************************************************************************* * MAKEBLTN.EXE * * A PCBoard 15 Sysop Utility * * version: 1.5 date: 05/27/1994 * * (c) Copyright 1994 by Al & Mike Segura * ************************************************************************* Purpose: To analyze the PCBoard USERS file information and generate several bulletins: Top Callers, Top Downloaders, Top Up- loaders, and Top Cities. Works on 1 to multi-node network systems and on very large systems (upto 90,000 users). Contents: 1. MAKEBLTN.DOC this file. 2. MAKEBLTN.EXE the subject EXE file. 3. FILE_ID.DIZ brief BBS text description of this item. 4. MAKEBLTN.CFG sample configuration file. Description: MAKEBLTN.EXE will generate one combined or four separate bulletins on top caller information. PCBoard color codes are also inbedded in the bulletins and are Sysop configurable. The program is configured by the Sysop through the use of file MAKEBLTN.CFG and is defined below: sample CFG file entries ------------------------------------- Line 1: C:\PCB\MAIN\USERS Line 2: AL SEGURA Line 3: USER2 Line 4: USER3 Line 5: USER4 Line 6: USER5 Line 7: 15 Line 8: 10 Line 9: SEPARATE Line 10: BLUE Line 11: CYAN BWHITE Line 12: BLUE BYELLOW Line 13: BLUE BMAGENTA Line 1: Path to PCBoard USERS file Line 2 - 6: Names of up to 5 users to exclude from bulletins, case insensitive. Line 7: Number of top cities Line 8: Number of top callers/down-uploaders Line 9: TOGETHER or SEPARATE (make 1 or 4 bulletins) Line 10: Main Background Color (PCB colors) Line 11: Border Background/Text colors (BWHITE = Bright White) Line 12: Info Background/Text colors Line 13: Header Background/Text colors Execution: The program is executed by entering the program name (MAKEBLTN.EXE). The program will then read its CFG file, if not found, it will generate a default CFG file of its own. Next, the program reads the PCBoard USERS file. NOTE: the USERS file is only 'read', NO modifications are made!! Once executed, the program displays an opening credit, follow- ed by status messages, such as: reading user records, computing top callers, writing reports, etc. If the Sysop selected combined bulletins, then one file named TOP1 is generated, if separate bulletins was selected, then files TOP1, TOP2, TOP3, and TOP4 are generated--all in the same directory as the EXE file. (If separate, TOP1 = top cities, TOP2 = top uploaders, TOP3 = top downloaders, TOP4 = top callers). The TOPx files can then be called as text display or intro files, or the BLT.LST file can be edited to display them as main board or conference bulletins. The program may be run stand-alone or from an EVENT or Batch file. If older versions of the bulletins are present, the program will over-write them. Registration: Registration fee is $10 US, and applies to all future versions of the program as well--in other words, only register once. Payable in cash, check or money-order and mailable to: A. Segura, P.O. Box 1089, Sterling, VA, 20167-1089. When you register, you will receive the key to eliminate the UNREGISTERED message in the bulletins. Also, if you would like to provide suggestions for improvement to the program, bug reports, or just a note of thanks or hello, please forward those as well. See below for my mailing address and BBS number. Additionally, I frequently browse the RIME Sysop and PCBoard conferences, although contacting me there is not as reliable because sometimes I get very busy. Updates: The latest version of the EXE program can be obtained from my BBS: SBG Online! BBS (703) 450-9456. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, you can leave them there also. The file will be found in directory #1 as a FREE/NOTIME file. The BBS runs PCBoard 15 at 14400v42bis. I also post the latest versions on SALT AIR and WORLDNET BBSs. WorldNet was featured in the May edition of BoardWatch magazine, tell Tony that Al sent 'ya. You can also usually reach me in the RIME conferences (Sysops, PCBoard/Hints/ Utils, etc) (SBGONLINE, #5561 RIME). Source If you desire a diskette containing the C source code so Code: you can modify it for your own use, the cost is $25 US. I accept cash, check, money order, or VISA/MC. You can place an order online on the BBS (703) 450-9456 or by mail at: A. Segura, P.O. Box 1089, Sterling, VA, 20167-1089. Additionally, for $25, you can subscribe to the PPE conference on my BBS. The conference will always contain the latest version of the source code for CALLBLOC, CALLERID, VULGARID and several other PPEs for immediate downloading. The subscription period lasts one year. We also have the latest version of the PIER Shareware CDROM always online. You can even subscribe online with your VISA/MC via (S)cript Questionaire #2 for immediate access. Distribution: You may freely distribute this complete package, only in an unmodified form. No remuneration may be collected or charged for this work by anyone other than the below noticed individual/company except for that cost incurred in actual electronic media production (i.e. diskette or CDROM). In other words, it can be placed on BBSs, shareware CDROMS, etc. but I/my company reserves the right of copyright and remuneration for the actual work. The source code may NOT be distributed by anyone other than the below listed company. Disclaimer: The user agrees when utilizing this package that he does so at his own risk with no guarantees, implied or otherwise, as to the functional performance or liability of the package. Development History: Vers. Date Remarks ----- -------- ------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 05/01/94 Initial release. 1.1 05/07/94 Fixed bug which prevented file sharing for multi-node systems. 1.2 05/08/94 Well, 1.1 didn't do it, so, 1.2. 1.3 05/13/94 Modified to work with LARGE users files/systems. 1.4 05/19/94 Fixed 2 bugs, # of cities => # of callers, calls > 255 1.5 06/09/94 Fixed Top Callers # of calls math bug. *************************************************************************** * (c) Copyright 1994 A&M Segura/Fax~An~Ad Marketing, Inc. * *************************************************************************** Other PPEs: ******************************************************************** * Look for these other fine utilities at a BBS near you * ******************************************************************** AUTOSUBS.PPE run as a script questionnaire, allows online credit card subscriptions to BBS (VISA/MC), completes log entries and sends alert message to SysOp. (for PCBoard 15) ALLCALL.PPE generates a text display bulletin, complete with PCB color codes, of all the callers to the board. ALLSTAT.PPE generates a text display bulletin, complete with PCB color codes, of statistics of all the callers to the board. BULLCHK.PPE performs automated tracking of bulletins read by the user and performs a user upgrade when all sysop selected bulletins have been read. CALLERID.PPE performs basic callerid identification, logs info in file log and user records if desired, and will also display desired text screens to users--must have callerid capable modem. Several SysOp config- uable options. (for PCBoard 15) CALLBLOC.PPE performs a call blocking function before the user can log on based upon a SysOp defined listing of undesirable phone numbers--must have callerid capable modem. Even sends the SysOp an alert message. (for PCBoard 15) DUP-BLOC.PPE Blocks current users from signing-on with duplicate records--uses CallerID info. Should be used with CALLBLOC.PPE for complete blocking system. MAKEBLTN.EXE Top callers, cities, down/uploaders bulletin generator PADLOADS.EXE Automated uploads directory padder--makes your BBS look more active with more daily uploads. REPORT.EXE Program generates reports of CallerID info, user record phone numbers, common passwords and several other goodies to aid Sysop in identifying abusive or questionable users. VULGAR.PPE performs a vulgar word/phrase check on user names and city entries based on a file of names defined by SysOp, and performed before complete newuser login. (for PCBoard 15) VULGARID.PPE same program as VULGAR.PPE except it automatically passes the callerid info to CALLBLOC.PPE program for future lock-outs. (must have both programs and a modem that supports callerid) (for PCBoard 15) NOTE: VULGARID ver. 1.x only works with CALLBLOC ver. 1.x. VULGARID ver. 2.x only works with CALLBLOC ver. 2.x. *************************************************************************** * (c) Copyright 1993 A. Segura/Fax~An~Ad Marketing, Inc. * ***************************************************************************