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1994-04-14
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UR On-Line v1.0
(c) 1994 Datagen Software Designs
written & programmed by John Dailey
WARRANTY and DISCLAIMER
───────────────────────
This software is provided AS IS without any expressed or
implied warranties whatsoever. No warranty of fitness for a
particular purpose is offered. The author of this software
cannot be held responsible for DIRECT, INDIRECT INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, or ANY OTHER damages due to your ability or
inability to use this software, even if the author has been
advised of the possibility of such damages. The user assumes
full responsibility for the use of this software.
Files Included In This Package:
───────────────────────────────
URONLINE.DOC ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Documentation File
URONLINE.REG ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Registration Form
URONLINE.EXE ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Executable File
URCONFIG.EXE ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Configuration Program
DBCONFIG.EXE ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Database Configuration Program
SAMPLE .DBS ─── UR On-Line v1.0 Sample Database Structure
[6 Files]
What Is It?:
────────────
UR On-Line is a simple, yet powerful on-line user registry program for
use with WWIV BBS Software! It allows the sysop to configure exactly what
kind of questions to ask the user, letting them limit the number of
characters allowed for input, the type of input (such as numbers or letters),
and the maximum number of lines.
The main program itself features color configuration, browsing through
the database, or listing each user. You can also do searches by a user's
name, or by a match in one of the answers that they have entered.
A sample database structure is included that will probably fit most
sysop's needs, but feel free to modify it for your BBS.
Installation:
─────────────
Installation of UR On-Line is as simple as any other Datagen Software
Designs on-line package. First, you should place all of UR On-Line's files
in their own directory off of your main BBS directory. For example purposes,
we'll assume that this directory is C:\WWIV\URONLINE.
Next, you will need to create a batch file in your main BBS directory
(in this case, C:\WWIV) so that it contains the following lines:
CD\WWIV\URONLINE
URONLINE %1 %2
CD\WWIV
The "%1" and "%2" command line parameters will be replaced by the
calling program with information pertinent to UR On-Line's successful
operation.
The first command line parameter specifies the name and location of your
database structure file, and the second specifies the name and location of
the BBS door information file. ie. CHAIN.TXT or DORINFO.DEF
After creating the batch file, you will need to set up your BBS to call
that batch file. This procedure will vary from software to software. For
the most part it is essentially the same. Make your BBS run the batch file,
followed by two parameters. For example, if you were going to use the
SAMPLE.DBS database structure included with this archive, and you were
running WWIV BBS Software, your call to the batch file would be like so:
URONLINE.BAT SAMPLE CHAIN.TXT
In your chains area of WWIV, the following setup would be made:
Description: UR On-Line User Registry v1.0
Filename: URONLINE.BAT SAMPLE %1
(the %1 will be replaced with CHAIN.TXT's name
and location by WWIV)
DOS Calls: NOT used
ANSI Required: Yes
That's all there is too it. If you've created the batch file, are
calling that batch file with the two important parameters after it, and have
created your database structure as explained below in this documentation, the
door should run just fine!
Database Basics:
────────────────
Before going into detail about setting the database structure for UR On-
Line, we should describe and explain some of the basics of database use.
Although simple, some sysops new to this method of record-keeping may not
fully understand, and this section will hopefully remedy that problem.
First, thing of a database as an address book. This is by far the
easiest way to understand. In an address book, you have a collection of the
same information, over and over again. Each one of these entries in the
address book is called a record. In each record (entry in the address book),
there are so many different lines of data, ie. Name, Address, City, State,
etc. These lines of information are called fields. So, each record contains
a specific number of fields.
John Doe (Field #1) ┐
123 Anywhere St. (Field #2) ├── Record #1
Somewhere, USA 12345 (Field #3) ┘
Mary Doe (Field #1) ┐
987 Anywhere Place. (Field #2) ├── Record #2
Somesmalltown, USA 725 (Field #3) ┘
Simple! This list of records can be as big, or small as you want. In
database structure designing, each field of a record is designated by a
variable, or a word that the program uses to associate with each field. In
the above example, the first field's variable could be "NAME," while the
second could be "STREETADDRESS," and the third "CITYSTATEZIP." Some database
programs may actually use numbers to identify each field.
Now that you know something about database structures, read on to find
out how to configure your own database of questions.
Running The Database Configuration Program:
───────────────────────────────────────────
The purpose of using the database configuration program, is so that you,
the sysop, can define a database of questions to ask your users in their
registry. Each question is considered a record, and all you have to do is
define each record. UR On-Line already has a pre-defined template for each
field in the record. For example, each question will need the following
information defined by you:
The question to be asked (Field #1) ┐
A short description of the question (Field #2) │
The maximum characters allowed for input (Field #3) ├── Record
The type of input allowed (Field #4) │
The maximum number of lines allowed (Field #5) ┘
The question to be asked will be displayed to the user when they are
entering their registry for the first time, or when editing their entry. The
short description is used when browsing through users information, or listing
the users. For example, if the question was "What Is Your Age?," the short
description might be "Age," or "User's Age."
Before we explain the maximum characters allowed, let's take a look at
the type of input allowed. This field may be defined as one of the
following: Character, Integer, or Boolean. A character definition means
that the user will be allowed to type in all alpha-numeric characters (A-Z,
0 - 9, punctuation, etc.). Integer means that the user will be allowed to
enter a valid number, and the Boolean definition means that a true or false,
yes or no answer my be entered by the user.
Now, the length of a character entry may be defined as anywhere between
1 and 74 characters. An integer value may be defined between 1 and 4 numbers
in length (0 - 9999), and a boolean value may have a definition of only one
character (T, F, Y, N). UR On-Line will automatically set the maximum
characters allowed if you select the boolean value.
The maximum number of lines allowed is only valid for character type
entries in the database. This value can range from 1 - 10. We suggest that
if you use a value great than 1, that you also set the maximum character
length to the maximum of 74.
To load the database structure utility, type DBCONFIG at the DOS prompt
while in the same directory that you will running UR On-Line from. The
program will load, and display a screen with a menu bar. Pressing the left
and right arrow keys will allow you to choose each menu option at the top of
the screen. Press <ENTER> to execute the currently high-lighted option. A
the bottom of the screen is a display line that will give information on the
currently highlighted option, or explain a question that UR On-Line's
database structure editor is asking you.
Edit - Picking this option will allow you to modify the currently
displayed record.
Insert - Will insert a new question (record) before the currently
displayed record.
Delete - Will delete the current question (record) from the database.
New - Choose this option to start a new database structure. A small
editing screen will be displayed, and you will be able to edit each
record from there.
Save - Saves the current database structure to a filename that you
specify. UR On-Line automatically appends the extension "DBS" to the
filename, signifying that the file is a database structure file.
Load - Loads a previously saved database structure into the program.
Again, the extension "DBS" is automatically added to the filename.
Quit - Quits the program and returns to the operating system. If any
changes were made to the structure, it will prompt you to save your
changes first.
Use the up and down arrow keys to move through the database records. Up
moves up one record, and down moves down one record. Moving past the last
record will display a blank entry, allowing you to edit and add a new record
to the database. You may also press the home and end keys to move to the
beginning and end of the structure file respectively, for ease in adding new
records.
While entering new record information, you may press <ESC> at any time
to abort the changes, or press enter on a blank field line.
After entering all the questions that you wish to ask the user, save
your structure definition with a unique filename. You will use the first
eight characters of this name as your first command line parameter when
calling the main program from your BBS. For example, if you are creating a
database structure, and save it as "MYSTRUCT.DBS," you would call the program
like so:
URONLINE MYSTRUCT <door information filename>
Running The Configuration Program:
──────────────────────────────────
You may want to have different colors from the default settings that UR
On-Line has. To facilitate this, we've included a small configuration
program that will allow you to change the colors for everything displayed
inside the door.
Type URCONFIG at the DOS prompt to load the configuration editor.
Displayed will be a two short menus, and a display area showing the current
settings. If a configuration file already exists, the configuration program
will automatically load it when you start the program.
Press the left or right arrow keys to move the main menu bar left and
right. Press the up and down arrow keys to select which color option to
change. Pressing 'F' will increase the foreground color, while 'f'
(lowercase) will decrease the foreground color. Pressing 'B' will increase
the background color, and pressing 'b' will decrease it.
When you've acquired the color scheme that you like, you can press 'S'
or move the main menu bar to Save and press <ENTER>. Pressing 'Q' or
choosing quit from the main menu will return you to DOS.
Running The Main Program:
─────────────────────────
After successfully loading the main program, UR On-Line will initialize
the current user into the user listing. The user may then, according to the
menu, browse through the users, list, edit, search or quit. If a user enters
the door, and they have not yet filled out their registry. UR On-Line will
first display a little note to them to press "E" to enter thier registry.
Browse - Allows the user to "browse" through each user's name, with the
option of viewing that user. Selecting "View" while browsing through
users names displays that user, and the information that they have
entered for their registry. "Next" and "Previous" move up and down
respectively though the user database. "Quit" quits browse mode.
List - List's each user by name, and the last database record
information. For example, if the last record you defined in the
structure was "Please Summarize Yourself," and the short description was
"User Summary," that entry would be displayed alongside their name in
the listing.
Edit - Will allow the user to enter their own registry, or, if they
already have, will let them edit a specific entry in their registry.
Search - Allows the user to search for a particular user, or users.
Using this option will ask if you wish to search by name or match.
Choosing name will prompt you for a name, or part of a name to search
for. Each user that has your search text in their name will be listed
in browse format. Choosing match will bring up each question record, as
defined by the sysop, and ask which one you wish to search in. Next,
you are prompted for the text to search for. If you're searching a
number field, a number will be asked, and likewise, if searching a
yes/no/boolean field, a yes or no response will be asked.
Quit - Quits UR On-Line and returns to the BBS.
At the bottom of the screen is a sysop information bar displaying the
current user in the door, along with their number, baud rate, and the actual
account reference number in the user listing.
Pressing F10 from inside UR On-Line will initiate two-way split-screen
chat. Press F10 or <ESC> to exit chat mode at any time.
Registration Of UR On-Line v1.0:
────────────────────────────────
UR On-Line v1.0 is being released under the Shareware policy. You may
use UR On-Line for a trial period of 30 days free of charge. After that
time, if you find that you enjoy using UR On-Line and plan on using it in
the future, you must register your copy of the program for $5.00 U.S.
currency.
Registration of the program entitles you to free updates of the same
version number (ie. 3.x), along with a registered copy of the version you are
registering. Registration also adds you to the Datagen Software Designs
Preferred Mailing List, and keeps you up to date on what's new with Datagen
Software Designs.
Your registration will help Datagen Software Designs in our goal to
produce tons of quality, low cost software.
To register your copy of UR On-Line v1.0, please fill out the enclosed
registration file (URONLINE.REG), and mail it to the address indicated on the
form. Be sure to enclose a check or money order payable to "Datagen Software
Designs c/o John Dailey" for $5.00 U.S., and also be sure that all
information is filled out correctly and completely. Your registration will
be processed as soon as possible, and a registration diskette mailed to you
in a few weeks.
Datagen Software Designs Support BBS Application
________________________________________________
For application to become a respectable Datagen Software Designs support
Bulletin Board System, simply fill out the following information and mail
to the below address. Please be sure to include all information.
Name __________________________________________________________________
Last, First MI
Age ______ Phone _________________________
Area Code
Address__________________________________________________________________
Street
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
City, State Zip
BBS Name ________________________________________________________________
BBS Sysop Handle ________________________________________________________
BBS Number ________________________ BBS Baud Rates _____________________
Area Code
BBS Hours
[ ] 24 hours [ ] Part-Time (Specify Hours) _________________________
BBS Type And Version ____________________________________________________
BBS Net/Node (If Applicable) ____________________________________________
BBS Time Running (Continuously) _________________________________________
Disk Information
[ ] 3 1/2" Diskette [ ] 5 1/4" Diskette
[ ] High Density [ ] Double Density
Reason For Wanting To Become A Support BBS:
Sysop's requesting to become a support board will be notified as soon as
possible on their request once received. Send all applications to:
Support BBS Applications
Datagen Software Designs
1732 Wind Drift Rd.
Orlando, FL 32809
Authors Notes And Credits:
──────────────────────────
Questions, comments, complaints, or to receive a complete listing and
description of all Datagen products, mail John Dailey at the below address,
through Compuserve at 73124, 2612, through the worldwide Internet network at
73124.2612@compuserve.com, or through WWIVNet at 166@4701 (The Lair of the
Wolverine).
Thank you for your support!
UR On-Line v1.0
c/o John Dailey
1732 Wind Drift Rd.
Orlando, FL 32809