WELCOME TO BASE-ED!! -------------------- Written by Ray Akey (AKA Heavy Metal) using the SAS C development package. The complete and MOST EFFICIENT (possibly the only?) subboard editing utility for CNet Amiga v2.27+ in which the "subboards" file is in SYSDATA:. ** NOTE ** Due to the painstaking time and effort that has been spent on this utility, I would appreciate anyone who really uses it often to register it with Metal Software. ********** What is it? ----------- Simply the most useful subboard editing tool available. It performs MANY functions which will be FULLY explained in the text which follows. Installation (we'll get to the good part first): ------------------------------------------------ Copy Base-Ed to Pfiles:maintenance (or any other directory you may wish to run it from. AO to your Pfiles:maintenance directory as a [C]Net P-File. AND/OR Add to BBSMENU after the last command in "1; Maintenance Menu" using the following text: BED |\#2Pfiles:maintenance/Base-Ed\ ^^^may be changed to whatever command you wish to enter to call Base-Ed. Operation: ---------- Things can get really complex so I will go in steps to hopefully avoid confusion: First Prompt: Simple. Choose [U]DBase, [B]ase, or hit return to quit the program View/Edit Screen: Looks very much like CNet's regular UD/Base (in fact, I mistook it for exactly that one day :) ) Enter a Subboard number to view/edit the configuration for that subboard. Entering a SUBDIR number will prompt you with text asking if you wish to edit entry/access options for that Subdirectory. If NO is selected, you are taken into that Subdirectory. If YES is selected, you are taken to the Subboard edit/entry screen for that Subdirectory. All configuration variables are easily recognizable. So if you know CNet well, this area will not be foreign to you. If changes are made in the "Entry Flags/Access" screen for a subboard, upon exiting edit mode for that SubDir you will be prompted whether or not you wish to make the "CHILD" subboards (that is, subboards existing in that subdirectory) default to the same settings. If changes are made to a Subboard, only that Subboard's settings are altered, and only if YOU make the changes, unless you are in GLOBAL edit mode (we'll get to that soon). Entering "/" will bring you to the parent directory, and eventually, the ROOT directory. A few more considerations are taken into account when listing subs than are with the CNet message base processing, in the following order of precedence: 1) if a Subboard is CLOSED then it is noted as such. 2) If a subboard is a (DIR) then it is noted as such. 3) If a subboard is an Echo sub, then it is noted (FIDO). 4) If a subboard is a UUCP sub, then it is noted (UUCP). 5) If a subboard is direct exchange, it is noted so. 6) If a subboard is restricted by GENDER, it is noted accordingly. * CNET BUG NOTE: I have notified Ken of this bug and he is looking into it.. ** When you are in the "[O]ther flags" edit mode, sometimes *** you will get some weird text on the screen.. If this ***** happens do not panic. Simply enter the number for the ****** flag that has the weird text in it, and the weird text will ***** dissapear and the "YES" or "NO" text will return. *** REMEMBER: This IS A CNet bug. Some weird values got placed ** in those areas. Whether it was from the current version of * CNET BUG NOTE CNet or an older version, BASE-ED FIXES THEM! I'll leave the editing screen at this, the rest is pretty well self-explanatory when you enter the program and begin moving about. GLOBAL CHANGES!: ---------------- The single most powerful function a Message base utility can possess. Entering [G] in any list, takes you to the edit screen. Here, you can choose another subboard to model your configuration from (such as another subboard that has the settings, that you wish to use, already set. Then, you MUST change at least 1 (one) variable before global changes will be made (this was intentionally done as a safeguard. This is a VERY POWERFUL function). NOTE: ALL variables of a the global model must be configured. The settings which are active when you leave the "global model" screen (again, IF any changes are made) are the ones that will ultimately be made the defaults in 2 choices: 1) GLOBALLY 2) Only the current list (Subdirectory) So, if you are in a directory called "AMIGA SIG", you will be prompted whether you wish these changes to be made to all (GLOBAL) subboards and subdirectories in the Base or UDBase (whichever you are currently editing), or only the SUBBOARDS contained in "AMIGA SIG" So make sure you are in the correct subboard if you only wish to make "Model" changes to a particular subdirectory. the "Model" (or GLOBAL CHANGES) function was only provided to make life easier on new sysops or those sysops wishing to make a simple configuration sweep of all subboards, and then do the fine tuning afterwards. Note 2: When using the global changes option, if you choose "[C]urrent Directory" as the method of change, ONLY SUBBOARDS, and not subdirectories in the Current Directory, will be changed. This was done purposely due to the way subdirectories are handled in Base-Ed. This may seem confusing while reading this doc, but once you have some hands on experience with Base-Ed, and explore it's capabilities, you'll catch on real quick. try it, nothing will be harmed. Better yet, create a (DIR) and test Base-Ed on it, you won't be dissappointed! Future Plans: 1) "AL" and "KL" functions are not implemented yet, but will DEFINITELY be added in a later release. you can use the Cnet functions for this at present and maybe use Base-Ed for the fine-tuning of all your subbaords. 2) ALL text external 3) Maybe a few other perks. :) Thanks for downloading (and hopefully using) Base-Ed. Please send YOUR thanks for my continuing CNet support by registering it per the following: REMEMBER: It's either this or "CrippleWare", which I don't believe in! REGISTRATION FEE: $20.00 SEND TO: Ray Akey 411 Bridge Ave. Windsor, ON Canada N9B 2M3 :For more MetalSoft pfiles, call: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Metal Shoppe BBS (CLINK 1:5178.0) Line 1: 519/256-0278 2400-19200 USR Dual Standard Line 2: 519/255-7378 1200-2400 Stupra 2400zi -EOF-