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- PlutPurge
-
-
- 30-Jan-95 Version 0.5
-
-
- (c) Peter Deane (3:622/401@FidoNet)
-
-
- Written in GFA-BASIC V3.51
-
- ------------------------------------------------
-
-
- Note: Version 0.5 of this program contains two major improvements. If
- a file cannot be locked exclusively first, no attempt will be made to
- examine or delete the file (needed for the new outbound locking scheme
- used in TrapDoor 1.86 and above); and the arp.library previously
- required in 0.3 is now NO LONGER used at all!
-
- NB: TrapDoor 1.86 is NOT publicly available yet, don't annoy the
- developers and ask about it, currently TrapDoor is at version 1.85
- publicly.
-
-
- PlutPurge is a small utility for users of TrapToss 1.50 or higher to
- keep the number of files in the outbound directory down to a manageable
- level by deleting un-needed empty arcmail bundles.
-
- In TT 1.23 and below, any outbound files produced were simply based on
- the last echomail bundle you had sent the node. EG a node might pick up
- the .MO0 bundle this time, and TrapDoor will truncate the .MO0 file to
- zero bytes when sent. Next time Traptoss created a bundle for that node
- it would see the .MO0 0-byte file in outbound, and then bump the number
- by 1 so that it would create a .MO1 bundle.
-
- This led to confusion among users, normally the prefix added to echomail
- bundles actually MATCHED the day number. A bundle made on a Wednesday
- would be called .WE-something. So TrapToss was brought into line with
- other echomail tossers, and used the day name for arcmail bundles from
- about V1.40 onwards.
-
- As a result, the existence of many 0-byte files became pointless. The
- only time you actually ever need to keep a 0-byte file is if it was
- TODAY'S. IE if a .WE3 file existed, then if mail was tossed on
- Wednesday, a .WE4 file would be made up. But if mail was tossed on any
- other day, the 0-byte file just would play no part in determination of
- the name AT ALL, and (say) a .FR0 file would be made up (given that it
- was Friday).
-
- So PlutPurge is just the program for you to kill off all unwanted 0-byte
- files, automatically. It's particularly useful in a multi-net situation
- because each node you feed might accumulate half a dozen truncated
- arcmail bundles per pickup.
-
- Why kill off the unwanted files? Mainly for increased speed in scanning
- the outbound directory. Many programs you run will scan the outbound
- (eg TrapDoor/TrapToss), and so leaving them fewer files in the outbound
- simply speeds things up slightly.
-
- I find PlutPurge works best when run two or three times a day. You
- don't want to run it after every session, because the time PlutScan
- takes to run will be longer than the increased outbound scanning time.
- However, run occasionally, the benefit to the system will become
- apparent.
-
- PlutPurge runs by simply scanning the outbound directory (which will
- default to MAIL:Outbound, or you can give it on the command line), and
- checking ALL files therein. If a file is 0 bytes long, then it's
- considered a prime candidate for deletion. It will ONLY be left if it
- has the day's first two initials in the filename. EG if the program was
- run on a Tuesday, then any 0-byte file containing the letters "TU"
- anywhere in the filename will be left. Otherwise, bye bye file.
-
- The absolute worst thing the program could do is cause a duplicate
- arcmail bundle name to be sent to the other end from deletion of a
- 0-byte file. I've never seen it do that, however! Plutpurge also CAN
- NOT kill data. If any file has just 1 byte therein it will still exist
- after running the program. The only thing it is permitted to kill are
- 0-byte files.
-
- The command line usage details are:
-
- PlutPurge [DirectoryName]
-
- If [DirectoryName] is not specified, MAIL:Outbound will be used. Use a
- "?" on the command line to get full details.
-
- The program is freely distributable, but must include all parts if
- re-distributed. (PlutPurge, PlutPurge.doc, PlutPurge.LST)
-
- If you have ANY questions, need ANY help or need to contact me for ANY
- reason you may do so at any of these addresses:
-
-
- Peter Deane
-
- FidoNet: 3:622/401 Postal: PO Box 228
- GlobalNet: 54:6101/401 Swansea NSW 2281
- AmigaNet: 41:200/401 AUSTRALIA
-
- Internet: peter.deane@p0.f401.n622.z3.fido.zeta.org.au
- (okay, I cheated, but the gate works really well)
-
- Or call the BBS: from O/S +61-49-72-1647
- (24 hrs) from Aust (049) 72-1647
-
-