BBS LIST PROGRAM

                      version 1.0 dated 1 February 1988

                                      by

                              Gilbert W. Kellner

                             (915)-751-6761 "Voice"

This archive should contain:

BBS.HLP     - The file that defines the pathnames for the main program.
BBS_PRG.COM - The main program (compiled).
BBS_PRG.TXT - This text file. (all three of these files are in the  ARCed
              file named BBS_PRG.ARC, in addition to the ARCs listed below.)

AREA.ARC    - This ARCed file contains all the areacode files (lists of 
              boards sorted by area code.)
STATE.ARC   - Contains the files which list the areacodes by states.
PURSUIT.ARC - Contains files pertaining to PC Pursuit.

QUICKSRT.ARC- Contains QUICKSRT.TTP, QUICKSRT.PAS, and documentation. This
              program will be used to sort the various files used with the
              BBS list program.

      This program, written in the script language that accompanies BBS 
Express! ST, is a full-featured bbs listing utility. It allows the callers
to update the various listings, and records the new listing in a special
file which contains the bbs information and the caller's name. This file
serves several very important functions: it lets the SysOp know what boards
have been added, where to find those boards (by area code), and who posted
the board (in case of deliberately false entries by less than desirable 
callers.) The callers can also view this list of new boards, so they can 
keep up with new boards, and they can see the name of the person who posted
the board (give credit where credit is due, plus let the delinquents know
that the information is recorded.)
      The major features of this program are: 

1.  It provides a list of local boards (in your areacode).
2.  Provides BBS lists by areacode (long-distance boards).
3.  Callers can obtain a list of areacodes within any state, plus Canada.
4.  The SysOp or callers can update the list with information on new boards.
5.  Boards are listed by the BBS Program used. (Express, FoReM, MichTron, etc.)
6.  Includes a master list of all boards that have been posted. (auto updates)
7.  Lists all boards known to be accessable using PC Pursuit.
8.  Checks all new boards when posted to see if they are in a PC Pursuit
    area. If so, the information is automatically posted to the files.
9.  The SysOp can delete the NEW BOARDS list after validating it.
10. The SysOp can sort the master list and the PC Pursuit list at any time,
    using the QUICKSRT.TTP file included. This is a public domain quicksort
    utility written in OSS Personal Pascal (translated by Mike Matthews).
    Actually, all the areacode, PCP, and other text files can be sorted by
    this utility. Sort times average less that 5 seconds for each file.
11. The SysOp can print the larger text files to the system printer from
    within the program.
12. All included SysOp functions are restricted to command_level 32 users.
13. All formatting of files is done automatically by the program, allowing
    the callers to concentrate on keying in correct data instead of worrying
    about how to arrange it.
14. The SysOp can place the necessary files (areacode listings, etc.) in any
    folder on any drive. This allows complete flexibility in configuring the
    system to the needs of the individual BBS.


Getting started:

All files except this text file are arced to save downloading time and 
storage space. If you have DEARC.PRG, I suggest placing it in a folder,
named \BBS.LOG\, with the ARCed files (listed above) and running DEARC.PRG,
which will create a folder with the same name as the ARCed file, and place
all the related files in their own folder. DEARC.PRG is available on most 
bulletin boards. If you do not have it, you can accomplish the same end by
using ARCSHL16 or even ARC.TTP itself (but you will have to create a folder
with the same name as each ARChive, and place the correct files within it.)

Oops! Are you confused already? Sorry, let me explain it a different way:

1. Create a folder named \BBS.LOG\. You may put this folder on any drive.
2. If you have a copy of DEARC.PRG, place it in the \BBS.LOG\ folder. If
   not, then create these 3 folders inside \BBS.LOG\ before proceeding:
   \AREA\, \STATE\, and \PURSUIT\.
3. If you have DEARC.PRG: place AREA.ARC, STATE.ARC, and PURSUIT.ARC inside
   \BBS.LOG\ and run DEARC.PRG, which will create the 3 folders mentioned
   above, and will deARC the files into their proper folder, and DEARC.PRG
   will then delete the ARCed files... (you did make backups, right?)
4. If you don't have DEARC.PRG, then place the ARCed files in the folder
   of the same name, and deARC the files.

When you are finished with the above, you should have a folder named
\BBS.LOG\, and inside it should be three folders named \AREA\, \STATE\, and
\PURSUIT\. Inside the \AREA\ folder will be 106 files beginning with a file
numbered 201 (areacode 201) and ending with a file numbered 919 (areacode
919). Also in the \AREA\ folder will be a file for each BBS program name
(like EXPRESS, FOREM, MICHTRON, etc.) plus PURSUIT, MASTER, and OTHER.

The second folder should be \PURSUIT\, and inside it should be the PC Pursuit
files ranging from PCP.201 to PCP.919 inclusive.

You should also have a folder named \STATE\, and inside it should be files
named from AK to WY, plus CANADA.

Now you are ready to add some files to the folder named \BBS.LOG\, and these
are: BBS.HLP and BBS_PRG.COM (you can also store this file there). Also copy
QUICKSRT.TTP into this folder.

At this time you shoud have a folder named \BBS.LOG\, and in it should be:
\AREA\
\PURSUIT\
\STATE\
BBS.HLP
BBS_PRG.COM
QUICKSRT.TTP

Got it? Great. Now let's get your BBS list utility up and running (we are 
almost there!)

First, use the text editor in Flash (or any other text editor or word 
processor that can output an ascii text file) to modify the pathnames used
in BBS.HLP so they describe your bbs setup. For instance, if you have the
folder named \bbs.log\ on drive C, no changes will be necessary. However,
if you put \BBS.LOG\ on drive D you will need to edit the pathnames used
in BBS.HLP so they reflect use of drive D. I trust you understand this, if
not..... well - cussing me may help. Calling me may help a lot more, however.
But most of all, seeking help from some local SysOp may help most of all. I
seldom confuse more than one person at a time. (grin.)

Okay, once the pathnames in BBS.HLP are modified to suit your system, copy
BBS.HLP into the folder that holds your 80 colunm menus (Keith Ledbetter
named this folder \MENUS_80\, and I have always thought that name to be a 
good one, so I still use it).

Okay, got BBS.HLP into the \menus_80\ folder (or your version of it)? Good.
Change to Local_code variable in BBS.HLP to your local areacode (instead
of '915'.)

Now run SYSEDIT.TOS, and list BBS as the file to be executed when the 
caller selects command O (other boards) from the main menu. If you have 
changed this to some other letter, it is ok with me (if Keith doesn't mind,
why should I?). In any case, have the system execute BBS.HLP, which will
find BBS_PRG.COM in the \BBS.LOG\ folder and execute it.

Great! Now all you have to do is run EXPRESS and hit O for OTHER BOARDS. 
You will be up and running, and smiling from ear to ear. (I hope).

If you do have any problems, read this file over again and then go out for
a pizza. When you get back, try it again. If it still doesn't work, throw
the whole mess in the trash. Call me, send me a round-trip airplane ticket,
and I will come fix it for you. Believe it or not, it does work.

Now, as for errors: in a database of this size there is no doubt that some
information is incorrect, some is missing, and some will change. After all,
PC Pursuit is constantly expanding - so those files will have to be updated.
Hundreds of boards are already listed when you get this package, and some
of them will have errors, or will have changed software, the board's name,
the telephone number, or even have gone off line. "So what?" you say. Well,
if you detect an error (or if you create an error) it is very simple to
correct it. Just load the file that contains the error into a text editor
or word processor and make the correction. No need to pack it all up and
send it to me in a letter bomb, no need to curse my ancestors, just make
the change. However, there is no need to operate in a vacumn. If you make
a correction to some data, please let other SysOps know so they can change
their copy also. Perhaps someone will even tell me? I hope so.

Credits: Thanks to Mark Asbell and Joseph Leclair for providing the data
used by this program. I really appreciate it. (any erroneous data is my 
fault, please don't blame my typos on them.)

Also thanks to Mike Matthews for translating the QUICKSORT routine into
OSS Personal Pascal and making it available to us.

If you do need help installing this program (which I seriously doubt), then
feel free to ask for help. Mark Asbell, Bob Pack, and Jackie Heath Jr. are
here in El Paso, and they LIVE on PC Pursuit. They can help
answer questions, and will even relay your questions to me if needed. 
Sorry, El Paso is not a terminal city for PC Pursuit, so most of you will
not want to call me direct. Bug reports will no doubt trickle down to me,
and I will make any needed changes. Good luck with the program. 

Special note to Keith Ledbetter (if he reads this). Thanks for the great
job you did on the script language, Keith. I love it. More utilities will
follow.