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1998-10-01
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Telegard Most Popular Files v1.01
by Ken Reaverson
For TG 3.09+
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Introduction ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Telegard Most Popular Files (referred to as TGMPF througout this docuement)
is a simple utility. It reads through your Telegard file bases, compiles
a list of which files have been downloaded the most, ranks that list,
and generates a bulletin for you to display to your users.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ License and Disclaimer ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The author of TGMPF is not responsible for any damaged, corrupted, lost,
or otherwise harmful occurences that may occur from use (or inability
thereof) of this program. It has been tested, and the author runs it on his
own system. To the best of my knowledge, TGMPF has no bugs and will not
destroy anything on your system. However, I guarentee nothing, except that
this program will take up hard drive space.
If it breaks, you own both halves.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Requirements ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
TGMPF's requirements differ depending on which executable is being run:
TGMPF/DOS:
- MS-DOS (or compatible) 5.00 or higher
- Telegard BBS v3.09.g1 or higher
- An 80286 processor or better
TGMPF/2:
- OS/2 Warp 3 or higher
- Telegard BBS v3.09.g1 or higher
- An 80486 processor or better
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Installation ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Installation of TGMPF is pretty simple. First, decide which executable
you're going to use (DOS or OS/2) and rename either TGMPF.DOS or TGMPF.OS2
to TGMPF.EXE. When you're done with that, move or copy the executable to
your main Telegard directory. TGMPF *must* be run from your main TG
directory.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Usage ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
There is really only one consideration before starting to use TGMPF. Do
you want to exclude some file bases from consideration? For example, let's
say you have an adult base. You don't necessarily want the descriptions
for those files to be popping up in a Most Popular Files list that's
going to be seen by your entire user base.
If you decide to exclude some bases from consideration, it's simple. Just
create a file called EXCLUDE.MPF in the same directory that TGMPF.EXE
resides (which, if you were paying attention above, would be your Telegard
Main directory ;)). EXCLUDE.MPF is a text file, one filename per line (no
extension) of the filebase you wish to exclude. An example EXCLUDE.MPF is
included in the archive. A maximum of 1000 filebases can be excluded.
Normal usage of TGMPF is as such:
TGMPF.EXE <root filename>
Root filename is an eight letter filename that you wish TGMPF to output
it's information to, *no* extension. The file will be created in your
Telegard Text directory with that root filename and the extension .ANS.
EX:
TGMPF.EXE TOPTEN
Would generate TOPTEN.ANS in C:\TG\TEXT if C:\TG were your main Telegard
path.
Commandline Parameters -
FE2TG will accept three commandline parameters:
<filename> - As explained above, this is an up to 8 letter
root filename for the bulletin TGMPF will
create. This must be the first parameter
on the commandline.
/A - This is an optional parameter, and if specified, must
be the second parameter on the commandline. What it
does is turn off the random quote generation and ansi
header. I realize that my choice in quotes and choice
in pic may not coincide with what many sysops use for
a theme on their BBS. Specifying this option will generate
a simple header and the data, nothing more.
/V - Version Information
Displays the Copyright and compilation information.
This is optional, and replaces the root filename
parameter (meaning it must be the first). If run
with this parameter, TGMPF doesn't actually do
anything beyond displaying the copyright and
compilation information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Notes ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
I realize that because of it's limited configurability, TGMPF may not be
popular among my peers. My primary motivation behind coding TGMPF was the
fact that I wanted it. As such, the output screens are slanted toward what
I want displayed on my own system.
I do plan on updating TGMPF so that it'll take a user defined template,
and generate it's output using that. However, templates are a coding
concept I haven't learned just yet, so it's going to be delayed for a
bit.
Until then, if you absolutely hate the output screens in TGMPF, and that's
the only thing preventing you from using it, design your own screen,
and send it to me via one of the methods listed in my contact information.
I'll hardcode the screen in and send you back a custom version.
There is one known problem with TGMPF. Right now, if your description has
color codes in it, when TGMPF's display screen displays, the end bracket will
be a little off. The reason for this is that TGMPF does not strip color codes
from the description. When it goes to pad the string out to 45 characters,
those color codes count toward the overall total. When TG displays, it
naturally translates the color codes, and the result is that the end bracket
is set further back. If this is a major annoyance, you have two options.
Either remove the color codes from the description, or bug me to add color
stripping. :)
If anyone else is actually reading this, you might be wondering why I'm
taking such a lackadasical attitude about this program. The reason is this;
I don't think it'll see much use until it allows sysops to define their own
output. As such, that means it's being coded to satisfy me and me only.
When I put a template capable version out, I'll care a whole lot more about
everyone else's satisfaction.
I can forsee one other request possibly being made of me in regards to
this program. I instituted an Exclude list, so why not an Include list?
I can understand the desire behind wishing to display a Most Popular
Telegard utilities list, or a Most Popular MIDI Files list, or even a
most popular XXX JPEG List. ;) However, I don't desire to do any of these
things on my own BBS, and consequently, this program doesn't support such
an option. However, if enough people ask me (preferably in a somewhat
civil manor) I will add this capability to the program.
TGMPF/DOS has been compiled with Borland Pascal v7.0.
TGMPF/2 has been compiled with Virtual Pascal v1.10
The source code to either version is not available to the public, and it
is not for sale, so please don't ask. :)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Registration ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
TGMPF is FreeWare. End of story. Live free or die, ladies and gentlemen. :)
If you appreciate the work I've put into the software, and if it's been
useful to you, drop me a line via one of the below contact methods. The
experience of writing the program has been payment enough for me, but it's
always nice to hear 'Thanks dude!' once in awhile. :)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Distribution ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
TGMPF may be freely distributed in it's unmodified format. See PACKING.LST
for a list of what should be included in the archive. The archive's original
fornat is ZIP, and it has been stamped with my AV codes. If the archive
you've received is not a ZIP, be wary. When unzipping this archive, at
the very end, you should see the following:
Authentic Files Verified! # CIS105
Blood Enterprises, Inc.
If this message is not present, the archive may have been tampered with.
The most current version of TGMPF will always be available for FREQ
on Shadowdale with the magicname TGMPF. See below for my contact
information. Any new versions will be hatched down the FidoNet TG_SUP
filebone.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Copyrights ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Telegard Most Popular Files is Copyright Blood Enterprises, 1998.
All Rights Reserved.
Telegard is Copyright Tim Strike, 1994,1998. All Rights Reserved.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Special Thanks ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The following people deserve special thanks for their efforts, whether it
be direct or indirect, for bringing this utility about:
Tim Strike - Thanks, as always. :) You know the reasons, so I won't
bother to repeat them for the 9 or ten millionth time.
David Stumpf - For his help with the ranking code in this util, and
a whole lot of example code for other projects. :)
Arthur Stark - For being my beta tester. :)
Thanks to Vision of ACiD Productions. I borrowed the little grey ansi guy
with the red flag from one of his ads for Santuary.
Thanks also to Jeff Irvine, because I borrowed the basic template for this
document from him. ;)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒ Service & Support ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Contact Information -
Author: Ken Reaverson
Email: tremere@mindless.com
WWW: http://adrianblood.home.mindspring.com
BBS: Shadowdale - (770) 982-7859
Login: Guest Password: PRAISETIM
Netmail: 1:133/1004 - FidoNet
111:4350/101 - Sysop's TechNet
EchoMail: TG_SUPPORT (FidoNet)
ADV_TG (AdventureNet)
If you have a question or a problem with the software, by all means, get
into contact with me via one of the above methods. I welcome comments and
suggestions, and if you find a bug in the software, I'll do my damndest to
fix it with all speed.