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MSGDATE v2.00
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For use ONLY with Telegard 2.5q-2.7, other versions of telegard may
cause unrepairable and unpredictable results.
Basically I wrote this program to clear my message bases of old
messages. I have no use for messages older then a month or so, because
most of the time these messages are so old that I don't want anybody
replying to them. So, MSGDATE will scan your message bases for
messages older then a number of days specified by you, and mark them as
deleted.
MSGDATE won't actually delete the messages. Since there are already
some great external message packers, I decided that I would just toggle
the message as deleted, and let you 'normal' packer actually remove
them from the base. Future versions might include a packer of their
own, but at this time I don't really see it neccessary to do so, with
the internal TG packer, and the great MSGPACK program by Martin
Pollard, I'd just be repeating and wasting diskspace.
MSGDATE requires that STATUS.DAT be in the current directory. From
STATUS.DAT it derives the correct path for the message bases.
MSGDATE needs no parameters to function normally, however if you want
to specify the number of days after which the messages will be deleted,
or you can specify the base(s) to process:
MSGDATE [Days] [Base]
The bases name can be any valid .MIX file that is listed in your
BOARDS.DAT. ie F_TG will process the F_TG.MIX data file only. By
specifying a wilcard, ie T* will process all the bases that start with
T. This allows you to setup your message bases with certain begining
extensions, something like F_xxxxxx for FidoNet bases, and T_xxxxxx for
TeleNet Canada bases, and -xxxxxxx as local bases. This then allows you
to process the different "networks" with a different deletion setting.
If you really don't care about being this complex, don't worry about
it; Just don't include the base name.
The default, if you choose not to add the extra parameters, MSGDATE
will set deletion to 45 days, and will process all bases.
If the file MSGDATE.$MB exists in the directory with MSGDATE.EXE, it
will be opened and read in. This is the AVOID message base listing, so
in here place the FILENAME of the base you wish to avoid, so if you
wanted to avoid the F_BBS.* files, place F_BBS in on a line by itself.
You may toggle up to 1000 message bases as avoidable, however the more
you add the longer it will take to begin to process each base. I WOULD
AUTOMATICALLY SUGGEST YOU PLACE YOUR EMAIL AND NETMAIL BASES IN THIS
LISTING, UNLESS YOU WANT THOSE MESSAGES DELETED. SINCE TELEGARD
2.5q-2.7 RELEASES NOW INCLUDE THE EMAIL.* BASES IN THE BOARDS.DAT FILE,
THEY CAN NOW BE PROCESSED. (You may wish to process the email base for
messages older then xx days anyways, but it's up to you -- I do, if
the user hasn't been on my system within the days specified, tough is
all I have to say! But if you want MSGDATE to operate like it used to,
make sure you don't have it touch the EMAIL base.)
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VERSIONS
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v1.10
* Fixed a bug where the program would quit upon encountering a message
base where the .MIX didn't exist. Fixed.
+ Added activity logging.
MSGDATE will now update the current sysop log (SYSOP.LOG) with the
number of messages deleted, in the same format as an internal
Telegard message delete does.
v1.20
+ Added ability to run MSGDATE on one certain .MIX file, or on several
bases with a wildcard. This allows setup to process different bases
with different deletion ratings.
v2.00
* Updated MSGDATE so that the new 2.5q-2.7 message bases structures are
implemented. This version of MSGDATE will now run on any 2.5q-2.7
system.
+ Added the MSGDATE.$MB message base avoid listing. If this file
exists it will be loaded into memory (max 1000 bases), and used to
avoid certain message bases.
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PLEASE NOTE!
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I hereby exclude me or my BBS from any blame caused by running this
program. It works perfectly on my computer and hasn't caused any
problems, but in the event it happens to cause loss of data or damage
to your system, I am not liable. RUN THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK. I
should see no problems since I've beta tested MSGDATE on my own system
for a couple weeks with different date methods, as well as on a few
other systems to verify it's execution ..
But NEVER the less, all care should be taken whenever you run new
programs on your system .. Files opened by MSGDATE include STATUS.DAT,
BOARDS.DAT and USERS.LST, files opened and changed include any message
base that is listed in BOARDS.DAT ..
Make backups of these files, and continue to make backups of all your
files used with BBSs .. trust me, I've had way to many crashes, and
it's always good to have a backup.
Anyways, again, run this program at your own risk, as I've said, I've
had it running on Forbidden Knights for over a month with no problems.
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REGISTRATION?
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[ Begin Critic Mode ]
I require absolutely NO registration for this program. I see no reason
why ANY author should charge registration for something so small. Yes,
you run it everyday, whooppie who da day. Registration spoils the fun,
and also makes many people who can't program go broke from paying
registrations to simple programs. ANY author who charges for software
similar to mine should go jump off a cliff. If I can program equivalent
programs, I will. Payment is for those who are greedy. See, I started
off programming this for my use only, and it eventually made it's way
to be released. So, if I've already gotten the return I originally
expected, why should I charge?
So, to any author who charges for simple software, including simple
editors etc, my suggestion is STOP asking for registration. I do this
as a hobby, it's fun, but it's better to know that people like my
program and use it, rather then having people going 'MY GOD $15 DOLLARS
FOR A MASTER FILE LIST GENERATOR?' .. Lame, honest to goodness, Lame.
Greed goes beyond that of just asking for money, I wouldn't mind so
much if it was something that a lot of work was put into, or even if
the support was absolutly great .. But I see people just charging for
something really simple, going 'Send me $10 for the userlist generator'
.. gimme a break people, do you absolutely feel you deserve recognition
for your work? If you do, then the gratitude of others should be enough
to overpower your greed.
So, again, this program is FREE of charge. Absolutely no money down, no
payment .. ever.
If you really want to send me something, umm, a nice little message
saying 'I like your program, and I use it all the time' is all I really
need to make my day.
[ End Critic Mode ]
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ANYWAYS
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I would like to thank George Hatchew who was kinda enough to deliver
the date routines used in Telegard to my mailer, so I could finally get
MSGDATE off the ground and working.
Any changes that need to be made will be, and a release will follow.
Further suggestions, comments and/or bug reports can be directed to me
through netmail to Tim Strike or Riim at:
FidoNet 1:259/423
TeleNet 20:22/0
Or reported directly to:
Tim Strike/Riim
Forbidden Knights RPG
[416]820-7273 2400-14,400 HST