Getting Started

This help file was based on an article written by Richard Holler.

Basically, the FILE_ID.DIZ file is a straight ASCII text file, distributed inside your distribution archive file along with your program files, which contains a description of your program. This file will be used by most BBS (Bulletin Board System) softwares for the online file description of your file. We recommend that the FILE_ID.DIZ file be used in all of your distribution archives.

Please don't be tempted to use fancy graphic or ANSI sequences in the FILE_ID.DIZ file, as most BBS software will not allow this, and will render your FILE_ID.DIZ file useless. Also, don't be tempted to simply copy your program description file to FILE_ID.DIZ. Attempting to "format" your FILE_ID.DIZ file (i.e line centering, right & left justification, etc) will also cause unexpected results, especially for BBS software which re-formats descriptions to other than 10line/45char.

Since the ASP Disk Mailing Service allows separate distribution disks for BBSs and Vendors, you may optionally create a different distribution disk for use by Disk Vendors. However, if you follow the above steps in preparing your distribution archive file, a separate vendor disk is probably not necessary. The majority of disk vendors will be able to accept your distribution file/disk if it is prepared in the above described format.
 

Further Information

Why Should You Use FILE_ID.DIZ?
Nuts and Bolts description
Structure specifications
An example of a FILE_ID.DIZ
Multiple Disks