
How to use AllFix file finder                                 22 May 1996
=========================================================================

The AllFix file finder system is a very useful search tool for finding 
out what BBS's have files you want.

Using the system is very easy. Basically, send a message in the relevant 
AllFix message base to the file search facility, usually named 'AllFix' 
or 'FileFinder' (case not important). On the subject line, put the name 
of the file or description to be searched for. For example, you wish to 
search for a file with the keyword 'source' in the description:

    From: Joe Smith
    To  : AllFix
    Subj: /source
    ---------[N.NET.ALLFIX]-------------------------------------------

After a few days (and if the search was successful), you will get a 
response from several BBS's who are running a file finder program.

If you wish to search for a specific file name, use something like:

    From: Joe Smith
    To  : AllFix
    Subj: GFA_SRC.ZIP
    ---------[N.NET.ALLFIX]-------------------------------------------

These are of the most basic search options, following is a complete and 
more detailed list on these and others:

<file name>
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Files who's file name match <file name> are listed. Wildcards are 
    supported, but to avoid heavy file listings (e.g. *.*), at least 3 
    characters must be used, not including extension.

/<description>
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Files who's file description match <description> are listed. A 
    minimum of 3 characters must be used, not including spaces. If you 
    wish to include spaces as part of the search keyword (e.g. 'source 
    code'), encapsulate it in quote marks. For example:

    Subj: /"source code"

{DESC: <description>}
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Atari-specific equivalent to '/"?"' as above, but of a less pleasant 
    format. As with '/"?"', spaces can be used. Mainly supported for 
    compatibility, please use new format '/?' for description searches.

/<description 1> AND /<description 2>
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    This option is a more intelligent and discerning description search 
    command. You can check if 2 or more patterns match within the same 
    file description. For example:

    Subj: /GFA AND /source

    ...will check if both the keywords 'GFA' and 'source' exist within 
    the same file description.

/<description 1> OR /<description 2>
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Similar to '/<description 1> AND /<description 2>' as above, but a 
    match will be found if either of the keywords exist within the file 
    description.

<file name> AND /<description 1> OR /<description 2>
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    As above, but use of the 'AND' and 'OR' logic operators can be mixed 
    together to produce up to 8 search patterns all on one file. File 
    names can also be used as well as descriptions. For example:

    Subj: /scene OR /source AND POV*.*

    Matches are performed from left to right, so it is important to use 
    the correct order.

{NODESC}
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    This option requests that file descriptions be turned off, to avoid 
    heavy listings. Most AllFix file finder programs will automatically 
    turn off the file descriptions when a configured limit is reached.

{ADR: <address>}
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Replies will only be sent from file finder systems which match the 
    specific network address mask. For example:

    Subj: GFA*.* {ADR: 90:0/0}

{LOC: <name of city/country>}
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
    Similar to '{ADR: <address>}', but replies will only be sent from 
    systems matching the specific location mask. For example:

    Subj: GFA*.* {LOC: UK}

