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============================================================================== ███╗ ██╗ ███████╗ ████████╗ ████╗ ██║ ██╔════╝ ╚══██╔══╝ ██╔██╗ ██║ █████╗ ██║ ██║╚██╗██║ ██╔══╝ ██║ ██║ ╚████║ ██║ ██║ ╚═╝ ╚═══╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ============================================================================== Network File Transfer Software ============================================================================== NFT Network File Transfer User Manual Software and Documentation written by Craig Dooley Copyright (c) 1996-97 by Craig Dooley All Rights Reserved A CEREBRUM Release What Is NFT? ============ NFT is a utility written solely for use on FILENET, the original WWIV-based File Transfer Network. NFT incorporates the various programs used by Filenet to send files, requests, and host/subscribe to FDL's. It puts all of these commands into a simple, easy-to-use, menu-driven interface. It adds additional features and commands, such as the ability to view SUBS.LST, SUBS.FDL, FILENET.NWS, the Filenet log file, and the ability to edit the various configuration files. The purpose of NFT is to make the operation and participation in FILENET as easy and painless as possible, for both new and experienced sysops. In addition to the menu-driven interface, NFT can also be run from the command line, enabling some automated functionality. NFT is ONLY useable on Filenet. It is designed around the proprietary Filenet structures, and can not be used on any other network. NFT writes to a file in your WWIV directory called NFT.HID. This is a hidden file that will be about 8 bytes long. It contains the ASCII date that NFT was last run. This is used so that NFT won't go through the long, tedious process of updating file lists, etc. each time you run it - it will do that once per day, unless you start it with the /U parameter. How Do I Install NFT? ===================== Installation of NFT is easy. Simply put the NFT.EXE in either your main WWIV directory, or in your Filenet directory. It is designed to operate from either place. The file 'SENDIT.EXE' goes in the FILENET directory. Unarchive the file FNDLIST.ZIP into your WWIV directory. Place NFT.DEF and NFT.KEY into your WWIVEDIT\CONFIG directory. Then, type NFT to begin using NFT. It couldn't be simpler! NFT - The Menus =============== NFT was written using the Turbo CXL Library, which includes some excellent routines for menuing. Menus can be navigated by the arrow keys, HOME, END, PgUp, and PgDn. Pressing [ENTER] over a highlighted selection chooses that selection. Pressing [ESC] backs you up 1 menu level, and quits the program if you are at the main menu. Each selectable entry also has a highlighted 'Quick Pick' letter, which you can press to go immediately to that selection. When entering Data, pressing [ENTER] accepts the input, [ESC] aborts. If you are entering several fields (i.e. editing FDLFTS.CFG), you will need to either cycle through ALL of the entries to accept the changes, or press CTRL-ENTER to accept the changes. If you press [ESC], any changes made will NOT be saved. FDL Menu ======== ADD_FDL ======= This option allows you to subscribe to FDLs that are availible and listed in SUBS.FDL. Use the arrow keys to move the litebar around and highlight any FDL that you are interested in subscribing to. NFT will then prompt you for a directory for the files. You will be requested to enter a directory NUMBER of your WWIV directories. Pressing 'F1' lists your WWIV directories (a la` DIREDIT) and shows you the number, name, and path. If you do not enter a directory number, NFT will assume that you want the files to go into the SYSOP directory. NFT will then send out an ADD request, and will add the appropriate information to your FDLFTS.CFG file. If you already have an entry in your FDLFTS.CFG, NFT will ask you if you want to replace the existing listing. DROP_FDL ======== If, for some reason, you want to un-subscribe to an FDL, this is the selection that you will use. As with the ADD_FDL section, use the arrow keys to move the litebar, and hit enter to select the highlighted FDL to drop. VIEW_SUBS_FDL ============= Choosing this selection allows you to view the SUBS.FDL file, which lists all of the availible FDL's on Filenet. FDL_MAINTENENCE =============== The FDL Maintenence Section allows people who host FDL's to perform maintenence on those FDL's, such as process directories, send files, etc. UPDATE_FDL_DATE =============== This option goes through and resets the FDL date for either individual or all FDL's that you host. Once this is run, all files currently in that directory are considered to have been sent to all current subscribers. You can choose to process 1 FDL or all FDL's. Files are NOT sent out to subscribers, regardless of whether or not the upload date is later than the FDL mark date. PROCESS_FDL =========== This option goes through all FDLs, or individual ones if you desire, and processes them, sending out any new files to all current subscribers, and then updating the file date. SEND_FILE_TO_FDL ================ This option allows you to manually send ANY file to all subscribers of an FDL. The file does not have to be in the FDL directory. HOST_NEW_FDL ============ This option goes through the process of hosting an FDL. It will set up all necessary configuration files AND will automatically send mail to 1@1 with the required information, so that it can be included in the SUBS.FDL and FDLDATA.FDL. SEND_MAIL_TO_FDL ================ This option allows you to send mail to all subscribers of an FDL. You can either send a pre-prepared text file, or write one on the fly. NFT reads in your external editors as defined in INIT, and attempts to use them. WWIVEdit is, naturally, given high preference. REQUEST_MENU ============ REQUEST_FILE_LIST ================= This option gives you a menu to control File List requesting. UPDATE_ALL_LISTS ================ This allows you to update all of the existing file lists on your system, based on the age. You can select a certain number of days old that a list must be before requesting, or you can update ALL at once. UPDATE_ONE_LIST =============== As above, but shows the existing lists and their ages, and allows you to update lists individually. REQUEST_ALL_LISTS ================= Sends out a file list request to all systems on the network. Use this sparingly, as it will generate a LOT of traffic. REQUEST_FILE_LIST ================= Choosing this option allows you to request a file listing from other nodes in Filenet. NFT will ask you for a BBS Name, Node #, or partial name. Based on what you input, NFT will search the network listing for a match to your input. If you entered nothing, NFT aborts the request. Pressing [F1] will list all of the nodes in Filenet. NFT tries to find the best match for your choice. It will list each match, or close match, that it finds and ask you if it has the correct one. Once you tell it that it has, NFT will send out a file list request to that node. REQUEST_MISSING =============== This option compares your existing file lists with the network, and requests lists from those systems that you do not have a list already for. REQUEST_FILE ============ This option works much the same way as the above, except that once it's found the correct node, it prompts you for a file name to request. NFT will then search for a file list from that node, and search the listing for the file that you've requested. If NFT finds the file, it will prompt you to confirm that it's the right one. If it cannot find the file in the list, you will be asked if you want to send the request anyways. If no file list exists for this node, the request is automatically sent. NFT checks ALLOW.DAT in your data directory to see if the file already exists on your system. If it does exist, NFT notifies you and prompts you on whether you want to request the file anyway or abort the request. REQUEST_PGP_KEY =============== As with the REQUEST_FILE_LIST option, REQUEST_PGP_KEY simply requests the sysop's Public PGP key, which is found in their FILENET directory as FILENET.KEY. You will be prompted for a node to request from, and once one is chosen, the PGP key request will be sent out. VIEW_FILE_LIST ============== This option allows you to browse any availible file lists and request files directly. While browsing the list, pressing [F1] brings up the help screen with the relevent commands. SEND_MENU ========= SEND_FILE ========= This option is where you send files to other systems in Filenet. Remember, unsolicited files are generally NOT liked, so make sure that the sysop doesn't mind you sending them that file. When you choose to send a file, you are prompted for the BBS Name/Node Number/Partial Name, the file to send, the description, and the user to send it to. As before, NFT will search the Filenet node lists for the correct node, and will confirm it with you. Be sure to enter the FULL path and filename of the file that you wish to send. If you are unsure of what file to send, use ? as the file name. You will then be prompted for a drive, and will be able to scroll through a picklist for files and directories. Enter the appropriate description for the file. If you leave this entry blank, NFT will fill it in with 'File Uploaded By @<NODENUM>.FILENET'. If you are sending this file to any user other than the sysop, put their user number in here. This will cause the Filenet software to send that user a note when the file arrives, telling them that it was sent. SEND_FILE_TO_FDL ================ This option will allow people who host FDL's to send files out to that FDL. See above, under FDL_MAINTENENCE. SEND_FILE_LIST ============== This option allows you to send your current file list to another node. If there is no list present on your system, NFT will build it before sending it. If one does exist, NFT shows you the date of the list, and asks if you want to send it 'as-is', or if you want to rebuild it before sending. MAINTENENCE_MENU ================ VIEW_SUBS_LIST ============== This option lets you view the SUBS.LST file for Filenet. VIEW_FDL_LIST ============= This option lets you view the SUBS.FDL file for Filenet VIEW_LOG ======== This option lets you view your FILENET.LOG, in your FILENET directory. VIEW_FILENET_NEWS ================= This option lets you view the FILENET.NWS news file in the Filenet directory. LIST_FILENET_NODES ================== This option gives you a full list of the nodes currently in Filenet. VIEW_POLICY =========== This option lets you view the POLICY.NWS file in the FILENET directory VIEW_HALL_OF_FAME ================= This option lets you view the FAME.NWS file in the FILENET directory VIEW_REGION_NEWS ================ This option lets you view the REGION.NWS file in the FILENET directory. BUILD_FILE_LIST =============== This option builds a fresh file list and saves it in your Filenet directory as L<nodenum>.LST. EDIT_FDLFTS.CFG =============== This option will let you edit the various options availible in the FDLFTS.CFG file. EDIT_DIRLIST.FTS ================ This option will let you edit your DIRLIST.FTS file, enabling you to make changes to the availible directories that you have defined. You can navigate the directory listing by using the arrow keys, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and END. The current settings are shown in the box to the left of the directory name: '-' if the directory is ignored, 'R' if it has regular access, 'S' if it has Sysop Access, and 'M' if it has WWIV Reg access. You can toggle the settings for the directories by pressing the appropriate keys: 'R' to set Regular Access, 'S' to set Sysop Access, 'M' to set WWIV Reg. Access, and <SPACEBAR> to ignore the directory. Pressing 'Q' quits you out of the DIRLIST.FTS editing section. You are prompted to save your changes. If you do NOT save your changes, your original DIRLIST.FTS is left alone. If you DO save your changes, your old DIRLIST.FTS is saves as DIRLIST.BAK. ABOUT_NFT ========= This option merely tells you what version you are using, when it was compiled, and who wrote it. QUIT_PROGRAM ============ Choosing this option is the same as pressing [ESC]. It exits NFT and takes you back to the DOS prompt. Command Line Options ==================== NFT can also be run from the command line to perform some functions. Commands can be stacked to do multiple commands in 1 pass. The commands are: /L<node> - Request a file list from NODE /K<node> - Request a public key from NODE /R<filename>@<node> - Request FILENAME from NODE /S<filepath>@<node> - Send FILEPATH to NODE Note: If node is a filename, prefaced by a '&', then NFT will read in a distribution list of that filename in the FILENET directory. The distribution list is an ASCII text file, with 1 node per line. i.e. /SBBS.EXE@&TEST.FTS sends BBS.EXE to all nodes listed in TEST.FTS, located in the FILENET directory. Files are stacked to conserve space. /A<fdl> - Request add to FDL /D<fdl> - Request drop from FDL /P<filepath>#<fdl> - Post FILEPATH on FDL /F<fdl> - Process FDL. Leave <fdl> blank to process all fdl's. /M<filepath>@<node> - Send FILEPATH to NODE as e-mail. Note: If node is a filename, prefaced by a '&', then NFT will read in a distribution list of that filename in the FILENET directory. The distribution list is an ASCII text file, with 1 node per line. No user number or '@'. /MC:\WWIV\FILENET\TEST.MSG@350 would send a file called C:\WWIV\FILENET\TEST.MSG to 1@350 on Filenet as an e-mail. /Q - Suppresses system beeps and bells. Most useful when running unattended via command line. /C<number> - Automatically request filelist updates. <number> is how old in days the filelist must be for it to be requested. /U - Force update of NFT files. NFT only updates files once per day, and you may wish to do it more often, so that .DIR files are consistent with the filelists. However, NFT will also rebuild individual .DIR files if it internally detects a difference. /E - Run, then exit. Allows you to run NFT using the /U and /C commands as part of a nightly event. It will just do those things, then exit. Notice - do not use the <> in the command. Commands are case-insensitive. The '-' can also be used in place of '/'. Typing NFT /? will also give you this help listing. Registration ============ Registration of NFT is $10. Registration does not change the functionality of NFT, as it is fully functional unregistered. There are no registration numbers or codes. Registering NFT will merely put your name in the REGISTER.LST file so that everyone can see what a good, thoughtful person you are. NFT was designed to make YOUR life easier. It has taken several months to complete, and has involved quite a bit of work. If you use it, and find it helpful, I would appreciate your registering it, to ensure future support and to help compensate me for my time. In addition, Deltigar had to fork out a fair amount of money to obtain the full rights to the Filenet structures from Private Idaho. Therefore, 20% of all registrations for NFT will go to Deltigar to help him offset some of his expenses. By registering NFT, you are saying that you like the program, and you will be helping out not only the author, but the NC and founder of the network. You aren't being forced to register, but if you don't, it will be on YOUR conscience! Support ======= There is an NFT Support Sub on Filenet for questions, comments, and suggestions about NFT. The subtype is NFT, and the host is @350. This sub is only availible on FILENET, since NFT is only useable on that network. In addition, I can be reached at the following network addresses: 1@350 FILENet 1@6100 WWIVNet 1@8315 Icenet, Terranet, Apex, SierraLink 1@8315 GlobalNet 1@1 Dreamnet 1@18315 WWIVLink 1@8304 TFALink 1@8300 FiitaNet 1:376/126 Fidonet morgul@worldnet.att.net Internet Credits ======= Thanks go out to the following: Wayne Bell, for creating WWIV, without which, well, this program would be worthless! Private Idaho, for writing the original software for Filenet which makes all this possible. Deltigar, for providing me with the original code, so that I could write the program to be compatible. The Beta Testers, for testing the software and finding all the bugs. If you find any, blame them! <G> My wife, Norma, for being patient while I get involved in yet ANOTHER programming project. Love is VERY tolerant! Charon (1@912) for the brilliant idea of having NFT automatically remove file lists for unknown systems. ============================================================================== End of NFT.DOC Copyright (c) 1996-1997 by Craig Dooley All Rights Reserved. No section of this document may be used elsewhere without the express written permission of Craig Dooley.