FOCKE'S-CUT 2.0 Programmed by Thomas Morgan Copyright 1992 PREFACE Focke's-Cut 2.0 is a shareware program with a limited audience - those BBS fans that live in or near the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (WMA). It is dependent on two other sources of data/programs. The primary dependency is on the month-to-month release of BBS lists by Michael Focke. The secondary dependency is on a copyrighted program called FONDIR.EXE by Henry C. Clarke of Richardson, Texas. Focke's-Cut 2.0 uses the information provided in the Focke listings as input and allows the creation of output files that are condensed by BBS subject matter and/or include BBSs that are local to the WMA calling exchange selected. If the appropriate output files are created, you can use FONDIR to create a telephone directory that may be directly useable by your communications program. (The FONDIR program includes instructions on the process!) Focke's-Cut 2.0 is the result of considerable programming effort. It is somewhat different than version 1.0 and has several added features (partly in response to user input). In recognition of the time and effort put into this program, you are encouraged to register if you continue to use it. If you feel that Focke's-Cut would be of value to you but your telephone exchange has been omitted or errors are found to exist in the database, please don't hesitate to write to me at the address given on page 8. (You can also try leaving a message for me on the InterConnect BBS, 703-425-2505, sysop Jeff Morley, as I occasionally check there for messages. Address your note to Tom Morgan. Note that this board is also the best place to find Mike Focke's listings and carries the FONDIRxx.ZIP file containing FONDIR.) Whether you write a letter or leave a message on the board, feel free to provide comments or corrections. After all, everyone will benefit if the program is kept up-to-date, accurate, and user-friendly. As a last note, with the exception of the Table of Contents and Preface, you will find all of the information that follows within the Focke's-Cut program. You can print the information following the program's prompts or you can simply 'type' this file to your printer using the command: TYPE FOXCUT20.TXT > LPT1 Tom Morgan January 1992 Table of Contents Page ---- AN INTRODUCTION TO FOCKE'S-CUT...........................1 VERSION 2.0 CAPABILITIES ................................1 FILES NEEDED FOR FOCKE'S-CUT ............................3 BASIC DIRECTIONS ON USING THE PROGRAM ...................3 HOW TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE ..............................4 REGISTERING YOUR COPY OF FOCKE'S-CUT ....................6 FOCKE'S-CUT VERSION 2.0 REGISTRATION FORM ...............8 SUMMARY OF NEW FEATURES WITH FOCKE'S-CUT VERSION 2.0 ....9 Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 1 Copyright 1992 AN INTRODUCTION TO FOCKE'S-CUT ------------------------------ In case you aren't familiar with what is known as the Focke directory, it is a listing of Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) bulletin board systems (BBSs) and it is updated monthly. The listing is arranged into categories: active BBSs within the WMA are listed by area (DC.DIR, MD.DIR, and VA.DIR) as are active BBSs outside of the WMA (NMMD.DIR and NMVA.DIR). In addition, BBSs that are 'down' are in a list (DOWN.DIR) and BBSs that provide user support for software products, hardware products, etc. are provided in a listing (SUPPORT.DIR). To date, users have had no convenient way of determining which of the BBSs listed would be a local call - particularly true for those numbers beyond the WMA. That is a problem that Focke's-Cut is designed to solve. The program was originally designed to help only BBS users beyond the WMA determine which of the Focke listed BBSs would be a local call. However, during program development, it became obvious that the program could be expanded to provide this capability to all BBS users within or nearby the WMA. At the same time, since those people living in the WMA have such a large number of BBSs available, several features were added to help them sort through the BBSs that could be reached! (This process is supported only to the extent that the Focke's listings contain a summary of the activities or focus of a given BBS.) *** VERSION 2.0 CAPABILITIES: ------------------------- 1. Focke BBS files can be used to create listings of BBSs within YOUR local calling area. You can select two forms of program output. One is a file listing the BBSs that should be local to your calling area and the other is a file compatible with the FONDIR utility. (This utility is available on many bulletin boards as FONDIRxx.ZIP.) Use of the output file with FONDIR will result in a telephone directory compatible with one of several popular communications programs. Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 2 Copyright 1992 >>>>>>>>> NOTE: <<<<<<<<< Due to on-going changes in the telephone system, there can be no guarantee given that the list of numbers that results is 100% accurate. If you call the BBSs listed, a simple test of whether or not the number is local is to make sure you do not include the long distance prefix '1' on the number when you call! You also need to take care to check the numbers for possible extended calling area rates - consult your telephone book if in doubt!!! 2. You can search for a BBS and get its telephone number. 3. If you live in the WMA where you can call about 90% of the BBSs listed by Focke, and you are searching for a way to find those that interest you, this program will allow you to perform a word search on the BBS descriptions provided by Focke. This enables you to reduce the list of local BBSs to those that share your interests. By rerunning the program, you can create listings of BBSs in any given number of categories. (E.g., you could create one listing of BBSs that have the text string GAME in their description and another with BBSs having the word RIME, etc.) 4. You can search the Focke's-Cut database to determine if your local exchange is included. (If yours is not included, there may be several reasons: a) periodic changes in the telephone system, b) you are in an area outside the WMA that has not been included, and c) database errors or omissions! The database is intended to include all exchanges within a 'reasonable' distance from the center of Washington, D.C. In any event, if your exchange was missed, incorrect, or if you feel that it should be included, write to me at the address given on the registration form! 5. You can view all of the calling areas and numbers included in Focke's-Cut's WMA telephone exchange database. This provides the incidental benefit of allowing you to conveniently determine the location of a BBS or person if all you have is a telephone number. *** Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 3 Copyright 1992 FILES NEEDED FOR FOCKE'S-CUT: ----------------------------- Running this version of Focke's-Cut requires two files: 1. FOXCUT20.EXE 2. FOXCUT20.DAT In addition, full use of the program requires that you obtain the Focke BBS telephone directory. This directory is updated monthly and is released as a ZIP file having the structure DCBBmmyy.ZIP where mm is the current month and yy is the current year. When this file is unzipped, it yields several files. Those that are needed for this program are: 1. DC.DIR (DC DIRectory) 2. MD.DIR (Maryland DIRectory) 3. VA.DIR (Virginia DIRectory) 4. NMMD.DIR (Non-Metro Maryland DIRectory) 5. NMVA.DIR (Non-Metro Virginia DIRectory) In addition the utility FONDIR can be used to create telephone directories compatible with several popular communications programs. *** BASIC DIRECTIONS ON USING THE PROGRAM: -------------------------------------- When starting the program up, you can enter the following command line parameters (note that they are not case sensitive): /D() - This allows you to tell the program where to find the FOXCUT20.DAT file if it is not in the default directory. If you don't use this command and the program can't find the file, it will ask you where it is to be found. /F() - This allows you to tell the program where the Focke DIR files can be found. Again, if the program can't find the files, it will prompt you to enter the correct path/directory. /M - For monochrome monitors. Should make the screen more readable. Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 4 Copyright 1992 A sample command line is as follows: FOXCUT20 /Da /Fd Be sure to leave a space between each of the parameters as shown. This sample command line would start the program and tell it that the FOXCUT20.DAT file is in the a drive and that the Focke DIR files are on the d drive. *** HOW TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE: --------------------------- There are several actions you can take to speed the program up and things you should know regarding its operation: 1. If at all possible, copy the Focke DIR files to a RAM disk. This will speed the program up considerably when you search for BBSs within your calling area or search for BBS names. 2. You will note that on yes/no questions, the letters Y and N are written to the screen and either the Y or the N is uppercase and highlighted. Pressing the key will automatically choose the emphasized option. You can still choose the option by letter and can, of course, select the non-emphasized option by pressing the appropriate letter. 3. When searching for a BBS, remember that the first search looks for the EXACT occurrence of the text you enter. For example, if you entered 'Dark Forest,' the program might find 'The Dark Forest' and 'Dark Forest Lands.' If the actual name of the BBS was simply 'Darkforest,' the program would not identify it. However, the program would then ask you if you want to search for all BBSs having any of the words you have specified. If you answer 'Y' (or press ) it will search for any BBS having the text strings 'Dark' or 'Forest.' As a result, the program would identify all of the BBSs named in this example. You can use this feature to do a 'fuzzy' search for a BBS if you aren't sure of its exact name. Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 5 Copyright 1992 During a word search, keep in mind that the program will NOT search for matches to 'trivial' words such as AN, AT, IN, IS, OF, ON, OR, THE, or TO, nor will it search for single letters. This helps eliminate scores of unwanted BBSs during searches. During searches, you will be asked the location of the BBS that you want to find and will choose from the list below (take care to identify the location if possible - otherwise you may find yourself waiting for an unnecessary search of all of the Focke directory databases.) Maryland Virginia Washington, D.C. I Don't Know Remember that the area you specify will be the only one searched. E.g., if you specify that you think that the BBS is in Virginia, the program will search only the VA.DIR and NMVA.DIR Focke files. If you aren't sure of the BBS's location, choose the last option, 'I Don't Know.' This will cause ALL of the Focke DIR files to be searched. (This search will also take longer but you can reduce the time it takes by copying the Focke 'DIR' files to a RAM drive.) One last catch on word searches is the fact that Focke sometimes includes the name of the sysop with the name of the BBS. If you select a word fragment that is found in the sysop's name, you will have his/her board appear in the search. This board will also appear if you make a directory based on the word search. 4. When asking for output to a FONDIR compatible file where you have requested a search of the BBS descriptions for specific words, only the BBSs that match will be included. Single letters, although allowed during search text entry, will NOT be included in the search. Also, remember that the program does exactly what it is asked to do! I.e., if you enter GAM for the Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 6 Copyright 1992 search in the hope of getting all BBSs with GAME or GAMES in their description, you may also get a board if its description includes 'meGAMail'. (This is a REAL case!) Use an ASCII editor to edit the FONDIR compatible file before you make your telephone directory. Be sure not to undo the format (columns) or FONDIR won't work. *** REGISTERING YOUR COPY OF FOCKE'S-CUT: ------------------------------------- Your support would be most welcome. Registration for continued use of Focke's-Cut will help ensure that your comments and suggestions are incorporated in future versions and will help ensure future program development. To register your copy, send the registration amount of $5.00 to: Thomas Morgan 6591 Ashford Lane Frederick, Maryland 21702 When you register, send either check or money order - NO cash! MORE DETAILS ON REGISTRATION: ----------------------------- Focke's-Cut is a shareware program and is provided to you at no cost for evaluation. However, if you find this program useful and use it beyond a fifteen day evaluation period, you must make a $5.00 registration payment. Note that this registration cost covers Focke's-Cut version 2.0 and ANY FUTURE VERSIONS of the Focke's-Cut program that are released! This offer does not apply to other software programs that provide similar features nor is it applicable or transferrable to any other program that utilizes the WMA calling directory database used for Focke's-Cut. Any monies you have paid for obtaining the Focke's-Cut software do not include the registration amount. No vendor is authorized to accept payment of the registration amount, sell you a license to use the software, or charge you for the software itself. Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 7 Copyright 1992 A NOTE FOR REGISTERED USERS: ---------------------------- You may install your registered version of Focke's-Cut on an unlimited number of computers as long as you are the sole user of the installed program. Feel free to make as many copies as you want! DISCLAIMER: ----------- Users of Focke's-Cut must accept the following disclaimer: Focke's-Cut is provided AS-IS. The author disclaims all warranties expressed or implied. This disclaimer includes, without limitation, warranties of merchantability and fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for direct or consequential damages arising from the use of Focke's-Cut. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 8 Copyright 1992 FOCKE'S-CUT VERSION 2.0 REGISTRATION FORM ----------------------------------------- Registration - $5.00 Submit to: Thomas Morgan 6591 Ashford Lane Frederick, MD 21702 REQUIRED INFORMATION: --------------------- NAME: ___________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________________ STATE: __________________ ZIP CODE: ______________ OPTIONAL INFORMATION: --------------------- PHONE: ____________________ WHERE/HOW DID YOU RECEIVE THE PROGRAM? ______________ _____________________________________________________ COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: _______________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ANY PROBLEMS RUNNING ON YOUR SYSTEM? Yes ___ No ___ If yes, please describe in as much detail as possible: 1) your system, 2) the problems and symptoms encountered and 3) any error messages or codes provided by the program. Use the back of this form or a separate sheet. *** Focke's-Cut Version 2.0 Page 9 Copyright 1992 SUMMARY OF NEW FEATURES WITH FOCKE'S-CUT VERSION 2.0 ---------------------------------------------------- 1. Made several corrections to the WMA telephone database and updated it with Maryland 410 area codes. 2. Added the capability to create a file with output compatible with the FONDIRxx program. This simplifies the conversion of output to a telephone directory compatible with a communications program. 3. Changed the format of the up-front selection screens to speed user access to any part of the program or to the information screens. 4. Changed the format of the information screens to allow the user to print any given category of information if a hard- copy is wanted. This helps to do away with the usual do- it-yourself approach to printing the program documentation and registration information. ERRATA > DE-BUG SINCE VERSION 1.0: --------------------------------------- Version 1.0 released - April 1991 Version 2.0 released - January 1992 1. Corrected several problems with error traps. 2. Corrected a problem where the local BBS areas were not reinitialized when the program was cycled through the Local BBS selection process more than once. ***