GHOST LOADER (C) 1994, 1995 Douglas Baxter Description : Ghost Loader is a simple utility for PCBoard systems that alters the file dates within PCB style directory lists. Changing the file dates is done randomally. This gives your BBS the appearance that files are being uploaded more frequently then they are. Users that enter the N)ew files command will be given a list of these files along with ones that are actual uploads. Returning to the original file date is as simple as running PCBoards PCBFILER with the /PROCESS switch for each directory where GHOST has been run. PCBFILER will use the file date found in DOS to change the directory list. Features: - Quick directory status display after each operation. - Low memory consumption. - Fast operation. - Configurable amount of files to be altered. - Easy set-up and execution. License : GHOST LOADER is distributed using the SHAREWARE concept. You're granted 30 days to evaluate this product. The terms of this license allow FREE distribution of the entire GHOSTxx.ZIP ( xx = Version #.# ) archive to other systems and individuals. The license does not grant any changes, deletions, or additions to the original six (6) distribution files aside from simple BBS ads, etc, etc. If at the end of 30 days you have NOT registered your copy you are required to cease using it. Under no circumstance will the transfer of registration numbers be tolerated. See REGISTER.TXT for information on registering your copy! Files Listing : The original six (6) files included in this archive are : GHOST.EXE - Main executable. GHOST.DOC - This manual. GHOST.CNF - Configuration file. REGISTER.TXT - Text file on the registration procedure. FILE_ID.DIZ - File description text. FREQ.TXT - File requests available thru Solitude BBS. If any of these files are missing then your copy has been tampered with! It is suggested that your call SOLITUDE BBS (803-246-3824) for a current and authentic copy. F'Req 1:3639/65 with 'GHOST'. UnRegistered Version : The unregistered version of Ghost Loader does not contain any crippled features. It does write a message to the first line of the directory listing. This display is to encourage you to register. The registered version will not place this notice and will seek out and delete them when they are located. Disclaimer : GHOST-LOADER has been extensively tested. The program (GHOST.EXE) has been run under Windows 3.1, OS2, and DesqView. Reasonable action has been taken prior to its release to determine its stability in operation. This is NOT, however, considered grounds for consent of a warranty or any guarantee against faults that its use may cause to other systems. The author cannot be held accountable for damages to Hardware or Software. Execution of the GHOST.EXE file is considered acknowledgment of the License and Disclaimer written herein. Back-Up: Since this utility will write to the directory text file it is a good idea to back-up these files. After you have determined that GHOST is operating correctly you can then reconsider whether to keep backing-up. Until you've reached that point I recommend ALWAYS backing-up when trying new software... Installation : To ensure proper set-up please follow the steps as closely as you can. Pay attention to any NOTES that appear within the manual. Step #1 Create a directory for GHOST. The files that are absolutely necessary for operation are the GHOST.EXE & GHOST.CNF files. At the very least these two must be in that directory! Step #2 With your favorite text editor edit GHOST.CNF to match your requirements. Follow the description of entries listed below! GHOST.CNF 2 c:\pcb\gen\dir1 c:\pcb\gen\dir2 The first line of the CNF file must be a number between 1 and 100. This is the random number threshold. I strongly suggest setting this to a integer between 1 and 10 only. Anything higher will alter damn near all the files in a directory. Two is a good setting. Six looks like a high traffic system, and above 10 looks like your playing games... Each line after the first is a path and filename to your PCB Directory text file. These beasts are generally kept in the c:\pcb\gen directory. the number of directories is unlimited. However, keep in mind that the more you have the longer the operation will take. Don't list a CDRom directory... That's all... Your GHOST.CNF file is complete. NOTE: Make sure that your text editor doesn't append a ^Z to the end of the CNF file. Step #3: The recommended method of execution is via your daily maintenance. That doesn't mean you can't simply run it from the prompt, but you must be in the directory with the GHOST.EXE and GHOST.CNF file for it to work. The same applies to the maintenance batch file. Below is an example call from the daily maintenance file. @ECHO OFF cd\pcb pcbfiler /process:0:1 cd\ghost ghost cd\pcb board NOTE: As mentioned before you can use PCBFILER to change the file dates back. Use the /PROCESS switch. If you intend to do this then make sure PCBFILER is run before GHOST. That way the files altered the the day before will be reset. If you run PCBFILER after GHOST then all the alterations will be reset without having accomplished anything! Nothing to it... You've completed your set-up. Now for my sake go and read the REGISTER.TXT file. Give SOLITUDE BBS a call (803-246-3824) and tell us what you think. You can check the FREQ.TXT file for information on getting upgrades and other programs... History: 12/17/94 - (v1.0) Initial Release. 12/19/94 - (v1.1) Optimized search routine. Faster operation. Added a version display at program termination. 01/01/95 - (v1.2) Bug fix. Fixed the handling of file dates so that a double digit date is always output (ex: 01 for Jan). This effects months and days. Technical Support : SOLITUDE BBS will offer FREE technical support regarding this program for all registered and unregistered versions. You must call the BBS directly (803-246-3824). If you have registered GHOST use the account information enclosed with your reg number to login. Acknowledgment : PCBoard (C) Clark Development, DesqView (C) Quarterdeck, OS2 (C) IBM, SOLITUDE Shareware Productions (C) Douglas Baxter, Regkey (C) Brain Pirie, Turbo C++ (C) Borland, Windows (C) MicroSoft.