NRAM1 or NRAM2.
-
- LOCAL A commandline keyword which specifies that HOST is to be
- run without communicating with the modem at all, for test
- or illustration purposes.
-
- The user may see how HOST works for the first time and
- without a modem, just by entering the command
-
- HOST LOCAL
-
- The host may also be run by the Sysop in local mode by
- pressing the Esc key after HOST is in WAITING FOR RING
- mode. However, this mode does involve modem
- communications, and will abort if a modem is not properly
- connected to your selected communications port.
-
- BUL A commandline keyword which specifies that the HOST.MSG
- file is to be displayed as a bulletin for the caller
- before he or she reaches the Main Menu. Useful primarily
- where the Sysop anticipates a particular caller and wants
- to display some instructions which might be needed by his
- caller.
-
- Commandline keywords must appear AFTER the numeric parameters,
- port and baud, where listed at all.
-
- Example: HOST
-
- will open COM1 at 9600 baud, No parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, and
- will function so as to enable callers to connect. The caller will
- not see HOST.MSG before the Main Menu, since BUL is not mentioned.
-
- 'HOST 2400' opens COM1 at 2400 baud.
-
- 'HOST 3' opens COM3 at 9600 baud, if COM3 exists.
-
-
- Discussion
- ----------
- I wrote this program chiefly as a very small BBS for occasional
- use, particularly for situations in which someone wants a file
- from me, but doesn't want to go the roundabout route of having me
- post on a large BBS for subsequent download. This procedure has
- pitfalls - such as whether I and my party are members of the same
- BBS, and whether that facility offers private file transfers.
-
- The largest problem with most host programs in occasional use is
- that they require the user to refresh his memory on how to
- configure them. This is often a colossal waste of time, and
- impractical for occasional use.
-
- Another problem is disk space. Keeping a fully configured BBS
- system on one's hard drive can mean wasting 2 or 3 megabytes of
- space or more. This is inappropriate for software which is
- intended to be used only once in a while.
-
- RBBS, PCBoard, Wildcat, and other programs have long been in the
- "large host" category; and so they just don't fill the need.
-
- Minihost, now known as Maxihost, was originally designed for
- occasional use, but has long since developed into a host of the
- medium to large variety, intended for 24 hour operation.
-
- There are a number of other small hosts, such as TinyHost and
- JaxHost, which aim at the needs of the occasional user.
-
- However, even these programs are large compared to HOST, and still
- require the user to check through the configuration about files,
- directories, user names, passwords, security levels, and so forth.
- All this stuff is liable to be inappropriate and forgotten, by
- the time the software is used on the next occasion.
-
- In addition, most of the top dialling programs, such as TELIX,
- BOYAN, and QMODEM, provide a script language so that the user may
- write his own host. However, the disadvantage of this approach is
- that it is generally unsuitable for users who don't wish to learn
- script languages.
-
-
- In contrast to all these programs, HOST 2.2 can be run IMMEDIATELY
- by any owner of a low speed Hayes-compatible modem, or a high
- speed USRobotics Courier HST or Dual Standard, with assurance of
- connect on the first ring, unless the user specifies rings to
- answer on and/or ringback mode (see below about HOST.CFG).
-
- There are only a few things to remember:
-
- - You must know which port your modem is connected to, and the
- maximum speed. If different from HOST's defaults, use the ones
- that apply. Do NOT enter a baud rate on the command line which
- exceeds the maximum rating of your installed modem. See Syntax
- above.
-
- - If you don't want to specify your file transfer directory in
- HOST.CFG, HOST will assume that it is the root directory of the
- current drive. Files visible to the caller must be either of
- reset or archive attribute status. Files which are read-only,
- hidden, or system will not be displayed.
-
- - If available, HOST uses three files which should be kept in a
- separate directory: HOST.CFG, HOST.LOG, and HOST.MSG. Each of
- these files is an ASCII text file, intelligible to any text
- editor or wordprocessor. The LOG and MSG files are
- automatically generated by HOST, and require no maintenance.
-
- The HOST.CFG file will probably be most important in specifying
- your secret code name, which gives you alone Sysop access to the
- DOS SHELL and the Inspect callers-log function. See below about
- how to set up a CFG file.
-
- Where a CFG file is not specified, HOST will assume all users
- have the same security, and no one will get access to DOS or the
- caller log.
-
- - HOST does not have any internal protocols for file transfer, but
- takes for granted that the user has a registered copy of Chuck
- Forsberg's DSZ.COM, located somewhere in the DOS path. The four
- protocols which HOST presents as choices all assume access to
- DSZ. HOST shells out to DSZ and automatically sets up the DSZ
- commandline, conformable to the user's selected option, and
- DSZ's syntax. File transfer does not involve setting up
- special batch files.
-
- In the event DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE is not found in the DOS path (or
- in HOST's local directory), HOST simply returns to the Main menu
- without apparent effect to a caller. However, at the host end,
- the message 'Bad command or filename' will be displayed by DOS
- in such an event.
-
- - HOST does not check caller names against a user list. Everyone
- except the Sysop has the same security level. Since HOST is
- designed only to be run occasionally, there is no need for a
- userlist. However, HOST does write out caller names to a log
- file called HOST.LOG. The dates and times, together with the
- name given by the caller should generally be more than
- sufficient for occasional use.
-
- In addition, HOST's monitoring function will write to HOST.LOG a
- short descriptions of the caller's activities.
-
-
- ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
- NOTE: You can run HOST IMMEDIATELY at the root directory WITHOUT
- ANY CONFIGURATION AT ALL, and, if the files needed for transfer
- are there, your caller should be able to pick them up.
- ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
-
-
-
- FINE TUNING - HOST.CFG
- ----------------------
- This file has a very simple structure. It is based on the use of
- 11 keywords: SYSOP, LOGON, DELAY, LIMIT, RBACK, RINGS, FPATH,
- NRAM1, NRAM2, MINIT, and FIXED. The space character is used to
- associate each keyword with its intended value. All values are
- read as strings, so don't use quotes. The order in which these
- variables are defined in HOST.CFG is immaterial; HOST will figure
- out which is which.
-
- SYSOP - Your secret name, as the Sysop (no length limit).
- The default is no Sysop name, and so no Sysop
- privilege. If SYSOP is defined in HOST.CFG, then
- the caller logging on with this name will have
- access to the shell and user log functions
- (available only to registered users).
-
- LOGON - This is the message your caller will see first
- after establishing connect with HOST. The default
- is not to print a logon message at all.
-
- FPATH - The drive-directory where file transfer takes
- place. If not mentioned, this variable defaults
- to '\' - that is, the root directory of the
- current drive.
-
- DELAY - The delay time, in seconds, between modem
- commands. In command mode (when no caller is
- online), instructions sent to the modem are
- followed by responses from the modem. If commands
- are sent too quickly, they won't be received,
- since some of them may occur during the modem
- reply. The default of HOST is 1 second, which
- should generally be adequate to prevent this kind
- of effect on USR Couriers. However, you may find
- it necessary to set the DELAY at 2 or 3.
-
- LIMIT - A non-Sysop caller's session time limit. HOST
- prescribes no time limit for any person who logs
- on with the Sysop's secret name (see above). All
- other callers have a time limit assigned by LIMIT.
- HOST's default is 20 (minutes).
-
- RBACK - The number of seconds the host should wait before
- recycling to receive the caller's second ring
- sequence. If this number is a positive integer,
- ringback mode is automatically assumed by HOST.
-
- HOST does not make any use of hardware modem
- ringback technology, but, instead, controls
- ringback processing entirely from within HOST. As
- a result, the user may define any kind of ringback
- mode he wishes, with ringback wait (the minimum
- interval between the caller's first and second
- call) set anywhere between 10 and 32767 seconds.
- Usually, the appropriate setting should be at
- least 10 seconds. The standard length of the
- telephone ring cycle is about 6 seconds; and a few
- additional seconds are necessary to distinguish a
- new ring cycle from merely the next one in the
- same cycle.
-
- Where RBACK is omitted or is non-positive, HOST
- deactivates ring-back mode.
-
- RINGS - The number of rings which must occur before HOST
- will make connect with a caller. Again, HOST does
- not make use of modem technology here but handles
- the ring problem entirely at the software level.
-
- Where RINGS is omitted or set to 0, HOST will
- attempt a connect on detection of the leading edge
- of the first ring (i.e. answer on "zero rings").
-
- NRAM1, NRAM2, MINIT, and FIXED are modem initialisation
- variables. You may see illustrations of these strings simply by
- running
-
- HOST LOCAL
-
- They are summarised below the initial help screen.
-
- All these initialisation strings have default values supplied by
- HOST. But each may be varied by the user as experiment warrants,
- by supplying the relevant variable and associated value in the
- HOST.CFG file.
-
- FIXED is the only initialisation variable that behaves differently
- from the other three: The purpose of FIXED is to override the
- other settings when 19200 is used on the HOST commandline. The
- purpose here is to set up a USR Courier HST or Dual Standard to
- receive fixed baud calls at 19200, so as to achieve throughput of
- 14400 baud. The supplied defaults should do this; but, if fine
- tuning is necessary, the default value of FIXED can be made
- subject to the user's own override values.
-
- Sample HOST.CFG file:
- --------------------
-
- SYSOP DD334RTM_2
- LOGON SAM'S PLACE
- DELAY 2
- LIMIT 30
-
- In this example, the Sysop's secret name for logon purposes is
- DD334RTM_2, the logon message will be SAM'S PLACE, the modem
- command delay is set at 2 seconds, and non-Sysop callers will
- receive a maximum of 30 minutes online.
-
-
- The advantage of a program like HOST is that the user can park
- HOST.EXE and HOST.DOC in his pathed \UTIL directory, and then run
- the program from anywhere. For example, on some other drive, the
- user may wish to keep a small subdirectory called \JOHN, for
- communications with, say, John Somebody, who prefers to call at
- 19200 baud. The directory would contain a batch file which
- automatically specifies the loading of HOST with the 19200
- parameter, so that John can get 14.4k speed downloads. In
- addition, all the control files will be written in that directory,
- if the batch file is run from there.
-
- Obviously other small directories could be set up as well.
-
-
- The space and human memory saving advantage here is large. The
- program, docs, and other small directories might occupy no more
- than 60k. And very few details need be attended to, so as to make
- HOST operational.
-
- Use of the Shell function
- -------------------------
- There are two main reasons why a person running a BBS should never
- provide general caller access to DOS through a shell or exit
- function. (1) Any caller could do great damage to the software on
- his or her computer, and (2) callers who are not knowledgeable on
- the use of shells in communications environments could easily hang
- up the operation of the BBS by doing something that would prevent
- them from exiting out of DOS level. A few notes should be made
- about this second danger.
-
- (a) Normally, when BBS operators arrange for the use of a DOS
- shell, they do it by having the BBS program specify a batch
- file to execute the functions intended, and this batch file
- will call some kind of watchdog utility which causes the
- host computer to reboot in the event of a prematurely
- dropped carrier.
-
- The main reason for the watchdog utility is that, if
- carrier is lost, the caller will be denied any further
- control over processing. If no program is resident, which
- can automatically restore the BBS, it will simply hang, and
- no other user will be able to log on, until the condition
- of the computer is fixed by the Sysop.
-
- An arbitrary shell function for Sysops does not provide any
- such utility; so if you call your own host and drop to DOS,
- you could make a simple mistake and cause your system to
- hang - unless you MANUALLY call a watchdog utility as soon
- as you are at DOS level. Watchdog utilities do not,
- however, work equally well on all types of computers - so
- the risk of hang when drop to DOS occurs is still quite
- substantial even for the Sysop.
-
- (b) Certain keys, such as the backspace key, and perhaps even
- the cursor keys, may cause infinite loops to develop at DOS
- level, unless the codes for these keys are redefined. For
- example, using ASCII 8 for the backspace key in a
- communications shell often causes infinite looping
- behaviour, which cannot be stopped. These kinds of keys
- should be redefined by using your modem S-registers (the
- backspace key is S5), or avoided altogether.
-
- DON'T use any keys at DOS level, except the numbers and
- letters of the alphabet. Any deviation from this rule
- could cause your host computer to hang, while you are at
- DOS level within a shell.
-
- If you must use DOS while online, use it through an
- applications program whose output is redirectable to a
- communications port, and which itself has internal
- carrier protection.
-
- Direct access to DOS in a communications session is
- strictly for techies only!
-
- But, it is made available here, chiefly for the benefit of
- knowledgeable users of communications programs who would
- like to take advantage of all that free memory space
- (generally, more than 500K) which HOST makes possible.
-
- Noise
- -----
- Generally, when run on error-correcting modems like the line of US
- Robotics Couriers, noise is rarely a serious problem. The problem
- arises when a BBS is run in non-error correcting environments.
- Any line noise is liable to cause communications to break down or
- be seriously interrupted. HOST limits this problem by filtering
- all strings transmitted through the echo function of prompts. In
- particular, the filter passes only those characters whose ASCII
- value is less than 127 at speeds lower than 9600 baud. At 9600
- baud or above, HOST assumes the modem is of the error-correcting
- variety, and so does no filtering. This filtering process applies
- to all echoing to remote at opportunities for user input - for
- example, in chat, or in message entry. It follows that, where
- filtering is active, HOST does not permit remote upload of a
- graphics message to the Enter Note function.
-
- Errors
- ------
- HOST 2.2 supports error detection, much of which is used for
- internal reprocessing (such as error handling when the CTS line is
- dropped), and is of no interest to the user. However, the
- following errors have diagnostic importance:
-
- - Modem not connected to port or modem turned off
-
- This occurs when the modem status register has a value less than
- 16, or when the ring and carrier bits are simultaneously set.
-
- Please let me know if your modem is otherwise operational, but
- you cannot get past this message. HOST 2.2 will report to you
- the MSR value on your screen at run time. I have tested HOST on
- a number of different kinds of modems with successful results on
- this error condition, but admit that I don't have exhaustive
- information about all modems.
-
- This error condition is an attempt to deal with a problem which
- many communications programs simply ignore, with the result that
- they simply hang the computer, if the modem is not connected or
- electrically turned off.
-
-
- - Illegal baud rate
-
- If you select a baud rate not supported by HOST, this message
- will occur, returning you to DOS. HOST will inform you what
- baud rates are legal.
-
-
- - Wrong port, wrong baud, or hardware problem
-
- This message occurs if HOST encounters any error while opening
- the communications port. For example, if you select 2 on the
- commandline for the port, and your machine only has a
- communications card that supports COM1:, this error will occur.
- It may also occur if you have a hardware problem - for example,
- if your communications card needs to be reseated on the
- motherboard, or perhaps you should do a cold boot because of a
- lost bit somewhere in RAM. Try rebooting if this message
- occurs. If that doesn't work, open up your machine WITH POWER
- OFF and try reseating your communications card. Of course, make
- sure you're using the right port and baud on the commandline,
- when the machine is afterwards TURNED ON and rebooted.
-
- If all this fails to make HOST get past this message, you
- probably have an electrically defective communications card.
-
-
- - STRING SPACE CORRUPT; Please call back in about 20 seconds
-
- This error may occur when HOST's string pool has become
- corrupt. HOST automatically puts the phone line off-hook,
- closes the communications port, and exits to DOS with DOS error
- level 2, when this circumstance occurs. The appropriate action
- is merely to start HOST again from DOS, and this can be arranged
- automatically by making direct use of HOST's exit code.
-
- Since HOST allocates far more space (16K) than it needs (about
- 4K), the user may never see this error occur. But, if HOST is
- used as a 24-hour BBS, the activating batch file should take it
- account, in order to avoid losing the host on rare occasions.
- For example, the following statements in the activating batch
- file would do the trick:
-
- :START
- HOST 2
- IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO START
-
- In this case HOST's commandline indicates that the port is
- number 2, and that the modem supports speeds up to 9600 (the
- default if the baud rate is not specified).
-
-
- LOGGING OFF AND RECYCLING
- -------------------------
- HOST 2.2 reports inter-session processing on the local screen as
- it proceeds, so you can see where any error occurs.
-
- One important problem that may develop, but for which HOST has no
- error detection, occurs when a caller logs off but HOST does not
- drop his carrier - thus forcing him to drop carrier at the other
- end. This fault is due to the fact that the switches of the modem
- which HOST is using are set to force the DTR line high at all
- times.
-
- HOST drops the caller's carrier by dropping the local DTR line; if
- the host modem does not respond to this command, the remote caller
- will still be online. The caller will see evidence of this
- malfunction, by noting that his line was not dropped after he
- logged off, and that he sees on his screen the message to put the
- host line offhook (it won't really be offhook if the remote caller
- sees that message). As a result, he'll have to drop his
- own carrier manually.
-
- Therefore, do NOT operate HOST on a modem configured to force DTR
- high at all times. The 'force DTR high' switch should be turned
- off.
-
- In Closing
- ----------
- Please feel free to offer any criticisms or suggestions you may
- have; I can be reached at Compuserve [73230,2620].
-
-
- - Regards, Bob
-
-
-
-
- ** SHAREWARE NOTICE **
-
- This program is shareware: if you think it's a worthy addition to
- your personal software, you should make a contribution to the
- author. In return for your contribution you will receive the most
- recent updates of the items mentioned in the list below.
-
- Simply purchase a money order from your bank in the amount of $20
- US made out to Bob Eyer and send with your return address to:
-
- Bob Eyer
- 1100 Bloor Street West
- Suite 16
- Toronto, Canada M6H 1M8
-
- Please mention in your accompanying note whether you wish 5.25" or
- 3.5" diskette format, and state the name in which you wish
- registration-only utilities to be registered.
-
- Do not send cheques.
-
- Enquiries may be placed by writing directly to the author via
- Easyplex at Compuserve [73230,2620].
-
- Warranty and Disclaimer:
- -----------------------
- The author, Bob Eyer, guarantees the physical integrity of the
- diskette covering the points above, and will replace free of
- charge, if it is received defective. However, in no case will the
- author be responsible for any damages due to loss of data or any
- other reason. In no event does the author's liability for any
- damages exceed the price paid for the buyer's order of this
- software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using
- the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of
- the software.
-
-
- DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS YOU WILL RECEIVE FREE WITH YOUR REGISTRATION
- ********************************************************
-
- Many of the programs in the following list have not been publicly
- posted, and those which have been posted previously are unlikely
- to be posted in new updates, except in rare cases.
-
- Certain programs are registered-only, which means that the user
- must not post copies on bulletin boards. Some of these have also
- never been posted at all, and are available ONLY to registered
- users.
-
- Versions new since last public post are indicated with a + sign.
- Entries marked by double asterisk have never been posted, and are
- available only to registered users, copies which will contain the
- user's name on the copy.
-
- Nearly all file-processing programs take full advantage of
- wildcard logic, including DOS shortcuts, keeping keystrokes to
- absolute minimum.
-
- Total size in compressed form for all of below, including docs:
- about 320K.
-
- ** MG 3.0
- ------
- Moving average ASCII graphing program. Especially designed for
- obtaining graphic updates on stock-market activity in practical
- trading environments, in which it is essential that the user get a
- quick graph immediately, with points of the graph directly
- associated with the numerical and other text information which
- these points represent (a feat impractical in Lotus graphics).
- Designed to be used with SETV below.
-
- + SPC 5.4
- -------
- Multidrive columnar drive report, with fairly complete description
- of your machine including communications, important chips,
- printer, BIOS, memory, processor and coprocessor speed,
- multitasking, networking, and so on, all in one single snapshot.
- New version doubles the amount of information on each
- communications port and displays the information in columnar mode
- above the drive report, adds an environment usage readout as well
- as a new P parameter to pause the PRINT multiplexer, when it is
- used to feed data to your printer. (DOS PRINT lacks a pause
- command).
-
- SETV 2.0
- --------
- Sets seven VGA text video modes. Enables Multisync or VGA user to
- make use of seven major video text modes at DOS level, including
- 132 column modes.
-
- HOST 2.2
- --------
- Provides a simple BBS host for occasional use. Fully
- configurable, but capable of being run 'right out of the box',
- HOST provides ringback, file transfer, mail, chat, userlog, shell,
- and much more - in an executable only 27K in size.
-
- AL 2.3
- ------
- Best and most flexible TSR alarm program with clock option. Has
- time-locking and a full range of options. 7K of memory.
-
- CA 2.2
- ------
- Four-function fixed point TSR calculator with formatted displays
- and scientific notation for direct paste to text. Also has
- accumulator. Four mode groups. About 13K of memory.
-
- + CAF 2.2
- -------
- TSR floating point calculator with formatted displays and direct
- paste to text. 18 functions, and an accumulation area. Five
- types of modes. Number formatting. CAF is the most sophisticated
- calculator in the business, for its size. 27K of memory.
-
- PAUZ 2.2
- --------
- Replacement for DOS PAUSE, allows specification of seconds to wait
- or target [<=] time, as well as what key to use for pause
- interruption. User triggering of error levels 1 to 9.
-
- + MV 2.6
- ------
- Fast file mover. Preserves date/time/attribute stamp for all
- moves. Allows moving Read Only and Hidden files, source files
- opened in SHAREd mode for network users. Wildcards. None
- faster or safer.
-
- ** SPLT 2.1
- --------
- ASCII file splitter which, for the first time, offers the ability
- to prevent the split from resulting in split messages or other
- defined text blocks. Works with DIV and REV, below.
-
- ** OTL 3.0
- -------
- Makes it possible to apply any set of operations, say, as
- specified in a batch file, to every file in an ASCII list, without
- having to specify the path information for each file. For Sysops.
-
- ** KALL 2.0
- --------
- For users of DOS 3.0-3.2 who would like batch file control like
- that offered in the more advanced DOS versions. Allows
- redirection of batch file output, unlike DOS 4/5 CALL.
-
- ** SS 1.0
- ------
- Secure shell, protects your system from keyboard redefinition
- resulting from ANSI codes read in remote message areas. Maintains
- default DOS colour scheme, but requires use of NANSI.SYS.
-
- DIV 3.2
- -------
- Generalisation of FGREP-type programs to include blocks of text.
- A single string defines a block in most kinds of blockable text.
- DIV handles almost any kind. Returns blocks containing one or
- more of up to 64 different strings from large ASCII files. Useful
- in extracting messages or extended file descriptions containing a
- range of strings without manual cut and paste. Can prepare a file
- containing every block EXCEPT the ones selection, and
- simultaneously. See REV in short list below.
-
- COMB 2.2
- --------
- Sorts and combines wildcard text files in specified order into
- first file found in that order. Primarily for eliminating the
- tedium and error involved in accumulating message files into one
- file for easy reference. Essential for systematic followers of
- international correspondence forums.
-
- ADD 2.4
- -------
- Adds very lengthy columns of numbers found in ASCII text, such as
- byte counts in BBS listings without manual data entry. (Capable
- of handling the addition of up to 1 billion numbers in one pass).
-
- CITM 2.4
- --------
- Counts similar items in formatted ASCII lists, where the
- similarity is based on a fixed string field found at one position
- in each line of text, and all lines have been previously sorted,
- based on the contents of that string field. Perfect as a
- companion utility for Baker's QSORT.
-
- + FVER 2.0
- --------
- Compares a file list, like a BBS listing, to the actual files
- found anywhere in the BBS's download path. Operates in FAST or
- SLOW mode, depending on your safety requirements. Can be operated
- remotely through a BBS door.
-
- + MVA 2.0
- -------
- Moves files, even if set to read only status, from anywhere in a
- specified download path to a given location. Operates directly on
- ASCII lists, like directories or BBS listings. Can be operated
- remotely through a BBS door.
-
- RNF 2.1
- -------
- Minimises keystrokes and keystroke error on renaming files with
- date or time info or special flags.
-
- plus:
- ----
- + LF - Linefeeds printer by user-supplied number of lines.
- + PF - Pagefeeds printer by user-supplied number of pages.
- + DOSV - Writes out major element of DOS version as error level.
- + RING - TSR ring detector for users who don't like phone rings.
- + PORT - TSR/non-TSR display of modem statistics for specific port.
- ELIM - Advanced replacement for DEL.
- + EMS - EMS detector for error level control in batch files.
- LCNT - Very fast linecounter; formatted output.
- ESRT - Element sorter. User specified delimiter.
- + TYME - Program execution timer.
- CHG - Attribute file/directory/date/time file changer/reader.
- + CBRO - Compuserve Browse converter. Old/new formats.
- REV - Reverses order of blocks of text (messages, etc).
- DTR - Toggles modem DTR line.
- RTS - Toggles RTS line.
- ** CFIX - Fix cursor to normal, block or off.
- ** EL - Converts number to error level, for batch files.
- WD - Gives wildcard support to any program.
- SWP - Fast single-level sweep program.
- TSTF - Floppy disk status tester.
- ----------------------
- End of documentation