Beijing Paradise BBS Backup/PARADISE.ISO/software/BBSDOORW/RDRM20.ZIP/IMPORT.DOC

Text File | 1993-04-15 | 10.7 KB | 238 lines

              ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
              │               IMPORT V1.0               │
              │     Import Utility for READROOM Door    │
              │ (C) Exhibit A Communications, 1992-1993 │
              └─────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────┐
│  About IMPORT      │
└────────────────────┘

        IMPORT is a little utility designed to ease the burden on sysops
running the READROOM door.  This utility will scan the configuration
file for READROOM door and will try and locate new versions of the
publications in the door.  If any are found, they will be opened up into
the appropriate directory.  Supports publications archive in ZIP, ARJ,
LZH and ARC formats.

        IMPORT is command line driven to allow sysops to add this
utility to any batch file or event that they wish to automate the
posting of a new publication.

        IMPORT will work hand in hand with the next version of LSTRELAY,
due at the end of April 1993, to produce accurate reports to sysop as
well as posting news files about the status of the most recent session.
(Please see Appendix B for more information about LSTRELAY)

        Please note: this utility will only work with registered
versions of the READROOM door!

┌────────────────────┐
│  About Shareware   │
└────────────────────┘

        Shareware is a method of software distribution designed to benefit
both the software developer and the end user.  Shareware (SW) should not
be confused with Public Domain (PD) programs.  While  PD programs are
released to the public with no restrictions attached to their use, SW
programs are the copyrighted work of their authors.  The SW programs are
released to the public for evaluation purposes under the assumption that
if the end user likes the program and continues to use it after a
reasonable period of time, that user is obligated to register the
program.
        If you purchased this program from a SW distributor, you have
not registered it.  You must still pay the programmer to register it.
The money you paid to the distributor was to cover the cost of
duplicating/advertising/etc the files.
        Programmers get to distribute their wares without the expense
of advertising, packaging & distribution.  The users benefit from being
able to try out the programs without having to pay for the privilege of
evaluation.  Shareware programmers (the good ones anyway) are generally
more responsive to bug reports & user requests for additional features.
Everyone benefits provided that the users remember to register and
programmers continue to ... well, program<G>.

┌────────────────────┐
│  Registration      │
└────────────────────┘

        REMEBER, this utility will only work with a registered copy of
the READROOM DOOR.  To register the READROOM door, please fill out the
file ORDER.FRM, copy it to your printer and mail it along with a check
for $15.00 to Exhibit A Communications at the address shown on the form.

        Or if you want to register painlessly, you can now register
READROOM on CompuServe.  Just GO SWREG at any prompt.  Cost is the same
to you and you don't have to mess with U. S(nail). Mail at all.

        By sending in your registration fee, you will be entitled to
the following:
        1) Enable use of IMPORT program.  Does not work in unregistered ver.
        2) Continued use of this program on any single or multiuser BBS
        3) Free upgrades to future versions
        4) Enhanced support from programmer
        5) The satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make the
                shareware system alive
        6) A jump to the next Karma level
        7) The undying gratitude of my wife, son and dog <g>


┌────────────────────┐
│  Requirements      │
└────────────────────┘

        1) READROOM door MUST be registered for this utility to work.
        2) Copies of the following programs must exist in a directory
           that lies on your computer's path.
                a) PKUNZIP.EXE  required to open .ZIP
                b) ARJ.EXE      required to open .ARJ
                c) LHA.EXE      required to open .LZH
                d) PKXARC.EXE   required to open .ARC files
        3) Properly configured READROOM door.
        4) DOS 3.0 or higher.

┌────────────────────┐
│  Installation      │
└────────────────────┘

        Installing IMPORT can be as simple as ensuring that IMPORT.EXE
is located either on the path or in the same directory as you have
called it from.  Please note that the files IMPORT.ERR and IMPORT.LOG
will both be written to in the same directory where IMPORT.EXE is.  For
this reason I suggest you put it in the same directory as the READOOM
door.
        Line 7 in the READROOM configuration file must contain the full
drive/path to the directory you  want IMPORT to scan for new
publications.
        The Advanced Features line (number 4 for each publication) is
where you will define what template IMPORT will use to find a new issue.
This option must be defined for each publication you wish IMPORT to look
for.  If you do NOT wish IMPORT to update a publication, just use NO for
the template.  Templates use DOS wildcards to define the publication
names.  To look for the latest PIMxxxx.ZIP file, you would use PIM* as a
template.

┌────────────────────┐
│  Operation         │
└────────────────────┘

        Operation of the IMPORT utility is as simple as adding IMPORT
<readroom.cnf> to any batch file (or from the command line) that you
wish.  I would suggest that you put it in one of your daily events, but
that is not necessary for operation of the program.

┌────────────────────┐
│  Support           │
└────────────────────┘

        READROOM is fully supported by it's programmer Michael J. Gibbs
through Exhibit A Communications.  He can be reached in the following
manners:
        1) Intelec network
                conferences monitored:
                        SYSOP
                        PCRELAY
                        BBS DOORS
                        PROGRAMMING
                        C PROGRAMMING
                        INTELEC ADMIN
        2) MediaNET network          node id:->EXHIBITA
                conferences monitored:
                        MEDIANET ADMIN
                        PRO PHOTO
                        MEDIANET CHAT
        2) RaceNet network           node id:->EXHIBITA
                conferences monitored:
                        EXHIBITA
                        OFFROAD
                        RACENET SYSOPS
        3) InfoMat BBS [phone]
                forum 7 is support for Exhibit A Programs
        4) CI$  #72246,1653
        5) Orange County Information Network
                        EXHIBITA forum
        6) FidoNet support offered through The Puffins Nest BBS
                        [phone] (1:261/1129)
                        Latest version of the door Freq'able using
                        "magic name" of READROOM.

┌────────────────────┐
│  Legal Disclaimer  │
└────────────────────┘
(small print on<g>)
        As with any program, every attempt is made by the programmer to
kill all the bugs in the software before it is release to the public.
Since this is all but impossible, it is recommended that new software
should only be run (for the first time at least) when a current backup
of your hard disk is available.  When shareware is released for public
evaluation, there is little that can be done on the programmer's end to
prevent others from infecting the program with viruses or making
unauthorized changes to the program.  AS SUCH, user agrees to hold
harmless MICHAEL J. GIBBS, INFOMAT BBS and EXHIBIT A COMMUNICATIONS in
regards to any personal, physical, emotion, financial, sexual or other
damage that may occur to hardware, software or the user that may arise
from the use of this program.  Use of this program is considered to be
acceptance of these conditions.
        This program remains the copyrighted work of Exhibit A
Communications.  When you register the program, you are granted a
license to use this program on one (1) BBS system, regardless of how
many nodes are active.  You may sell your registered number to another
if the following conditions are met:
        1) All copies of the software and any documentation are
                transferred to the new owner.
        2) You must discontinue use of the program following the sale.
        3) The new owner must contact Exhibit A Communications to update
                our user records.
        This program may not be sold in it's unregistered form.  It is
intended to be distributed freely.  Pay BBS systems are exempt from this
requirement provided they are not charging specifically for access to
this one program.  Shareware distributors/User Groups may charge a nominal
copying/library fee not to exceed $7.00.
(small print off<g>)

┌────────────────────┐
│  Special Thanks    │
└────────────────────┘

        Special thanks go out to:
                My wife Lori and son Bobby for tolerating my weird ways.
                Brett Martin for suggesting this utility and for writing
                the batch file that IMPORT will replace

┌────────────────────┐
│  Appendix          │
└────────────────────┘


   Appendix A
   ──────────
                        ┌──────────────────┐
                        │ HISTORY:  IMPORT │
                        └──────────────────┘
Version         Date            Fixes, Changes, etc.
───────         ────────        ─────────────────────────────────────
1.0             04/15/93        First public release of the program.
                                Timed to coincide with the release of
                                READROOM v2.0.

   Appendix B
   ──────────

Look for version 3.4 or later of LSTRELAY (due end of April 1993) to
create a news screen everytime a publication is updated to enable your
users to know when something new has come in!  File name is LR34.ZIP.

LSTRELAY is a utility that enables sysops to automate the generation
of news files announcing time and date of last network mail transfer.
LSTRELAY currently supports PCRelay, PostLink, GAPNet, Rnet and TNET
network software.  The LSTRELAY utility allows the sysop to select
either one screen design, or let the program select a different
one each day.

LSTRELAY will also import a private message to the sysop in the main
forum message base of the BBS.  This message will provide information
regarding the status of the last mail run.  Sysop will be informed of
the number of messages imported, number of messages exported, name of
files requested/sent and other information collected from the network
software's log file.