burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton) (08/24/87)
This file is updated (at least the date and time are changed), even if I haven't changed any parameter settings. What's happening? This is driving my backup procedures crazy. -- Philip Burton Xerox Corporation 408 737 4635 ... usual disclaimers apply ...
jfb@hechcx.HEC.HARRIS.COM (Jerry Berlin) (08/27/87)
In article <448@parcvax.Xerox.COM> burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton) writes: >This file is updated (at least the date and time are changed), even if I >haven't changed any parameter settings. > >What's happening? This is driving my backup procedures crazy. > > I noticed this some time ago. I was curious about how does it know to display the information screen at startup for the first several times that the program is run. When I did a byte-by-byte compare on PROCOMM.PRM, I discovered that a count for the number of times that Procomm has been invoked is stored in PROCOMM.PRM and is updated with each run of Procomm.
crs@cpsc6b.cpsc6a.att.com (C. R. Seaman) (08/28/87)
In article <399@hechcx.HEC.HARRIS.COM>, jfb@hechcx.HEC.HARRIS.COM (Jerry Berlin) writes: <In article <448@parcvax.Xerox.COM> burton@parcvax.Xerox.COM (Philip M. Burton) writes: <>This file is updated (at least the date and time are changed), even if I <>haven't changed any parameter settings. <> <I noticed this some time ago. I was curious about how does it <know to display the information screen at startup for the <first several times that the program is run. When I did <a byte-by-byte compare on PROCOMM.PRM, I discovered that <a count for the number of times that Procomm has been invoked <is stored in PROCOMM.PRM and is updated with each run of <Procomm. There is a simple reason that PROCOMM updates this file. When you first run PROCOMM, and the .PRM and associated files get created, you are presented with a start-up message, asking for a contribution. Since many "Shareware" applications do this, and since it is such a major gripe with most users (They still ask for money even AFTER you send in your check!), Datastorm used a different approach. The screen (which can be MANUALLY displayed with ALT-I) is only displayed at startup for the first twenty sessions. When I got PROCOMM, and saw the startup screen, I thought "Oh great, another 'send money' message to look at". Then I noticed the .PRM file got updated after the second, then the third use. After poking around, I found the location of the counter, and, using debug, set it up around 100. Guess what? No more send money screen. That's what I call considerate software. Programs like PROCOMM deserve the monetary support they ask for. -- Chris Seaman | o\ /o crs@cpsc6a.att.com <or> | || See "Attack of the Killer Smiley"! ..!ihnp4!cpsc6a!crs | \vvvvvv/ Coming Soon to a newsgroup near you! | \____/