旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 栢栢� The RA/QBBS Composite Caller Compiler 남栢� � Version 1.1 � 栢栢� Release Date 04/20/90 남栢� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� (c) 1990 Tim Kilgore ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This is a PLANET >< PROGRAMMING production. Remote Access and QuickBBS are trademarks of their respective author's � WHAT IS RQCCC? � The Remote Access / QuickBBS Composite Caller Compiler is a utility for use with two excellent BBS software packages, Remote Access and QuickBBS. Unless you are a RA or QBBS SysOp, RQCCC will be of little use to you. � What's New in Release 1.1? � All the bugs with version 1.0 have been fixed. The CALLER'S REGISTER function will now work with a USERS.BBS that contains 2500 or less users. The HALL OF USERS function will support over 3.2 MILLION users thanks to advanced BTree sorting routines. Three elements in the configuration file have now been activated. You may now suppress listings for as many as three users. This is handy for Co-SysOp's or callers that you wish to remain 'invisible.' � Requirements � IBM compatible computer operating with DOS 3.x or better. Memory requirements vary with the number of callers. � What Does RQCCC Do? � RQCCC provides your Remote Access or QuickBBS system with two visually attractive displays. It designed to be executed as part of the errorlevel drop after each caller. To this end, RQCCC is blazingly quick, making extensive use of machine language routines. The average run time on 8 bit machines is only 8 seconds! In that brief period of time, RQCCC scans your USERS.BBS file which contains all of the information about your callers. To enhance speed, the file is read directly into memory in 32.2k data segments. As many as 202 users are read directly into memory at one time. At this point, RQCCC operates according to whatever switches you have set in a configuration file. Depending upon the options that you have selected, RQCCC will create 2 or 4 files. The first file is a CALLERS REGISTER. This file is created with both an ASCII (*.ASC) and an ANSI (*.ANS) flavor. This file will display the last 1 to 30 callers. To examine an example of the output RQCCC is capable of creating, use the following DOS command: (To see ANSI output example) TYPE register.ans (To see ASCII output example) TYPE register.asc * (ANSI.SYS must be installed to view ANSI files in color) While other products are available that achieve the same effect, RQCCC provides this information in a colorful ANSI display. Because most last caller programs read the CALLERS.LOG, they also produce duplicate caller listings if the same caller called back to back. They also tend to get confused when a user executes an errorlevel shell. RQCCC avoids these short-comings by utilizing USERS.BBS. The second file which RQCCC creates is a complete listing of all of your callers. While it might not seem feasible to do this after each caller, RQCCC gets the job done at high speeds. If you should decide that it does indeed take too long, the output of this file can be disabled. To view an example of this output, execute the following DOS commands: (To see ANSI output example) TYPE userlist.clr (To see ASCII output example) TYPE userlist.bbs Comparing the output that RQCCC produces to that of similar programs is hard to do. RQCCC simply out performs the competition at all levels. It is faster, produces ANSI output independently, and it SORTS your users alphabetically. With the speed that RQCCC has, you can update the listing of all callers and produce the callers register in both ANSI and ASCII modes in less time than many programs take to produce a single file! RQCCC follows through with what it started. The first user record (the SysOp's 99.9% of the time) is automatically skipped. The output automatically has a "Press Enter to Continue" prompt and CTRL-A added to the end. In short, there is little for you to worry about. � Executing RQCCC � RQCCC requires a configuration file (see RQCCC.CFG, included in this archive) to be executed. The syntax is: RQCCC11 rqccc.cfg If the configuration file is NOT in the same directory as RQCCC11.EXE, then it is invoked as follows: RQCCC11 [D]:\[PATH]\[FILENAME.EXT] While RQCCC.CFG is provided, you may assign any name that you like to the configuration file. This advantage to this is that you may want to produce only the callers register after each caller, and create the callers list as part of a maintenance event. In such cases, create two configuration files with unique names. � The Configuration File � RQCCC uses the information that you provide to execute successfully. RQCCC verifies the information that you have provided. Here is an example configuration file with descriptions: 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴쩡컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� �3 � 1-3 is valid, see OUTPUT OPTIONS � 쿬:\bbs\ � Path to USERS.BBS - note the trailing slash!� 쿬:\bbs � OUTPUT path � 쿝EGISTER � Name (no extensions!) of callers register � 쿢SERLIST � Name (no extensions!) of caller listing � �10 � 1 - 30 is valid, # of callers for register � �0 � User Suppression by USER NUMBER � �0 � User Suppression by USER NUMBER � �0 � User Suppression by USER NUMBER � 쿟im Kilgore � Your name � 쿟ortuga RCS � Name of your BBS � �1111111111 � Registration info (ten ones if unregistered)� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴좔컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� OUTPUT OPTIONS - Line 1 controls the output options. They are: 1 = REGISTER only 2 = CALLERS LISTING only 3 = BOTH PATHS - Lines 2 and 3 are concerned with paths to (line 2) the USERS.BBS file and (line 3) the path to where you want the output written. FILE NAMES - Lines 4 and 5 tell RQCCC what the name of the output files are to be. Note that NO extension should be given as RQCCC automatically appends both the .ASC and .ANS to the filenames provided. After creating a file, you should add it to your display file list, or create a menu option to view them. In most cases, the REGISTER file should be part of the display files that your BBS system uses, while the much longer register should be a menu option. WARNING! If you specify an existing file as the output name, those files will be destroyed! Make sure that the output name is unique and NOT a BBS system filename. REGISTER SIZE - The number in line 6 tells RQCCC how many callers to process for the register. The valid range is 1 to 30, with 10 to 12 being recommended. USER SUPPRESSION - Lines 7-9 of the configuration file control what users you would like to suppress a listing of. This suppression effects both the Register and the Hall of User's listing. This feature will allow your Co-SysOp(s) to enjoy the same level of invisibility as yourself. Simply place the record number of the user that you want to suppress on these lines. This record number must have 1 added to it if your software counts from zero on up (i.e. are you record zero or record one). Do NOT enter the same value twice. If you have no need for this feature, a zero value should be entered as shown in the above example. You should also pay careful attention when packing the user database from within your BBS software or with a 3rd party utility. User numbers could change and you will have to modify your configuration file to reflect these changes. PERSONAL DATA - LINES 10-12 are for entering your personal information and for activating registered status. Please note that line 12 must be ten 1's or RQCCC will not function. If you should decide to register (and I hope that you do), line 12 will be replaced by a registration code. � Limitations � RA/QBBS allows a field of 35 characters for a user's name, 30 for the user's location, and 17 for the date and time that the caller last called on. If you add these up, you'll discover that the totals are well over 80 characters, which is the display limitation for a CGA CRT. In order to create a visually attractive display, RQCCC takes certain liberties with the name of the caller and the location field. RQCCC will terminate the caller's name after 30 characters. It will also terminate the location field after 29 characters. The chances are not great that this will pose a problem for you. While the name field cannot be modified, the location that the caller is calling from certainly can be. In most cases, the limit is broken by callers that entire the entire name of their home state. Merely edit this to the proper abbreviation and all will be well. Finally, RQCCC writes a temporary work file with the name of LNAME.DEX. If you have another program that makes use of this filename, you will need to locate RQCCC in another directory. � A Note About Shareware � RQCCC produces high visibility output. The files will be viewed countless times by your users. It is a program that will be executed time and time again. As a SysOp, you are the distribution point for the hundreds of thousands of shareware programs available. Shareware attracts callers, which is what running a BBS is all about. Shareware works only when a user registers the product that he is using. As a SysOp, you are a role model for all of the callers that you have. If they see that you don't take the time to register a given product, why should they? The result is less shareware and shareware authors moving their products into the commercial environment. We are all poorer as a result. In the spirit of shareware, RQCCC is not disabled in any way. There are no time-bombs, delays, or other 'incentives' to produce more registrations. I depend entirely upon your integrity and honesty. If you like RQCCC, then please register it soon. � Registration � RQCCC is only $10 and does the job of several programs while producing smarter looking output. It is flexible, fast, fun for callers, but it isn't free. You may use RQCCC for 30 days to evaluate it's effectiveness. After 30 days, you MUST discontinue any use of RQCCC. If you should decide to register RQCCC, please use the form provided at the end of this document. Within a day after the receipt of your money order, your registration information will be uploaded to your BBS. At your option, the registration information can also be mailed. In the event that your BBS is very busy, please select the mailed option. � History � RQCCC origins stem from a program know as PCCC, the Phoenix Composite Caller's Convertor. This version was released for a fine BBS program known as Phoenix RCS. Release 1.0 of PCCC had a number of bugs which 1.1 repaired. During the development of PCCC v1.1 a Remote Access SysOp, Bob R., lent a helping hand and made RQCCC possible. Without Bob R.'s help, RQCCC would not exist and I owe him a great debt. � Other Planet >< Programming Productions � Introducing.... THE NEWS AT TEN version 2.0 The News At Ten (TNAT) 2.0 was released as shareware on by March 31st, 1990. TNAT is designed to be a cost effective replacement for a popular newsletter generator. TNAT v2.0 features blazingly fast execution, 3 primary output formats, 3 secondary formats, ANSI & ASCII output, and a WYSIWYG configuration program. TNAT's greatest advantage is that it allows users to use their favorite word processor instead of a crude, internal word processor. If you have a second computer, your BBS won't be down for long when you post news releases! TNAT v2.0 is only $10 and will quickly become one of your favored programs. STANDARD DISCLAIMER and RELEASE OF LIABILITY The use of RQCCC indicates an agreement to the following terms. The author of RQCCC and Planet >< Programming will not be held responsible or liable for ANY damages that may occur due to the use or improper use of RQCCC. SUPPORT SITES In the event that you encounter difficulties, the following SysOp's may be able to provide you with help. You will also be able to find the most recent version of RQCCC, TNAT, and other Planet >< programs at these fine BBS'. Tim Kilgore Tortuga RCS Phoenix-Net 9:899/2, FIDO 1:289/5 (816) 263-7623 Hayes v32 9600 (This number will be inactive as of June 1st, 1990) Bob R. The Anonymous BBS FIDO 1:154/40 (414) 251-2580 Hayes v42 9600 � Up and Coming � RQCCC version 1.2 is already on the drawing boards. The next release will be able to create a new text file showing some information that will be unique to RQCCC. RQCCC will continually see improvements as time passes. The objective of RQCCC is to have one program which can create all of the user related text files that are typically created by 4 or 5 different programs. Planet >< Programming is dedicated to bringing higher quality products to the SysOp for less money than existing products. We also provide update information for a year after purchase. Product support is something that has been sorely lacking in most shareware enterprises. This is not the case with Planet ><. RQCCC V1.1 Registration Form Send to: Tim Kilgore PO Box 592 Moberly, Mo. 65270 Money orders or checks. Make payable to - TIM KILGORE NAME: ___________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ NAME OF BBS: ___________________________________________ BBS's PHONE #:___________________________________________ NETS & NODE#:___________________________________________ Size in bytes of USERS.BBS: ___________________________________________ I would like my registration MAILED E-MAILED (circle one) I welcome comments! If you have any observation's, praise, questions, or idea's for future releases of RQCCC, please post them below. COMMENTS ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ THANKS!!!