RBS - Relevant Backup System

Introduction

This program creates an incremental or full archive of specified files, storing 
copies of the files into an archive that is automatically given a unique name 
or a name of the user's choice. Within the main archive exists one archive
per device specified. For instance, if files were backed up from devices A:
and C:, the main archive might default to a name of 2f54f485.zip and will 
contain two additional archives named devbup_a.zip and devbup_c.zip.

The default archive name is a unique, 8-digit, hexadecimal number that 
represents the current date and time (hours, minutes, and seconds), and 
is chronilogical, meaning that if several of these uniquely named files 
are sorted in ascending order, they are sorted from oldest to recent.

Package

This package contains the following files:
  - rbs.exe		The main executable.
  - rbs.ini		The file containing the backup parameters.
  - rbshps.bat		Batch file to help automate HP 200LX backups.
  - rbshp2.mac		HP 200LX macro file called from rbshp2.bat.
  - rbs.txt		This text file.

Usage

Copy the files to a preferred directory, preferably keeping the .ini file in 
same one as the .exe file. A command line parameter can be specified to 
indicate otherwise.

Modify within rbs.ini the desired files to backup, using regular MS_DOS
dir masks that one would use for the DIR command. Note: MAKE SURE YOU USE FULL 
DEVICE AND PATH DESIGNATIONS. See examples that already exist in the .ini file.

For HP 200LX users, use the rbshp2.bat from the appointment manager in the HP 
200LX, along with the maxdos freeware utility to produce an automated backup 
procedure, or execute it from the application manager for impromptu backups.
For the appointment manager, enter the following into the description 
field: |a:\bin\rbshp2.bat APT, and a 'Q' in the location field. The APT
argument is an indicator to the batch file to submit the included
macro to automatically advance the backup event another day, and the Q in 
the location field assures that the 'Please press return...' message does
not appear. If putting an entry into the application manager, use 
a:\bin\rbshp2.bat (do not include the APT argument).

Examine the rbshp2.bat file and perform the "rbs.exe /?" command for further 
help about using rbs.exe.

Additional Packages Required

There are two other additional packages required, the Info-Zip Zip archive 
package and the Unix grep utility package. Those can be found at the 
following Internet addresses (at least at the time of this writing):

	Info-Zip Zip Package:	
		http://www.cdrom.com/pub/Info-Zip.html
	Unix grep for MS-DOS:	
		http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/txtutl/grep20ax.zip

Palmtop users can also possibly get these at the SUPER Web site at 
http://www.palmtop.net/super.html.

Upon receipt, install these in the directory of your choice (possibly even
the same directory as RBS), and specify the required details regarding
each in the rbs.ini file.

Due to the fact that the RBS program uses specific arguments passed to each 
of the Zip and Grep utilities, it is not recommended to use any other 
versions that those I've specified (ie. PKZip, etc.).

Command Line Options

For a summary of command line options, execute rbs.exe as follows: 
"rbs.exe /?". For comprehensive help, do "rbs.exe /??".

Environment variables

RBS refers to the following environment variables:

  COMSPEC : The full path of command.com.  If this variable does not
            exist, RBS WILL NOT RUN.

This variable should already be set by default, more than likely to something like "COMMAND.COM". Note: I have not validated this program with any other DOS 
command intrepreter other than MicroSoft's. Those individuals may want to
proceed with caution if using others such as 4DOS, etc. This program relies
on MicroSoft's 'dir' command parameters to achieve the desired filename 
results, and may not be compatable with other command processors.

  RBSINI:   The full path of the rbs.ini file. This variable is optional.

If this variable is specified, the program will use this rbs.ini file and
error if not found. Otherwise, the program will attempt to use the rbs.ini 
file in the current directory. Note that a command line specification of
which .ini file to use via the -i argument overrides these methods.

Copyright & Licensing

BY USING THIS SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

This version of software is freeware for personal use, although donations 
are always welcome. Commercial users must pay a fee of $10 per PC on which 
the software is executed.

As licensee, you own the media upon which the software is recorded or 
distributed and are entitled to use the software, but Par Computer Solutions, 
Inc. retains title and ownership of the original software and all subsequent 
copies.  This license is not a sale of the software or any copy. You are not 
allowed to make any modifications to, or to create derivative works from any 
of the files that are used in this software. This includes all the 
executable, help, installation, and readme files.

THE SOFTWARE HEREIN IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, 
EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.

PAR COMPUTER SOLUTIONS, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTY REGARDING THE 
INTEGRITY OR AVAILABILITY OF BACKED-UP FILES. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT MEANT AS A 
REPLACEMENT FOR STANDARD PROCEDURES OF BACKING UP CRITICAL DATA TO AN EXTERNAL 
LOCATION FROM YOUR PC.

IN NO EVENT SHALL PAR COMPUTER SOLUTIONS, INC. BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER 
PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR 
LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, LOSS OF SAVINGS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF 
BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT 
OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF PAR COMPUTER 
SOLUTIONS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME 
STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL 
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY 
TO YOU.

General

You acknowledge that you have read this agreement, understand it, and that by 
opening or using this software you agree to be bound by these terms and 
conditions. You further agree that this is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between you and Par Computer Solutions, Inc., which 
supersedes any proposal or prior agreement. All rights in the software not 
specifically granted in this Agreement are reserved by Par Computer
Solutions, Inc.


Par Computer Solutions, Inc.
Mark J. Jordan, President
1118 Ellsmere NE
Grand Rapids, MI  49505
mjordan@mail.com

