TBBS 2.2 - Alternate Directory Format

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
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           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

ALTERNATE DIRECTORY FORMAT
--------------------------

TBBS Version 2.2 supports an alternate directory format for .DIR files,
in addition to the TBBS native format .DIR file.  The alternate
directory format was introduced to facilitate the use of CD-ROMs, and
the conversion from other BBS software to TBBS.

The alternate directory format is the same format used by the PCBoard
BBS product.  For those who are interested, this document describes that
format.

Please note that this document describes TBBS' implementation. PCBoard's
format may change at their discretion at any time.  What is described
here is, however, identical to PCBoard's format up to and including
PCBoard Version 15.1.

Note that alternate directories are column sensitive, and things must be
in their proper columns in order for TBBS to properly handle and process
the .DIR file.

 Column   Use
 ------   --------------------------------------------------------------
   1-12   Filename, DOS Style
  13-14   Blank Spaces
  15-21   File Size in Decimal Bytes, Right Justified, Blank Filled
  22-23   Blank Spaces
  24-31   Date in MM-DD-YY Format, Zero Filled Single Digits
  32-33   Blank Spaces
  34-78   File Description, 45 ASCII Characters Maximum

Here is an example of an alternate directory entry:

PRINTERS.ZIP  1127816  04-01-93  This is an example file description

All fields are required except description.

NOTE:  As a TBBS variation on the PCBoard format, if an ownership name
in single quotes precedes the description beginning at column 34, TBBS
will use the ownership name as it does in the TBBS directory.

If a line begins with a vertical bar (|) as the first non-blank
character, then it is an extended comment (same as beginning with !> in
the TBBS directory format).

Any line which does not begin with a vertical bar as the first non-blank
character, is a comment if the MM is not numeric or in the range 1-12,
the DD is not numeric and in the range 1-31.  As a formula this is the
following:

   If 1st non-blank = "|" then extended description line.

   If Line < 31 characters long then comment.
   If "MM" .not. numeric then comment.
   If "MM" < 1 .or. "MM" > 12 then comment.
   If Column 26 <> "-" then comment.
   If "DD" .not. numeric then comment.
   If "DD" < 1 .or. "DD" > 31 then comment.
   If Column 29 <> "-" then comment.
   If "YY" .not. numeric then comment.

This is a file directory entry if it passes all of the above tests.

TBBS0072
Rev. 4/94

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

