RomBrain Quick Compilers Rombrain offers two programs to help you create your own CD-ROM file base using almost any CD-ROM. Before you attempt to make a filebase, please check with The Brainex System, as you may be able to save a lot of time by downloading a ready made filebase for your CD-ROM! =========== COMPILE.EXE =========== Automatically creates filebases for: CARRS (Night Owl), RBBS in a BOX, SO MUCH SHAREWARE, SO MUCH STAREWARE, SHAREWARE GRAB BAG, and WALNUT CREEK. You may also use a CD-ROM that has a PCBoard DIR.LST file by selecting Walnut Creek. ========== CUSTOM.EXE ========== Since there are so many CD-ROMs with different directory formats, Rombrain offers CUSTOM.EXE. Custom uses the following files to create a filebase: FILES.TXT - A list of Category Name, Directory Locations, and File Description Locations. DIRS.TXT - A list of directories to be included in FILES.TXT. DIRS.TXT is read when using the automatic FILES.TXT create function. NOFILES.TXT - A list of filenames or extensions to be EXCLUDED from FILES.TXT. NOFILES.TXT is read when using the automatic FILES.TXT create function. Example: README.TXT .ZOO BBSAD \BBS\README In the above example, the following will not be included in the filebase: All README.TXT files in all directories All files with the extension of .ZOO in all directories All BBSAD with any extension in all directories All README with any extension ONLY in the BBS directory The first step in making a filebase is the creation of FILES.TXT. CREATION OF FILES.TXT --------------------- STEP 1 ------ Determine the name and location of the description files for your CD-ROM directories. They are usually called 00_INDEX.TXT or FILES.BBS. If your CD-ROM does not have description files, Custom will AUTOMATICALLY create a filebase using filenames, dates and sizes. Description Files ----------------- These files should use the following format: Each file described should have a description line with the following elements: FILENAME SIZE DATE DESCRIPTION An optional extended description line should start at column 32, and should begin with the | character. Compiler can create a filebase with just a FILENAME. Date and Filesize are obtained from the actual file on the CD-ROM. If there is no descripition, Rombrain will simply leave the description area blank. Examples: ALADDIN.ZIP 89867 08/25/92 Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure |From The System Brainex ALADDIN.ZIP 08-25-92 Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure ALADDIN.ZIP Aug-25-92 Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure ALADDIN.ZIP Aug-25-1992 Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure ALADDIN.ZIP 89867 Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure ALADDIN.ZIP Aladdin's Magic Lamp Text Adventure Compiler will work with just about any format description line! STEP 2 ------ Select Menu Choice 2 to enter the name of the description file. STEP 3 ------ Select Menu option 3 to create FILES.TXT. Enter the path of FILES.TXT, usually the current directory. You can MANUALLY or AUTOCREATE the FILES.TXT Hit A to automatically create a filebase for every file on the CD-ROM. If no Description file is set, Custom will create a filebase using filename, size and date. EVERY file on the CD-ROM will be indicated, so it's suggested that you EDIT DIRS.TXT after the FILES.TXT is created before you compile the filebase. Once DIRS.TXT is created, you can autocreate FILES.TXT again, and it will only include directories included in DIRS.TXT. Hit M to use the internal FILES.TXT creator. If you answer M to manually create a files.txt, you can use the compiler's internal FILES.TXT creator. You can hit ENTER to add CD-ROM categories [L]ist shows categories entered so far. [D]elete removes categories entered. When you enter categories, you will be asked for three items for each CD-ROM file category: 1. Category Description 2. Directory name 3. Directory\Name of Description Text File Let's assume our CD-ROM has 3 categories. They are located on the CD-ROM in directories: COMS, COMS\UTIL, and ART. A text file with descriptions for each category is located on the CD-ROM in a TEXT directory. The file names are COMS.LST, COMUTIL.LST, and ART.LST. These are examples only, as each CD-ROM is different! The FILES.TXT creator will ask for: CATEGORY -------- Brief description of this category (28 characters Max.) CD-ROM directory ---------------- This is the directory that holds the files of the category. List only the directory name. Do NOT include the drive letter. Custom will verify the directory on the CD-ROM. DRIVE\DIRECTORY\FILENAME of Description File -------------------------------------------- Complete path and filename of file description text file. EDITING FILES.TXT ================= You can use menu selection 4 to edit FILES.TXT. Format of FILES.TXT ------------------- "DESCRIPTION","DIRECTORY","DRIVE\DIRECTORY\FILENAME" or "DESCRIPTION","DIRECTORY","DRIVE\DIRECTORY\" Example FILES.TXT ----------------- "Word Processing","WORD","E:\WORD\FILES.BBS" "Communications","ROM1","E:\TEXT\ROM1" "Modem Programs","ROM2","E:\TEXT\ROM2" "Text Files","ROM2\TEXT","E:\TEXT\ROM2\TEXT" "Misc. Files","ROM2\TEXT","E:\MISC\" ^ ^ ^ | | | | | Drive\Directory\Filename of description files | | | Path\Directory on the CD that contains the files | Description of Category Enclose each item in quotes " " and seperate the items with a comma. Note that the last line does not have a description filename. Compiler will include the files in the MISC directory automatically. Since there is no description file, descriptions for this category will not be shown by Rombrain. RomBrain supports up to 250 categories for each CD-ROM. Errors during compile --------------------- Error 62 End of file - You left out a comma or information field in FILES.TXT The compiler ran out of information to read. Error 53,64,76,75 These are file access errors. Bad filename or path. A description file can't be found on the CD. ADDING THE FILEBASE TO BRAINEX ------------------------------ After you compile your filebase, use Brainset to add the new filbase information into the Brainex Door Manager. Insert the CD into the drive, then run Brainset. The filebase created will be type D so be sure select that type of CD. Problems: If the filebase is created without errors, but RomBrain reports that a selected file is OFF-LINE or NOT FOUND, then there is an internal error in the filebase structure. If you wish to have a custom filebase created for your CD, please contact me at the Brainex System. I can usually create a filebase for you. You will need to ship the CD to me with a prepaid return mailer. I'll do my best to create a filebase for you, then return your CD by mail. *** Please make arrangements with me BEFORE you ship the CD-ROM! *** *** Your CD-ROM may not be be returned! *** Stanley Sheff The Brainex System 310-275-2344 310-273-5234