The Offline BBS Listing Database v1.0 Copyright (c) 1995 Thomas J. Smith OBBSLXXX.ZIP (XXX will reflect the number of listings) For the latest version, call The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284 FIDO 1:2410/903 Request magic name OBBSLIST, or for latest data file, request OBBSDAT. ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ If you are reading this file in Windoze, you will see lots of gibberish, ³ ³ as Windoze does not interpret high ASCII characters correctly ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ This program is released to the public as "freeware." Meaning that there ³ ³is no charge to you for using this program in any way, shape, or form ³ ³whatsoever. You may use it as long as you wish, and you are encouraged to ³ ³pass it around to others, as long as all files remain intact, and ³ ³unmodified, including all text files. No money may be collected by anyone ³ ³for this program, except for those organizations distributing this program ³ ³on disk, where money may be collected for costs of packaging and disks. ³ ³ The author of this program assumes no responsibility for any damages ³ ³occured in relation to the use of this program. There are no warranties ³ ³implied with this program. You use it at your own risk. This program has ³ ³been tested thouroughly for flaws, and no problems have arised in testing. ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ ±±±±±±±±±±± ±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±± ³ ³ ±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ³ ³ ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ³ ³ ±±±±±±±±±±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ±± ±±±±±±±±±±± ³ ³ ³ ³ Be sure to read Part 6 for info on how to have your BBS added to this ³ ³ programs Database! Its easy to do, and is open to any SysOp who wishes ³ ³ to have his/her BBS added to this Database! ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ °°°±±±²²² FEATURES ²²²±±±°°° ³ ΖΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ΅ ³ ³ ³ ώ Searchable by Area Code, City & State. ³ ³ ³ ³ ώ Can view detailed listings, or line by line listings with option to ³ ³ view details on any record. ³ ³ ³ ³ ώ Option to print any record to the printer. ³ ³ ³ ³ ώ Option to copy any record to a plain ASCII text file. ³ ³ ³ ³ ώ Can Generate an ASCII and/or ANSI text file listing of all records in ³ ³ the Database. ³ ³ ³ ³ ώ User Friendly, & easy to use! ³ ³ ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ CONTENTS ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ What is The Offline BBS Lister?..........................................1 Files Included...........................................................2 Using the Program........................................................3 Obtaining an updated Database............................................4 Future Plans.............................................................5 How to get your BBS Added to the Database................................6 Comments & Suggestions...................................................7 ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ What is The Offline BBS Lister? 1 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ The Offline BBS Listing Program is a simple database that contains records of many BBS's (or hopefully will contain many records). It is a small program that will allow you to view all of the BBS's listed in the Database in detail, or you can choose to view a list similar to the following, [1] The Last Call BBS! Taylor, MI 313-295-6284 [2] No Name BBS Metropolis, NY 555-555-1234 When viewing this list, you have the option to view detailed info on any one of the BBS's listed, continuing on to see more, or stopping. You can also search for BBS's by Area Code, City, & State. The program also contains an option to create a plain ASCII text file of any listing in the Database, the ability to print any record to the printer, and an option to create an ASCII and/or ANSI Text File of all records in the database similar to the above format (read part 3 for more on this feature). ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ Files Included 2 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ Included with your copy of OBBSLXXX.ZIP (where XXX will reflect the # of records in the BBSLIST.DAT file), should be the following files, BBSLISTR.EXE ΔΔΔΔ> Main Program file. BBSLIST.DAT ΔΔΔΔ> Data file Containing all BBS Records. BBSLISTR.TXT ΔΔΔΔ> The Documentation you are reading now. ADD_BBS.ZIP ΔΔΔΔ> Archive containing program that creates the Text file I need to add your BBS to the Database, or to have your BBS removed from the Database. .ZIP file Includes documentation for the program. If you do not run a BBS, then you won't need this file. README.TXT ΔΔΔΔ> Text file containing latest changes, & program info. FREQ_IT.TXT ΔΔΔΔ> List of "Freq'able" files from Thomas J. Smith. FILE_ID.DIZ ΔΔΔΔ> Description file for BBS's. You really don't need this after unzipping, it is used by BBS's only. ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ Using the Program 3 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ This program is very easy to use. You may never even read this documentation at all! But here are some instructions anyway. The BBSLISTR.EXE program must be ran from the same directory containing the BBSLIST.DAT file. Start the program by typing BBSLISTR and pressing ENTER at the DOS prompt (or launch from your DOS menu program if you use one). At the Main Menu, you are given 5 options, View BBS's in the Database Area Code Search Search by City or State Copy a Record to a File Generate ASCII, ANSI List Exit Offline BBS Lister. If you choose to "View BBS'S in the Database", you will be given the option of viewing detailed listings. Choose "Y" if you wish to view all of the BBS's in the Database 1 by 1 in detail (you will have the option of stopping at anytime), or "N" if you wish to view the BBS's in the Database 16 listings at a time, with the option of viewing detailed info on any one of the BBS's listed, stopping, or continuing to the next page. While viewing any detailed listing anywhere in the program, you will have the option to print the record to your printer (for printers connected to standard parallel printer port LPT1 only). The area code search is very straight forward, just choose "Area Code Search" from the Main Menu, then when asked, type in the Area Code you wish to search for, WITHOUT parentheses! For example, to search for BBS's in the (313) Area Code, type in "313" NOT "(313)". You will be shown all matches one by one in detail, with the option of stopping, or continuing to view the next one. Searching by City or State works in much the same way as the Area Code search. When you choose "Search by City or State" from the Main Menu, you will be asked which type of search you wish to do, [C]ity, or [S]tate. Choose "C" to search for BBS's by City, or "S" to search for BBS's by State. These searches are not case sensitive, but spelling must be correct. Again, you will be shown all matches in the same manner as the Area Code Search. "Copy a Record to a Text File" - When choosing this option, you will be shown the line by line, 16 at a time listing, with the following choices, - [C]opy, [S]top, [ENTER] For More - Browse through the listings until you come to the one you want to copy to a text file, and then press "C" You will be prompted for the number of the record you wish to copy to text, and the file name you wish to give the text file. This can be any valid 8 character DOS file name with or without a 3 character file extension (LISTING.TXT NONAME.BBS, etc.). If you would like a plain ASCII text file, or a colorful ANSI file listing of all of the records in the Database, use the "Generate ASCII, ANSI List" command from the Main Menu. This will create either an ASCII, or an ANSI file (or both if you choose), that will look something like this, ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³BBS Name BBS Main Number BBS Location ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ The Last Call BBS! 313-OFF-LINE Taylor, MI Nightmoves BBs.! 313-941-2850 Taylor, MI ***BARBELL*BBS*** 313-721-7344 Westland, MI Pepster's Place 313-421-9145 Livonia, MI The Olympic BBs.! 313-946-4208 Taylor, MI CANDI LAND 313-243-6689 Monroe, MI Data Land BBS 313-572-7980 Ypsilanti, MI ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³°°±±²² This File Created With The Offline BBS Lister! v1.0 ²²±±°°³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ When choosing the "Generate ASCII, ANSI List" option, you will be given 3 choices, - [1] ANSI List, [2] ASCII List, [B] Both ANSI, & ASCII - Whichever you choose, you will be asked for the file name(s) to use for each output file. You can name the output file(s) anything you want, as long as it is a valid DOS file name. Also at the Main Menu, you can choose "Help With Selections" for some minor help, or ESC to exit, same as choosing "Exit The Offline BBS Lister." ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ Obtaining an Updated Database 4 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ Chances are, more BBS's will be added to the Database by the time you read this (hopefully!). If you want an updated listing, look for a file called, OBDATXXX.ZIP. Where the XXX will reflect the number of listings in that particular data file. The OBDATXXX.ZIP file contains ONLY the BBSLIST.DAT file! NOT the BBSLISTR.EXE program, documentation, or the ADD_BBS.ZIP file. All you have to do is download a OBDATXXX.ZIP file with a number higher than the one you have now, unzip it, and place the new BBSLIST.DAT file in your Offline BBS Lister directory, OVERWRITING your old BBSLIST.DAT file. All records that were in your old BBSLIST.DAT file, will still be there in the new one, unless some listings were removed because they are no longer online. Always watch for the OBDATXXX.ZIP file with the highest number. That will be the one you want to obtain! If the number is lower than the number that was on the .ZIP file you downloaded with this documentation, then don't bother downloading it, because your listing will be more current than the lower numbered .ZIP file. SysOps can FREQ the latest data file from 1:2410/903 under the magic name OBBSDAT. ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ Future Plans 5 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ ώ Hopefully I will be releasing a version with mouse support, and menu bars throughout the whole program, for easier navigation (this depends on how popular the program becomes)! ώ I plan on making this a worthwile program, with lots of listings, as a convenience to BBS'ers (and SysOps)! But this can only be done with the participation of all SysOps. Read next section on how to add your BBS to the Database. ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ How to get your BBS Added to the Database 6 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ I have decided against releasing the program that adds BBS records to the Database, since there are those who will abuse it, and add NUL, duplicate, triplicate, or otherwise unwanted listings to the BBSLIST.DAT file. If you have a copy of a BBSLIST.DAT file that contains a questionable listing as described above, rest assured, it was'nt added by me! You can obtain the latest, unhacked updates on my BBS, The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284. If you are a SysOp of a BBS, and would like your BBS added to the Database, unzip the ADD_BBS.ZIP file, and run the ADD_BBS.EXE program. This program will ask you what I need to know to add your BBS, and write it all to a text file of your choice, in the proper format. Then you must attach that file to a message to me on MSI's HQ BBS (805) 873-2400, or call my BBS, The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284, and upload the completed form to the "BBS Forms" file area. Or you can call The Last Call BBS, and fill out online questionnaire #11. Or you can netmail it through FIDO to 1:2410/903. Also, if you would like a copy of the BBSLIST.DAT file containing your listing, let me know, and I will attach it in a message to you when it is added. 98% of the time, the next day! ΥΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΈ ³ Comments & Suggestions 7 ³ ΤΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΎ If you have any comments or suggestions about the program, or the way it works, what it needs, could use, or whatever, I can be contacted on my BBS, The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284, or on MSI's HQ BBS (805) 873-2400. Or via Internet E-Mail, at Tom.Smith%wland@ack.mi.org, or by FIDO netmail at 1:2410/903. I can also be reached by snail mail, at the following address, The Last Call BBS! 26910 Beverly Taylor, MI 48180 Any comments and/or suggestion about this program, are extremely welcome! Any input at all would be great, so I may know what users think of this program. I know it needs more records, but that can only be done by SysOps of other BBS's, as I will not add them without their consent because some SysOps would rather not have their BBS listed in the program. ΖΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ END OF BBSLISTR.TXT ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ΅