The author of PCBCheck, the premiere PCBoard upload processor, is proud to present: DSplit 1.01 A unique utility for PCBoard Jim Dahl June 10, 1995 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 1. What's this DSplit thing? � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Dsplit is a unique file splitting utility for PCBoard. Why would anyone need a file splitting utility? If users, even at speeds 9600 baud and faster, have a limited amount of time online, there may be files they cannot download in their allotted daily time! As games get bigger and time online gets reduced, the problem gets worse. Byte banks and time banks offer a poor solution, letting users save up time and bytes from one day to use another. However, that still allows users to log onto your board and tie up a line for an extended time to download their file (you imposed time limits to eliminate that in the first place!) DSplit allows a user to use his remaining time each day to download part of a file (up to as much as can be downloaded in his remaining time). Okay, I think I've heard of file splitting before - why Dsplit specifically? * DSplit works with ANY file -- not just ZIPs, not just archives, but ANY file. If it's available for download on your board, DSplit can split it. * DSplit is written specifically for BBS use so it's interface and record keeping are tailored to that environment. DSplit remembers previous parts downloaded so if a user downloads part of a file and later runs DSplit, DSplit will prompt the user with information about the file he has partially downloaded and ask if he would like to continue with the same file. * The user does not need to own or download any special software. In the last part of a file, DSplit will include a small executable (10K zipped) which will recombine the parts on his machine into the original file. * Advanced splitting/combining technology. DSplit keeps careful track of downloads and parts. If you misplace a part or a part becomes corrupt during download, DCombine (the combining utility) will give the user information about the damaged/missing part which can be entered into DSplit to redownload only the missing/damaged part. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 2. Installation � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� A. Jim's ramblings about installing software in general In my years as a sysop I've noticed that one of the most difficult aspects of running a BBS is often installing third party software! It should not be that way. In any other market vendors would not get away with it -- if the Microsoft Word installation was half as difficult as most third party BBS utilities, it would've been a flop. Why then are BBS utilities so difficult to install? Pure laziness on the part of programmers. Computers excel at executing mundane lists of tasks with conditional execution. For programmers to present programs with pages of detailed installation instructions with conditional steps is unacceptable. B. How to install DSplit Run DINSTALL. That's it. It will ask for the location of your PCBOARD.DAT (though if it could find one on its own, it will default to that location). Using the information found in PCBOARD.DAT it will check many of your system parameters and make adjustments where necessary to allow DSplit to run - prompting you if there are choices you need to make. As an install program should, DInstall will list any changes it made to your system when you exit, or will make recommendations if there are problems it cannot correct. C. PCBoard PPL considerations If you have troubles running DSplit and don't run many other large PPLs, you may not have enough overlay memory in your PCBOARD.EXE or PCBOARDM.EXE. A utility OVLSIZE is included with PCBoard to allow you to test/modify the overlay size. It is well-documented by PCBoard and I strongly suggest reading Clark's materials. You can also just type OVLSIZE (with no parameters) for usage information. D. PCBoard considerations While you're at it - make sure you have PCBoard 15.21 or later, because DSplit uses some of those new PPL functions not found in earlier versions. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 3. Can I steal this, or sue Jim when it crashes? � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� This program, its look, feel, and its related documentation are copyrighted. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the program. You may not modify or translate the program or documentation without the written consent of Jim Dahl. This program is provided "as is" without any warranties (or conditions), express or implied with respect to the program, including the implied warranties (or conditions) of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of use or performance of the program and documentation remains with you. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above may not apply to you. In no event will Jim Dahl be liable for any lost profits, lost savings, incidental or indirect damages or other economic consequential damages, even if Jim Dahl has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In addition, Jim Dahl will be not be liable for any damages claimed by you based on any third party claim. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential or incidental damages, so the above may not apply to you. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 4. Where do I send thank-you notes, or get tech support? � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Jim Dahl 2236 Springbrook Ct. Grand Forks, ND 58201 dahl@agassiz.cas.und.nodak.edu Jim Dahl@1/2808:17 Support BBS: Eagle BBS (218)773-6011 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 5. Shareware / buying DSplit � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 First, note that DSplit is shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. DSplit is still copyrighted, and fully protected under the applicable US and international laws. It is not free. You are obligated to pay for DSplit if you use it beyond the specified evaluation period. DSplit will operate normally in an unregistered state for 30 days. After 30 days, a delay will be introduced at the beginning of DSplit to remind the sysop to register. The delay will become longer each day beyond the thirty day limit. To register either fill out the registration form (REGISTER.DOC) and follow the instructions on the form or register online: Call the Eagle BBS (218) 773-6011 and type ORDER from the main board. Enter your credit card information, specify shareware registration and the products you want to register. You will receive a registration code and registration information immediately online. Registration is currently US $20.