The Great MERGEPRO GiveAway! Find a file that MERGEPRO/MERGESYS can NOT merge and become a registered user! I know of no other merge program that is as versatile as MERGEPRO. As the descriptions states, it will merge almost any type of sorted ASCII text file. I'd like to remove the "almost", but I figure with all the possibilities there are bound to be SOME files that it won't merge. Are there any? Find one and you will receive a registered version of MERGEPRO or MERGESYS! Here are the ground rules. 1) The file must be a legitimate file. Let's be REAL! I know a file could be "invented" that MERGEPRO would choke on, but this file must be in use by some existing application. 2) The file must be ASCII text without imbedded control characters, such as those you would get from a word processor. However, control codes ARE allowed if they are used to signal the continuation or end of a record or to delimit fields (just not the "formatting" type). 3) The file must be able to be sorted. If it won't sort, it could still be "merged", but it wouldn't accomplish anything! 4) You must be an individual user (NO businesses can enter), although the file could be one used by your company. If the file exists anywhere, it's fair game. Winners will be the first 100 validated entrants (I don't really expect there'll be thousands of participants, but I've got to put a limit somewhere). Entries should follow these guidelines. 1) Mail on disk (360, 720, 1.2, or 1.44), upload to INFOQUEST bbs, or send by E-Mail (more on that below). 2) Submit two of the files in question, or at least enough of them to test on MERGEPRO (I really don't need 100 meg files, unless they're on a hard drive you're sending, since media will not be returned!). Although a single file can be "merged" on itself, two different files are needed so the merging pattern can be checked. 3) Explain the type of record. Is it variable or fixed length? If records are more than one line, give the line the merge key is on and for variable length records, how is the length determined. Also include the starting line for the first record if it is not line 1. 4) List what determines the record's fields, the fields to merge on (indicate whether the field is character, numerical, date, or time), and the order of each merge field. 5) Include the name of the application that uses the files, where the application can be obtained, and how the files are used by the application. Custom applications are also permitted; instead of where it can be obtained, indicate the developer. 6) Give your name, address, phone number, and whether you desire MERGEPRO or MERGESYS. You are also encouraged to make any comments on MERGEPRO's performance, suggestions for improvements, etc. (see the sample entry below). Each entry WILL be scanned for viruses and if any are found, that entry will be disqualified. If there is a question concerning the legitimacy of a file, an independent panel of judges headed by Charles Strusz, the sysop of INFOQUEST bbs, will decide whether the file qualifies (names of the judges will be released to any disqualified entrant if requested). The winners will be decided by date; for mailed entries, this is the postmark, for uploaded or E-Mail messages, the date the message is posted. The contest has been extended and now ends at midnight on January 20, 1995. Winners will be notified by January 31, 1995, and their names will be available on INFOQUEST. All E-Mail entries should be submitted to Charles Strusz using one of the addresses shown at the end of this document. Entries can also be uploaded directly to INFOQUEST by calling 618-549-5888. Log on as a GUEST (first name) USER (last name), from the main menu join the HAL conference by entering J HAL, and leave your entry as a message to Hal Parks. SAMPLE ENTRY Files submitted: DIR1 and DIR2 Type of record: Records are variable length, the key is on the first line, and the record continues with all subsequent lines that begin with a space. Alternatively, the key line does not contain the "pipe" character "|" and continuing lines do. The first record begins on line 15 (lines 1 through 14 contain header information). Merge fields/order: Fields are delimited by spaces. First merge field is three (date) in descending order, second is one (character) in ascending order. Application: PCBoard bbs system v15.1 Obtain from: Clark Development Company 3950 South 700 East, Ste 303 Murray, UT 84107-2173 order phone: 800-356-1686 bbs phone: 801-261-8976 How used: DIR file list for callers to PCBoard bbs Entrant name: Hal Parks Address: 404B W. Oak Carbondale, IL 62901 Phone: 618-529-0000 Desired program: MERGESYS Comments: Anything you'd like to say! The purpose of this contest is twofold: to introduce MERGEPRO, a revolutionary new ASCII text file utility, and gather information for improving it. There are types of files that MERGEPRO won't handle. Hopefully this contest will discover if any of these are actually in use, and if so, future versions can be adapted to them. Thank you for your interest in MERGEPRO. I'd be happy to hear your comments even if you don't have a file that defeats MERGEPRO! Mail entries to: HAL SoftWare 404B W. Oak Carbondale, IL 62901 Or call INFOQUEST at 618-529-0000 and join the HAL conference Or use one of the E-Mail addresses shown. InterNet: charlies@twister.c-lib.siu.edu RBBSNet: 8:970/201 FIDONet: 1:11/157 USERNAME: Charles Strusz FIDO NODELIST CORRECTION: Phone should be 618.529.0000 PCBoard is a registered trademark of Clark Development Company.