Software Review of "TRANSCAN" (This review is seperated into three parts - one for each reviewer) Reviewers are: InterNational Online Staff - Wesley Tester & Ron Lamb A person at large - Barry Stroud Program: TranScan V4.07 Purpose: Interface: file scanner (virus), compression conversion, compression, integrity check, GIF scanner... Reg Fee: $30 ($5 off if reg'd ZIPLAB or CATSCAN) (Orders taken at 800/578-3061) Author: Craig Dunstan 3760 SW Park South Ct. #102 Topeka, KS 66609-2106 913/266-2287 Support: Primary & upgrades thru the TranScan BBS (913/266-0781) CompuServe @ 70713,671 Voice at 913/266-2287 US mail at above address Echo conference in: MSI Wildcat..... FIDO-Wildcat.... RIME-Wildcat.... Registration Entitlements: 90 days of free technical support Registered user access to TranScan BBS (for upgrades & help) Free minor upgrades Free subscription to the TranScan newsletter Removal of reg reminder screen on program Several FREE bonus utilities (GIFFY, CRCTEST, & TRANSCAN JR) Free introductory membership to CompuServe ($15 of online credit) Member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) Part 1 ******************** The author touts this program as "The Premium File Scanner and Converter!" It appears on the description, title page of the docs, and all thru said document... The man even has business cards and is able to work full time on this project. hmmm, something of a challenge if you asked me. In fact, with this review assignment, I HAVE been challenged. First let me say that I'm pretty particular about my utilities. They have to meet my standards, or they don't get another look. When I saw this utility running in the past on the Wildcat! BBSs it was interesting, presented well, and apparently very thorough. What we have now is an exciting version that will work with a variety of BBS software packages, and is quite handy for the average non-sysop/user! Every computer user that transfers files from one system to another is concerned about viruses. But, most people wrongly assume that their virus protection will detect viruses even in compressed files. They can't! That's where TranScan makes a rather arduous chore easy. TranScan uncompresses files to their original size so that the files can be scanned for viruses. And, while it's in this state it checks the files for integrity, and can modify the date of the compressed file with the youngest or oldest file therein if desired! GIFs can also be tested for integrity, and you can set a minimum resolution. It can even delete/exclude selected files from the final product! (is there no end to it's functionality???) Now TranScan doesn't come with all the compression and virus scanning utilities. What it does do is make allowances for all those that you have/want to use. Methods such as ZIP, ARJ, ZOO, and scanners such as McAfee's virusScan to name a few... TranScan can even convert files with varied compression methods to a default standard that you wish to use. You can run TranScan by command & pull-down menus, call it with a full range of switches for batch operation, or configure it into your BBS upload routine to automatically process incoming files. This is a GREAT boon to the BBS sysops I know, myself included. You won't find me without this puppy operating on my BBS believe me! There is a thorough doc file, as well as on-line, context sensitive help via the F1 key, to guide you through every step. TranScan packs together so many features and utilities... there are other programs to do what TranScan does by itself, but now, who needs a variety of other utility programs when they are all wrapped up in a nice little package? The V4.07 shareware version is not crippled in any way! There are several (three) bonus utilities that the author supplies upon registra- tion, but they are not necessary for TranScan to function. They are "enhancements", if you will, that will increase TranScan's usefulness. Now, for those who have files they don't want tested or recompiled; i.e. those non-standard file formats that your particular PC can't handle, you can generate a list of files for this purpose. Wildcards and paths are accepted and TranScan will simply note them and pass on. TranScan provides even more for the sysop maintaining a BBS. It actually displays to the caller while it's processing! They can see each step as it's taken. The screen is informative and practical. It also imports the file descriptions (if available) into the BBS database. For some (Wildcat!), it even writes thank you notes to the caller. hehe What a timesaver for the busy sysop... all that on top of the standard features we've gone over already. An apparent drawback for some BBSs would be an increased amount of pro- cessing time... but again, this is time saved for the sysop in the long run. Configuring TranScan to work with a BBS is extremely easy, and if you are familiar with the scan and compression utilities already it WILL be a breeze. TranScan comes with a list of BBS software types and when you set it up for use with your BBS, the configuration screen will only let you enter applicable data for your BBS type that TranScan supports. Here is a partial list of BBSs directly supported to some level: Wildcat! PCBoard GAP VBBS SearchLight RBBS TriBBS and on and on... In closing let me say that this sucker is everything it's advertised to be and more. It's ease of use, high quality, and practicality is above and beyond the call. Check it out and see what you think. It's definately worth the fee. Wesley Tester - Staff IO MAG Part 2 ****************** The docs are clear, and easy to understand, which is a great help to even the most novice computer operator. It is very easy to configure. It will process the majority of compressed formats from .Arc to .Zoo. Though the program does require the use of many external files that the user must get themselves, anyone that deals with compressed files would probably already have these files in his/her possession or they could easily gain access to them. It has many fine features such as Auto Date stamp and an Auto Reject for files older then what you setup the configuration for. I highly recommend this program, not only for the average BBS sysop, but for anyone who wants to keep their files virus free. Ron Lamb - Staff IO Mag Part 3 ******************* TranScan is a virus scanner for use on many different bulletin board systems. It has many different features, such as support for more than one virus scanner, many options for Gif files, supports many different compression programs, and many options implemented through use of text files. It is very easy to configure and very easy to process files off-line. TranScan supports up to 20 different virus scanners. McAfee's Scan and Netscan scanners come preconfigured. This allows you to utilize most any virus scanning software. GIF files can be converted to JPG format or compressed with GIFlite. Also JPG files can be converted to GIF. There was a problem with the preset GIFlite setup. GIFlite would exit with an error because there was a -9 command line option that isn't used by GIFlite. TranScan will also read the resolution of the GIF files into the BBS file descriptions. There are 9 preconfigured compression programs with room for 11 more. TranScan comes preconfigured for ZIP/ARJ/LZH/ARC/PAK/SQZ/DWC/HYP/SDN/ZOO and Teledisk files. it will recompress and scan self-extracting, non-compressed, and imbedded compressed files. It also converts all archives to the default compression type that you specify. Comment: In my opinion TranScan is the best virus scanner [interface] for use with or without a BBS. Its easy to use and has more features than any other scanner I've seen. Barry Stroud - Non-Staff Reviwer *******************end.