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1996-01-19
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6KB
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144 lines
TVDOOR
An automated delivery system for Lee Bonnifields' TVAGENT
and Planet Connect systems
By Pab Sungenis
Copr. 1996 Pab Sungenis
Another Shareware Offering
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INTRODUCTION
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When I finally got around to checking out the TVAGENT program
that came along with my Planet Connect membership, I was thrilled. I
found the program simple, useful, and powerful. Eventually, I signed up
as a distribution site for TVAGENT and made the listings available to my
users.
But there were a few catches. First, I had to jump through
several hoops to move the files into my download areas, and then my
users had to manually scan through the file listings to look for which
files had been updated, which had expired, which were new arrivals, and
so on. It became more trouble than it was worth.
My solution lies here before you. This door will keep track of
when your users last used it to download updated listings, and will
automatically queue up new or updated listing files for them to
download. Plus, you no longer need to import the listings into your
board or extract the TVLISTTK files. It all becomes simple and
automatic.
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SETTING IT UP
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First off, you'll need a Planet Connect setup to make use of
this door. If you don't have one, I don't know how you got this file,
but you might as well delete it now.
You'll also need:
* A BBS capable of creating a DOOR.SYS file, or a
utility to convert your BBS's drop file to DOOR.SYS.
* A version of DSZ, GSZ, or another protocol engine
capable of XModem, YModem and ZModem transfers.
The odds are you already have both, or have easy access to them.
To configure TVDOOR, you can either place the program in your
BBS directory or its own directory. If you place it in its own
directory, be sure to use a batch file to change to that directory
before running the door so it can find its configuration files.
You should either extract or copy the following files to the
TVDOOR directory:
TVDOOR.EXE This is the main door program
TVDOOR.CFG The configration file, you will be
editing this shortly.
TVNEWUSE.* These are text files giving a short intro
to TVAGENT, and explaining the door.
Feel free to edit these however you see
fit.
Next, using a text editor, edit the TVDOOR.CFG file to match
your system configuration. The lines of the configuration file are as
follows:
(1) The path to your TVLIST*.ARC files
(2) The filemask for listing files. This will probably be
TVLIST*.ARC for quite some time, but was left as
configurable in case Lee changes his mind at some time.
(3) The directory to copy to on local 'downloads.' Chances are
this will be the same directory as your own TVAGENT
directory.
(4) The command line to send a file using XModem. Chances are
you will only need to change the path to the TVDOOR.BEW file
(which the door will create as needed). If you use an
engine other than DSZ/GSZ, change this line accordingly.
The *P macro will expand to the port number, and the *B
macro will expand to the current baud rate.
(5) The command line to send files with YModem.
(6) The command line to send files with ZModem.
(7) The path and filename for the TVADEMO program. This
will probably be TVADEMO.ZIP in your SKYDATA\PERSONAL
directory.
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RUNNING IT
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Once the TVDOOR.CFG file is all set up for your system, you're
ready to run the program. To run the program, use the command line:
TVDOOR [dir]
where [dir] is the directory to search for the DOOR.SYS file created by
your BBS. Everything else follows through automatically.
TVDOOR also works in local mode. When you run it locally, the
door will copy the updated listings to your TVAGENT directory, as
configured in TVDOOR.CFG.
That's all there is to it. Really. Nothing more.
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CONCLUSION
----------
Like many of my programs, I ended up writing TVDOOR to solve my
own problems. It is fully functional and not crippled in any way.
If you find the program useful, I do request that you send a
$10.00 donation, but do not require it. Should you want to show your
gratitude appropriately, please send all donations to:
Pab Sungenis
1349 Roosevelt Blvd.
Vineland, NJ 08360-6590
If you have any questions, feel free to E-Mail me at pab@cnx.com
or Netmail me at 1:266/73. I also frequent the PCSITES echo.
Pab Sungenis
1-19-96