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1992-01-12
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Wildcat-HSlink utility. (c) 1992 Karl Schneider
8505 Woodwick Ct.
Tampa, FL 33615
813-884-9661 voice days/eves
Jan 12, 1992 " " " BBS midnight to 0700 EST
14.4 HST
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareware release, 1-12-92: This version ONLY WORKS WITH COM1 AND COM2!
REGISTERED versions (available soon) will support COM3 and up, will
be DESQview aware *, and will offer a few more features. Note, however,
these programs are NOT CRIPPLED, have no 'time-bombs', and do not
write any 'secret' files or write into any existing Wildcat or other
program files.
* This version will run fine in DV, but is not OPTIMIZED for it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The programs in this archive will enable you to use HSLINK (c) for
regular (one-way) AND Bidirectional transfers to and from your Wildcat
3.x+ BBS. The implementation is less than 'perfect' in that it requires
your users to perform one additional step after doing a two-way
transfer. It is, however, not complex, and the users are instructed
how to go about it by way of the enclosed programs.
Please read these instructions carefully---the procedure is NOT
complicated, but it MUST be followed properly.
HSLINK is a widely distributed and frequently updated Beta of a bi-
directional (as well as one-way) file transfer protocol written by
Samuel Smith. The latest version as of this date, is as
far as I can tell, HSLK10E4. If you plan to offer this protocol, be
sure to try to keep the latest versions installed, as well as avail-
able for download for your users.
First, let me explain how your users will do a BiDirectional file
transfer. The first step is just as explained in the HSLink Documents;
that is, the user picks the files he wishes to DOWNload from the Files
Menu as usual, chooses [H]slink (or whatever letter you have set up
in Makewild), and when Wildcat instructs him to begin the download,
he initiates an UPLOAD using HsLink from his usual COMM program, after
telling it what files to SEND to your BBS.
HSLINK will perform the transfers, and when it is finished, your SH.BAT
file (or whatever you name it) will call the program WCHSD.EXE which
will check to see if HSLINK RECEIVED any files (UPloads to your sys-
tem, that is)...and if so, will instruct the user to COMPLETE THE
OPERATION by entering [U] from the Files menu when it reappears, then
selecting HSLink and WAIT for the prompts: 'Do you wish to password
protect this file', 'Enter Description', and so forth. He will be
told NOT TO INITIATE ANOTHER UPLOAD AT THAT TIME - ONLY TO WAIT FOR
THE PROMPTS ASKING FOR THE FILE INFORMATION!
You will see this same message on your BBS screen. The user will
have 30 seconds to 'press a key', which should be sufficient to under-
stand the instructions. If he does not press a key, Wildcat will
reload anyway after 30 secs.
After descriptions, etc. have been entered for all files, WILDCAT will
go through the normal SCANFILE testing routine for the uploads, just
as in a normal UPload. (Where you have something like ZIPLAB (c),
CATSCAN (c), etc. Note that AUTODESC, my automatic-description in-
serting program, functions properly in this procedure).
Here are some potential glitches:
1. The user attempts to UPLOAD the files again after the HSLINK
transfer is complete. This will result in him sending binary
data which will probably cause WILDCAT to do who knows what.
You have all seen this...different menus coming up, etc. etc...
This will not cause any serious problem, but the uploads may
be lost, have wrong descriptions, or the user may just get
frightened and hang up. I suggest posting a bulletin or Hello
screen with some instructions for doing HSLink transfers.
2. The user fails to complete the transfer procedure...that is,
does not go to Upload and enter the information for the files.
If he logs off before doing this (actually, he can exit the FIles
Menu and do other things, then come BACK and do the Upload just
fine), the HS uploads will be moved into a designated 'hold'
directory and a note will be put into the appropriate ACTIVITY.00x
log file notifying you that he did not complete the procedure.
You can do whatever you like with the uploaded files afterwards.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK....now how to set all this up?
Let's take it step by step -- 5 steps:
1. Starting from your Wildcat HOME directory, in DOS, type the
following:
md wcwork\node#\ep\temp
(replace the '#' above with the NODE NUMBER you are installing
this package in)
If you are installing it in more than 1 node, repeat the above
command with the appropriate node numbers.
2. First, put all 4 of the .EXE files in this archive (WCHSD.EXE,
WCHSU1.EXE, WCHSU2.EXE, and WCHSCK.EXE) someplace in your DOS
PATH.
3. Be sure your WCNODEID= Environment variable is properly set
for the node you're working with. (page 278 in my manual)
4. Set up HSLINK as an External Protocol in Makewild. I use SH.BAT
as the Download (Send) batch file, and RH.BAT for UPloads (Receive).
Samples are included in this archive. Make them EXACTLY AS SHOWN
in the included examples except as noted below. Here are copies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
REM THIS IS SH.BAT
REM download from Wildcat 3.x+
HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 -A -R -HS -NV -Utemp %5
if errorlevel 1 goto bad
goto ok
:bad
copy d:\wc30\all.ok transfer.bad
goto end
:ok
wchsd %1 %2
:end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may need to change the path in the 7th line ('copy d:\wc30....')
depending on your WC setup drive\dir, etc. Check the HS Docs for
info on the HSLINK command line parameters.
===========================================================================
REM THIS IS RH.BAT
REM UPload to Wildcat 3.x+
wchsu1
if errorlevel 1 goto skip
hslink -P%2 -E%4 -A -R -HS -NV -Utemp
:skip
wchsu2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only thing you may need to change here are possibly some of the
HSLINK command line parameters. Refer to the HS Docs for further info.
===========================================================================
5. Create or edit a POSTCALL.BAT file, in your WC HOME DIRECTORY to
contain the following line:
wchsck c:wc\hold
^^|^^^^^^
This is the drive\directory where UNCOMPLETED HSLINK
UPLOADS are to be MOVED to. A note in your ACTIVITY.00x
file will inform you when this is done. If the directory
does not exist, WCHSCK will create it for you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Regular Downloads and Uploads (Non-Bidirectional) are handled in
the normal way...no extra steps are required for the user.
In summary, the only thing different the USER is required, is:
After doing a BIDIRECTIONAL transfer, he needs to go to [U]pload
from the [F]iles Menu, select [H]Slink, and simply WAIT (only a few
seconds) until Wildcat asks for the 'password protect', 'Description',
etc.
No special procedures are required for you, the SYSOP, other than
monitoring your 'hold' directory for 'uncompleted' files, and possibly
communicating with the uploader to explain the correct procedure.
This is the first release of this package. I have tested it on my
system, and so far have not found any problems, but as with any
software that must run in many different environments, some bugs are
likely. I make no warranties that these programs will perform properly
in all installations, and welcome any bug reports or suggestions.
REGISTRATION:
These programs may be used for a reasonable period not to exceed 30
days from their installation for evaluation. If you continue to use
them afterward, a $10 registration to the above address is required!
A payment of $25 or more will constitute registration to this package
PLUS ALL of my other WC3 utilities! Registration of course entitles
you to full phone/bbs support and even customization you may wish,
within reason. Thank you!
-eof-