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1993-12-05
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WWNews v.1.1
────────────
-Shareware by Platypus Programming-
Documentation and Program
Copyright 1993 Platypus Programming
WWIV is a registered trademark of Wayne Bell
─────────────────
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
─────────────────
WWNews is a news display program that only shows the NEW
news to your callers. If the news has not been updated, they
won't keep reading the same old news over and over again. When
you update the news through WWNews, though, the records are
reset and users will see your new news item plus, in the
registered version, a configurable number of old news items.
News updating takes place through a batch file that
calls your favorite DOS or WWIV editor. If you choose to use a
WWIV editor such as WWIVEdit or FEdit, you can edit the news
remotely.
WWNews v.1.1 creates a separate, human-readable text
file and lets you configure one account to always read the news
(great for GSA accounts).
WWNews is an external program and requires NO MODDING of
ANY KIND. It is a fine way to customize an unmodded WWIV BBS or
further customize a modded one.
────────────────────────────────────────
Initially Installing WWNews and NewsUtil
────────────────────────────────────────
WWNews can be installed in any directory on your hard
drive and can even be placed in a directory with other files.
Once you have unzipped the entire WWNews archive, run
NEWSUTIL.EXE and answer the questions. Some of the questions
you will be asked apply only to the registered version of the
program, but you must answer them in the shareware version as
well. When you register, you'll be all set up!
The questions asked by NewsUtil are all pretty
straightforward, but here is some explanation:
Banner (Registered Version)
───────────────────────────
The banner is displayed between each news item. If you
entered "────" for your banner, your news will look like this:
WWNews v.1.1
By Platypus Programming
Registered to Calvin of Insomnia BBS
────────────────────────────────09-04-1993────────────────────────────────
This is a test news item
If you instead entered "════" as your banner, it would
look like this:
WWNews v.1.1
By Platypus Programming
Registered to Calvin of Insomnia BBS
════════════════════════════════09-04-1993════════════════════════════════
This is a test news item
Note that the date appears in WWIV color 4, so it will
be offset from the rest of the banner. Multiple news items look
like this (with "────" as the banner)
WWNews v.1.1
By Platypus Programming
Registered to Calvin of Insomnia BBS
────────────────────────────────09-04-1993────────────────────────────────
This is the second test news item
────────────────────────────────09-04-1993────────────────────────────────
This is a test news item
In the shareware version, the banner is "/*/*".
Max Number of News Items (Registered Version)
─────────────────────────────────────────────
WWNews will retain a certain number of old news items,
and here is where you set that number. This number applies both
to the main display and the GFiles news item (discussed next).
WWNews will automatically trim the file each time news is added.
In the unregistered version, there is no maximum number of news
items; none will be deleted.
GFiles News Item
────────────────
WWNews v.1.1 makes two separate copies of the news. One
is in the special WWNews format; one is a normal, WWIV-colored
text file. If you select "yes" for GFiles News Item in NewsUtil,
you will be asked to specify a path and filename. The
Human-readable news file will be placed there. This is a handy
feature for your callers in that if they weren't paying
attention during their logon or merely want to read the news
again, you'll have it available to them in a GFiles directory.
Please note that when you specify a complete pathname (i.e.
\WWIV\GFILES\MISC\NEWS.TXT), all of the directories must already
exist, and that you'll have to manually add the file to your
GFiles area.
GSA Account
───────────
This is a feature intended for systems that have a Guest
Sysop Account. If you answer "yes" to this question, you will
be prompted for a user number. Whatever user you select will
ALWAYS see the news. In other words, while your other callers
may see the "news not updated since your last call" message,
this user will always see the full news file.
Again, this is handy for systems with a GSA...the
visiting sysop will always be up to date with the latest
happenings on your system.
The .CFG File Format
────────────────────
Just in case you need it, here is the file format for
the WWNEWS.CFG text file:
Calvin <-Line 1--Sysop's Handle
Insomnia BBS <-Line 2--BBS Name
-=-= <-Line 3--Header characters
4 <-Line 4--Maximum News Items
\WWIV\GFILES\MISC\NEWS.TXT <-Line 5--Path to GFiles news (or NONE)
53 <-Line 6--Exempt user (or 0)
\WWIV\CHAIN.TXT <-Line 7--Path to CHAIN.TXT
You're now done with NewsUtil, and are halfway done with
installation.
Making WWNews your Logon Event
──────────────────────────────
Now that you've run NewsUtil, you need to install WWNews
into your logon event. If you don't have a logon event, run
INIT.EXE and specify the full path to WWNews with the command
line parameter "-d". For example:
\WWIV\UTILS\WWNEWS -d
If you already have a logon event, you need to make a
batch file that is called from INIT and include the full path to
WWNews with the -d just as shown above. Your LOGON.BAT might
look like this:
@ECHO OFF
\WWIV\UTILS\WWNEWS -d
BIRTHDAY /L
Installing the WWNews Editor into //CHAINEDIT
─────────────────────────────────────────────
You are done installing WWNews as a display program.
Now you have to install the editing portion of WWNews.
WWNews uses two batch files called WWNSLOCL.BAT and
WWNSREMO.BAT to call your favorite editors for news editing.
When you enter your editor, you'll be editing a temporary file
and can feel free to use WWIV color codes, line drawing
characters, etc. When you are finished, simply exit your
editor, saving the file you just worked on. WWNews will
concatenate the new news with your existing news and update the
user data file. (Note...if you decide you don't want to add any
news, exit your editor without saving the temp file)
The reason there are two batch files is so that WWNews
can call separate editors for local and remote use. If your
editor is FEdit, WWIVEdit, or a similar WWIV full-screen editor,
they can be used for both. If you do not have one of those, you
will have to use a DOS- based editor such as the fine QEdit
program or DOS' own EDIT.COM and will not be able to edit news
remotely (even though WWIV is trapping DOS interrupts, most
editors like QEdit use direct screen writes). Either way, sample
batch files are included in this archive and there are more
details there. Customize them to contain your preferred editor's
full pathname with a "%1" in place of the filename.
If you want to use WWIVEdit, you're going to need to use
the .DEF files included in this package. By default, WWIVEdit
is set up to run under WWIV and expects WWIV to generate certain
files (like quoting text). Since WWNews doesn't generate those
files, you need to make an alternate setup for WWIVEdit when
used with WWNews. WWNSLOCL.DEF and WWNSREMO.DEF are included in
this package. To use them, put them in your WWIVEdit CONFIG\
directory, then run "WWIVEdit -f".
***NOTE!!! WWNSLOCL.BAT and WWREMO.BAT MUST go in your main BBS
directory.
Once you have customized the sample batch files, you
need to add WWNews to //CHAINEDIT. Use this as your guide:
A. Description : WWNews Editor - add new news
B. Filename : \full_pathname\WWNews
C. SL : <-----your choice, see below
D. AR : <-----your choice, see below
E. ANSI : Optional
F. DOS Interrupt: Used
G. 300 Baud : Allowed
H. Shrink : No
I. Disable pause: No
J. Local only : <-----your choice, see below
Access
──────
One of the advantages of setting up the WWIVNews editor
in CHAINEDIT is that you have complete control over who can post
news. That control is flexible through the settings marked
"your choice", above. (Note: if you don't have WWIV v.4.22 or
higher, you probably won't see choice J. That's okay, though;
it won't affect WWNews' functionality) If you don't want anyone
but you to be able to edit the news, set the SL at 255. If you
have other users that have 255 access but you don't want THEM to
add new news items, set up an AR for option "D" and then only
give it to yourself, or set option "J" (local only) to yes!
Anyone who has access to WWNews via //CHAINEDIT will be
able to post a message that will be displayed to all callers.
Let THAT be your guide as to how you set up WWNews access.
────────────
Registration
────────────
WWNews costs only $2. Please support the shareware
concept by evaluating the program for 30 days. If you like it
and plan to continue using it, fill out the REGISTER.TXT form
and send in your check. If you don't like it or don't plan to
continue using it, please discontinue its use. Either way, pass
the shareware package (see README.1st) to friends and feel free
to post it for downloading on your BBS.
Upon registering WWNews, you will recieve a registered
version that will utilize the entire WWNEWS.CFG file you created
with NEWSUTIL. That will show your users you've registered,
display the banner of your choice, and allow you to configure
the maximum news items.
Again, please read the REGISTER.TXT file for details on
the program registration, and how to save some dough on other
Platypus Programs.
────────────────────
WARRANTY INFORMATION
────────────────────
THERE IS NO WARRANTY! Platypus Programming disclaims
all warranties, either expressed or implied, including but not
limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose. Should the program prove to be defective,
the user assumes the responsibility of paying the entire cost of
all necessary repairs, servicing, or any other consequential
damages. In NO EVENT will Platypus Programming be liable for
any damages in any form (including without limitation damages
for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of
business information, etc.) arising from the use of or inability
to use this product.
Use of this software product for any period of time
constitutes assumed acceptance of this agreement and subjects
you to its contents.
Sorry to sound so rough, but them's tough biscuits.
Platypus Programming DOES, however, welcome comments on
all its programs. See the next section for details!
─────────────────────────────────────
Platypus Programming Support Biscuits
─────────────────────────────────────
Platypus Programming offers support through WWIVNet, IceNet,
WWIVLink, ASSnet, and *many* other networks. Look in your
SUBS.LST file for sub-type PLATPS! Support is available through
that sub and that is probably the easiest way to reach the
authors. The "home system" of Platypus Programming is WWIVLink
@18262, WWIVNet @8265, @TERRANet @8262, so feel free to send
mail to #1 on any of those networks. You can reach us via
Internet at michael.lerch@hal9k.com
Insomnia BBS is located at (812)466-4222 and has a GSA account
(logon as GUESTSYS, password "wwiv", phone number "0000"). You
can leave mail to the #1 account ("Calvin") or download the
latest Platypus Programs there.
Feel free to write us via Snail Mail, as well. Our address is:
Platypus Programming
P.O. Box 6095
Terre Haute, IN 47802-6095
We want to reiterate that we are willing to help you with
technical questions AND take your suggestions! If you think
this program would be great "If it had..." then PLEASE let us
know!! This release includes several features/improvements over
v.1.0 and it's because of the input we recieved from you!
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Platypus Programming
The difference is in the bill