contiguously (all together, not part here, part there) in the relative
file. Because messages are generally deleted in an order differing from
that which they were written in, DELETED LINES may be found in several
different places throughout the file, in varying lengths. If two adjoining
messages
- 65 -
- THE MESSAGE AND FILE BASES -
are deleted from the message base, their lengths are summed as one larger
DELETED LINES location. The file measure LARGEST AVAILABLE is simply the
largest patch of DELETED LINES among all DELETED LINES. This is important
to know since only contiguous deleted space is any use, because a message
may only be placed contiguously.
Now, in determining the maximum of editor lines that should be made
available to a user writing a message, we have two limiting factors -- the
number of “unused lines” (that is, MAXLINES - LINES USED) and the LARGEST
AVAILABLE patch of DELETED LINES. If either is greater than 100, 100 will
be the limit for the editor. If neither is greater than 6, the user will
not be able to write his message, given the error “not enough disk space.”
If everything else is still in check, the greater of the two will be used.
To add to the number of maxlines, hit ‘Y’ at the “change maxlines?” prompt.
*NOTE: Max lines for network bases should be set to only 100 lines. This
is so C-NET can connect to Commodore 64 based software.
RO Reorganize text. While you are inside a subboard, you may elect to
have C-NET ‘pack’ the message base to reclaim space that might otherwise
be wasted by a single line or two that would not normally be used. When
you use the ‘RO’ command, it will read all the messages that are
presently contained in your subboard, and copy them into a new relative
file. It will then update the file pointers in memory, and when
completed, will advise you of the new storage status of the newly
created relative file. You will be responsible for adding back in the
original size of the file (if you elect to keep it at one size, and one
size only). Also, when you use the ‘RO’ command, you MUST have at least
enough empty blocks (on your disk). That means that if your relative
file is 1500 blocks long, you must have at least 2000 blocks free
otherwise, you cannot use the ‘RO’ command. This applies to both
floppy disks and hard drives.
*NOTE: Multi-Net will take care of your networked bases by itself. It
will expand the message base on an ‘as-needed’ basis. If, when Multi-Net
makes an attempt to install a network message, there are fewer than 100
lines, it will automatically increase the size of the base by 200 lines.
This serves two purposes -- it ensures that there are always SOME lines
left when Multi-Net is finished, and it also ensures that Multi-Net will be
able to install the messages that are received.
Z Write or edit the subboards “entry” file. Entry files are displayed
to users as they enter the subboard. The exception is that the user
has selected “expert” help level, in which case entry files will be
replaced with simply the name of the subboard or subdirectory. The ‘B’
command from the prompt will always display the entry file, however.