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1993-05-31
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172 lines
The Switch Box v1.0
Copyright (C) 1993 Jamey Hopkins
All rights reserved.
1.0 ABOUT THE SWITCH BOX
The Switch Box is an automatic screen changer for BBS sysops and
offers the following features:
o Random Selection o Screens can be stored in a ZIP archive
o Series Selection o Knows ANY user defined Holiday/Event!*
o Algorithm Selection
* Registered Versions
2.0 SHAREWARE/DISCLAIMER
This program is distributed on an "AS IS" basis. There
is no warranty of any kind as to its use, expressed or
implied. Although this program has been tested on different
systems, there is no way of knowing how it will respond on
every system. The author can not be held liable for any
damages, loss of data, loss of income, or adverse reactions
as a result of using this program. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK ...
3.0 INSTALLATION
RUN SETUP
After installing The Switch Box in its own directory, enter setup
by typing "sbox". From setup you may enter your name, registration
number, and toggle the selection methods that you would like to use.
BUILD A DATA FILE
Next you must build a data file for The Switch Box to get its
information from. The setup for this file goes like this:
LINE 1: Starting Screen Number (Just Enter "1" Here)
This line is used by the series selection method.
LINE 2: Output Path for Screen
Example: c:\wc30\disp\goodbye
NOTE: Do not place an extension on the filename!
Use just the filename. A ".*" is appended during
runtime. For example, the above path would become:
c:\wc30\disp\goodbye.*
LINE 3: Screen filenames start here. Up to 99 screens may
be used. Again, do not include the screens extension.
To avoid confusion, all data files should be saved with the
extension, ".DAT". Also, since the data file is a simple text
file, you MUST use a plain ASCII text editor to build or edit the
data file.
A sample data file called goodbye.dat has been included.
BUILDING AN ALTERNATE FILE
The alternate file is similar to the data file, except all
it contains is the screen filenames that are to be used when
a holiday or special date is encountered. The starting number
and output path for the screens are kept from the original data
file. Up to 99 alternate filenames may be used. Again, do not
include the file extensions. Also, you MUST use an ASCII text
editor to build this file. To avoid confusion be sure to save the
alternate file with an extension of ".alt". Refer to the sample
files if you need help.
4.0 HOLIDAY/SPECIAL EVENTS AND THE ALTERNATE FILE
In order for The Switch Box to use alternate screens for special
holidays, you must tell it the month, day, and alternate file to get
its data from.
The format is this: monthday altfile
Example: 1225 xmas.alt
The above example would cause The Switch Box to select from the
screen filenames contained in xmas.alt file on Christmas. Spiffy, eh?
The alternate screens line can be placed anywhere in the original
data file, from LINE 3 down. An example of how to use this has been
included in the sample data file called goodbye.dat.
5.0 SCREEN ARCHIVES
The Switch Box also allows for ALL screens to be stored in a
PKZIPed archive. If The Switch Box can't find the selected screen(s)
in the current directory, it will try to extract them from the archive
name provided at runtime. The benefit of this is that a lot of hard
drive space is saved if you use a lot of screens, not to mention less
clutter. To build the screens archive simply take the desired
ANSI/ASCII/RIP screens that you will be using and compress them together
into a single archive name of your choice. Leave this archive in the
directory with The Switch Box. The archiver itself must be available
somewhere in the systems path during runtime.
6.0 RUNNING THE SWITCH BOX
The Switch Box accepts the following input:
SBOX datafile screenarchive
EXAMPLE: SBOX goodbye.dat
EXAMPLE: SBOX goodbye.dat screens.zip
7.0 SELECTION METHODS
Definitions for the selections methods used in setup:
RANDOM
Using this method The Switch Box will perform the
classic random pick.
SERIES
The Switch Box will start at the top of the list
and work it's way down. Upon reaching the end,
it will start the process back over from the top.
ALGORITHM
This is the more complex method. What happens is
60% of the time the TOP 30% of the screens will be
used. 30% of the time the MIDDLE 60% will be
selected. And finally, 10% of the time the LAST
10% of the screens will be used. This method is
good when you want to display a certain set of screens
with an occasional change in screenery.
8.0 HINTS/SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS
o The Switch Box may be placed in a "postcall.bat" file
for screen changes after every call.
o The Switch Box may be run as an event for daily, semiweekly,
and weekly screen changes.
o When using display screens that take a long time to draw,
choose the algorithm selection method and place the screens
name at the bottom of the list. This way users won't have
to sit through a long draw all of the time, but will still get
to see the screen some of the time.
o NOTE: PKZIP/PKUNZIP is copyrighted and/or a registered trademark
of its respective owner.
o The UNREGISTERED version of The Switch Box does not support
the following holidays: New Years, Halloween, Christmas Eve,
and Christmas.
9.0 SUPPORT
If you run into some problems, or just want to check out my
system for some new software, feel free to call the support
BBS for Noetic Software listed below this line.
The Immortal! BBS
602-814-8026
10.0 REGISTRATION
This program is released as SHAREWARE. If you continue to
use it for more than 30 days, you MUST register it. The
current registration fee is $10.00. When registered you will
receive a key that can be inserted into the setup part of the
program. Registered users also get extended access to the
support BBS.
Send registrations in U.S. Funds ONLY to:
Jamey Hopkins
610 N. Alma School Rd Ste 18
Chandler, AZ 85224-3687
8^)