TiMESoFT Custom BBS Lister -- Readme.txt

BBSLIST.EXE   <--- Shareware version of the actual Lister
README.EXE    <--- Run it.. Its easier than "EDIT README.TXT"!
README.TXT    <--- You are reading it.  This is the docs for the program
REGISTER.TXT  <--- Info for registering.. I hope you need this =)
EDITOR.EXE    <--- The editor.
TOWNS.DAT     <--- Text file for all towns in your state

Now, you can create your own custom BBS list in a new standard format.  I
have published a CT bbs list with this lister, and now I am selling the 
format for all to use.  This is shareware.  That means, if you plan to use
the lister and/or distribute it, you MUST register it.  Its only $10 US 
currency, so why not?  (see register.txt)

Here's how it works:  The BBSLIST.EXE is the actual lister, it has search 
and many other options.  It reads its data from a BBSLIST.DAT.  I have 
included an editor to make your own data file.  I will explain the actual 
editor a little later.

To make your own BBS List:

1) Create a text file TOWNS.DAT (or edit the one I included) and put in it 
   ALL THE TOWNS in YOUR STATE.  Keep in mind that however you enter your 
   data here must match EXACTLY as it is in the datafile.  For example, if 
   you use all caps, make sure you do so in the editor.  It is case 
   sensitive! If you use "W. HAVEN" in the TOWNS.DAT, you MUST use "W. HAVEN" 
   in the data file too.  Otherwise, when you alphabetize the list, records 
   that don't match (it alphabetizes by town) will be discarded.

   Warning!  The TOWNS.DAT entries must not have any spaces after the names!
   Example of what NOT TO HAVE:

        MADISON__<CR>

               ^Spaces before the carriage return

   Example of WHAT TO HAVE:

        MADISON<CR>
                 ^Carriage return

   To avoid leaving spaces, use DOS's EDIT and go to the each line and
   press <END> on your keyboard.  Make sure the cursor moves to the end
   of the last charactor.  If not, BACKSPACE to the end.  Re-check all 
   lines after you entered each town.  This will ensure that records will 
   not be tossed during the alphabetizing or defraging of the list.

2) Run EDITOR.EXE.  

* To create a new data file, press C.   This erases any old datafile.

* Press A to add to the listings.  When adding, YOU MUST enter the town 
  the same way as you entered the towns in the TOWNS.DAT.  This is used 
  when DEFRAGING or ALPHABETIZING the data.

* Press D to defrag or alphabetize the list.  This can be a slow process.
  Do not interrupt this process.  If something goes wrong, the old file is
  saved as BBSLIST.BAK.  This should only be done occasionally, and once 
  before you distribute the list.

* Press Q to quit the editor.

Here are some tips:

* To delete an entry, use your favorite TEXT EDITOR, find the BBS that
  you want to erase, and mark it's TOWN with x's.  Then, run the editor
  and defrag it.  If you must, you can erase it manually, but make sure
  you do not alter the order of the records, otherwise your entire list
  will be off becuase you were one record off in the middle of the list
  somewhere.

* Only enter 20 bbs's or so.  Then run the BBSLIST.EXE and experament.
  If it suits your needs, register and use it!  Otherwise type DEL. 
  and erase it!

Now, when finished, distribute your BBSLIST.DAT and BBSLIST.EXE and you
can send out update DAT files or resend the whole thing each month, week, 
etc.  PROVIDED THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED THE SOFTWARE FIRST!


Now, about the BBSLIST.EXE:

Well, simple.  Just run the lister.  On the opening screen, you will see
your name and registration number, along with the state and title (assuming
you registered the lister!)

The main menu shows all the possible searching options.  Simply press the 
letter of the option(s) you wish to perform.

Press P to toggle printer echo mode.  When this is enabled, a box will 
appear to let you know it has been enabled.  Then, all data that is normally
displayed (each record matching the search) on the screen, will be printed
to a printer attached to PRN (Normal DOS printer).

Press E to toggle the extended view mode.  This will allow the user to see
all the data at once in a simple, easy to read format.

Type BBSLIST /MAXIMUS to get an output to a maximus MEC file.  

Type BBSLIST /TEXTOUT to get an output to an ASCII File.

Type BBSLIST /DBASE to get an output to a dbase compatible format.

*** The Lister supports LOCAL.DAT file which is read when performing a 
    local search.  This file is the same format as the TOWNS.DAT file, 
    except the user can put his/her towns that are local to them in this 
    file.
***

Well, thats all!  Another TiMESoFT Production...

If you need tips, try my E-mail address at:

jbertier@connix.com.  I will try to answere any questions you may have.
