======== ====== ======= == == == === == == === === == == == === == ====== ======= ======================================= The DeAdZoNe Utilities for RemoteAccess ======================================= D-StAt Top User Statistics for RemoteAccess Version 5.20 May 24, 1993 Copyright Victor Magdic 1991-93 All Rights Reserved What is it? ----------- D-StAt is a program that generates top user bulletins for RemoteAccess BBS's. This version (5.20) is written for RemoteAccess 2.00 (it will not work with prior versions of RA). IMPORTANT: If you are upgrading from D-StAt version 5.00/5.10 be sure to follow these steps before using D-StAt for the first time: 1. Run DSTAT /C 2. Make any necessary changes to the configuration (there are several new options) and then save the configuration. Features -------- * Top User Statistics Generator. Provides complete system and user information in one easy to use program. Including: Top Callers, Top (message) Posters, Top Downloaders(in kilobytes and files), Top Uploaders (in kilobytes and files), as well as totals and Averages. Also gives you an easy to read breakdown of the age groups of the users on your BBS. * Customizable bulletin names * You can enable/disable specific bulletins * Will use either Handles or Real names. * InfoBar shows you the Total System Calls, Total Downloads, Uploads etc., as well as Averages (e.g. Average time used per day etc.) * Can be configured to exclude certain users from the statistics. * Colour of bulletins can be changed if desired (even a 3-d shadow effect is available). * Built-in configuration program makes setting up D-StAt a snap! IMPORTANT: D-StAt 5.20 is written for RemoteAccess 2.00 and will not work on prior versions of RA. How much does it cost? ---------------------- This utility is FREE! If you like it you can continue to use it for as long as you like free of charge! If you do decide to use it, I would be excited to hear from you !! I encourage you to send me a postcard at the address listed below (see the end of this text file), or a message via netmail. It will cost you practically nothing, and will let me know you're enjoying the program. It will also give me incentive to keep improving the program and make it even better! Configuration ------------- To configure D-StAt, type: DSTAT /C This will bring up the configuration screen. Most of the options are self explanatory and only a few will be described below: Set Paths and Filenames When you choose this option and you will be presented with another menu where you can define: 1. The directory where you want the bulletins created (normally your RA textfiles directory) 2. The directory containing your user file (USERS.BBS) 3. The directory where the D-StAt exclusion file (DSTAT.CTL) can be located (if you are using one) 4. The filenames of the bulletins which D-StAt will create Enable/Disable Choose this and you will be presented with another menu Bulletins were you can enable/disable any of the bulletins. (Whatever you disable, D-StAt will not generate.) Include Sysop in If you want the sysop to be included in the door bulletin statistics turn this option on. Sysop Name in bulletin If you want the sysop's name included at the top of the header bulletin then turn this option. (Note: the name is use is whatever you have specified under "sysop name".) Use Handles Choose YES to use handles when generating the bulletins. Choose NO to use real names. Generate Bar Graphs By default D-StAt will generate bar graphs showing the relative values between different users. If you do not want bar graphs, turn this feature off. Honour Hidden Attribute Turn this ON if you want D-StAt to honour the users hidden attribute as set in their user record. When D- StAt is set to `honour' the hidden attribute, it will not put a user in the bulletins if their hidden attribute is on. Generate Infobar The `infobar' is a small bar attached to the bottom o the bulletins which gives you overall system information (e.g. total system calls, total uploads overall etc.) Use Exclusion File If you want to use an exclusion file, turn this option on (see discussion on exclusion file later in the docs). Colour Scheme Choose the colour scheme for generating the bulletins. Choose from Yellow/Red; Cyan/Magenta; 3-D shadow effect Generating Bulletins -------------------- In order to generate the `Top User' bulletins, run D-StAt with the /G switch, DSTAT /G Comments -------- * D-StAt will handle up to *3000* users in the users file. If this number is exceeded D-StAt will abort with an error message. * D-StAt will automatically exclude users who have been locked out i.e. security level 0) from the top-user bulletins. Exclusion List -------------- D-StAt supports an exclusion list which allows you to specify up to 100 users which you do not want included in the bulletins. This is useful if have users (or co-sysops) which you want to "hide" from the bulletins. In order to use this feature you must create a plain ASCII text file called DSTAT.CTL and simply list the name or handle of the user which you want excluded (one entry per line). You must also enable "Exclusion File Checking" in the configuration menu. Comments -------- * It is not necessary to specify both a user's real name and their handle as separate entries, one or the other will suffice. * The entries in DSTAT.CTL are *not* case sensitive, so if you have "John Smith" in your DSTAT.CTL file, and the user's name is actually spelt "JoHn SmItH", the name will still be properly excluded. * If you have more than 100 entries in DSTAT.CTL, D-DooR will tell you so and abort with an error message. Example of DSTAT.CTL: John Smith Jane Smith The Punisher Location of Files ----------------- D-StAt can be run from any directory, just make sure you run it from the same directory where the configuration file (DSTAT.CFG) is located. Also, the exclusion file, DSTAT.CTL (if you are using it), must be located in the same directory that you run DSTAT.EXE from. Note: D-StAt does *not* write to the RemoteAccess user files at any time. Bulletins Created ----------------- D-StAt creates the following 12 default bulletins (6 ANSI and 6 ASCII) in the directory you have specified as the Textfiles directory. Listed here are the default names given to these bulletins -you can change the names of any of these bulletin names in the configuration. D_CALL.ANS and D_CALL.ASC top callers D_POST.ANS and D_POST.ASC top message posters D_UPLK.ANS and D_UPLK.ASC top uploaders by kilobytes D_UPLF.ANS and D_UPLF.ASC top uploaders by files D_DWLF.ANS and D_DWLF.ASC top downloaders by files D_AGE.ANS and D_AGE.ASC age statistics D_DWLK.ANS and D_DWLK.ASC top downloaders by kilobytes Legal Stuff and Disclaimer -------------------------- "D-StAt" refers to the executables and documentation in the original distribution archive. D-StAt is copyrighted material by the author, Victor Magdic. All rights are reserved. The author grants you a licence to use this software free of charge. The program is provided "as is", without warranty or guarantee of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to its quality or performance. The author will not be held liable to you or anyone for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to any lost profits, or lost savings which may result from the use or inability to use this program. The author is in no way obligated to provide future versions of this software. Your use of the program constitutes your agreement to these terms and to this disclaimer. All mentioned products are copyrighted by and/or trademarks of their respective holders. Credits ------- Thanks to James FitzGibbon for helping me beta test D-StAt and for his numerous suggestions and helpful criticism. Thanks also to Jonathan Rapoport for his invaluable bug reports. Updates ------- Please see the enclosed file DEADZONE.TXT for information on how to obtain the latest version of D-StAt. Suggestions always welcome! --------------------------- If you have any suggestions for improvement or wish to report any bugs, you can reach me via netmail: The DeAdZoNe Victor Magdic FidoNet: 1:259/427 TeleNet Canada: 20:22/104 or by writing to: Victor Magdic 424 Camden Circle Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 2P4 CANADA ------------------------------------------------------------------ end