home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
Text File | 1996-01-11 | 72.8 KB | 1,778 lines |
-
- CompuSlave For Windows
- Version 2.12
-
-
- CompuServe Forum Message Database
-
- Copyright 1995-1996 by
-
- Stevenson Technical Services, Incorporated
- 108 Second Avenue West, PO Box 297
- Bertha MN 56437-0297 USA
- Phone/FAX: 218-924-2050
- The STSI BBS: 218-924-2060
- CompuServe: 76300,3066
- Internet: http://www.stevetech.com
- E-Mail: support@stevetech.com
-
-
- Welcome!
-
- Thank you for using CompuSlave For Windows! CompuSlave imports
- CompuServe forum capture files into a database, converting them
- to individual messages. Add, edit, delete, and search the entire
- database for key words or phrases. Make those messages work for
- you! Create your own technical support resource. Ideal for
- power users, programmers, and network administrators. Easy to
- use Windows interface. Includes a communications program for
- accessing and capturing messages from CompuServe. Also includes
- network support.
-
- If you appreciate CompuSlave, you are encouraged to call The STSI
- BBS at (218) 924-2060, and let us know! Comments, suggestions,
- and enhancement requests are always welcome!
-
-
-
-
- Requirements
-
- To run CompuSlave For Windows reliably, you will need the
- following:
-
- · DOS 3.3 or Higher
- · Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Higher and a Mouse
-
-
-
-
- Disclaimer / License Agreement
-
-
- What is shareware?
-
- Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
- before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
- using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
- differ on details - some request registration while others
- require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
- registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
- using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
-
- Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
- and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
- exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
- programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
- of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
- and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
- distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
- and distribute the software, either to all or to a specific
- group. For example, some authors require written permission
- before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
-
- Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
- should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
- whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
- fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
- And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
- has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the
- product, you don't pay for it.
-
-
- Disclaimer - Agreement
-
- By using CompuSlave For Windows, users indicate their acceptance
- of the following terms:
-
- "CompuSlave For Windows is supplied as is. The author
- disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including,
- without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of
- fitness for any purpose. Neither STSI, The STSI BBS, or any
- STSI employees will be held responsible for any damages,
- direct or consequential, which may result from the use of
- CompuSlave For Windows."
-
- "Information in this documentation is subject to change
- without notice and does not represent a commitment on the
- part of STSI. STSI may make improvements and/or changes in
- this documentation or in the products and/or programs
- described in this documentation at any time."
-
- CompuSlave is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
- to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your
- friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
- another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
- provide personal computer users with quality software without
- high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
- continue to develop new products. If you find this program
- useful and find that you are using CompuSlave and continue to use
- CompuSlave after a reasonable trial period, you must make a
- registration payment of $49.95 (+S&H) to Stevenson Technical
- Services, Inc. (STSI). This registration fee will license one
- copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat
- this software just like a book. An example is that this software
- may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from
- one computer location to another, so long as there is no
- possibility of it being used at one location while it's being
- used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different
- persons at the same time, CompuSlave should not be used on two
- different computers at the same time.
-
- Commercial users of CompuSlave must register and pay for their
- copies of CompuSlave within 30 days of first use or their license
- is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting
- STSI at (218) 924- 2050.
-
- Anyone distributing CompuSlave for any kind of remuneration must
- first contact STSI for authorization. This authorization will be
- automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as
- adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such
- distributors may begin offering CompuSlave immediately. (However
- STSI must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-
- to-date with the latest version of CompuSlave.)
-
- You are encouraged to pass a copy of CompuSlave along to your
- friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their
- copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users
- will receive a copy of the latest version of the CompuSlave,
- along with a printed manual and bonus disks.
-
-
-
-
- ASP Notice:
-
- STSI is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
- (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works
- for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related
- problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP
- may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
- dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
- technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP
- Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX
- 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to
- ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
-
-
-
-
-
- Registration
-
- CompuSlave For Windows is distributed under the shareware
- concept. You may try CompuSlave for a period of two weeks.
- After this period, you must either discontinue using it, or
- register it. A single-user license is only $49.95 (+$5.00 S&H in
- the U.S., or $10.00 S&H on Foreign Orders). This price includes
- a printed manual, the latest version on diskette, removal of nag
- screens and database record limits, along with a Registration
- Name and Number allowing you to register your copy of CompuSlave.
- Network and site-license pricing is also available. Please see
- REGISTER.DOC for details.
-
- To register over the telephone, call STSI at 218-924-2050, and
- charge it to your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover
- credit card. Once registered, you will no longer see the nag
- screens, reminding you to register CompuSlave, and you will be
- able to bypass the 500-message database limit imposed on non-
- registered versions. For further registration information and
- pricing, please read the REGISTER.DOC file included with
- CompuSlave.
-
-
-
-
- How To Order
-
- To register, do ONE of the following (whichever you prefer):
-
- 1. Call The STSI BBS at 218-924-2060 and order online. We
- accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit
- cards. This method of ordering can be performed 24-hours a day,
- 7-days a week. (Ordering this way is fast and easy, allowing us
- to process your request quickly.)
-
- 2. To order using our voice line, call 218-924-2050. Please
- have your credit card handy.
-
- 3. You can FAX your order to 218-924-2050. Simply fill out the
- registration form provided with the program (REGISTER.DOC),
- include your credit card information on the bottom of the form,
- and sign it. (Most FAX transmissions will be automatically
- routed to the FAX machine. If you have problems reaching our FAX
- machine, wait until after the first ring, press 11, and then
- begin transmitting.)
-
- 4. Mail the registration form along with your payment to:
-
- Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI)
- 108 2nd Avenue West, PO Box 297
- Bertha, MN 56437-0297 USA.
-
-
-
-
- Technical Support:
-
- Technical support is available through the following means:
-
- Internet:
- Access STSI's internet home page at http://www.stevetech.com.
- Check the bulletins for information on the latest versions of
- our software. Software updates can be downloaded through our
- web site or via anonymous ftp to stevetech.com (file are
- located in the \pub directory).
-
-
- Internet Mail:
- STSI will respond to messages sent via the Internet. Send any
- tech support related questions, comments, or suggestions to
- support@stevetech.com.
-
-
- The STSI BBS:
- New versions of this program will be posted here as soon as
- they are available. The STSI BBS uses a U.S. Robotics
- V.Everything modem, which is capable of V.FAST, V.32bis, V.32,
- and 2400 baud connect speeds. The access number for The STSI
- BBS is 218-924-2060. Technical support questions posted on the
- bulletin board system should be addressed to Craig Stevenson.
-
-
- STSI FAX:
- STSI has a FAX machine on-line 24 hours-a-day to accept FAX
- transmissions. Technical support questions / problems may be
- faxed to 218-924-2050. Most FAX transmissions will be
- automatically routed to the FAX machine. If you have problems
- reaching our FAX machine, wait until after the first ring,
- press 11, and then begin transmitting.
-
-
- Telephone:
- Technical support calls may be placed at (218) 924-2050. Office
- hours are from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday, and 8:00
- am - 11:00 am on Saturday.
-
-
-
- Please read the following before placing a technical support call
- to STSI:
-
-
- 1. Read the documentation files (and the help screens, if
- available). Most questions can be answered by simply reading the
- docs.
-
-
- 2. If you have a modem, call The STSI BBS and download the
- latest version. (Read Bulletin #1 on our BBS to find out the
- latest version and release date of this program. When
- downloading a file, keep in mind that STSI's programs are always
- posted in area 27.) After you download the latest version, try
- it and see if you are still experiencing the same problem. We
- attempt to fix problems as soon as we become aware of them, and
- post the updated versions on the bulletin board system. (Check
- the .REV revision file for information on feature enhancements
- and bug-fixes.)
-
-
- 3. If you still cannot find an answer, contact us through one of
- the means outlined above. We will do our best to assist you and
- answer any questions you may have.
-
-
- 4. When calling or leaving a message, please be prepared to
- answer the following questions: What version of this program are
- you using? What problem(s) are you having, if any? What type of
- computer CPU do you have (486DX2-66, etc.)? What version of DOS
- are you using? Please be as specific as possible. The more
- specific you are, the faster we will be able to assist you.
-
-
- 5. When placing a technical support call via telephone, please
- be seated behind your computer. We may ask you to perform a
- couple of simple tasks in order to help us narrow down any
- potential problems.
-
-
- 6. When speaking with any of our employees, please be
- considerate. Speak clearly, explaining your problem as carefully
- as possible. Please do not use any harsh or inappropriate
- (profane) language.
-
-
- 7. If one of our employees is able to help you, and you continue
- to use this program, register it! We cannot continue to produce
- quality programs without the continuing support of our users.
-
-
-
-
- What Is CompuSlave?
-
- CompuSlave imports CompuServe forum capture files into a
- database, converting them to individual messages. Add, edit,
- delete, and search the entire database for key words or phrases.
- Make those messages work for you! Create your own technical
- support resource. Ideal for power users, programmers, and
- network administrators. Easy to use Windows interface. Includes
- a communications program for accessing and capturing messages
- from CompuServe. Also includes network support.
-
-
-
-
- Why Use CompuSlave?
-
- I have found the CompuServe message bases to be an invaluable
- technical support resource for my company. Many of my questions
- are answered in the various forums. Whenever I have a technical
- problem, I call CompuServe and capture the messages in an entire
- forum. I then scan the messages for key words or phrases that
- relate to the particular problem that I or one of my customers is
- having. Most of the time, someone else has had the same problem,
- and has already received an answer from someone that frequents
- the forum. The biggest drawback to this method is that old
- messages are not kept in the forum for very long. They are
- "scrolled" out of some of the busier forums in as little as 3-4
- days. The Novell NetWare 3.x forum (NETW3X) is a good example.
- If I don't call every 3-4 days, messages start to scroll out of
- the forum.
-
- In the past, I would create a capture file and compress it onto
- my network hard drive. That way, I could access it from any
- workstation on the network. The only problem was that when I
- needed to find information on a specific topic, I had to search
- through numerous capture files using a text editor/viewer. This
- process was extremely long and cumbersome.
-
- That's when the idea for CompuSlave was borne. CompuSlave will
- import a capture file (in ASCII text format), and add each
- message into a database. CompuSlave allows multiple databases to
- be created, so it is convenient to have several different
- databases, each dedicated to a specific topic. At the same time,
- CompuSlave will import endless messages (up to 2 billion) into
- the same database. CompuSlave allows easy browsing through the
- records in sequential order. A cross reference is created when a
- message is imported, so CompuSlave can quickly find any responses
- to the current message, or even the original message that the
- current message was a response to. Messages can be edited to
- eliminate unneeded text or comments, or they can be deleted
- altogether. The real power of CompuSlave is shown in its
- searching capabilities. Seven of the message fields are indexed
- for extremely fast searching. Perform a comprehensive search,
- and locate all occurrences of a string within the entire
- database, even in the message body. Perform multiple searches,
- narrowing down the search criteria, to find the exact information
- needed.
-
- For my company, CompuSlave has meant a whole new way of managing
- message databases. Now, an entire database containing thousands
- of messages can be searched at one time. When a new capture file
- arrives, it is imported into the existing database. No more lost
- messages. No more cumbersome searches of individual capture
- files. And since CompuSlave is a network application, I can
- access it on any network workstation without worrying about
- multiple accesses by other users.
-
- CompuSlave has been ideal for our business as a technical
- reference tool for network-related support issues. Our business
- performs computer consulting and network management services to
- local businesses and organizations. When one of our customers
- needs assistance, they expect us to have the answer. Our
- CompuSlave Novell database gives us an extra reference tool
- necessary for solving any problems that arise. We also use
- CompuSlave to store our messages from the various programming
- related forums on CompuServe, especially the Borland Delphi
- forum. This particular forum scrolls every 3 days, with an
- average of 800 - 1000 new messages every day! CompuSlave allows
- us to search our Delphi message database to find answers to the
- programming problems we face. Programmers who want to maintain a
- database of questions and answers on programming problems will
- find that CompuSlave is an excellent support tool.
-
-
-
-
-
- Capturing CompuServe Messages
-
- In order to import messages into CompuSlave, you must have a
- CompuServe capture file to import. In order to capture a message
- base, there is a certain sequence of events you will want to
- follow. As an example, I perform the following steps when
- capturing messages from the Novell 3.x forum on CompuServe
-
-
- 1. Type "GO NETW3X" to enter the Novell Netware 3.x Forum.
- (CompuServe will display information welcoming you to the
- conference.)
-
-
- 2. When the Forum Menu is displayed, I type "2" to move to the
- Messages Menu.
-
-
- 3. When the Messages Menu is displayed, I type "2" again to
- "READ or search messages". (CompuServe will display the Novell
- NetWare 3.X ForumRead Menu.)
-
-
- 4. At this point, I instruct my communications program to
- begin the capturing process, so that all messages displayed on
- the screen will be added to the capture file. (If you are
- using the Windows Terminal, supplied with Microsoft Windows,
- select the "Receive Text File" option from the Transfers menu.)
-
-
- 5. After selecting "1" to read NEW messages, CompuServe
- displays the first new message in the conference, and prompts
- me whether or not to continue. Here, I must type "SCROLL" to
- indicate that I want the messages displayed non-stop. All
- messages that are displayed are added to the capture file by
- the communications program.
-
-
- 6. Once the capturing process is complete, and CompuServe
- stops scrolling the messages off the screen, I close the
- capture file (using the communications package), and type "OFF"
- to end my CompuServe session. (To close the capture file using
- Windows Terminal, press the "Stop" button that appeared on the
- bottom of the terminal screen when you started the capture.)
-
-
- 7. The newly created capture file is ready for importing into
- CompuSlave "as is". There are no modifications that need to be
- made. Simply select the Import option after a database has
- been created or opened, and you can import the new capture
- file.
-
-
-
-
-
- Installing CompuSlave
-
- To install CompuSlave For Windows, follow these instructions:
-
- The package includes a program, "SETUP.EXE", which automates the
- installation process. You will need about 3 megabytes of
- available disk space on the hard drive on which you plan to
- install CompuSlave For Windows. Additional space will be
- required for each database you create. The amount of space
- required for databases depends completely on the number of
- messages that will be stored in the database.
-
- The exact steps you need to take to install CompuSlave will
- depend on how you received the program.
-
-
- Installing From Diskettes
-
- To install from diskette, you need to perform the following
- steps.
-
- 1. Place the CompuSlave distribution diskette "Disk 1" in the
- appropriate diskette drive.
-
- 2. From Program Manager, select File Run. Execute the "setup.exe"
- program on the distribution diskette. For example, if the
- distribution diskette is on drive A:, type the command,
- "a:setup".
-
- 3. Follow the instructions presented by the setup program. You
- will have a chance to approve installation before any changes are
- actually made to the contents of your hard drive. The program
- will ask you for a destination directory, and will copy the
- program files to that directory. When the setup program has
- finished installing files, you will be informed if the
- installation was successful.
-
-
-
- Installing From A Hard Drive
-
- If you downloaded CompuSlave For Windows from a BBS (or received
- it in the form of an archive file from some other source), you
- will need to perform the following steps.
-
-
- 1. Extract the contents of the archive file into a temporary
- directory on your hard drive.
-
- 2. From Program Manager, select File, Run. Execute the
- "setup.exe" program, which you have extracted. For example, if
- the temporary directory into which you have extracted the files
- is C:\TEMPDIR, you would type the command, "c:\tempdir\setup".
-
- 3. Follow the instructions presented by the installation program.
- You will have a chance to approve installation before any changes
- are actually made to the contents of your hard drive. The
- installation program will ask you for a destination directory,
- and will copy the program files to that directory.
-
- When you're satisfied that the installation was successful, you
- should delete the temporary directory FROM which you installed
- the program, (C:\TEMPDIR, in the above discussion), including all
- its contents.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The File Menu
-
-
- New Database:
- Select this option to create a new database with CompuSlave.
- CompuSlave will prompt you for the name of the database to
- create. Once you have created a new database, you can begin
- to import CompuServe capture files.
-
-
- Open Database:
- Select this option to open a database previously created with
- CompuSlave For Windows. CompuSlave will display a file dialog
- box to prompt you for the name of the database to open.
-
-
- Close Database:
- This command will close a database that is open on the desktop.
- If more than 1 database is open, the focus will move to the
- next open database. Otherwise, CompuSlave will simply clear
- the desktop area.
-
-
- Utilities:
-
- Delete Database:
- This command will give you the option of deleting a database
- from your hard drive.
-
- Reorganize Database:
- The reorganize option provides two extremely useful
- functions. The first function deals with compression of the
- message data when adding messages to the database. Databases
- created with compression enabled will typically be 10-20%
- smaller than databases that do not use CompuSlave's internal
- compression. If a database was created with the "Compress
- Message Data" option disabled (on the Defaults screen),
- simply check the "Compress Message Data" check box, and
- reorganize the database.
-
- The second function deals with a database that has become
- corrupt. If one or more messages become corrupt within the
- database, you will probably see "garbage" characters, or
- random ASCII characters filling the data fields. Although
- this is rare, we did have one customer report this problem
- after running out of hard drive space during an import
- operation. The customer was unable to delete the corrupt
- message from the database using the "Delete" option, but was
- able to successfully reorganize the database. The
- reorganization process removed the corrupt message(s), and
- left the rest of the (non-corrupt) messages in-tact.
-
- Before reorganizing a database, CompuSlave gives you the
- option to make a backup copy of the data (.DAT) and index
- (.IX) files, as a safeguard against any potential problems
- (such as system hangs during the reorganization, which would
- be fatal to the database). If you instruct it to make a
- backup, CompuSlave will create a temporary directory
- underneath the main program directory, and copy the database
- files into this directory. Once this is complete, the
- reorganization process will start. To reorganize the
- database, CompuSlave deletes the index (.IX) file, renames
- the data file (.DAT) to a save file (.SAV), and copies non-
- deleted messages from the save file into a newly created data
- file. Once this is complete, the save file is deleted, and a
- new index file is generated. This process may only take a
- minute or two for a database that has a couple thousand
- messages, but will take much longer for larger databases.
- After the process has finished successfully, CompuSlave will
- ask you whether or not you want to delete the backup copy
- created earlier. If you are satisfied that no errors
- occurred, go ahead and answer yes to delete this backup copy.
-
-
- Batch Import:
- Users maintaining a large number of separate databases may
- want to use the batch import feature supplied by CompuSlave.
- When this option is selected, CompuSlave will display the
- batch import screen, showing a list of all databases
- contained in the CompuSlave directory.
-
-
-
-
- At STSI, we maintain over 50 different databases containing
- the messages from various CompuServe forums. Each week (or
- more often in the fast-scrolling conferences), we capture the
- newest messages from CompuServe and import them into their
- corresponding database. Rather than open each database and
- import the capture files on a one-at-a-time basis, the batch
- import feature allows us to select all of the databases we
- want to update, and start the import process with as little
- user intervention as possible. The most likely cause for
- user intervention in the batch import process will occur if
- duplicate message numbers are found in a database, and
- CompuSlave needs to prompt you whether or not to add the new
- message to the database. The status bar on the bottom of the
- screen will inform you what CompuSlave is doing, and gives an
- indication of the number of messages being imported. Status
- bars are displayed to give a visual indication of the
- completion percentage, first for the current database, and
- also for the total batch import process.
-
- Start - The Start button starts the batch import process.
- Only databases that are tagged for importing will be included
- in the batch import process. Other databases are ignored.
- Once the batch import process has been started, the Start
- button is hidden, and the Pause button appears.
-
- Pause - The Pause button will temporarily pause the batch
- import process in the middle of importing a capture file, or
- between databases, depending on when this button is pressed.
- When Pause is selected, the text on this button changes to
- "Resume". Select resume when you are ready to continue the
- batch importing process.
-
- Scan - Use the Scan button to scan the hard drive for
- existing databases and import files. If a database exists on
- the hard drive, and the corresponding import file also exists
- in the specified location, the database will be tagged for
- inclusion in the import process. That way, any new capture
- files that are created by you can be automatically detected
- and imported into the correct CompuSlave database.
-
- Add - Use the Add button to add a database (and import file)
- to the list of databases to include in the import process.
- When the batch import screen is initially displayed, it
- contains a list of all databases in the CompuSlave directory.
- If you maintain a CompuSlave database in a different
- directory, it can be added using the Add button.
-
- Edit - Use the Edit button to edit a database and/or import
- file listed in the table. If possible, CompuSlave will
- display the name of the last file that was imported into the
- corresponding database. If you consistently give your import
- files the same name each time you capture messages,
- CompuSlave will "know" what file to import, and it will be
- displayed in the Import File column of the table. If you
- need to change the name of the file to import, simply Edit
- the correct row, and enter the name of the file to import.
-
- Delete - The Delete button can be used to remove databases
- from the batch import list. You can simply leave the
- database line untagged, which excludes the database from the
- batch process, but the Delete button allows you to physically
- remove a database from consideration.
-
- Tag / Untag - Use the Tag/Untag button to select or deselect
- databases in the table. Only databases that are tagged will
- be included in the batch import process. When a database is
- tagged for inclusion, a small marker (>>>) will appear in the
- first column. You can also double-click on a database to tag
- or untag it, or you can use the space bar or ENTER key to
- perform the same function.
-
- Tag All - The Tag All button can be used to select all
- databases in the table at one time.
-
- Untag All - The Untag All button can be used to deselect all
- databases in the table at one time.
-
- Help - Use the Help button to obtain help about the various
- commands available from the batch import screen.
-
- Close - Use the Close button to close the batch import screen
- without starting the batch import process.
-
- Halt Current - The Halt Current button will ask you to
- confirm your choice, and will immediately stop importing
- messages into the current database. Once this option has
- been confirmed, the current database is closed, and
- CompuSlave proceeds with the next database in the list.
-
- Halt Batch - The Halt Batch button will ask you to confirm
- your choice, and will immediately stop importing messages
- into the current database. Once the current database has
- been closed, CompuSlave will skip all remaining databases and
- terminate the batch import process completely.
-
-
- Modem / Communications:
- When this option is selected, CompuSlave will execute STSI Com,
- a communications program that you can use for capturing
- messages from CompuServe.
-
-
- Exit CompuSlave:
- Use this command to exit out of CompuSlave and end your current
- message viewing session. Any open databases are automatically
- closed down when you exit.
-
-
-
-
- The Messages Menu
-
-
- Import:
- Importing messages into CompuSlave is extremely easy using the
- Import feature. When you select Import, you can use the import
- file dialog to search for a specific text file. Once you have
- selected the text file, CompuSlave will import the text file
- and display a status screen to indicate the completion
- percentage, the total number of messages it expects to import,
- the current message being imported, the name of the text file
- being imported, and the database receiving the imported
- messages. If a duplicate message number already exists in the
- database, CompuSlave will display a message box showing you the
- date, time, from, and to fields of the existing message, and
- the new message located in the import file. You can choose to
- import the new message anyway, import all duplicates, skip this
- message, or skip all duplicates. Once the import process has
- been completed, CompuSlave will display a message box
- indicating the total number of messages actually imported into
- the current database.
-
-
- Browse:
- Browsing for messages can be a quick way to view the message
- number, subject, section, response number, from and to fields
- of a message, giving you a general idea of what is contained in
- the message body. When this option is selected, CompuSlave
- displays a browsing screen that contains all of the records in
- the database. To scroll through the browser, use the Up Arrow,
- Down Arrow, PgUp, and PgDn keys, or the mouse to scroll through
- all of the messages. Pressing ENTER or double-clicking on the
- highlighted message will erase the browser and cause CompuSlave
- to display the selected message on the editing screen for
- viewing, editing, or deleting.
-
-
- Find:
- The Find command allows you to search for a specific word or
- phrase on a one-at-a-time basis. CompuSlave will prompt you
- for the word or phrase, allow you to select whether or not the
- search is case-sensitive, and will search for the next or
- previous occurrence of the text, starting at the current
- message. When the text is found in the message body, the
- process is paused to allow you to view the current message. By
- selecting Find Next from the Find dialog box, you can instruct
- CompuSlave to find the next occurrence of the text. Likewise,
- selecting Find Previous will instruct CompuSlave to find the
- previous occurrence of the text. CompuSlave will search for
- additional occurrences in the current message, and then advance
- to the next (or previous) message in the database that contains
- the specified text. To cancel the Find operation, select
- Cancel from the Find dialog box.
-
-
-
-
- Search:
- When Search is selected, CompuSlave displays a dialog box
- giving you the option of the type of search to perform. There
- are three types of searches to perform on a CompuSlave message
- database. The first two types are extremely fast and
- efficient, while the third is much slower, although it is much
- more thorough.
-
- When "Search One Field Only" is selected, CompuSlave allows you
- to search for a text string in any one of the following seven
- fields: Message Number, Response Number, Subject, Section,
- From, To, and Keyword. The search string must be located at
- the beginning of the field you decide to search. If CompuSlave
- cannot find a message with the specified text, it issues an
- error message. Otherwise it displays the browser screen
- containing all of the entries that matched the search criteria.
- Since the seven fields mentioned above are all indexed fields,
- the search can be completed very rapidly.
-
- When "Range Search" is selected, CompuSlave allows you to
- perform a search where the only records that are found must be
- within the a specified range of values. For example, if you
- wanted to locate all messages numbered between 20000 and 20100,
- you could enter these two values as the starting and ending
- search values, and select the message number field as the field
- to search. If no messages could be found within that range, an
- error message would be issued. Otherwise, all messages within
- that range would be displayed. As with the first search
- method, the range search allows you to find a text string at
- the beginning of any one of the seven indexed fields (see
- previous paragraph for the names of these fields).
-
- When "Search Entire Message" is selected, CompuSlave will
- perform a search of the entire database for up to 2 user-
- specified text strings. You can select whether CompuSlave
- searches for only the first string (by selecting "None" as the
- operation), the first string AND the second string (both
- strings must be present for the message to be included in the
- search results) or the first string OR the second string
- (either one of the two strings can be present for the message
- to be included in the search results). The text strings you
- enter can be located at ANY location within the message. They
- do not have to be at the start of an indexed field.
-
- The search can be performed as a case-sensitive or case-
- insensitive search, with case-insensitive being the default.
- If CompuSlave locates the text anywhere within the message
- (including all individual fields and the message body), it is
- included in the search results.
-
- When CompuSlave starts the search process, it creates a
- temporary database (with a random filename) and places it in a
- temporary sub-directory (TEMP0001, TEMP0002, etc.). When a
- message is found that meets the search criteria, it is added to
- the temporary database. After the search has been completed,
- you can browse through the filtered records. If you wish to
- narrow down the search criteria even further, you can perform a
- secondary search on the database. At this point, when you
- select "Search Entire Message", you will only be searching for
- text strings located in messages that have been placed in the
- filtered database. For example, if you search a Novell
- database for the keywords "SCSI" AND "Seagate", and then
- perform a secondary search for "CD-ROM", your resulting search
- would only find records that contained all three of the
- specified keywords. You can continue to perform a filtered
- search as long as necessary, thus narrowing the search criteria
- every time. (Each consecutive search should also be less time
- consuming, since it does not need to search as many messages
- for the specified text.)
-
- Once this type of search is complete, you can browse through
- the filtered messages by using the browser, or by selecting
- Next, Prev, First, and Last. When you select Quit at this
- point, the search will be cancelled, and you will have the
- option of saving the search results database under a new name,
- or erasing it. If you've performed an in-depth search on a
- large database, you may want to save all of the filtered
- records under a new database name, making it easier to find the
- filtered records at a later date. Once the search is complete,
- you can switch back and forth between the original database and
- the temporary search results database, without affecting the
- search results.
-
-
- Sort:
- Selecting Sort will allow you to choose which indexed field
- should be used to sort the database. Available sort fields
- include the message number, response number, section, subject,
- from, to, and keyword fields. The default sort field is the
- message number field. When the Browser is displayed, the
- messages are sorted according to the current sort field. The
- First, Last, Previous, and Next buttons are also executed in
- relation to the current sort field, making it easy to follow
- messages in virtually any order.
-
-
-
-
- Original:
- As a cross-referencing tool, CompuSlave allows you to locate
- the message that the current message was a response to. (To
- determine if the current message was a response, check the
- "Response To" field. If this message was not a response, the
- field will contain the word "NONE". Otherwise, it will contain
- the number of the message that the current message responded
- to.) When you select Original, CompuSlave will either go to
- the original message, or display an error message if it could
- not find the original message. (If CompuSlave cannot find an
- original message, this is usually an indication that the
- original message was not located in the CompuServe forum at the
- time you captured the messages.)
-
-
- Response:
- In addition to using the "Original" command described above,
- you can select the "Response" command to search for any and/or
- all messages that were responses to the current message. If
- there aren't any responses in the current database, CompuSlave
- will disable the Response button and the Response option on the
- Messages menu. If only 1 response is found in the database,
- CompuSlave will immediately display the located response.
- Otherwise, it will display a browser screen containing a
- complete list of all responses, giving you the option of which
- message to view.
-
-
- GoTo:
- When GoTo is selected, CompuSlave prompts you to enter the text
- and field name of the message you want to move to. For
- example, if you want to locate message number 354383, you would
- enter "354383" in the GoTo field (without the quotes), and
- select the Message Number field as the field to search. If
- CompuSlave cannot locate an EXACT match, it will display an
- error message. If it finds the message number or text you
- entered, CompuSlave will automatically display the resulting
- message on the screen.
-
-
-
-
- First:
- Selecting the "First" option causes CompuSlave to display the
- first message in the database, regardless of the currently
- displayed message.
-
-
- Next:
- Selecting the "Next" option causes CompuSlave to display the
- message after the currently displayed message. If the current
- message is the last one in the database, CompuSlave "wraps" to
- the first message in the database.
-
-
- Previous:
- Selecting the "Previous" option causes CompuSlave to display
- the message previous to the currently displayed message. If
- the current message is the first one in the database,
- CompuSlave "wraps" to the last message in the database.
-
-
- Last:
- Selecting the "Last" button causes CompuSlave to display the
- last message in the database, regardless of the currently
- displayed message.
-
-
-
-
- The Print Menu
-
-
- Print:
- One or more messages can be printed using the Print option on
- the Print Menu. The following settings may be changed to
- customize the print range and various options.
-
-
-
- Range - The print range can be changed to the Current Message,
- Tagged Messages, or All Messages in the current database. You
- must have at least 1 message tagged in order to print Tagged
- Messages.
-
- Print To File - When this check box is marked, you can print
- the resulting output to a file instead of a printer port. Make
- sure the filename field is entered correctly when using this
- option.
-
- Filename - Use this field to enter the name of a file to be
- used for receiving the printed data when the Print To File
- option is enabled. If the file you enter already exists,
- CompuSlave will prompt you to overwrite it before continuing.
-
- Page Break Between Messages - When this option is enabled,
- CompuSlave issues a form-feed between each message that is
- printed. This option applies when the print range is set to
- Tagged Messages or All Messages.
-
- Prompt To Continue If Error Occurs - When the print range is
- set to Tagged Messages, CompuSlave will issue an error message
- and ask you whether or not to continue printing messages in the
- event that one of the tagged messages could not be retrieved.
- This problem could result, for example, if a message that is
- tagged has already been deleted by another workstation on a
- network. If this option is not selected, CompuSlave simply
- skips the offending message and continues with the next tagged
- message.
-
- Untag Messages After Printing - When the print range is set to
- Tagged Messages, CompuSlave can optionally untag a message
- after it is printed. However, you may want to leave these
- messages tagged in order to perform another function, such as
- deleting or exporting tagged messages.
-
- Setup - This button will provide access to the Windows Print
- Setup dialog box, which allows you to change the currently
- selected printer, port, page orientation, and related settings.
-
- Font - Selecting the Font button allows you to select the name,
- size, color, and style of font that are used to print the
- selected message(s). This allows you to customize the output
- depending on your current printer. (CompuSlave automatically
- remembers the font you used the last time you printed a
- message.)
-
-
- Print Setup:
- The print setup dialog box allows you to select the printer you
- want to use when printing database messages, the print
- orientation (portrait vs. landscape), and the paper size.
-
-
-
-
-
- The Edit Menu
-
-
- New Message:
- When New Message is selected, CompuSlave goes into "edit mode",
- and allows you to manually enter a new message into the
- database. Once you have finished adding the new message, click
- on "Save Message" to save it into the database, or select
- "Cancel Editing" to exit from edit mode without saving the new
- message. Note: While it is possible to add new messages to the
- database in this manner, this feature will not be necessary for
- most users (since messages can be easily added through the
- Import function).
-
-
- Edit Message:
- If the need arises to edit an existing database message, you
- can easily do so by using the Edit Message option. When this
- option is selected, CompuSlave goes into "edit mode", and
- allows you to modify the current message. Once you have
- finished modifying the current message, click on "Save Message"
- to save the modified message into the database, or select
- "Cancel Editing" to exit from edit mode.
-
-
- Delete Message:
- Unwanted messages can be easily deleted through the Delete
- option. When the Delete button is selected, CompuSlave issues
- a prompt to confirm that you want to delete the current message
- from the database. When you choose "Yes" at the prompt, the
- message is deleted, and CompuSlave resets the message display
- to the next message in the database.
-
-
- Save Message:
- This option can be selected when you are adding or editing a
- message, and will save your message addition / change to the
- database.
-
-
- Cancel Editing:
- This button can be selected when you are adding or editing a
- message, and will cause your changes to the current message to
- be discarded.
-
-
-
-
-
- The Views Menu
-
-
- Mini-Browser:
- The Mini-Browser view displays a mini-browser on the top of the
- editing window, in place of the message number, response,
- section, subject, from, to, date, time, and keyword fields.
- The browser can be used to page through messages more quickly.
- When a record is selected in the mini-browser, the
- corresponding message text is displayed in the memo window at
- the bottom of the screen. Likewise, as the First, Previous,
- Next, and Last button are selected, the mini-browser is updated
- to point to the currently selected message.
-
-
- Normal:
- The Normal view displays individual edit controls for the
- message number, response, section, subject, from, to, date,
- time, and keyword fields. All data is easily visible on one
- screen.
-
-
- Message Only:
- The Message Only view displays only the message text contained
- in the message body. Unlike the other two views, you cannot
- see the message number, response, section, subject, from, to,
- date, time, and keyword fields from this view. There is,
- however, a larger portion of screen available for viewing the
- message text. This is especially useful for very lengthy
- messages.
-
-
- Show / Hide Tools:
- The Show / Hide Tools command will display or hide the Tool
- Palette, depending on its current state. If the Tool Palette
- is currently hidden, it will be displayed, or if it is
- currently displayed on the screen, it will be hidden from view.
- The Tool Palette provides a quick way of accessing many of the
- common database functions available on the various pages of the
- toolbar. When the mouse is positioned over one of the buttons
- on the Tool Palette, pop-up help will be displayed as a
- reference for what function the corresponding button will
- perform.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The Tagged Menu
-
-
- Delete Tagged:
- The Delete Tagged feature allows you remove all tagged messages
- from the current database. As with any operation that is
- performed on tagged messages, a status screen will be displayed
- as CompuSlave performs the operation.
-
-
- Print Tagged:
- The Print Tagged option displays the same print dialog box that
- is available from the print menu. However, the default range
- is automatically set to Tagged Messages instead of Curent
- Message. For more details on this dialog, see "The Print
- Menu".
-
-
- Extract Tagged:
- The Extract Tagged option allows you to place all tagged
- messages into another database. The target database can be one
- that already exists, or you can choose to have CompuSlave
- create a new database for you. Once a message is successfully
- extracted, CompuSlave will untag it if the "Untag Messages
- After Successful Extraction" check box is marked. Likewise,
- the message will be automatically untagged and deleted if the
- "Delete Messages After Successful Extraction" check box is
- marked.
-
-
- Tag All:
- The Tag All feature can be used in an attempt to tag all
- messages in the database. However, it is important to mention
- that CompuSlave currently allows a maximum of 16,384 messages
- to be tagged at one time. If there are more than 16,384
- messages in the current database, CompuSlave will warn you, and
- then attempt to tag as many as possible. Once it reaches the
- limit, it stops the tagging process. If you need to tag more
- messages than this, you will have to tag the first set, perform
- an operation, tag the second set, perform the operation again,
- etc. However, this need should be extremely rare.
-
-
- Untag All:
- When the Untag All option is selected, CompuSlave will remove
- the tag mark from all tagged messages in the current database.
- If you perform one of the three main operations mentioned above
- (Delete Tagged, Print Tagged, or Extract Tagged), you can
- optionally remove the message tag once the operation is
- completed. However, you can use the Untag All feature to
- quickly remove all tags without performing one of these
- operations.
-
-
-
-
-
- The Settings Menu
-
-
- Defaults
-
-
- Import Path:
- This field should contain the default location where your
- CompuServe capture files are located. CompuSlave will log to
- this directory as the default when you select the Import
- option.
-
-
- Auto-Load Database On Startup:
- This option should be checked if you want to load the
- database referenced in the Startup Database Name field each
- time CompuSlave is executed. If this check box is not
- checked, the Startup Database will not be loaded
- automatically.
-
-
- Startup Database Name:
- The Startup Database Name field should contain the name of
- the database file that should be loaded each time CompuSlave
- is executed. When a database file is specified in this
- field, CompuSlave will attempt to load it immediately after
- it is executed if the corresponding Auto-Load Database On
- Startup check box is checked.
-
-
- Compress Message Data:
- This option allows users to specify whether or not
- compression is used on CompuSlave message databases. The
- default is ON. A database that uses compression will
- typically be 10 - 20% smaller than a database that was
- created with compression disabled.
-
-
- Use Activity Log:
- Select whether or not CompuSlave should perform activity
- logging. If activity logging is turned on, CompuSlave will
- log importing activity to the activity log, when appropriate.
- This can be useful to determine what capture files have been
- imported into a particular database, when it occurred, and
- how many messages were actually imported into the database.
-
-
- Log File Name:
- This field contains the name of the file that will be used to
- log CompuSlave activity. Right now, the only activity being
- logged to this file is import information and reorganization
- statistics. (Activity logging may be expanded in a future
- release.) The default filename is CSLAVEW.LOG, located in
- the default CompuSlave directory.
-
-
- View Log File:
- When this button is selected, you can view the contents of
- the log file named in the Log File Name field.
-
-
- Speed Button Display:
- Power users who prefer to have as much space as possible
- available for reading messages may want to change the size
- and layout of the speed buttons on the tool bars located at
- the top of the screen. Available options are No Speed
- Buttons, Text Only, Picture Only, or Text And Picture. The
- No Speed Buttons option completely disables the use of speed
- buttons and tool bars, increasing the amount of space
- available for viewing message data. The Text Only option
- removes the pictures from the speed buttons, only displaying
- the button text. The Picture Only option removes the button
- text, but leaves the pictures intact, and the Text And
- Picture option (which is the default) displays both the
- button text and the associated picture.
-
-
- Update Message Counter During Search:
- When performing a "Search Entire Message" search on a
- database, CompuSlave displays a status screen that normally
- updates the current message counter after every message is
- searched. Power users who want to optimize CompuSlave for
- speed during searches will want to disable this option.
- Although the search counter is helpful to know what message
- number is being searched, it slows down the search process by
- as much as 15-20%. When this option is disabled, CompuSlave
- will display the word "DISABLED" in the message counter
- field. (The percent complete status bar will still be
- updated, however, to give users a general idea of how far
- along CompuSlave is in the search process.)
-
-
- Show Tool Palette On Open Database:
- If this option is selected, CompuSlave will automatically
- display the Tool Palette each time a database is opened. If
- this option is not selected, the Tool Palette will remain
- hidden until the user manually displays it using the
- Show/Hide Tool Palette option.
-
-
- Delete Capture File After Importing Messages:
- If this option is selected, a message box will appear after
- the importing process has been completed, and will prompt you
- whether or not you want to delete the file that was just
- imported. When this option is turned on, the capture file is
- NOT automatically deleted. CompuSlave gives you the
- opportunity to confirm that you want to delete the file
- before it is removed from your hard drive.
-
-
- Beep After Import Completed:
- This field gives users the option of whether CompuSlave
- should beep once the import process has been completed for an
- individual database. In cases where the capture file
- contains an extensive number of messages (perhaps a few
- thousand), users may leave their computer unattended for a
- short time. The extra beep gives an audible signal that the
- import is finished, and the user can continue with other
- tasks.
-
-
- Show Tips At Startup:
- CompuSlave version 2.01 added a Tips screen that is displayed
- each time CompuSlave is executed. Users can browse through
- the available tips using the Next and Previous buttons. Some
- users may prefer not to see these tips when CompuSlave is
- executed. To turn off the Tips, deselect this check box.
-
-
-
-
- Confirm On Delete:
- Although this feature can be extremely dangerous, it was
- requested by one of our users. By default, CompuSlave
- prompts you to confirm the deletion of a message before it
- actually removes the message from the database. If you
- prefer not to be prompted for a confirmation before deleting
- a message, deselect this check box. Be very careful with
- this option! Deleted messages cannot be undeleted!
-
-
-
- Network Options
-
-
- Optimization:
- This option is used to specify whether CompuSlave should
- optimize database management for Data Integrity or Speed. If
- Optimize For Data Integrity is chosen, access to certain
- routines may be impacted by a reduction in speed. If Optimize
- For Speed is chosen, CompuSlave will attempt to optimize
- access to routines without a reduction in speed.
-
- When Optimize For Data Integrity is turned on, CompuSlave
- will write portions of the database to be modified to the
- dialog (.DIA) file before any changes are made. Then, in the
- event that an error occurs, the database can be restored to
- its known state prior to the operation. If the computer
- system crashes before an operation is complete, CompuSlave
- automatically repairs the database by using the information
- in the dialog file the next time the database is opened.
-
- Based on our internal testing, Optimize For Speed is MUCH
- faster, especially when importing CompuServe capture files.
- If you decide to use Optimize For Speed, however, we
- recommend that you maintain a regular backup. If you are
- more concerned about data integrity, even to the point of
- sacrificing some performance, select Optimize For Data
- Integrity.
-
-
- Network Type:
- Even if you don't use a network, users running under
- Microsoft Windows should change the default Network Type from
- None to the MS-Net Compatible option. Make sure to read the
- following section!
-
- None:
- When "None" is selected as the network type, file sharing
- and record locking routines are not used. Do NOT run
- CompuSlave in a multiuser setting with the network type set
- to "None". If you do, the data and index files are likely
- to become corrupt if two or more nodes try to access the
- program!
-
- Novell:
- If you are running on a Novell NetWare 2.x, 3.x, or 4.x
- network, be sure to set the network type setting to "Novell
- Network".
-
- MS-Net:
- The "MS-Net Compatible" setting should be used for the
- following networks and environments: LANtastic, LAN
- Manager, IBM PC-LAN, Personal NetWare, NetWare Lite,
- DESQview, and Windows. When using this option, you must
- load SHARE.EXE. (When running under Windows, either SHARE
- must be loaded prior to running Windows, or the VSHARE
- driver must be loaded in Windows.)
-
-
- Fast Search:
- When the Fast Search option is enabled, the search speed for
- the "Search Entire Message" option is increased substantially.
- To do this, CompuSlave places a "Read Lock" on the entire
- database to prevent other users from writing to it. This can
- produce search speeds up to 3 times as fast as when Fast Search
- is disabled. However, if Fast Search is enabled, other users
- CANNOT make changes to the database when another user is
- performing this type of search. Network supervisors should
- consider this situation carefully before enabling the Fast
- Search option.
-
-
- Refresh Delay:
- This number specifies the number of seconds that CompuSlave
- will use as an update interval when displaying the browser
- screen. If this value is set to 5, CompuSlave will update the
- browser screen every 5 seconds with any changes that have made
- from other workstations working on the same database file.
-
-
-
- Register CompuSlave
-
-
- Description:
- Once you register CompuSlave and pay the requested fee to
- STSI for registering, you will receive a registration name
- and number. Enter your name and number in the fields shown
- on this screen, and CompuSlave will be registered to you.
- You will no longer see "nag screens" or "reminders"
- pressuring you to register, and you will be able to bypass
- the database record limits imposes on the unregistered
- version of CompuSlave. If your name and number are entered
- accurately, CompuSlave will display a thank-you message.
- Otherwise, CompuSlave will warn you that the registration
- number you entered was not valid.
-
-
- Registration Name:
- The Registration Name text field allows users to enter their
- personal name or the name of their company or organization.
-
-
- Registration Number:
- The Registration Number text field allows users to enter the
- registration number they received from STSI upon registering
- CompuSlave. For information on how to register, please see
- the "Registration" section near the top of this documentation
- file.
-
-
- Network Users:
- This field contains the numbers of network users for
- CompuSlave. To receive a registration number that provides
- support for network users, see the file REGISTER.DOC. If you
- are registering a single-user version of CompuSlave, enter 0
- in this field.
-
-
-
-
- The Window Menu
-
- Tile:
- The tile command allows you to display all open database
- windows using a tiled appearance. This way, each window is
- visible within the desktop.
-
-
- Cascade:
- The cascade command allows you to display all open database
- windows using a cascaded appearance. This allows you to see
- the header of all open database windows, and click on the one
- you want to view.
-
-
- Arrange Icons:
- When more than one database is open in CompuSlave, you can
- minimize each window, and display it as an icon within the
- desktop area. When more than one window is minimized, the
- arrange icons command will arrange the minimized icons within
- the desktop area.
-
-
- Close All:
- If database windows are open within the desktop area, selecting
- Close All will close all of the open databases at once.
-
-
-
-
- Using STSI Com
-
- If you do not already own a communications package capable of
- ANSI terminal emulation (such as Procomm Plus, Qmodem, etc.), you
- may want to use STSI Com, the communications package distributed
- with CompuSlave. STSI Com was written with the intention of
- aiding users who want to capture the messages in the CompuServe
- forums, but do not currently have an existing communications
- package.
-
- To call CompuServe using STSI Com, you should perform the
- following steps:
-
- 1. Execute STSI Com by clicking on the modem button in
- CompuSlave, or double-click on the program item located in the
- CompuSlave group in Program Manager.
-
- 2. Select Parameters from the Preferences menu, and select the
- Com Port, Baud Rate, Parity, Data Bits, and Stop Bits you want to
- use as the default.
-
- 3. Select Quick Modem Configure from the Preferences menu, and
- select the modem from the list that most closely fits the modem
- you are using.
-
- 4. Set up your CompuServe information on the CompuServe Settings
- screen, which is available from the Preferences menu.
-
- 5. Click on the Phonebook button on the toolbar, or select
- Phonebook from the Modem menu. If you are using the default
- phonebook supplied with STSI Com, you can edit the entry with the
- name "CompuServe", or you can add a new entry. When adding an
- entry for CompuServe, keep the following points in mind:
-
- Be sure to enter the complete phone number that you want to
- dial, including a "1" if the number is long distance, and the
- proper area code.
-
- The parity should be set to "Even", the data bits to "7" and
- the stop bits to "1".
-
- The connection type should be set to "CompuServe". This tells
- STSI Com to perform special operations for you, such as typing
- "off" before you hang up the telephone.
-
- The initial carriage returns field should be set to 1. When
- you call CompuServe, you must press ENTER once before you will
- be prompted for your host name, user ID, and password. By
- entering 1 in this field, STSI Com will perform this step for
- you.
-
- You may want STSI Com to log you into CompuServe automatically.
- If you completed step #4 by filling in your CompuServe
- settings, STSI Com can optionally generate a default login
- script for you. Clicking on the "CIS Login" button will
- instruct STSI Com to assign the correct parity, data bits, stop
- bits, connection type, and initial carriage returns values, and
- a default login script will be created for you.
-
- Once you have finished adding or editing your CompuServe
- phonebook entry, select Ok to save it into the phonebook. When
- you are ready, select the Dial button. STSI Com will dial the
- entry that is highlighted in the table. Once you are
- successfully connected to CompuServe, it is up to you to join the
- proper CompuServe forum and capture the messages. For
- information on how to do this, see the section "Capturing
- CompuServe Messages" in the documentation.
-
-
-
-
- Questions & Answers
-
-
- Question:
- Can CompuSlave use messages contained in CompuServe Navigator?
-
- Answer:
- Although CompuSlave was not originally designed to import
- messages from CSNav, we found a small shareware utility on
- CompuServe called ShowCIM that will convert messages from CSNav
- into a format that can be read by CompuSlave. ShowCIM will
- read the messages from your CSNav message threads and save them
- into an ASCII text file. The ASCII text file created by
- ShowCIM is 100% compatible with CompuSlave. Simply select this
- ASCII file to import into a CompuSlave database!
-
- Here's a quick run-down of the steps you need to perform to
- convert messages from CSNav into a format that can be read by
- CompuSlave.
-
- 1. Run ShowCIM and add new source files to the Source Files
- list box. (This should be the names of your message threads.)
- A browser is provided to assist you in finding your message
- threads.
-
- 2. Enter a destination path for the resulting ASCII text file.
- If you installed CompuSlave on your C: drive, enter the
- destination path C:\CSLAVEW.
-
- 3. Select the option to put the messages "Into a single file",
- and give the file a valid name. Place a check mark in the
- "Append" check box.
-
- 4. Select an Output Format of "TapCIS message format".
-
- 5. Place a check mark in the "Automatic line wrap" check box,
- enter a "Left margin" of 0, and a "Line Length" of 80.
-
- 6. Click the Run button and watch ShowCIM convert your
- messages into ASCII text format. When this process is
- complete, exit ShowCIM.
-
- 7. Execute CompuSlave, and import the file you created with
- ShowCIM.
-
-
- ShowCIM For Windows is available as WSHOWC.ZIP in the TapCIS
- forum on CompuServe (Go TAPCIS). ShowCIM can be evaluated for
- 30 days. After that time, you must pay a registration fee of
- $25.00 to the author. If you use ShowCIM to convert messages
- for importing into CompuSlave, PLEASE support the authors of
- this handy little utility by registering it! Registration
- information for ShowCIM is contained with the program.
-
-
-
- Question:
- How many messages can be stored in a CompuSlave database?
-
- Answer:
- The theoretical limit is 2 billion, but quite honestly, we have
- been unable to test that limit. Our largest CompuSlave
- database, which is used on a daily basis, currently contains
- over 200,000 messages.
-
-
-
-
- Cautions
-
- As with any program that maintains large amounts of data, there
- is the possibility for data loss. Regular data backups are
- strongly recommended. Hard drives can fail, files can become
- corrupt, and data loss can occur. Your best protection is a
- regular (verified) backup!
-
- If your computer system should hang while you are performing a
- search with CompuSlave, you may find some temporary files left
- over in a temporary CompuSlave directory. These files will be
- located in a directory with a name such as TEMP0001, TEMP0002,
- etc., and will have a random file name such as 123BDX4Z.???.
- (You will likely find one file with a .DAT extension, one with a
- .IX extension, and one with a .DIA extension.) If you are sure
- that no other network users are performing a search, that this
- database is not one of your message databases, and that your
- computer system hung in the middle of a search, go ahead and
- delete it using CompuSlave. For an explanation of why this
- temporary database is created, see the information on Searching
- the database.
-
-
-
-
-
- Products By STSI
-
- Stevenson Technical Services, Inc.
- 108 Second Avenue West
- Bertha MN 56437-0297
- Phone / FAX: (218) 924-2050
- The STSI BBS: (218) 924-2060
- Internet: http://www.stevetech.com
- Internet Mail: support@stevetech.com
- (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, & Discover Accepted)
-
-
- · BBS Informant <ASP> Comprehensive BBS List / Search Door!
- BBS Informant is a comprehensive BBS door used for adding,
- listing, and searching through BBS names and numbers. BBS
- Informant stores over 40 fields of data on each BBS! Store up to
- 3 phone numbers, software & version, sysop, emphasis, rate,
- location, number of lines, storage space, CD-ROMS, date of
- origin, services offered, summary, and much more! Network
- support is included! BBS Informant works on Wildcat, PCBoard,
- and any BBS that supports DOOR.SYS.
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · BOOT'R <ASP> -DOS Multiple Configuration Manager
- BOOT'R allows the management of multiple configurations on a
- single machine. BOOT'R can modify the CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT,
- and more. Modify up to 5 files for each configuration. Useful for
- changing files such as NET.CFG too! Ideal for creating custom
- configurations for memory-hungry games. Easy to use push-button
- interface w/mouse support! Online reference tools!
- Registration Fee: $34.95
-
-
- · CompuSlave For DOS <ASP> Master Your Messages!
- CompuSlave imports CompuServe forum messages from a capture file
- into a database. Search the entire database for key words or
- phrases. Create your own stand-alone, customized technical
- support resource using the combined knowledge of the CompuServe
- forum members. Ideal tool for tech support personnel,
- programmers, network administrators, or any user who routinely
- searches the CompuServe forum messages for information. Sample
- import file is included. Documentation contains helpful hints on
- how to create a CompuServe forum message capture file.
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · CompuSlave For Windows <ASP> Master Your Messages!
- CompuSlave imports CompuServe forum messages from a capture file
- into a database. Search the entire database for key words or
- phrases. Create your own stand-alone, customized technical
- support resource using the combined knowledge of the CompuServe
- forum members. Ideal tool for tech support personnel,
- programmers, network administrators, or any user who routinely
- searches the CompuServe forum messages for information. Easy to
- use Windows interface! Sample import file is included.
- Documentation contains helpful hints on how to create a
- CompuServe forum message capture file.
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · Infodex <ASP> - Multipurpose Database!
- Infodex is a versatile database manager used to keep track of
- names and addresses, equipment, computer software, books, and
- much more! Includes a FREE-FORM layout. Add, delete, or
- rearrange fields EASILY! Search for text in any field. Import
- and export to a delimited text file. Quickly browse through a
- list of records. Easy push button interface! Both protected-
- mode and real-mode versions are included to support various
- memory requirements.
- Registration Fee: $34.95
-
-
- · QwkSlave <ASP> - QWK Packet Message Database!
- QwkSlave imports QWK mail packets, storing each message as a
- database record. Add, edit, delete, print, browse, sort, &
- search through messages. Cross referencing makes finding an
- original message and its response as easy as a mouse-click.
- Ideal as a technical support reference tool. Network support is
- included. Easy to use push-button interface!
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · Replicator For DOS <ASP> - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
- Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images of
- diskettes and catalog them in a database. Use optional
- compression to reduce the image size. Recreate disks as needed.
- Store up to 10 lines of descriptive text for each disk image in
- the database. Database entries can be modified at any time.
- Easy push button interface! (286 or higher)
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · Replicator For Windows <ASP> - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
- Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images of
- diskettes and catalog them in a database. Optionally compress
- image files and scan disks for viruses. Recreate disks as
- needed. Store up to 10 lines of descriptive text for each disk
- image in the database. Database entries can be modified at any
- time. Network support included. Easy to use Windows interface!
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · ZIP'R Pro For DOS <ASP> - Compression Utility For DOS!
- ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are not
- being used. Use ZIP'R Pro to automatically decompress a program,
- execute it, and recompress it again. Uses ARJ, LHA, PKZIP, or
- built-in compression. Integrate with a menu system, or use ZIP'R
- Pro's button menu. Works with networks & multitaskers. Easy to
- use push-button interface with mouse support!
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
- · ZIP'R Pro For Windows <ASP> - Compression Utility For Windows!
- ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are not
- being used. Use ZIP'R Pro to automatically decompress a program,
- execute it, and recompress it again. Uses ARJ, LHA, PKZIP, or
- built-in compression. Integrate with a Windows icon, or use
- ZIP'R Pro's desktop to launch the program of your choice.
- Network/Multi-user support is included.
- Registration Fee: $49.95
-
-
-
-
- Programs Mentioned:
-
- CompuSlave For DOS is copyrighted by Stevenson Technical
- Services, Inc.
- MS-DOS is copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation.
- Procomm Plus is copyrighted by Datastorm Technologies, Inc.
- QmodemPro is copyrighted by Mustang Software, Inc.
- ShowCIM is copyrighted by Joerg Arnu and Gildas Quiniou.
- STSI Com is copyrighted by Stevenson Technical Services, Inc.
- Windows is copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation.
- Windows Terminal is copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation.
-
-
- The following are service marks of CompuServe Incorporated:
-
- WinCIM
-
-
- The following are registered marks of CompuServe Incorporated:
-
- CompuServe
- CompuServe Information Manager
- CompuServe Navigator
- CSNav
- Online Today
- The Electronic Mall
-
-
- All other brand and product names are marks or registered marks
- of their respective companies.
-