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1995-02-12
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<*> FilesBBS Manager <*>
(c) Them & US SoftWare
Programmed by: John Curtis & Mark Taylor
Compiled w/Lattice C v5.60
This is just a quick document to get you going with the program. Full
documentation will be coming later on but, the program is fairly straight
foward to use and contains help buttons within the program. So without
further ado, exit this file and try out the program...
Okay, since your reading this I guess you want some more information
before you try out the program so here goes a short explaination of how to
get going with the program.
MAIN MENU SELECTION
-------------------
This is the Help File for the Main Menu and gives you a brief outline of
the various functions avialable from FilesBBS Manager The first thing you
must do when you run the program for the first time is enter Goto Setup
from the menu or entering ALT T to jump directly there. It is very
important that you enter SetUp and define the paths for your particular
needs. Failure to enter SetUp first will render this program completely
inoperatable. Once you define your selections in SetUp, make sure that you
save it, otherwise you will have to redefine your preferences each time
the program is run. Now a brief explaination of each function available
from within SetUp
GOTO SETUP HOT KEY - ALT T
---------- ---------------
DEFINE ARCHIVE PATHS:
In order for FilesBBS Manager to perform the many options available,
you must define the complete path to include archive program for each
entry. FilesBBS Manager currently supports the following formats: ARC,
LZH, ZIP, ZOO & ARJ. To define a path just mouse click on the button and a
file selector will come up for you to make the appropriate selection. If
you don't plan on ever using a particular archive format you can just
ignore that selection and leave the entry blank.
Select ZIP Archiver: HOT KEY - Z
Select LZH Archiver: HOT KEY - L
Select ARC Archiver: HOT KEY - A
Select ZOO Archiver: HOT KEY - CNTRL Z
Select ARJ Archiver: HOT KEY - CNTRL A
DEFINE MAF.TTP Path: HOT KEY - M
When FilesBBS is first run this option is disabled and will only become
enabled when the Octopus.Cfg file is selected for your areas. See Define
Octopus BBS for more information on setting up Octopus.Cfg. Once this
option is enabled you cna then select this button which will bring up a
file selector for you to select the complete path to MAF.TTP. Then if you
make any changes to your Files.BBS files, when you exit the program MAF.TTP
will run to incorporate the changes in Octopus BBS.
DEFINE BRACKETS TYPE: HOT KEY - B
Here you will be presented with the option of selecting what type of
brackets you would like to surround your download counters in Files.BBS.
Currently supporte are: [ ], { }, ( ), < > The default if no selection is
made is [ ]
File Area Options
-----------------
QUICKBBSs FLSEARCH.CTL: HOT KEY - F
Selecting this option will bring up a Alert that will ask you if you
want to change the currently specified path for your File Areas. If you
select 'Cancel' you will be returned to the Set-Up Menu. If 'Yes' is
selected a file selector will come up and your need to specify the complete
path to the Flsearch.Ctl file. The easiest way to make sure it is corect
is to physically select the program and click on okay.
ALTERNATE CONFIG: HOT KEY - C
Bye selecting this option you will then be using FilesBBS Manager's own
config file (FBM.DAT) for all your file areas. When first run you will be
asked if you would like to add the areas that you may have previously
added into memory by having selected QuickBBS's FLSEARCH.CTL file or
Octopus BBS's OCTOPUS.CFG file. If you select NO and this is your first
time in you will go immediately to the ADD FILE AREA FORM so you can define
your first file area. Otherwise, you will go the the Alternate Config
Set-Up Form that will allow you to finish setting up or modify your
different file areas. For more infomation you can see the area on setting
up a Alternate Config.
OCTOPUS BBS's: HOT KEY - O
Selecting this option has two effects. First yo will be presented with
an Alert and asked if you wnat to modify the current settings if you select
'Yes' you will get a file selector for you to select the complete path to
OCTOPUS.CFG. The easiest way to insure you have the complete path is to
make sure you select the program and then click on Okay. The next thing
that will happen is the selection button for defining the path to MAF.TTP
will become enabled for you to select it.
ALTERNATE CONFIG SETUP
----------------------
The display shows the following information for the first 6 areas that
you have defined.
NUMBER - This is the current entry number for the Area and is
required when modifing a area (Change or Delete)
PATH - This is the path to the FilesBBS file...
CD-PATH - This is the path defined for your CD-ROM. This will be blank
if the button 'HD' is defined for this area.
TITLE - This the Title Description Defined for this Area
NEXT: HOT KEY - Right Arrow
This will display the Next 6 defined areas available.
PREVIOUS HOT KEY - Left Arrow
This will display the Previous 6 defined areas available.
ADD NEW AREA: HOT KEY - CNTRL A
Selecting this option will bring up another form for you to add another
area to your system. The following options are available within ADD NEW
AREA:
SELECT PATH TO FILES.BBS FILE: HOT KEY - CNTRL F
Selecting this dialog box will bring up the file selector, just select
the path to your FilesBBS file. Once selected the path will be
displayed just below it.
SELECT PATH TO CD-ROM: HOT KEY - CNTRL C
Selecting this dialog box is optional and is only required if you wish
to define a CD-ROM path. Once selected the file selector will come up
and you need to select the path to your CD-ROM area. Once selected the
path will be displayed just below it.
ENTER TITLE FOR THIS AREA:
This is an editable text field, just enter the Title that you wish to
utilize for this area.
EXIT: HOT KEY - ALT E
This will exit back to the Alternate Config and will place your
defined area at the end of the currently selected areas. One thing to
remember is if you define a CD-ROM path and Title without defining the
path to FilesBBS your Area will not be added. You must define FilesBBS
path.
MODIFY AREA: HOT KEY - CNTRL M
Once Modify Area is selected form will come up prompting you to enter the
area that you wish to modify. Enter the number of the area to change and
hit return. You will then be prompted by an alert to either DELETE or
MODIFY AREA. If you select Delete your entry will be removed from you
Alternate Config file. Selecting Modify will bring up another form simular
to ADD NEW AREA. See ADD NEW AREA for a list of Hot Keys and for an
explaination of each entry.
SAVE: HOT KEY - ALT S
Selecting This option from the Alternate Config Form will Save your entries
in the current path to the file FBM.DAT. This file can be viewed with a
Text Editor but, if you edit it make sure it is in the exact same format.
EXIT: HOT KEY - ALT E
Selecting this option will exit you back to the Set-Up form and Load into
memory FBM.DAT.
NOTE: Make sure that before you exit Set-up That you select SAVE on the
---- form so that your entries will be saved for later use. Otherwise
subsequent runnings of FilesBBS Manager will force you to redefine
the options in Set-Up again!!!
------------------ End of Set-Up Options -----------------
LOAD AREA HOT KEY - ALT O
--------- ---------------
Selecting this Option from the Menu Bar will bring up a form for you to
page through and select the currently available areas that you have defined
by selecting either OCTOPUS.CFG, FBM.DAT, or FLSEARCH.CTL in Set-Up. The
following options are available:
NEXT: HOT KEY - Right Arrow
This will allow you to page through the areas you have defined 12 at a
time...
PREVIOUS HOT KEY - Left Arrow
This will allow you to page through the areas you have defined 12 at a time
in reverse.
SELECTING AN AREA:
Selecting an area to load is easy just mouse click on the area desired or
use the number keys: 1 thru 0 for areas 1 thru 10, and shift 1 for 11,
shift 2 for 12 to utilize the hot keys. You can also toggle the display
between Descriptions being shown and the path being shown by mouse clicking
on Description or Path..
EXIT: HOT KEY - ALT E
Selecting this option will kick you back to the main form without making
any selections.
------------------- End of Load Area -------------------
SAVE AREA: HOT KEY - ALT S
--------- ---------------
Selecting This entry is pretty straight foward... All entries to the
currently displayed FilesBBS area will be saved to file. A backup of your
area called FILES.BAK will be made just in you decided to not accept the
changes you made. To do this just delete the FILES.BBS file and rename
FILES.BAK to FILES.BBS
------------------- End of Save Area -------------------
EXIT: HOT KEY - ALT Q
---- ---------------
Selecting Exit Program causes a couple of checks to be done before FilesBBS
Manager exits. First a check is done to see if the currently displayed
FilesBBS Area has been changed and if so, you are prompted at this time to
either Save or abandon the changes made. Second, a check is made to see if
you have made any changes to Set-Up and if so, you are given the oportunity
to exit back to FilesBBS Manager to save your changes or exit. Third, if
you are using Octopus BBS's OCTOPUS.CFG file and have defined the path to
MAF.TTP. FilesBBS Manager will run MAF for you and update Octopus BBS's
file area records before exiting...
--------------------- End of Exit ----------------------
LIST OF FILES: HOT KEY - ALT G
------------- ---------------
Selecting this option will bring up a list of files of the currently
selected FilesBBS file and allow you to page through the file list 18 files
at a time with partial descriptions shown. From this form you can select to
jump to any file in the list just by clicking on the file or by using one
of the following Hot Keys: Use 1 thru 0 for Files 1 thru 10 and Use Shift 1
thru Shift 8 for Files 11 thru 18.
NOTE: The display will start from the currently displayed file and foward.
---- To access files before this record just select Previous...
NEXT: HOT KEY - KEYPAD RIGHT PARENTHESIS
This option allows you to page foward through entries 18 files at a time.
PREVIOUS: HOT KEY - KEYPAD LEFT PARENTHESIS
This option allows you to page backward through entries 18 files at a time.
EXIT: HOT KEY - ALT E
Exit form and return to file that was displayed at the start.
------------------ End of List of Files -----------------
FilesBBS Manager Main Form Options
----------------------------------
Some general information about moving through the files and also a little
info about the displayed items.
MOVE FOWARD 1 RECORD: HOT KEY - KEYPAD BACKSLASH
You can move foward one record at a time by either mouse clicking on the
single arrow pointing to the right or by using the defined Hot Key.
MOVE FOWARD 10 RECORDS: HOT KEY - KEYPAD ASTERICK
You can move foward 10 records at a time by either mouse clicking on the
double arrow pointing to the right or by using the defined Hot Key.
MOVE BACKWARD 1 RECORD: HOT KEY - KEYPAD RIGHT PARENTHISIS
You can move backward 1 record at a time by either mouse clicking on the
single arrow pointing to the left or by using the defined Hot Key.
MOVE BACKWARD 10 RECORDS: HOT KEY - KEYPAD LEFT PARENTHISIS
You cna move backward 10 records at a time by either mouse clicking on the
double arrow pointing to the left or by using the defined Hot Key.
JUMP TO RECORD: HOT KEY - CNTRL N
You can jump to any record by either mouse clicking on the file number or
file total number or by using the defined Hot Key. What happens when
selected a small form will come up and prompt you to enter the file number
you wish to jump to, just enter the number and hit enter. If you enter a
number out of range you will be taken to the last entry of the list of
files.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DISPLAY
DESCRIPTION:
The description is a editable text field consisting of 4 lines. Here is
where you can modify the description for each record contained within the
FilesBBS file. Remember that in order to make the changes permenent you
must Save the FilesBBS file before exiting or before changing to another
area.
FILENAME - Self explainatory I hope ;)...
SIZE - Shows the current displayed files size.
DATE - Shows the current displayed files Date.
DOWNLOAD - Shows how many times the file was downloaded.
CURRENTLY DISPLAYED AREA INFO
Here is displayed some info about the currently loaded FilesBBS file area.
DESCRIPTION - Name you defined for FilesBBS that is loaded.
PATH - This is the Path to the FilesBBS file Loaded.
CD-ROM PATH - This is the Path to the CD-Rom Files Area
--------------- End of Main Form Display ---------------
Using Options
-------------
DO CURRENT FILES BBS:
By placing a check mark here you will only do the currently selected area.
DO ALL FILES BBS:
By placing a check mark here you will do all the areas defined on your
system.
SORT FILES.BBS: HOT KEY - CNTRL S
Selecting this option will Sort either the currently selected area or all
areas in Alphabetical order.
FIND MISSING FILES: HOT KEY - CNTRL F
Selecting this option will search the files.bbs file and the files within
the directory and ask you if you want to delete any Files.BBS entries that
doesn't have a matching file for. As a side benifit of this function it
will also search for any files that are not in the Files.BBS file and ask
you if you wish to upload the files that are found.
FIND MISSING DESCRIPTIONS: HOT KEY - CNTRL D
Selecting this option will search each Files.BBS entry for any descriptions
with a Zero (0) length description. If any are found you are prompted to
either skip or add a description for the file.
--------------- End of Options ---------------
Help Using the Utilities
------------------------
CHECK FILE_ID.DIZ/*UPL HOT KEY - CNTRL I
This option will only work on files with the extention of ZIP, ARC, LZH,
ZOO & ARJ. This function will check for a File_ID.Diz and *.UPL files, if
one is found you will be presented with another Form, whereby you can edit
the description from the 'DIZ' or 'UPL' file, or you can keep the old
description. Hot Key for Use Old Description is 'O' or 'D' for Use the Diz
Description.
LIST CONTENTS: HOT KEY - CNTRL L
Selecting this option will list the archive contents of the following types
of Archives - ZIP, LZH, ARC, ARJ or ZOO.
UPLOAD FILE(S): HOT KEY - CNTRL U
Clicking on Upload will bring up a fileselector to select the file you wish
to upload. After the file is selected you will be asked if you want to
upload the file to the current area or if you would like to select another
area to upload the file too. Wildcards can be used in the filename and all
matching entries will be uploaded to either the current path or to the path
that you specified to upload the files too. Once the file(s) are uploaded
you will be placed at the first file uploaded, so that you can enter the
descriptions.
DELETE FILE: HOT KEY - CNTRL K
Selecting this option you will be given one last chance to change your
mind, otherwise the file will be removed from the directory and from the
Files.BBS file.
COPY FILE: HOT KEY - CNTRL C
Selecting this option will allow you to copy the displayed file to another
file area. Remember that the original will be kept in tack.
MOVE FILE: HOT KEY - CNTRL M
Selecting this option will allow you to move the displayed file to another
file area. Remember that the original will be deleted.
EXECUTE PROGRAM: HOT KEY - CNTRL X
Selecting this option will bring up a file selector to run the program of
your choice. If the file has the extension of TTP or GTP you will be
prompted with a command line to place your commands before the program is
run.
--------------- End of Utilities ---------------
Convert Archive
---------------
INCLUDE FILE_ID.DIZ:
By placing a check mark on this menu option. Will create a File_Id.Diz file
based on the description displayed. If you don't wish to create a
File_Id.Diz just mouse click on the Menu option to remove the check mark.
CONVERT ZIP: HOT KEY - ALT Z
CONVERT LZH: HOT KEY - ALT L
CONVERT ARC: HOT KEY - ALT A
You may only convert files with a extension of ARC, LZH, ZOO, ARJ, ZIP. You
can only convert to ZIP, LZH, or ARC files mainly because of problems with
ZOO and ARJ isn't available available for the Atari. You may choose to have
a File_Id.Diz (See File_Id.Diz above).
--------------- End of Convert ---------------
Search
------
SEARCH FOR FILE: HOT KEY - CNTRL Z
Selecting this option will bring up a form for you to enter part or all of
the filename you wish to search for. Wildcards * and ? are allowed. EX:
S*.ZIP, S*.*, *.ZIP, S??.ZIP You can then select either the current path or
search all paths for the filename. Selecting Cancel (HOT KEY - ALT C) will
return without searching, Selecting Search(HOT KEY - ALT E) Will conduct
the search.
SEARCH FOR DESCRIPTION: HOT KEY - CNTRL E
Selecting this option will bring up a form for you to enter the text you
wish to search for in each file description.
NOTE: Wildcards * and ? are not excepted and are treated as part of the
search string.
You can then select either the current path or search all paths for the
filename. Selecting Cancel (HOT KEY - ALT C) will return without searching,
Selecting Search(HOT KEY - ALT E) Will conduct the search.
--------------- End of Search ---------------
Now for the bad news that everyone hates to hear. FilesBBS Manager is
ShareWare and what that means to you the user is that you are free to use
the program in it's current configuration as long as you desire. Only
problem with that is that un-registered versions limit you to 3 uploads per
session & 3 saves of your files.bbs per session. You can obtain a demo key
to try out the program for 30 days to see if you like it or not. After that
time if you decide to register the program you will be required to pay
either $15 or £10 depending on where you register the program at. For more
info on registering see READ_ME.2ND...
Thanks,
John & Mark