Switch Version 2.0
2/5/91

A FREE Utility To Switch Welcome Screens

Copyright 1991 by Burk Murray
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


What Switch Does:
----------------
Switch allows you to randomly switch between an unlimited number
of ANSI and ASCII display files, so you can automatically
have a different WELCOME or GOODBYE screen displayed to each caller.

Switch Version 2.0 now handles DOS wildcard specifications (no
more sequentially numbered files!) and supports an optional
control file for switching multiple files with a single command.

You can run Switch from your BBS batch file, to switch screens
before each caller, or as part of your nightly maintenance
routine, for new screens every day.


What Switch Doesn't Do:
----------------------
Switch doesn't clutter up your BBS directory, doesn't limit
the number of files you can choose from, doesn't need to be
registered, and doesn't mind if you wear your hair a little long
in the back, thankyouverymuch.


How To Set Up Switch:
--------------------
Organize the files you want to switch between (your "source
files") into one directory -- any directory. Keep in mind that
you'll be using wildcards to pick your files. I name my source
files WELCOME.xxx, GOODBYE.xxx, etc.

When you run Switch, it chooses one of your source files at
random and copies it to your "target file" name, e.g.:
WELCOME.ANS, GOODBYE.ANS. Your existing target file will
be overwritten, so make sure you've got a copy of it in your
source files.


Syntax:
------

To run Switch *without* a control file, type:


Switch (source_name) (target_name)


where:

(source_name) is the source file name, like WELCOME.*
or GOODBYE.AN? -- mix and match wildcards as you like.

(source_name) can include the complete path to your
source files. If you don't specify a path, Switch will
only look in your current directory.

(target_name) is the target file name -- no wildcards --
like WELCOME.ANS.

(target_name) can include the complete path to your
target file. If you don't specify a path, Switch
will place the target file in your current directory.


To run Switch *with* a control file, type:


Switch [(control_name)]


where:

(control_name) is the name of an optional control file. If you
don't specify (control_name), Switch will use the file
SWITCH.CTL, in the current directory.

Control files may include any number of lines in the
format:

(source_name) (target_name)

See the descriptions of (source_name) and (target_name),
above, for details.

(control_name) can include the complete path to your
control file. If you don't specify a path, Switch
will only look in your current directory.


Examples:
-------
C:> Switch C:\Ansi\Welcome.* C:\Qbbs\Txt\Welcome.ans

This example picks a source file from C:\ANSI with
the sourcename "WELCOME.*" and copies it to the
target_name WELCOME.ANS, in C:\QBBS\TXT.


C:> Switch C:\Ansi\Switch.ctl

This example reads the control file "SWITCH.CTL" from
C:\ANSI and carries out the instructions inside.


Other Info:
----------
Switch works with ANY file. Try using it to liven up your NEWS,
GOODBYE or other displays, and don't forget your ASC files,
either. If you find any novel uses for Switch, please let me
know, and I'll pass them along.


Disclaimer:
----------
Switch works for me, on my computer. I make no other guarantees,
expressed or implied, as to its functionality. Use Switch at
your own risk. Just because it works here doesn't mean it won't
make you itch or convert all of your text files to Hungarian.


License:
-------
You are hereby licensed to use Switch indefinitely and for
whatever purposes suit you. If you like it, drop me a note via
netmail. In the unlikely event that you feel obliged to pay for
it, send a couple of dollars to your local shelter for the
homeless or to another worthy charity.

This program may be freely distributed in any format, as long as:
1) This documentation file is included in the archive and 2) No
fee is charged for its distribution, excluding a diskette fee of
up to $5 US.



Thanks:
------
Teri Bonde, for patience with a beginning C programmer (me).
Gene LeDuc, whose excellent utility ALIAS convinced me to
contribute to the pool of Freeware.


Burk Murray
Antelope Freeway BBS
Fidonet 1:3800/4
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(504) 387-4015