Copyright: Copyright 1995, P. Scott Antony


Contents

Help Contents

Copyright 1995, by P. Scott Antony

Index Data by Al Andersen

CIS Forum Index is an expansion on the work of Mr. Al Andersen.  Mr. Andersen generously posts a free monthly text file (FORSEC.LST) in the CompuServe Help Forum (GO HELPFORUM), which lists Public Forums available on CompuServe, with their respecitve Go Words, Libraries, Message, and Conference sections.

Wishing for a little easier way to view the file, than with the standard text editor, I created an Excel workbook which, with a few carefully crafted custom functions, turns Mr. Andersen's text file into a set of standard Windows INI files. There was then the simple task of writing a VB program to read and display them, and voila, you have CIS Forum Index.

As long as Mr. Andersen continues to post his fine work, I will continue to convert it for use with CIS Forum Index, and will also post monthly updates to the INI files.

REQUIREMENTS:

CIS Forum Index was written using Visual Basic 3.0, and requires Win 3.1, VBRUN300.DLL, and THREED.VBX.  Neither file is included, as MOST people already have these files in their \WINDOWS

Help Topics:

Installing CIS Forum Index

Warranty/Disclaimer

Teminology

Where to Find FORSEC.LST


Installing CIS Forum Index

Copying the Files:

1). Open File Manager, and create a new directory to store the files (e.g. C:\CISFORUM, or

below your CIS software as in: C:\CSERVE\CISFORUM).

2). Move CIS4UM.ZIP to the new directory, and UnZIP it.

Adding CIS Forum Index to a Program Manager Group:

3). Switch to Program Manager, and Open your "CompuServe" Group window.

4). Resize the File Manger window so you can also see the "CompuServe" Group window.

5). Click on CISFORUM.EXE in File Manager, and Drag it over to the CompuServe window.

6) Press ALT+ENTER to display the "Program Item Properties" dialog, and change the Description to read: CIS Forum Index, and select OK.

That's it!  Simply double click on the CIS Forum Index icon to start the program.


Terminology

GATEWAY:  A three letter code that identifies the information provider

          for this forum.  Used in conjunction with the GO command, it

          provides fast navigation between forums in different service

          areas.  The current gateway codes are:

          CIS    	CompuServe Information Service

          EET    	Electronic Engineering Times Network Service

          ZMC    	Ziff-Davis MacUser/MacWEEK/CompuServe Information Service

          ZNT    	Ziff-Davis ZiffNet Information Service

          HOME   	The CompuServe Host for your account (GO HOME:MAIL)

GO WORD:  The identifying word that takes you to a service/forum.

All GO words can be abbreviated to six (6) characters.  For example, GO CIS:HELPFORUM can also be typed as GO CIS:HELPFO.

If you are using the CompuServe Information Manager, GO words are called Service Names.  You would select the GO... option in your Services Menu and type the actual gateway/go word in the Transfer To Service box that appears; i.e., CIS:HELPFORUM.

NOTE:  A plus sign (+) after the Forum Name/Description indicates that

       the forum is part of extended services.

       (BASIC) after the Forum Name/Description indicates that the forum

       is free of connect charges for members on Standard pricint plan

       but are treated as extended service (+) areas for members on the

       Alternative pricing plan.

       (FREE) after the Forum Name/Description indicates that the forum

       is free of connect charges for members on either the Alternative

       or Standard pricing plan.

       Forum Names/Descriptions with neither a + or (FREE) should be

       treated as (BASIC) service areas (see above).

       The free ZiffNet Support Forum is accessible to CompuServe members

       at no extra charge by using the CIS gateway, i.e., GO CIS:ZIFFHELP.


Warranty/Disclaimers
Warranty/Disclaimers:

CIS Forum Index

CIS Forum Index/P. Scott Antony (74002,2373) are in NO WAY affiliated with or sanctioned/supported by CompuServe Inc, and may not be held responsible for any errors or inconsistencies that may have been overlooked in converting FORSEC.LST. No warrantees are either expressed or implied, and you assume the full responsibility for the use of the program. Your use of this program signifies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

FORSEC.LST

This file is not an official listing of forums and sections, but rather an individual compilation created by the author, Al Andersen 72662,2055.  It has been uploaded to assist CompuServe members in searching for areas of interest on the CompuServe Information System.  While I have tried to ensure this listing is accurate and reflects all the public forums available, neither myself nor CompuServe may be held responsible for any errors or inconsistencies that may have been overlooked.


Where to Find FORSEC.LST

FORSEC.ZIP is updated the first week of every month, and is available in the following free support forums:

  Help Forum, GO CIS:HELPFORUM

  New Member Forum, GO CIS:NEWMEMBER

  Practice Forum, GO CIS:PRACTICE

  ZiffNet Support Forum, GO ZNT:ZIFFHELP

The listing is in alphabetical order by Forum Name/Description, for the most part.  I have taken a few liberties to keep related forums grouped together.  Following each forum name is the Gateway prefix and GO word. Beneath the forum name and Gateway/GO word are the available message sections, libraries, and conference rooms that are available in that forum.  If the forum does not offer one of these available areas, it is not listed, or blank.

- Al Andersen