┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Auto Control File System - AKA, ACFiles │
│ The Originator of File Tagging │
├──────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────┤
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀│ ACFiles Version 5.40 │▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀│ BBS File System Replacement Utility │▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀│ The Best File System Available │▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ ▀▀▀│ By: Ray 'C'ole │▀▀▀ │
└──────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────┘
Documentation By
Ray Cole and Al Hays
ACFiles User Documentation
Copyright 1991-192 by Ray Cole
This documentation is provided to users of ACFiles, by the SysOp of
this BBS to assist you in a better understanding of the navigation of
ACFiles. A complete understanding of the various ACFiles menus will
save you time on-line and allow you to use the various POWERFUL
built-in utilities for optimum performance.
Table of Contents
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Organization ...................................................... 2
"Global" Commands ................................................. 3
Main Menu ......................................................... 5
Set Sub- Menu ..................................................... 6
Area Menu Sub-Menu ................................................ 7
Global Command Sub-Menu ........................................... 9
Build Packet Menu ................................................ 10
ORGANIZATION
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ACFiles is Organized in a "Grid Set" pattern. There 26 possible
"alphabetic" sets (A-Z) of 10 areas each (0-9) ... or a total
possibility of 260 areas. The areas are numbered A0, A1, A2 ... Z9.
Selecting an alphabetic "Set" from the main Change menu will take you
to the "Set" sub-menu ... for instance "C" would take you to the "C"
Set Sub-menu giving you both an extended description of the "C" areas
as well as additional commands.
Below is a simple graphic representation of how the ACFiles
organization with each "*" representing a file area:
A B C D E F G H
0 * * * * * * * *
1 * * * * * * * *
2 * * * * * * * *
3 * * * * * * * *
4 * * * * * * * *
5 * * * * * * * *
6 * * ->* * * * * *
|
7 * * | * * * * * *
|
8 * * | * * * * * *
|
9 * * | * * * * * *
|
|
Area "C6"
Once you understand the "Grid Set" concept behind ACFiles, navigation
of the program will come naturally.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 2
"GLOBAL" COMMANDS
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The following commands appear throughout the various ACFiles menus
but operate much the same. We have set them in this "Global"
explanation area as duplication of the commands would be repetitious.
U - Upload a File
This allows you to upload a file to the BBS. You may use Zmodem,
Xmodem, or Ymodem, or any other Protocol which has been installed by
the SysOp and appears on the protocol list.
Please note that you can hangup after the transfer. You can specify
the filenames and descriptions as well as personalize the file(s)
before uploading.
If you make a file "Personal" then that file will only be available
to the user you specify (and the SysOp, of course). It's neat to
ensure another user gets your file.
D - Download a File
This allows you to download files. You may choose to download all
the files you have marked in all the areas, download global files
(enter filespecs and ACFiles will search & d/l them), or use the old
method of just plain old entering in the filespecs themselves. After
download, a "Times Downloaded" counter will be updated in the file
listing. This is in []'s and tells the user how many times that file
has been downloaded.
A - Area Change
This allows you to change to a different file area and returns you to
the Main Change Menu.
# - Global SubMenu
This command takes you to the Global Operations Sub-menu and allows
you to do many global operations. For more information see the
Global Operations Sub-Menu section.
P - Search by Phrase
S - Search by Filespec
N - Search for New Files
Those three commands allow you to search for files by a Keyword, by a
filespec, or by date. You may select [A] for <A>ll areas resulting
in a global search, or [T] for <T>his area. Selecting [T] from a
"Set" menu will search all 10 of the current "Set" areas while
selecting [T] from an "Area" menu will search that area only.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 3
Y - Yell at SysOp
Pages SysOp for chat
[!] - Exit ACFiles
This brings you back to the BBS and exits ACFiles.
[?] - On-line Help
Will display instant On-line reference for the commands which apply
to the current menu.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 4
MAIN CHANGE MENU
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Upon entering ACFiles you will encounter a Menu which will look
similar to the following:
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
█▌ The Auto Control BBS: Registered ▐█
▌ Running ACFiles - The Ultimate File Section ▐
█▌ Ver 5.40.00R Copyright 1991 - Ray Cole ▐█
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
▌A-0▌Newly Uploaded Files ▌B-0▌BBS Door Arena ▐
▌A-1▌Magazine Programs ▌B-1▌Educational Support ▐
▌A-2▌QuickBBS/BinkleyTerm Support ▌B-2▌PCjr Support ▐
▌A-3▌Communications Misc. ▌B-3▌Other BBS Software ▐
▌A-4▌Games, Games, Games ▌B-4▌From The Kitchen ▐
▌A-5▌Miscellaneous Files ▌B-5▌Business Related Software ▐
▌A-6▌GIF Files ▌B-6▌Space and Beyond ▐
▌A-7▌Text Files ▌B-7▌C Language Support ▐
▌A-8▌Various Utilities ▌B-8▌Desqview Support ▐
▌A-9▌Picture Drawers/Viewers ▌B-9▌Microsoft Windows Support ▐
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
▌[+] Display Next File Areas [-] Display Previous Area ▐
▌[!] Return to the BBS [#] Global Sub-Menu ▐
▌[?] Display Help Information ▐
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Select Area Set, [+/-] For More Areas, Or One Of The Above Selections
Current Time: 10:26 - Time Left [344]:
You have probably noticed that there are NO ALPHABETICAL MENU
SELECTIONS. Actually, that's not quite true. From here you can
select the Set Letters of the file area you want to go to by
selecting ANY letter (from "A" to "Z" if all letter sets are used).
You'll also notice that the areas are listed on the screen as "A-1",
"A-3", according to the Grid pattern discussed earlier. Press the
letter of the area you want at this point. Let's say that area A0 is
the Upload Area and you want to go there. Press A. Upon hitting A
it will go to the Set A screen, which will allow you to select the
upload area. A quicker method is simply to hit A then a 0.
+/- Advance To Next Set Of Areas
This command will display the next group of 20 file areas available
to you. + gives the next screen while - will bring you the previous
sets. You need not have the sets showing on the screen to select
them. Simply hitting, say, L8 from any of the main change screens
will get you to L8.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 5
The ACFiles "Set" Menu
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█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
▌ ACFiles File Cabinet A ▐
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
▌0▐Newly Uploaded Files▌This Is Where All Uploads Go ▐
▌1▐Magazine Programs ▌Various Magazine Files ▐
▌2▐QuickBBS/BinkleyTerm▌QuickBBS/BinkleyTerm/Mailer Files, Etc. ▐
▌3▐Communications Misc.▌A Variety Of Communications Programs ▐
▌4▐Games, Games, Games ▌Just What The Title Says: Games ▐
▌5▐Miscellaneous Files ▌These Files Don't Have An Area Of Their Own ▐
▌6▐GIF Files ▌Many GIF Files ▐
▌7▐Text Files ▌Anything Dealing With Text Is Here ▐
▌8▐Various Utilities ▌Utilities For IBM & Compatibles ▐
▌9▐Picture Drawers/View▌Various Viewers And Drawers ▐
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
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▌[A]Area Change [D]Download Files [N]Search New Files ▐
▌[P]Search By Phrase [S]Search by Filespec [!]Return to BBS ▐
▌[#]Call Global Sub-Menu [?]Display Help Info. ▐
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Select Area [0-9] or One Of The Above Commands For Area A
Current Time: 10:44 - Time Left [337]:
You are currently in a Set screen. From here you can select from the
available area numbers that are listed beside the area names and
descriptions.
Upon selecting a specific area (i.e. "3") you will be presented with
the Area Menu.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 6
The ACFiles "Area" Menu
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▌ ▐
▌ File Area: Communications Misc. (A3) ▐
▌ Description: Variety Of Communications Programs ▐
▌ ▐
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▌Available Commands▐▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
▌ ▐
▌[A]Area Change [P]Phrase Search [X]Get Extended Desc.▐
▌[B]Build Packet Menu [R]Review Selected Files [Y]Yell For SysOp ▐
▌[C]Clear Tagged List [S]Search For Filespec [#]Global Sub-Menu ▐
▌[D]Download File(s) [T]Type A Textfile [!]Return to BBS ▐
▌[E]Edit Tagged List [U]Upload File(s) [?]Display Area Help ▐
▌[F,L]File List [V]View Archive List ▐
▌ ▐
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
D/L K Limit: 10000K Marked This Area: 0K Marked All Areas: 0K
Time Limit: 345 Min D/L Est This Area: 0 Min Est. All Areas: 0 Min
Current Time: 11:25 - Time Left [345]:
F, L - File List
Both F and L do the same thing in ACFiles. They list the files in
the area. What is different about ACFiles from most other File
Systems is that it has a selection bar for ANSI users to mark the
files in the list for later download. You may select files in
multiple areas and download them all at 1 time, or you may mark them
in 1 area and download just from that area. Note that at the bottom
of the screen you can see your limits displayed and some statistics
on the files you have marked. This is to aid in keeping you within
your limits.
For ASCII Users, you may also tag files like above. The difference
is that you will have to enter in the number next to the filename to
tag/untag. This provides an easy means of file tagging for ASCII.
Note that file tagging is available even on the searches. Up to 100
files may be tagged total.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Following Commands Are Available At The Menu AS WELL AS DURING
THE FILE LISTING! This means that you can move up to a file and hit
B, C, R, V, X, etc. Without Having To Exit Back To The Menu!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 7
X - View Extended Description
If an X appears between the date and description of a file it means
that it has an Extended Description to go along with it. Simply hit
X on that file or use it from the menu. The extended description
will display a full file containing extended information.
C - Clear Tagged Files
This command clears your selected files list so that you don't have
to go through the file list unmarking each and every one. You can
clear the files just for 1 area or you may clear them for all the
areas.
R - Review Tagged Files
This command displays all of the files you have tagged. This is
helpful to know what you have marked previously.
E - Edit Tagged List
Edit tagged list means that you can edit what files you have
selected. Wildcards ARE accepted here, but are trimmed to only a
certain number of files. This also helps ASCII users mark files and
all users to weed out files they don't really want to download if
they are informed they have exceeded their limits.
V - View Archive
This allows you to view the filenames of the archive. It supports
.ZIP, .PAK, .ZOO, .LZH, .ARC, .ARJ, and .ZOO formats. Simply enter
in the filename to look inside. Upon listing the files inside the
archive, ACFiles will prompt you for a filename to view from the list
it gives. This allows you to enter in a textfile name. Hitting
enter simply quits the View Archive command. With this command you
can view a program's documentation before downloading it. Hitting
space bar for ANSI users on this prompt will cycle through your
selected files.
G - View .GIF Header
If the above command is not available, this one will be. It allows
you to view .GIF headers revealing the picture's resolution
characteristics.
Hitting space bar for ANSI users on this prompt will cycle through
your selected files.
T - Type a Textfiles
This allows a user to view a text file. Any ASCII text file is
valid.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 8
The ACFiles Global SubMenu (#)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
▌ Main Change Sub-Menu ▐
▌═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════▐
▌[A]Back To Areas [P]Search All Areas For Phrase ▐
▌[C]Clear Tagged File List [R]Review Tagged File List ▐
▌[D]Download Tagged/Global Files [S]Search All Areas For Filespec ▐
▌[E]Edit Tagged List [Y]Yell For SysOp ▐
▌[G]Toggle ANSI Graphics [!]Return To BBS ▐
▌[N]Search All Areas For New Files [?]Read Help File For Sub-Menu ▐
▌[1]Download Master Listing ▐
▌[F]Request File From Another BBS ▐
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
Select Sub-Command
Current Time: 10:44 - Time Left [336]:
This menu allows you to do many things globally as well as allow you
to set various environment variables for your personal tastes. This
screen is available almost everywhere by hitting #. You may exit it
by hitting ENTER or A.
A - Area Change
This brings you back to the area you were in. Same as hitting Enter
C - Clear Tagged List
This will allow you to clear all tagged files that you have tagged.
It will ask for confirmation.
E - Edit Tagged List
This operation allows you to edit the list of tagged files. This is
useful in cutting back the number of files you have tagged when you
run over your download limit.
G - ANSI Graphics Toggle
Here you may toggle ANSI graphics ON/OFF
1, 2 - Download SPECIFIC File
If either of these options exist, the SysOp has specified a
PARTICULAR file be made instantly available for download. This might
be the BBS ALLFILES listing, or the ACFiles User Docs, etc.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 9
F - File Request from another BBS
If this appears, it will call a File Request door which is an
optional addition to the file section by your sysop. This software
is not ready for distribution at the time of this document.
R - Recall Tagged List
Displays all files that you have tagged for your review.
Build Packet Menu
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Select Operation:
[A]dd to Packet
[C]lear Packet
[D]ownload Packet
[Q]uit Menu
[R]emove from Packet
[V]iew Packet
[H]elp
Build Packet is a POWERFUL command which allows a user to create
their own archive to download. They will be able to extract a file
from any archive and put it into their own self-made packet. They
can then download it instead of having to download multiple packages
just to get a few files you need. This is especially useful if you
just want to get the documentation for a program or if you are
missing a file you need and don't want to download the full package.
The commands are as follows:
[A]dd Packet
This command allows you to extract a file from an archive and add it
into your "Packet". This command is also available from the View
Archive command.
First, ACFiles will prompt you for the archive to open. This is the
archive that you need a file extracted. It will display the first
tagged file from the area you are currently in. Hit Space and it
will toggle to other tagged lists.
ACFiles will then show a listing of the files inside the archive.
You'll see a prompt asking if you want to Type a Textfile or Add to
User Packet.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 10
At this point you may view a textfile in the opened archive to see if
you want to add it in or not or you may select A to add a filename to
your own personal packet
Upon hitting A, ACFiles will prompt you for your personalized packet
name if you have not yet created one. Simply enter a filename.ext.
ACFiles will assume that if the extension is .ZIP it'll use ZIP to
create the packet, .ARJ for ARJ, and so forth.
Next it'll prompt you for a filename to add. Enter in a filename
that was in the listing of the files in the opened archive.
Wildcards are accepted.
You've now created your very own personal package. You may add as
much as needed up to a limit specified by the SysOp
[C]lear Packet
This command erases your packet and clears the name as if you had
never done the command. You may want to use this after you download
your packet so that you will be reset to ground 0.
[D]ownload Packet
This lets you download the packet. You may also download from any of
the other download commands.
[R]emove from Packet
This allows you to remove a file from your packet. It'll show a
listing of your archive and prompt you for a filename to delete.
[V]iew Packet
This is just like the normal View Archive command. It lets you view
your own archive.
That should be pretty much it. If these doc's are unable to answer
your questions about ACFiles, or if you are experiencing other
problems within ACFiles, ask your SysOp for further assistance.
ACFiles User Documentation
Page 11