ftp.wwiv.com/ftp.wwiv.com.zip/ftp.wwiv.com/pub/UTILITY/CHAINL32.ZIP/CHAINL32.DOC

Text File | 1993-08-24 | 8KB | 136 lines

CHAINL32; what is it?
        CHAIN Log v3.2 is a utility for WWIV BBS software to produce a
table to represent how many times each online program is run.  Shown in the
table are the chain's names, times they have been run, and a percentage to
show how each program competes with the others.  There are 2 graphs that
can be created each time the program is run, one in straight ascii (.msg)
and one using  codes for WWIV (.ans).  Both are put into the directory
specified from the command line.  Which graph produced is also specified
from the command line, a /G for graphics and a /A for ascii.  Due to a
suggestion from Highlander, 1@8118 WWIVNet, a /B switch has also been added
to do both graphs without recalculation.  A sample table in non- (/A switch)
format would look like:

Executive Diversions Log Ending: 7.20.93
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║       Name:                                   Times ran:      Percent:   ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║  [1]  Trade Wars 2002                         4                21.05%    ║
║  [2]    Kannons and Katipults             1          5.26%    ║
║  [3]    TimeBank/Casino             3         15.79%    ║
║  [4]    BBS Crash v5.5                 5         26.32%    ║
║  [5]    Pimp Wars                 4         21.05%    ║
║  [6]  Russian Roulette                        1                 5.26%    ║
║  [7]    Realms                     1          5.26%    ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Is CHAINLxx for everyone?
        No, only for WWIV sysops.  It is specific to the log files of WWIV
and will not work anywhere else unless the BBS software is altered to match
WWIV log files without exception.
        If someone *really* wants to see this utility for another BBS
than WWIV, e-mail me a copy of your daily log file(s).  I left the code
pretty well "open-ended" through its revisions, and would be easy to
convert to another format.

What happens if i add or delete a game mid-month?
        If you add one; fine, chainl will accept this and add it to your
roster.  If you delete one, the games statistics, as they were before you
deleted the game, will be intact for the month.

Will i have to maintain this program?
        It will make new .ans or .msg files on the first of the month in
the format C<month><day>.[ans|msg]; an example being C793.MSG.  You will
have to add these new files to your gfiles listing in order for them to be
viewed, but other than that; no.

How does one use CHAINL?
        Suggested:  add it to your external event.  You can store chainl32
in any directory you wish, just give it 3 parameters: 1)  which kinds of
table(s) you want generated, 2) the directory of your WWIV gfiles directory
(or wherever you store your log files) and 3) the destination directory for
the charts.  CHAINL32 does use a data file that will be placed in your gfiles
directory under the filename chainl.dat.  If you ever want to restart your
chart files mid-month then just delete this .dat file.  (Just simpler than
chugging through all that damn ascii >136 and <32).  A sample event batch
file would read (assuming you have previously made the chainl32 directory):
REM -----------------------------
@echo off
c:\wwiv\wwivutil\chainl32 /G c:\wwiv\gfiles\ c:\wwiv\gfiles\chainl32\
REM -----------------------------

Why use chainl32 instead of prior versions (RELEASE HISTORY)?
        Some people (the afore mentioned 1@8118) found that they wanted to
use both the ascii tables as well as the ^P coded tables, so a switch (/B)
was added so that chainl wouldnt have to recalc all the percentages,
saving time. *Added in v2.5
        The program was overhauled.  Some ppl (ones that run a board in a
town with more than 1 computer store and over 100 users) needed more
door entries than i allowed for in 2.4, so that has been taken care of in
this release (and surprisingly reduced the amount of RAM required to
execute). *Added in v2.5 & 3.0
        The courtesy message has been removed.  This util is public domain,
so i really dont feel it necessary to spread my name all over the place;
besides, i hate programs that do that! 8) *Added in v2.5
        Special note:  The title name's space allocation was 38 units long.
this has been changed to 43.  If you have a chain title longer than 43
spaces, chainl will blank the line causing you to recieve a blank entry in
your .ans or .msg bulletin.  Suggestion:  Make sure they're under 43.  I
had a request to up it from 38 because a sysop had a door with 40
characters; and this was done ASAP... there is just no more room in an 80
column screen without making things cluttered. *IF* by some chance you dont
want to change the name of your door, chainl will chop off anything after
43 and use it as is.  *Changed in v3.0
        Bug fix with chainl's reproduction of WWIV's log dating format.
Wouldnt have caused much trouble, but still an inaccurate rating per month.
*Changed in v3.1
        Added a sort routine so the damn output wouldnt look like garbage,
or nicely put, unprofessional. *Added v3.2

Ok, nice, how much is it?
        CHAINL32 and all prior versions are released into public domain
as long as it is not altered or modified in any way.  But if you're
really hellbent on sending money for an outstanding product i'll by no
means stand in your way ;) This release will stay in public domain, however
the author reserves the right to change the ID of future releases at any
time and without notification.

Distribution:
        Please feel free to add this to your WWIV utilities directory for
download as long as the 2 files (chainlxx.exe and chainlxx.doc) found in
this archive are not altered or removed.  If you're one of those picky ppl
that only uses .zip format, then also feel free to rearchive chainl, and
add zip comments as you wish, just please keep the archive the same.

Disclaimer:
        The authors make no representations or warranties with respect to
any of their software, and specifically disclaims any express or implied
warranties of merchantability, title, or fitness for a particular purpose.
        The authors are not responsible for lost profits or revenue, loss
of use of the software, loss of data, costs of re-creating lost data, the
cost of any substitute equipment or program, or claims by any party.  The
authors strongly recommend a backup be made before any software is
installed.  Technical support for this software may be provided at the
discretion of the authors.

NOTES:
        Personally i didnt like testing the usage log from Alpha Centauri
(i think) because it would only run once per day, so you would have to
change the damn day, test again, etc.  I did not put that into CHAINL,
but if someone really has a burning desire to see that, just drop me an
email; the code is in the program, just inactive.
        The game numbers are limited to the size of (int); just didnt think
a game would be good enough for ppl to play 32000+ per month 8)  ...
        Other than that there's not much else to say, just if anyone has
any problems, suggestions, or just wants to say 'hey, im using chainl32',
send `em to me e-mail.
        Chainl is optimized for speed.  I tried optimizing for size first,
and ended up being about 500 bytes longer than if i optimized for speed;
guess which i chose? *g*


                                          Pascha, The LNF! Sorceress
                                                1@4958 WWIVNet