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COMPARE
BBS File List Comparing Utility
User's Manual
Version 2.12
Copyright (c) 1991 Edward Gause
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Thank you for supporting Shareware
ABOUT COMPARE
Compare is a handy utility for comparing file lists obtained from
Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). Optionally, you may also build your
own list of files that you already have. How many times have you
tried uploading a file to a particular BBS and received the
"File already exist" notice? By using COMPARE, you can determine
what files a BBS has (or possibly one or two you may not have!) and
save some online time and frustration. Hence, my reason for
developing this program in the first place!
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The following configuration is the minimum required to run COMPARE:
IBM PC/XT/AT or Compatible with 256k
2 Disk Drives (5.25 and/or 3.50)
Any Adaptor Card
PC/MS-DOS 2.0 or higher
A hard drive is highly encouraged if comparing very large files.
Several temporary files are created during operation and if disk
space is limited runtime errors may occur. Also, a hard drive will
speed up read/write process during the file comparisons.
USING COMPARE
Floppy Disk Users:
1. Place the diskette containing COMPARE.EXE in drive A.
2. Place a blank, formatted diskette in drive B.
3. At the "A:" prompt, type "COMPARE" (without quotes).
4. Shareware users will get a copyright notice screen is displayed
for 10 seconds. Afterwards, press any key to continue to the
Main Menu.
Hard Disk Users
1. Make a sub-directory called "COMPARE" or whatever name you
choose.
2. Copy the program COMPARE.EXE to the newly created sub-
directory.
3. Type "COMPARE" (without quotes).
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MAIN MENU
The Main Menu is the heart of the program. From here you may build
your own file lists, compare file lists that you've downloaded
from a BBS or quit the program.
Build File Lists
Selecting this option prompts you for a filename to build and the
path where the files are stored. The default filename is
"FILELIST.TXT" but you may choose another path and/or name if
desired. The default path is the current working directory.
Floppy disk users will enter "B:" here. Hard disk users will enter
the path where they keep their downloaded files. If reading from
floppy diskettes, you will have to repeat this process for each
diskette. Hard Drive users should copy all their files to one
specific sub-directory (ie: C:\TEMP). Once the new file is created
you can then delete all the files and remove the sub-directory
(refer to your DOS manual for creating and removing sub-
directories).
Compare File Lists
This is where the actual comparisons take place. After selecting
this option you are prompted for the name of the files to compare.
If the files are located in the current working directory, all you
need to type in is the filenames, otherwise, input the path and
filename.
EXAMPLE: C:\TEMP\MY_FILE.LST or B:FILELIST.TXT
COMPARE will then begin to extract filenames from both lists and
store them in two separate temporary files. It will match file 1
against file 2 and create a new file which will contain the file-
names that are not listed in file 1 (are you with me?). Next, it
will repeat the process, creating another file contain-ing the
names of files not listed in file 2. The new files will have the
same filenames but the extension "OUT" is added. You can then
look at each file to see which files a BBS already has or that you
don't have.
Sort Files
Select this option to sort the output file(s) in alphabetical order.
COMPARE will search the current path for text files with an "OUT"
extension and read these files. Once sorting is complete, You will
be notified.
Quit
Select this option to quit the program and return to DOS.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Craig LaCoss for giving me this "Assignment".
While developing this program Craig, along with Jim Smoot were very
helpful in the debugging and suggestion departments (hopefully,
they didn't miss anything). Thanks for keeping me "chk" guys! By
the way, Craig is the SysOp of MEGABYTE BBS (408) 883-0604 and Jim
is SysOp for the VIKING BBS (408) 883-2853. Both BBSs are located
on the Monterey Penisula, CA. Give 'em a call sometime.
SHAREWARE AGREEMENT
COMPARE, version 2.01 is distributed has shareware, therefore, you
may make copies of the program and its documentation and distribute
them freely to others under the following conditions:
1. No fee or other consideration is to be charged for copying or
distributing the program without written permission from the
author.
2. The program and its documentation are not to be modified in any
form.
3. Commercial users are required to register their copies.
REGISTRATION
If you like this program and find it useful, a registration fee of
$15.00 is requested. For your convenience, a registration form is
included. (See REGISTER.DOC)
Registration entitles you to the following:
1. A serialized diskette with the latest version available at time
of registration.
2. Registered users can request modified versions of this program
to search for any additional file extensions they desire. The
Shareware version searches for ZIP, ARC, EXE, TXT, LZH, GIF, DOC,
FLI, GL, COM, LST and MAC extensions.
3. You will receive continued telephone support for questions you
may have.
4. Notifications of future upgrades to this program.
5. Notification of new products developed.
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DISCLAIMER
COMPARE is provide "as is" without warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied, including but not limited to the loss of
business profits or information, business interruption or any other
loss arising out of the use or inability to use this software
product.
Questions or comments will be deeply appreciated. If there's
something about this program that you like or dislike, please tell
me. It makes me try that much harder. You may contact me on my
bulletin board: Images BBS (408)384-3658 or you can leave messages
on the following boards:
Viking BBS - (408)883-2853
Viking 2 BBS - (408)394-6584
Viking 3 BBS - (408)384-1711
All these boards have an excellent selection of shareware files
(including general and adult animation files). Users have access on
their first calls. If you log on one board, with in a day or so you
will be automatically, added to the other 2 boards. You may also
contact me by writing to:
Edward Gause
1037 Scott Ct
Ft Ord, CA 93941
(Voice) (408)883-0084
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