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1992-09-12
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CWCTxtEd version 1.0
A Color-capable Prompt Editor for WILDCAT! 3.x
A Planet >< Programming Production
Copyright (C) 1992 by Tim Kilgore
Protected under Missouri General Copyright Law
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Program Description -
CWCTxtEd is a drop-in replacement for MSI's capable MKWCTEXT.EXE.
CWCTxtEd has several advancements over MKWCTEXT; being able to view
the prompts in color as you change them, search and replace, and
drop-down file selection boxes being the most notable improvements.
This shareware release has some limitations. See LIMITATIONS OF
THE SHAREWARE VERSION, below.
Disclaimer -
YOUR USE OR MISUSE OF CWCTXTED INDICATES YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE
FOLLOWING TERMS. THE AUTHOR, TIM KILGORE, WILL NOT BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, REAL, EMOTIONAL, OR OTHERWISE. YOU
USE CWCTXTED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Why CWCTxtEd -
A few months ago I tried to change some of the prompts to my liking.
After an hour of making a few changes, exiting MKWCTEXT, loading
WILDCAT, looking at the color change, and then returning to
MKWCTEXT, I decided that there had to be a better way.
Enter CWCTxtEd.
Operational Notes and Tips -
CWCTxtEd is very nearly functionally the same as MKWCTEXT. This
documentation will not cover features found in MKWCTEXT, but will
explain the major differences between the two programs.
CWCTxtEd must be executed in the same subdirectory that contains
the prompt file that is to be altered. These files typically end
with the following extensions -
*.DEF Default prompt definition files Never changed
*.DAT True (used) definition file Can be changed
*.ASC ASCII import/export text file Can be changed
WILDCAT! 3.5x ships with the following prompt files -
WCTEXT.DEF, WCTEXT.DAT Prompt-set for the BBS
TCTEXT.DEF, TCTEXT.DAT Prompt-set for TomCat
NOTE: TCTEXT.DAT and TCTEXT.DEF shipped with different values
in either file. At least three prompts are different
by DEFAULT.
If you are running a multi-node system, your best course of action
is to copy the *.DAT and *.DEF files that you wish to edit to
another subdirectory and edit them there. This will prevent file
contention from occurring and will allow you to edit the prompts in
peace.
The most obvious advantage that CWCTxtEd has over MKWCTEXT is the
color view port. If you change color values and press ENTER, the
new color changes will take place in the color view port.
The FIND function (F4 on the EDIT PROMPT menu) is the second major
advancement and you'll soon find (oww!) that it is extremely useful.
It allows you to specify replacement text without requiring you to
edit the text by hand. If also remembers your last search and
replacement strings, so you won't have to type the same information
in over and over again.
Editing Prompts -
It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. There are several things
that you should know about prompt editing that will make your life
a lot easier.
You can add carriage returns (CR) and linefeeds (LF) by entering the
following special codes -
^M = 1 carriage return Homes the cursor to COL 1
^J = 1 line feed Puts the cursor on the next line
CWCTxtEd ignores all other characters prefixed with a caret (^) thus
characters such as a backspace or bell are not possible with this
release.
The tilde (~) character is probably used by WC to force a 1/2 second
delay. Avoid using it unless you intend bore your users to death.
High-bit ASCII (128+) characters are usable, but I recommend avoiding
the cent sign (¢) as some terminals may use this as a high-bit escape
sequence. Try not to use any characters with an ASCII value lower than
32 since these characters could be easily misinterpreted by the
remote terminal.
High-bit characters are easily entered. This is an ASCII 254 - ■.
To create it, press and HOLD your ALT key. Now enter 254 from the
KEYPAD. Release ALT. The ■ character should now appear. Consult
your DOS manual for the codes to other characters.
White characters on a green background is the default color for
CWCTxtEd. You will notice prompts that start green and change
colors at some point in the middle of the string. This means that
the prompt, when first displayed, uses the default color that
is currently active within WILDCAT!. (This is usually yellow on
black.) If you wish to force a certain color, strings like this
need to be prefixed with your default color scheme.
Making Things Easier -
The biggest problem with MSI's prompt editing system is a lack
of a road map. Wouldn't it be nice if a description file
accompanied each *.DAT file? I'd love to see something like -
PROMPT #: 12 Displayed when user's time is about to expire
If you thing so too, ask the good people at MSI to provide a
description file (*.DES or *.MAP) with future releases. If they
do, I'll gladly integrate it into CWCTxtEd!
CWCTxtEd Credits -
CWCTxtEd was written entirely in MicroSoft's BASIC 7.1 and makes
no use of external libraries or tools save those that accompany
the Professional Development System.
My thanks to Jack Regan for introducing me to QB(X) programming.
About the Author -
After spending 4 years in the U.S. Army Infantry and learned nothing
more than self-discipline (which is actually under-rated) and how to
kill fellow human beings (which is over-rated), the author learned
programming as a hobby. An interest in telecommications led to a
job with Datastorm Technologies, Inc., (maker of PROCOMM PLUS) where
he currently works as a Technical Support Technician.
Limitations of the Shareware Version -
The Shareware version will only allow you to edit the first 150
prompts. Since WCTEXT.DAT contains almost 700 prompts, you may
wish to consider registering CWCTxtEd.
I've written several WildCat! FREEWARE utilities (SDIZ, WCFDFILE)
and I'm happy to provide these useful programs at no cost.
CWCTxtEd, though, represents much more time and effort and I feel
that it requires compensation. Thus the cripple. (And emulating
MSI's knarly menus was not much fun, either!)
Registering CWCTxtEd -
The registration fee for CWCTxtEd is $15.00 ($20.00 Canadian).
I personally despise waiting for registration keys and sysops are
extremely trustworthy people. For that reason, I've elected to
use voice registration. You call me, get your registration number,
and send the check afterword. Instant gratification!
I can be reached at 314.443.0419 VOICE from 6pm to 10pm daily. Call
and get your registration number.
If it's after-hours or you're bashful and don't want to talk, you
can send EMAIL requesting a registration number to the following
addresses -
Planet ><
1:289/5 FIDO
15:600/101 ADULTNET
314.443.0319 HST/DS
Send your check or money order to -
Tim Kilgore
2601 S Providence, Lot #40
Columbia, MO 65201
Thanks!