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EDITLBL.DOC
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1992-09-08
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EDITLBL FOR F6FBB BBS SYSTEMS
=============================
WRITTEN BY KEN WOOD (G3WCS)
===========================
OVERVIEW
========
This small program is designed to manipulate the YAPPLBL.SYS file which
is normally found in the SYSTEM directory of the F6FBB BBS system.
This file contains the real DOS path and description for disk files
which have been titled using the FBB LABEL command. It is these titles
which are shown to users when they use the LIST command whilst in FBB
DOS. These labels are also used by my REQDIR program to send amateurs
requesting a directory listing a description of each file. This
facility is SysOp configurable. The file is not written in straight
ASCII format and is therefore not easily readable.
A utility program, TLABEL, is provided with the BBS. This program is
used to remove entries relating to files which no longer exist from the
YAPPLBL.SYS. Sometimes, it is possible for "rogue" entries to remain
in YAPPLBL.SYS which serve to slow down operation of the LIST command
and also the REQDIR server. In addition, if the SysOp has to move
several disk files to a new directory, it can be quite a chore to
relabel each one of these files from within the BBS. EDITLBL will
allow this to be done more simply.
INSTALLATION
============
Copy the program EDITLBL.EXE from the distribution disk into the same
directory as YAPPLBL.SYS. This will normally be the C:\FBB\SYSTEM
sub-directory. The program will report an error if it is unable to
locate YAPPLBL.SYS in the same directory.
OPERATION
=========
Do not run the program with the BBS online. The program is run from
DOS by optionally adding one command line argument as follows :-
EDITLBL /? - Shows a help screen and version
EDITLBL - ASCII listing of YAPPLBL.SYS to screen
EDITLBL > LPTn - Above output to printer n
EDITLBL > FILENAME.EXT - Above output to disk file
EDITLBL /C - Compile YAPPLBL.ASC > YAPPLBL.SYS
WHAT IT DOES
============
[EDITLBL /?]
This provides a short help screen, similar to the above listing. In
the event of a message to me, please quote the version number shown.
[EDITLBL]
This command will produce an on screen ASCII listing of YAPPLBL.SYS.
[EDITLBL > LPTn]
The file will be redirected to printer n. You may interchange the
command EDITLBL > PRN if your system will support this. Be advised
that each line might exceed 80 characters and it might be necessary to
place your printer in compressed mode first. This comment also applies
to the screen output above.
[EDITLBL > FILENAME.EXT]
An ASCII file will be generated in the current directory with the
filename and extension supplied.
[EDITLBL /C]
This command will convert an ASCII file called YAPPLBL.ASC back into
YAPPLBL.SYS. Note that the ASCII file must be in the correct format,
as per the file produced by EDITLBL > FILENAME.EXT. See below for more
details.
EDITING
=======
One of the most valuable aspects of this program is the ability to
produce an ASCII file, edit it with a text editor and convert it back
into a new YAPPLBL.SYS. This will be of great benefit and expedite
matters when moving large numbers of FBB DOS files from one directory
to another. Provided the following simple instructions are followed,
no problems should be encountered.
The first step is to make a backup of YAPPLBL.SYS and place it in
another directory. The program will not overwrite an existing
YAPPLBL.SYS, instead it will rename it to YAPPSYS.BAK. However, it is
better to be safe than sorry. Next issue the command :-
EDITLBL > YAPPLBL.ASC
which will generate an ASCII file from YAPPLBL.SYS. The next stage is
optional but will probably assist editing of the ASCII file. It makes
use of the DOS SORT command and therefore your DOS directory must
contain either SORT.COM or SORT.EXE and a path to the DOS directory
must exist. Issue the command :-
SORT < YAPPLBL.ASC > TEST.DOC.
This process may take several minutes to complete if your file is
large. A sorted version called TEST.DOC will be generated in the
current directory. Using a plain ASCII text editor you may now change
or add directory paths or file descriptions within this file.
Remember that there is no error checking so any error will usually
cause either a defective YAPPLBL.SYS to be generated, or the labels
shown with the list command will not equate to the files themselves !!
You may remove redundant lines from the file completely.
A few words of warning. Ensure that your text editor does not embed
any "hidden" control codes and that it does not automatically wrap
lines by inserting a carriage return after 80 or so characters.
Do not remove the small square separation character between the path
and file titles. If you are adding new lines, the square separator can
be generated by holding down the ALT key and pressing the numbers 2 5 4
on the NUMERIC KEYPAD, one after the other. Finally, release the ALT
key. If your editor is unable to generate the square by this method,
it is likely that it is not a plain ASCII editor and you should not be
using it to modify this file. The maximum number of characters you may
have for the path is 79 and the maximum for the label, 47.
When you have modified and checked the file, delete the old version of
YAPPLBL.ASC and then type :-
REN TEST.DOC YAPPLBL.ASC
to rename the file on which you have just been working. Finally,
issue the command :-
EDITLBL /C
to read the file and generate a new YAPPLBL.SYS. As mentioned before,
the existing YAPPLBL.SYS file will be renamed in case you need to
reuse it. Don't forget that the program will only compile a file named
YAPPLBL.ASC although the other program option to generate an ASCII file
can produce any legal DOS named file.
The new YAPPLBL.SYS will be read by the BBS and if your work is in
order, produce the desired response to LIST commands. Don't delete the
original YAPPLBL.SYS until you are certain that all is well.
PASSING IT ON
=============
This program is released into the public domain and you are free to
pass it on to others, provided no charge either material or implied is
levied. My only stipulation is that the original archive is handed on.
This is to ensure that new users will not only have the required
documentation but also that it will be current and not from some
superseded package.
Software passed on in contravention of the above will not be supported.
FINALLY
=======
Please report any problems or strange happenings to me by packet radio.
The latest versions of all my software are always available on my
landline modem port of GB7CHS.
Ken Wood G3WCS
SysOp GB7CHS.#11.GBR.EU
Cheshire NTS Mailbox.
Modem Port - 0606 892326
Outside UK - +44 606 892326
V 1.01 - 8th September 1992
EDITLBL.DOC