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V E R S I O N 3 . 0 5
Deluxe Files Lister
Copyright 1990-92, YossiWare Developments.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ DISCLAIMER ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
SMaster is being distributed on the Shareware basis. It may be
freely distributed in any media, as long as a few terms are kept:
- All files included in original package, including both 8088 and
80286/386/486 executables, additional files and documentation
files are distributed in their original unmodified form. If you
modify any of the files (for any reason), do not distribute them
as a part of the SMaster 3.05 Package.
- You must charge no money for the program. A minimal amount of
money may be charged for the floppy (or for other media you
distribute SMaster).
Also, please note that SMaster was tested for almost two years
in several locations, and on many different configurations.
Another thing you have to know before using SMaster is that
you're the only one who can be held responsible for damage or
loss caused directly or indirectly by SMaster. Although it has
no destructive operation, nor sensitive or critical code, I do
not know under what environment SMaster will work, and who will
take care of it.
- 2 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ INTRODUCTION ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 1.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Unlike the name (Bulletin Board System, BBS), most of the BBSes
today are running around files. The best BBS has the newest
files, or the biggest files library, or the biggest area of
files for a specific subject. This is why listing files, and
choosing the files to be downloaded is that hard. A very common
file is a text file (or a compressed text file), which holds the
list of all the system's files. Another, less common list, is
the file with all new files on the board.
In order to create these files, all you need is one of dozens of
programs available for this kind of job. The way to select the
program to use is easy. You're looking for a program which will
work on your BBS program, fast, with the smallest number of
crippled options (if author requires registration), and the look
of the ready list.
SMaster is "one of these files", plus a lot of features. a list
of all SMaster's features is included below. If you don't know
yet whether you will use it or not, browse in the list, and make
up your mind.
- 3 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ FEATURES ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 1.1 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
∙■∙ Support for a wide range of BBS software, and BBS enhancers.
QuickBBS, RemoteAccess and SuperBBS are fully supported. A
very good utility for "filling gaps" in the above programs
is the QFV package, coming from DISP, which is (obviously)
supported.
∙■∙ SMaster is capable of creating All-Files list (which
contains files from all BBS areas), New-Files list (which
contains only files which were added in the last days - you
select how many days exactly). Two other lists can be
created, which are mainly for file-base maintenance. The
Missing-Files list, which is a list of all files which
cannot be found on the disk (but listed on FILES.BBS), and
Orphans-list, which is a list contains files found on area,
but not listed in FILES.BBS.
∙■∙ Sophisticated selection of areas to process. Instead of
working on ALL file-areas when creating any of the above
lists, SMaster can process only selected areas. Since every
area has a security level, the selection is done by defining
a security range, and only areas which belong to that range
are processed.
∙■∙ Addition of text files as banners on top of the all-files
and new-files list (may be a separate banner for each list).
∙■∙ Optional addition of statistical information about every
area BEFORE the area itself, and statistical information
about all the listed areas together at end (both are
optional).
∙■∙ Easy set-up process (using windowed, menued program).
∙■∙ Sophisticated word-wrapping routines. These routines DO
support the SuperBBS and QFF extended description lines.
∙■∙ Multi-Line BBSs compatibility: Screen-writes are fully
DESQview aware (and still lightning-fast). The main
executable also SHARE files (Uses File-Sharing routines to
prevent accidental corruption of files when several tasks
access the same file).
∙■∙ The main executable (SMASTER) comes in two versions: One is
for 8088/8086 (XT) machines, and one is built to work under
80286 (AT) or better. The 286 version will work on 286
or better machines only and is smaller and faster.
∙■∙ Compatibility with both text-file areas-definition file
(FLSEARCH.CTL - QuickBBS), and the binary RemoteAccess's
file (FILES.RA).
- 4 -
∙■∙ Sort option to sort the all-files list (only). Fully
supports long-lines (QFF/SBBS). Sort is done in ascending
order, using the file's name as an sort-element.
∙■∙ Download-counters handling (Stripping, Forcing, Ignoring).
The change will be seen in the lists only, and will not be
written to the FILES.BBS itself.
∙■∙ ANSI Colors sequences may be added in list, to make it
colorful. The colors to use can be set by the SysOp.
∙■∙ Creation of Ready-To-Print lists: All-Files and New-Files
lists may be cut to pages (in a desired size), and headers
may be put on top of every page.
∙■∙ Creation of several lists, in different profiles, using more
than one configuration files (discussed later).
∙■∙ Offsetting of the extended description lines, for making the
list looking better in case download-counters are displayed.
- 5 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ INSTALLATION ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The installation process is quite short and easy, but if done
wrong might cause some unwanted results.
First, copy all files which were in SMaster's package into the
directory there it will run from. You may assign a special
directory for SMaster, but it is not required.
If you're using a XT machine (8088 or 8086 based machine), you
should use the SMASTER.EXE file only. 80286/80386/80486 machines
would rather like to use the SMASTER2.EXE, which is the same as
SMASTER.EXE, but makes use of the special AT (286 or better)
features, saving time and size.
The next step in the installation procedure is to create a
config file. In this section we will discuss normal
installation. Installation with several config files, and
updating from earlier versions will be discussed later.
The configuration file is built and changed using the SMCFG.EXE,
supplied with SMaster. Run this file.
On the screen, on the left side, you have a panel for choosing
fields to be changed, and on the right side a panel with the
current settings. When choosing a field to change, general
description about it will be displayed. Some options will cause
a secondary menu to appear, instead of directly prompting for
new value. You will have to select the exact topic you would
like to change (i.e. For changing the all-files list name, you
should choose from main menu the "MasterList", then from the
sub-menu "MasterList Name").
A detailed explanation about every field is included below.
- 6 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ SMCFG FIELDS ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.1 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Minimum Security
This parameter specifies the minimum security level which an area
should be set to, in order to be processed by SMaster. Usually
set this to 0.
- Maximum Security
This parameter specifies the maximum security level which an area
should be set to, in order to be processed by SMaster. Using this
parameters, you can cause some specific areas to be excluded from
all lists (Set their security level to higher than the "Maximum
Security" field).
- MasterList Name
This parameter is the name (may be, and strongly recommended, a
full path-name) of the all-files list. You can create it directly
inside one of your file areas, and disable the need to move the
file into the file-base after it is done.
- MasterList Banner
The name (may include full-path) of the text file to put as a
banner on top of the all-files list. If none is wanted, keep this
field empty.
- Extended Offset
When using download-counters at the beginning of the description,
you may want to put all extended description (beginning with line
2) in an offset, instead of under the download-counter. If you
do, enter the number of characters offset. 0 specifies no offset.
- 7 -
- NewList Name
This parameter is the name (may be, and strongly recommended, a
full path-name) of the new-files list. You can create it directly
inside one of your file areas, and disable the need to move the
file into the file-base after it is done.
- NewList Days
The number of days to list back in new-files list. If SMaster
finds files which have a date "in the future", it will include
them too (since many SysOps mark some files with a future date,
so the file will be listed as "new file" for many days).
- NewList Banner
The name (may include full-path) of the text file to put as a
banner on top of the new-files list. If none is wanted, keep this
field empty.
- Toggle Statistics
Toggles the global (full list) statistical information. When ON,
file-base statistics will be added on the bottom of the new-files
and all-files list.
- Sort MasterList
Toggles the sort for the all-files list. The sort element is the
file-names, and in ascending direction. When sorting, no extra
memory is needed (actually additional 32Kb is needed, but SMaster
allocates it anyway), since 2 disk files are being used as
virtual memory.
- DownLoad Counter
You can command SMaster to handle download counters in any one of
the following manners (The change will be seen in the list itself
only, the FILES.BBS will not be changed):
- 8 -
No Change -- SMaster won't touch the download-counters.
Force -- SMaster will add them if they are missing.
Strip -- SMaster will strip any download counter.
- ANSI Colors
Toggles the usage of ANSI Color sequences in the lists. If you
set it to ON, you will have to select what color will be used in
every part of the list (Default ones are set for best
convenience). ANSI sequences will enlarge your lists, but
compression programs (such as PKZIP, LHa, ARJ) can compress ANSI
with great success.
- Area Status
This option, when selected, will add a built-in banner on top of
every area in the lists, and will write the amount of available
(not OFFLINE) files in the area, the total size (in KB/MB), and
the average size of file. Area-Name will also be included
(double-spaced, capitalized).
- No Description Text
Sometime, for any reason, no description is available for a file
(in FILES.BBS the file appears, but with no description). Some
people don't like those gaps in the list, and prefer that "Not
yet commented" or any other text will replace the blank
description. If you are in this club, put in that field the text
you wish to put if no description is available. If you do not
want such thing to appear, keep this field empty.
- MissingFiles
This is the name of an optional file which will have the list of
all missing files on the BBS. Missing files are the files which
are listed in FILES.BBS, but does not exist on the DOS directory
(often called OFFLINE files). Empty name will indicate no file
should be created. If you specify a name for the MissingFiles
list, and there are no missing files on your board (lucky you!),
no such list will be created.
- 9 -
- Page Size
The length (in lines) of a printer page, in case the list should
be cut to pages for better print-out. If no control characters
should be used, set this parameter to 0.
- Header
If printer control characters are used (i.e. Page Size is
different than 0), SMaster can put on top of each printed page a
header. If you wish such header to be added, edit it in that
field. If none should be used - keep the field empty. Note that
the header length is not a full 80 characters length, but the
line will be centered.
- Area-Def. Type
SMaster can read two types of area definition files: Text-File
(FLSEARCH.CTL), or binary (FILES.RA). Choose the type you wish to
use. T stands for TEXT, B stands for Binary.
- Area-Def FileName
You must specify the exact name (and path) of the area-definition
file. Do it in this field.
- Orphans List
This option allows you to create an orphans list. This list
contains the files (in all areas), which exist on the area's
path, but not mentioned in the FILES.BBS. If you do not want such
list to be created, keep this field blank. SMaster will NOT
accept the following files as orphans: FILES.BBS, SMASTER.TMP,
FILES.BAK, PFILES.BBS, [All-Files Name], [New-Files Name],
[Missing-Files Name], [Orphans-Name], 4DOSSWAP.*, NDOSSWAP.*,
DESCRIPT.ION and all the independent files (read next paragraph).
- 10 -
- Independent Files
When creating orphans list, you might want SMaster to have a few
file names which will never be displayed as orphans, even if they
are not listed in the FILES.BBS (i.e. independent files). You may
specify here up to 20 independent files. You may NOT use
wildcards, but a partial file name can be used. For example, an
independent file entry "ABC" is masking "ABC", "ABCDEF",
"ABC.DEF". Another example is when using a door to
extract/view/manipulate archives like DISP's MTS or Zipster, both
doors create temp. files which should be inserted in the
Independent Files list. In MTS (for example) it should be
"DOWNLOA" (so it will mask DOWNLOA*.* files), and in Zipster is
should be "EXTRACT.ZIP".
- 11 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ MISSING FILES HANDLING ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.2 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
I think I should expand my explanations about the operation of
SMaster in case of missing file in both FILES.BBS and DOS's
directories:
┌────────────┬────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────┐
│File exist │File Exist │ What will happen │
│On FILES.BBS│On directory│ │
├────────────┼────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Yes │ Yes │ Normal operation. Nothing special. │
├────────────┼────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ No │ Yes │ File will NOT BE LISTED in All-Files │
│ │ │ or New-Files list, but on the │
│ │ │ orphans-list, if created │
├────────────┼────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ No │ No │ File will not be listed (no file!) │
├────────────┼────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Yes │ No │ File will be listed, but instead of │
│ │ │ size/date, "OFFLINE" will be │
│ │ │ written, as file is not available for │
│ │ │ download. If missing-files list is │
│ │ │ created, file will be listed there. │
└────────────┴────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┘
And there is one more case: File exist on both FILES.BBS and DOS
directory, but no description is assigned to it in the FILES.BBS.
In this case, SMaster will put the text you specified in the
SMCFG as "No description text" field.
- 12 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ UPGRADING ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.3 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Upgrading from earlier versions of SMaster is very simple.
Complete all operations as explained on section 2.0. Then, you
will have to upgrade the config file to the current version. Run
CFGUP (no command line), and in a few milliseconds you will have
your configuration file ready to be used.
Since new versions have fields which do not exist on earlier
versions, use SMCFG to change the new fields to your own needs
(since CFGUP uses default information for a field not supported
in the early version).
- 13 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ REQUIREMENTS ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 3.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
SMaster's requires:
At LEAST 384Kb of free base memory.
MS-DOS 3.00 or higher.
SMaster (and all utility files around) are using direct-screen
writes, for lightning-fast performance, yet do NOT cause snow on
old CGA screens, and do NOT "bleed" under DESQview.
SMaster was tested on 8088/6, V20/V30, 80286, 386sx, 386dx and
486 machines. It was tested under QEMM-386 5.00 to 6.02,
DESQview 2.26 to 2.42, 4DOS 3.03 to 4.00/B1, NDOS 6.01,
MS-DOS 3.30 to 5.00 and DR-DOS 6.00.
It has no fatal errors, so DESQview operation will go as usual
even if there are unexpected errors.
- 14 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ MULTI-LINE SYSTEMS ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 4.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
When running under MultiLine BBSs, things are tend to be
complicated. Starting with version 3.00, SMaster is "officially"
MultiLine aware.
When running a MultiLine BBS, there is the continuous danger of
2 (or more) tasks accessing the same file simultaneously. The
solution for this is using SHARE.EXE (a part of the MS-DOS
utilities), and using only software which "knows" how to treat
sharing and MultiLine BBSs.
When SMaster opens files, it locks them, and does not let other
tasks to use these files. In that way, the files are safe, and
you can be sure that users will not take part of the list (if it
is in the middle of being created, and user is downloading it).
This is the case when dealing with all files, except FILES.BBS.
When SMaster opens FILES.BBS, it allows other tasks to read it,
but not to write to it. In that way, a user who is OnLine can
view the file list, but the BBS software will not be able to
update FILES.BBS, not while SMaster reads it.
When SMaster opens FILES.BBS for reading it, and find the other
task is using the file right now, and does not allow any other
tasks to open it, it will retry to open the file up to 15 times,
with one second delay between each try. If it fails after 15
times, it will skip to the next part (next area if listing,
abort sort if was in sort, will not display area-status if tried
to browse area etc).
- 15 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ TIPS AND TRICKS ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 5.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- I strongly recommend to run SMaster manually, to check that
everything is going smoothly, and then include it in your
system-event (if you intend to create the lists on a daily
basis). Do not ever change anything without testing!
- If you have over 2000 Files, or you're using ANSI, the
All-Files List may be huge. Compressing the list makes it much
smaller, making the idea of downloading all-files list more
handy. If you do compress the list, a non-compressed file (in
addition to the compressed one) can be useful.
- If you enter description directly into FILES.BBS, don't worry
about word-wrapping. BUT if the description should stay AS-IS
(like when you draw boxes or any other ASCII shapes), keep its
length up to 45 Characters. Description that is longer than 45
Characters will be wrapped (and if wrapping isn't possible -
SMaster will cut it off).
- 16 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ MULTIPLE LISTS ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 5.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If you wish to create multiple different lists, for example,
one All-Files list with ANSI codes, and one without, you can
use the new feature added in SMaster v2.58 - multiple config.
files. You should edit 2 DIFFERENT configuration files using
SMCFG (for example "SMCFG BBS1.CFG" for first config. file,
and "SMCFG BBS2.CFG" for second config file). Then you should
run SMaster twice, with the "/C" command line (for example,
"SMASTER /CBBS1.CFG" for creating first list, and "SMASTER
/CBBS2.CFG" for creating second list). You must make sure that
there are no identical file-names in the different config.
files. If you call the MasterList in the first config file
"ALLFILES.LST", and use the same name in the second config.
file, SMaster will REWRITE the previous-created file.
- 17 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ REGISTERING ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 6.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
SMaster is not free. You may use it for 21 days introduction
period, and to decide if you want to continue using it. If you
do, you have to register it, by filling the registration form
(REGISTER.FRM, supplied with the package), and send it along with
check or cash. The amount requested is small, compared to the
time and efforts we wasted on writing, debugging and testing
SMaster for over an year.
After sending the form, you will receive a registration key,
which matches your BBS and your name, as written in the form. You
then install it using SMREG (Self-explanatory, very user
friendly). If you followed all instructions correctly, SMREG will
create a file called SMASTER.REG. This file contains registration
information, and will cause SMaster to know you're registered,
and what is your BBS name. This also makes sure you will stay
registered on all future versions.
- 18 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ T R A D E M A R K S ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 7.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The following names are trademarks, registered trademarks,
copyrights and/or efforts of their authors (listed in an
alphabetical order):
4DOS Rex Conn, J.P Software.
ANSI American National Standards Institute.
ARJ Robert K. Jung.
DESQview,
QEMM-386 Quarterdeck Systems.
LHA Haruyasu Yoshizaki.
MS-DOS Microsoft Corp.
MTS,
QFF,
QFV Robert W. Van Hoeven, DISP.
NDOS Symantec Corporation
PKZIP Phil Katz, PKWare.
QuickBBS Pegasus Software.
RemoteAccess Andrew Milner, Continental Software.
SuperBBS Risto Virkkala & Aki Antman
ZipSter Bill Hay
- 19 -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│░░░ LAST NOTES ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 8.0 ░░│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Before ending, I would like to thank to all the people who were
involved in some way or another in developing SMaster. Special
thanks go to the beta-testers, for testing, suggesting, reading
and and and... Thanks !
Support and destribution sites:
- Europe (Israel):
Saar Blitz - The Black Universe BBS,
+972-3-9665202, 24 Hours, 14.4k v.32bis
+972-3-9665257, 24 Hours, 2400 MNP5,
+972-3-9673803, 24 Hours, 2400 MNP5,
FidoNet 2:403/139.
Roy Udassin - Triple D BBS,
+972-8-476549, 24 Hours, 14.4k HST/v32b/v42b
FidoNet 2:403/123.
- USA:
Dave Overton - Amber Shadow BBS,
+1-916-742-5501, 24 Hours, 14.4k HST/v32b/v42b
FidoNet 1:203/988
Echonet 50:5010/988
Latest SMaster is always available on all support sites, for
Bark/WaZOO File-Request under the magic name SMASTER.
SMaster will also be available on SDS.
If you like to contact the author, you can do so in the following
ways:
SnailMail Yossi Gottlieb,
YossiWare Developments,
11 Armonim St.,
Ramat-Gan 52587,
Israel.
FidoNet Yossi Gottlieb, 2:403/139.75
RA_UTIL International Echo.
Internet Yossi.Gottlieb@p75.f139.n403.z2.fidonet.org
And thanks for using SMaster ...
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