bowen@sybil.cs.Buffalo.EDU (Devon E Bowen) (04/01/91)
Archive-name: rec/radio/callbook/1991-03-31
Archive: ftp.cs.buffalo.edu:/pub/ham-radio/callbook.tar.Z [128.205.32.3]
Original-posting-by: bowen@sybil.cs.Buffalo.EDU (Devon E Bowen)
Original-subject: new callsign server features
Reposted-by: emv@msen.com (Edward Vielmetti, MSEN)
As promised, I managed to find some time over Easter to add some features
to the callsign server on marvin. I didn't get as much done as I had hoped
but I still made some major improvements that I think you're gonna like...
1) I got a copy of the Canadian database (from someone in Waterloo
but I don't remember who - sorry) and merged that into the server
so now you're able to get service for most of North America. The
DOC database wasn't anywhere near the same format as the FCC
stuff so I had to write a little AI (read "guessing") program to
parse out the cities and provinces. As a result, I can't guarentee
all of the entries got converted properly but estimates suggest
I got over 99% of them right. Thanks to my Canadian partner Ken
for explaining all the abbreviations to me... 8-)
2) After many many many many requests, I decided to back off from
position regarding zip code searches and I added a search by zip
code command. This will better help those clubs that need to send
out mailings of upcoming events, etc. Please don't abuse this
feature. If you're a club (or an individual) and you use this
command please consider sending a donation to Rusty to cover the
cost of the database. I don't want the availability of this
feature to damage the ability to keep the prices of this data low.
3) I also fixed the bug in the date routine and changed some of the
output routines. These are pretty minor changes, though.
Let me know if there are any problems. I've also put a copy of the sources
on ftp.cs.buffalo.edu if anyone is interested. There is also a copy of the
original and converted Canadian database there. Enjoy...
Devon