------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | FIXDLT Version 1.1 | | | | | | FIXDLT - Fix Y2k date problems in PCBoard's DOWNLOAD.TXT file | | | | | | For any version of PCBoard BBS software used past 12-31-1999 | | | | | | FIXDLT (C) Copyright 2000 Brent Yandell | | | | Web -- www.usbbs.org/fix.htm | | | | BBS -- (727) 842-8099 | | | | January 8, 2000 | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ----------------- ---- INTRODUCTION ------------ 1.0 What Is FIXDLT 1 1.1 Disclaimer 1 HOW TO USE ---------- 2.0 Installing FIXDLT 2 2.1 Operational Notes 2 MISCELLANEOUS ------------- 3.0 Contacting and About the Author 3 3.1 A Word From the Author 3 3.2 History 3 1.0 What is FIXDLT ------------------- PCBoard Bulletin Board software places non-Y2k compliant dates in its DOWNLOAD.TXT database file. For example, files downloaded in the the year 2000 will have a download date of the year 1900, etc. This program corrects these entries in DOWNLOAD.TXT. It is intended to be run in an automated event, or can be run manually. 1.1 Disclaimer --------------- There are no warranties, expressed or implied for FIXDLT. Sysops who install FIXDLT on their systems assume any and all liabilities for anything which may result as a consequence of running FIXDLT. Under no circumstances shall the author of FIXDLT be liable for any loss of profit or any other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages, arising out of the use or inability to use FIXDLT. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 FIXDLT Page 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.0 Installing FIXDLT ---------------------- (1) Backup your current DOWNLOAD.TXT file. The best thing to do is ZIP it up in a ZIP file which you can identify later if needed. (2) Placing FIXDLT.EXE in a valid DOS path location is suggested. (3) Modify an event batch file to run FIXDLT.EXE. FIXDLT accepts two command line parameters: (#1) The Directory location -AND- file name for DOWNLOAD.TXT. You -must- specify a directory -and- the file name. (#2) /NOBAK - [ OPTIONAL ] Adding this to the command line will cause FIXDLT to -not- keep a backup copy of the DOWNLOAD.TXT file just processed. This name of this file will always be DOWNLOAD.BAK and will be located in the same location as the DOWNLOAD.TXT file. Here is sample command syntax (for DOS): FIXDLT.EXE C:\PCB\MAIN\DOWNLOAD.TXT The above process demonstrates the simple use of the program. Since this program is intended for Sysops, this simple documentation and example should be sufficient for use, either in events or manually. Naturally if your system has been configured differently than the PCBoard defaults (with regards to DOWNLOAD.TXT directory location and file name) you must adjust the above example accordingly. 2.1 Operational Notes ---------------------- Naturally, if you use 3rd-party DOWNLOAD.TXT processors in an event, you should run FIXDLT -before- the processors. FIXDLT will date-and-time stamp the new DOWNLOAD.TXT file with the directory date and time of the original DOWNLOAD.TXT file. This is for the sake of completeness, and for 3rd-party programs which use this information while working with DOWNLOAD.TXT. It is recommended you do not use the /NOBAK switch unless you really need to, for instance if you have a really large DOWNLOAD.TXT file. Benchmarks: FIXDLT takes 23 seconds to process the author's 1.6 meg DOWNLOAD.TXT file on the '486 the BBS runs on with a slow IDE drive. On the author's personal machine, this same test takes 5 seconds. FIXDLT only changes -1900, -1901 etc. if it appears as the year in the transfer date field of a DOWNLOAD.TXT entry. Hence "1900" etc. and variations thereof will not be altered when encountered as part of a user or file name in DOWNLOAD.TXT. FIXDLT.EXE is DOS-based software. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 FIXDLT Page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.0 Contacting and About the Author ----------------------------------- Make comments or suggestions to the author: Brent Yandell aka "Yandell Custom Software", aka "YCS PCBoard Accessories" Author of PCBFV, ChatBox, PCBFX, USBBSDoor and others. Editor of The USBBS List - www.usbbs.org Mail: usbbs.editor@gte.net BBS: 727-842-8099 New versions, if any, will be available at: www.usbbs.org/fix.htm 3.1 Some Words from the Author ------------------------------ Your DOWNLOAD.TXT file is a -database- of the file transfer history of your BBS. It is probably as old as your BBS. Use extreme care when installing software which claims to "fix" it. There is no-charge for using FIXDLT. Please consider helping the BBS community by being a volunteer for the USBBS List. The USBBS List is an absolutely no-charge list of BBS systems in the U.S. and Canada. Help is always need with updates to USBBS. Go to www.usbbs.org for more information. 3.2 History ----------- See the enclosed HISTORY.TXT file.