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         *   M O D U T I L S   v 3 . 6   *       
                                                             
                      (c) 1993.11.28                     
                                                         
         by Tom Rathborne of Totally Unlimited       
                                                                 
  ۲         The MODUTILS are FREEWARE!        ۲
         ^                                                       ^
             (but if you like it, you can still send money!)    
                                                                
          My neat logo encompassing the T and the U 

  ķ
Ĵ CONTENTS 
  ͼ

        ABOUT MODUTILS
        GENERAL NOTES

        MODDIR
        MODNAMES
        MODDIZ

        FORMATS SUPPORTED

        ABOUT THE AUTHOR
        OTHER STUFF
        THANKS
        FUTURE FEATURES
        HISTORY

  ķ
Ĵ ABOUT MODUTILS 
  ͼ

    With the advent of Creative Labs' SoundBlaster audio card, the Amiga
    .MOD (Module) format of music is now very popular on the PC-compatible
    scene. There are LOTS of different types out there, too. I add every
    format that I can find, even those that can only be played on the
    Amiga!

    The three MODUTILS will list directories describing modules with titles
    and formats:

    MODDIR outputs to the screen like a very simple DIR command.

    MODNAMES creates a 4DOS/NDOS DESCRIPT.ION file.

    MODDIZ creates a FILE_ID.DIZ for SysOps.

    Best of all, it's all freeware! That means you can copy these programs
    all you want, as long as you don't modify them, and you include this
    document. Support freeware! Use it! Distribute it! Of course, if you
    have any questions or comments, or if you think the MODUTILS are worth
    a few $, feel free to contact me.

  ķ
Ĵ GENERAL NOTES 
  ͼ

    The MODUTILS should work properly with all module file formats listed
    in the FORMATS SUPPORTED section. They originally just read the first
    20 characters of the file, but some formats don't conform to that, so
    the autorecognition routine was born, opening up a whole new bunch of
    formats. If you find a module that the MODUTILS can't identify, please
    let me know, and I'll add support for it as soon as possible!

    If the location of the title for the particular format is unknown to
    me, as in FutureComposer and some MED files, the title will be simply
    "Unknown: [filename]". If the title part of the file is empty the title
    will be "File: [filename]".

    If the file has the correct signature, but the title includes control
    characters (less than ASCII 27), the title will appear as "[ Might be
    corrupt ]"

    You may get an error message if you try to look at another directory.
    For example, if you are in the root directory, and type "MODDIR
    C:\MODS" or "MODDIR C:\MODS\*.*", I haven't added support for that kind
    of thing yet. Sorry.

  ķ
Ĵ MODDIR 
  ͼ

    MODDIR defaults to listing ALL identifiable files in the current
    directory. If it finds a file that it cannot identify as a MOD, it will
    not list it.

    If you specify a filespec, i.e. *.MOD, then all those files will be
    listed regardless of whether or not they can be identified.

    If you don't specify a filespec and no valid modules are found, you'll
    simply see a blank list. If you DO specify a filespec, invalid files
    will be displayed with "[ Unknown Type ]" as the title, and you'll get
    a different set of totals (try it!) at the bottom.

    To display a directory, simply change to the directory where you store
    your modules and run MODDIR. Remember, you can't specify another
    directory - only a file specification. Here's some sample output:

 ͻ
  MODDIR v3.6  (c)1993.11.28 by Tom Rathborne    MODDIR is FREEWARE from  
  Directory of *.*                                    Totally Unlimited     
 ͹
  Filename      Size      Song Title            File Type                 
 Ķ
  HARDWIRE.669     62040  Hardwired...          Composer 669 Module       
  NITEFLYT.AMF     71566  NiteFlite             Advanced Module Format    
  CYTAX   .FC3     11914  Unknown:CYTAX.FC3     Future Composer [FC14]    
  REBELS  .FC3      4790  Unknown:REBELS.FC3    Future Composer [SMOD]    
  MENOLLY .FTM    141786  Menolly's Song        Face the Music            
  AD_NSTLL.INI      4022  [ Might be corrupt ]  Tracker - 15 instruments  
  BLUEBABY.MED    257426  Blue Baby Filters -   MED file                  
  HUH!    .MED     54003  Unknown:HUH!.MED      Some sort of MED file     
  ALISON  .MOD      7934  Alisons song          FastTracker - 6 channels  
  ALISON-S.MOD      7934  Alisons song          StarTrekker - 6 channels  
  CLEMENTI.MOD     23608  Clementine            FastTracker - 8 channels  
  DEEELITE.MOD    255294  Deee-lited            StarTrekker - 4 channels  
  GONAD-64.MOD      8591  Gonads Cracks         ProTracker > 64 patterns  
  GONADSCR.MOD      8591  Gonads Cracks         Tracker - ModEdit         
  POPCORN .MOD     61846  Popcorn               Tracker - 15 instruments  
  RAP-STAR.MOD     53542  Rap Beat              StarTrekker - 8 channels  
  RAPBEAT .MOD     53542  Rap Beat              OctaCompositor 8 channels 
  REACHTEC.MOD    139286  Reach Tech-No Limit   ProTracker                
  SOWHAT-K.MOD     10605  So What?              Tracker - KingMOD         
  HARMNICS.MTM     77100  Digital Harmonics     MultiTrackerModule        
  ALIENMEN.MUS     41830  ALIENMENU             SMUS v.2 Module           
  THUNDER .OCT    247028  Thunder               OctaMED file              
  JAM     .OKT    289280  JAMES BROWN IS DEAD!  Oktalyzer                 
  ROMPLAY2.ROM    151096  Unknown:ROMPLAY2.ROM  RoM MuZiK FiLe            
  PLASTIC .S3M     64784  World of Plastic      ScreamTracker 3 Module    
  GC-REMIX.STM     10112  Gonads Cracks Remix   ScreamTracker Module      
  DRUMROLL.STS      1595  A Drum Roll, Please.  ScreamTracker Song        
  ROCKET  .ULT    195626  ROCKET                UltraTracker Module       
 Ķ
    28 modules   2316771 total bytes   Thank you for using MODDIR!  TU  
 ͼ

    The most error checking done here is this; if no files matching the
    filespec are found, or you're trying to look at a different directory,
    you will get a message like this:

 MODDIR v3.6  (c)1993.11.28 by Tom Rathborne of Totally Unlimited
   No files matching *.POO found
   MODDIR only works in the current directory!
 MODDIR is done! Thanks for using this Totally Unlimited freeware product!

  ķ
Ĵ MODNAMES 
  ͼ

    MODNAMES is a utility only for users of 4DOS or NDOS. It creates a
    DESCRIPT.ION file with the modules' information. When the 4DOS/NDOS
    user does a single-column directory listing or uses the 4DOS/NDOS
    SELECT feature, the titles and formats of the songs are displayed to
    the right of the filenames. The DESCRIPT.ION file itself will also be
    described telling how many modules were described.

    When MODNAMES is run, any old DESCRIPT.ION file in the current
    directory will be erased and a new one will be created. Be careful!
    The DESCRIPT.ION file will not be a hidden file - you can hide it
    afterwards using "ATTRIB +H DESCRIPT.ION" if you wish.

    MODNAMES defaults to listing ALL files in the current directory. If it
    finds a file that it cannot identify, it will not add it to the
    description file. If you give MODNAMES a filespec, you'll get a list of
    every one of those files, but those that cannot be identified will just
    have "[ Unknown Type ]" for both the title and the file type. If no
    files are added to the description file, it will be deleted.

    If you specify a filespec, i.e. *.MOD, then all those files will be
    described regardless of whether or not they can be identified.

    To process a directory, simply change to the directory where you store
    your modules and run MODNAMES. Remember, you can't specify another
    directory - only a file specification.

    The only error checking done here is this; if no files are found, you
    will get a message that looks something like this:

 MODNAMES v3.6  (c)1993.11.28 by Tom Rathborne of Totally Unlimited
   No files matching *.POO found
   MODNAMES only works in the current directory!
 MODNAMES is done! Thanks for using this Totally Unlimited freeware product!

  ķ
Ĵ MODDIZ 
  ͼ

    Many BBSes out there are full of MODs, and the file listings can get a
    little messy. MODDIZ can help the SysOp add a consistent look to the
    module file directories.

    MODDIZ, and the accompanying batch file, creates a FILE_ID.DIZ for a
    .ZIP file, listing titles and file types of all identifiable modules in
    the archive. The batch file adds the FILE_ID.DIZ to the archive. SysOps
    can easily integrate the program into their upload-scanning batch files
    so that the new FILE_ID.DIZ information can be used in the BBS file
    listings.

    MODDIZ lists ALL files in the current directory. If it finds a file
    that it cannot identify as a MOD, it will not list it. The FILE_ID.DIZ
    created will be exactly 40 columns wide on every line. If your BBS
    software messes this up by word wrapping or something, then, sorry.

    To create a FILE_ID.DIZ, simply change to the directory where you store
    your modules and run MODDIZ. You can't specify another directory, nor a
    file specification. Here's a sample FILE_ID.DIZ created be MODDIZ:

Ŀ
  TITLE                      TYPE  

Hardwired...               Composer 669
NiteFlite             Adv.Module Format
Unknown:CYTAX.FC3     Future Comp. FC14
Unknown:REBELS.FC3    Future Comp. SMOD
Menolly's Song           Face the Music
[ Might be corrupt ]  Tracker - 15-ins.
Blue Baby Filters -            MED file
Unknown:HUH!.MED       Some sort of MED
Alisons song          FastTracker 6chan
Alisons song          StarTrekker 6chan
Clementine            FastTracker 8chan
Deee-lited            StarTrekker 4chan
Gonads Cracks         ProTracker 64+pat
Gonads Cracks         Tracker - ModEdit
Popcorn               Tracker - 15-ins.
Rap Beat              StarTrekker 8chan
Rap Beat                 OctaCompositor
Reach Tech-No Limit   ProTracker module
So What?              Tracker - KingMOD
Digital Harmonics     MultiTrackrModule
ALIENMENU               SMUS v.2 Module
Thunder                    OctaMED file
JAMES BROWN IS DEAD!          Oktalyzer
Unknown:ROMPLAY2.ROM     RoM MuZiK FiLe
World of Plastic       Scream Tracker 3
Gonads Cracks Remix   ScreamTracker MOD
A Drum Roll, Please.  ScreamTrackerSong
ROCKET                 UltraTracker MOD
Ŀ
  28 modules described by MODDIZ v3.6 
  (c) 1993.11.28 Totally Unlimited  


    If only one module is identified, the FILE_ID.DIZ won't have any of the
    decorative headers. If no valid modules are found, the FILE_ID.DIZ will
    be deleted.

    The MOD--DIZ.BAT I have included creates a temporary directory, unzips
    the filename you pass it on the commandline into the directory, changes
    to the directory, runs MODDIZ (make sure MODDIZ is in your path!), goes
    back to the parent directory, adds the FILE_ID.DIZ file to the ZIP if
    it exists, erases all of the files in the temporary directory
    (safely!), and removes the temporary directory. WHEW!

    You might want to look at the batch file before running it for the
    first time, just to see how it works!  (you can easily adapt it for
    ARJ/LHA, etc.)

    You should be able to insert the lines from MOD--DIZ into any BBS
    archive/virus/etc. checking batch file. I wouldn't suggest using it on
    every file, though, because any game/demo/etc. with modules in the
    archive will have its original FILE_ID.DIZ replaced!

  ķ
Ĵ FORMATS SUPPORTED 
  ͼ
                                                            Typical
    Author Origin             PC?  Type / Program           Extension
   Ŀ Ŀ Ŀ Ŀ
    Standard Amiga Trackers    *   15-channel SoundTracker  MOD, NST

    Mahoney & Kaktus           *   ProTracker               MOD, NST
                               *   ProTracker 64+ pattern   MOD, NST

    Maxon Computer GmbH            Face the Music (Amiga)   FTM

    Various other Trackers     *   StarTrekker 4 channel    MOD, NST
                                   StarTrekker 6 channel    MOD, NST
                               *   StarTrekker 8 channel    MOD, NST
                               *   Oktalyzer                OKT
                                   MED [two flavours]       MED
                                   OctaMED                  OCT
                                   FutureComposer [FC14]    FC3
                                   FutureComposer [SMOD]    FC3
                                   SMUS module              MUS

    Fredrik Huss               *   FastTracker 6 channel    MOD, 6CM
    (Mr. H/Triton)             *   FastTracker 8 channel    MOD, 8CM

    AJGG Graveland             *   OctaCompositor           OCT

    Sami Tammilehto            *   ScreamTracker Module     STM
    (Psi/Future Crew)          *   ScreamTracker Song       STS
                               *   ScreamTracker 3 Module   S3M

    Tomasz Pytel               *   Composer 669             669
    (Tran/Renaissance)

    Daniel Goldstein           *   MultiTracker Module      MTM
    (Starscream/Renaissance)

    Otto Chrons                *   Advanced Module Format   AMF

    Marc Andr Schallehn       *   UltraTracker (for GUS)   ULT

    Christopher E. Kingsbury   *   Edited by KingMod        MOD

    Norman Lin                 *   Edited by ModEdit        MOD

    Brian Czapiga (PiXeLiTe)   *   AudioVision/ROM          ROM
      

    The types marked with a "*" in the list can be played by at least one
    PC player. Note that the KingMod and ModEdit files are standard
    ProTracker modules. They should be supported by any standard ProTracker
    player.

    You only get the first 20 characters of the title in Composer 669 and
    MED/OctaMED songs.

    I can't seem to find any FutureComposer modules with titles so I'm not
    sure where to find the titles. I have the same problem with many MED
    types. "Unknown:[filename]" appears as the title in these cases. In
    the case of ROM files, there actually is no title in the file.

    If the file has the    sure where to find the titles. I have the same problem with many MED
    types. "Unknown:[filename]" appears as the title in these cases. In
ķ
Ĵ ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
  ͼ

    Totally Unlimited is my (and a friend's - Chris Wright - but he can't
    program his way out of a wet paper bag [Sorry Chris! :-) ]) little
    company name. You can't have it. Stamped it! Whenever I write something
    I think someone else would like, I release it under this name.

    I'm a first year co-op Math student at the University of Waterloo.
    If you want to offer me a co-op job, I'd be glad to have the job-search
    process simplified for me. :-)

    I don't have a PC yet in my room at University, so you shouldn't expect
    too many versions in the next five years! I will only buy a computer
    when I can get the very best machine on the market... perhaps a PowerPC
    running Linux!

    You can contact me via Internet mail, Paper mail, or Telephone!

    I appreciate:

        Bug reports
        Information on more file formats
        Suggestions
        Comments

*** Internet address:

        twrathbo@undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca

    Use finger/mail/talk!

    I will be uploading MODMAN/MODUTILS to various FTP sites. I may also
    put info on my programs on the University of Waterloo Gopher server.
    Finger or email me for information on the latest versions, FTP sites,
    Gopher info, etc. I normally reply to my mail immediately, so if I'm
    online when the mail comes in, you just might receive a reply within
    the hour! If you finger me and I'm online, feel free to request a
    "talk" session!

    The latest MODMAN/MODUTILS will be available via anonymous FTP from
    ftp.uwp.edu in pub/msdos/modplayers or pub/incoming/modplayers.

*** Geographical address:

        Tom Rathborne
        132 Leland Rd.
        London, Ontario
        N6K 1T3
        CANADA

    This is my home address. Any mail sent to me here will find its way to
    me wherever I am!

***  Phone:

        (519) 725-9783

    This is my telephone number at the University of Waterloo. Try calling
    between 10pm and midnight EST. I have voicemail and a roommate so leave a
    message if I am not around and I'll call you back (but maybe only for a
    short time if it's a very long distance call!)

*** Other:

    You can probably track me down somewhere else electronically. Address
    any messages to "Tommy Rathborne" - my name macro hasn't changed in
    years! As for big boards, try The Sound Barrier in New York. The 14.4k
    DS number there is (718) 979-6629. I don't call there often anymore,
    though.

  ķ
Ĵ OTHER STUFF 
  ͼ

*** Technical details

    The MODUTILS were created and compiled with Borland C++ 3.1, using the
    Tiny memory model. Source code is not currently available. Sorry.

*** MODMAN

    MODMAN, the menu for selecting MODs, was first released at the same
    time as MODUTILS v3.0. It works in VGA 80x50 text mode. A configuration
    file holds a list of players and the formats they support. Look for
    The latest version - MODMAN15.ZIP will be released at the same time as
    MODUTILS 3.5!

    MODMAN is a great program. I'm really proud of it. Believe me, you have
    to try it! I use it all the time to make cassette tapes of my module
    collection! Since it's freeware, it doesn't benefit me one bit if you
    use it.

*** The Mysteries:

    Answer these questions for me, and get your name in the thanks section!

    1. Where can I find the title in FutureComposer and MED modules?

    2. How can I identify 15-instrument files better?
       (right now I look for one single character in a certain position,
        which means that any file that happens to have that character there
        will be identified as a 15-instrument format file!)

    3. What makes a WOW file unique? I can't figure out how to tell them
       apart from normal MODs! In fact, the MODUTILS recognize WOW files as
       normal MODs.

  ķ
Ĵ THANKS 
  ͼ


Format thanks:

... to Fredrik Huss (Mr. H/Triton) for the information in the help text of
    FastTracker 1.1 which helped me to identify the SoundTracker,
    NoiseTracker, ProTracker, FastTracker, StarTrekker, and
    OctaCompositor formats.

... to Edward Schlunder in the FidoNet QB conference for the info on
    ProTracker & StarTrekker and ProTracker modules with more than 64
    patterns.

... to Mark Phipps (Rittmeister RedOctober/Starry Knights) for sending the
    info from Edward Schlunder to me.

... to Sami Tammilehto (Psi/Future Crew) who documented the ScreamTracker 2
    format so well. Please release ScreamTracker ]I[!  Nobody cares if it's
    finished or not!

... to Tomasz Pytel (Tran/Renaissance) who documented the Composer 669
    format so well.

... to Daniel Goldstein (Starscream/Renaissance) who documented the
    MultiTracker Module format so well.

... to Draeden/VLA for MODINFO.DOC and the accompanying ASM files that let
    me know that I had been doing everything right all along!

Idea thanks:

... to Eric Coolman for
    - letting me know about his MODs that weren't being identified
    - reminding me to add AMF recognition
    - MODDIZ - it was his idea.
    - dictating that the FILE_ID.DIZ created by MODDIZ is 40 columns wide.
    - suggesting a shorter description for archives containing only one
      module.  - reminding me to add AMF recognition
    - MODDIZ - it was his idea.
    - dictating that the FILE_ID.DIZ created by MODDIZ is 40 columns wi... to Edward Schlunder in the FidoNet QB conference for the info on
    ProTracker and StarTrekker and ProTracker modules with more than 64
    patterns

... to Mark Phipps (Rittmeister RedOctober/Starry Knights) for sending the
    info from Edward Schlunder to me.

  ķ
Ĵ FUTURE FEATURES 
  ͼ

    Features that are constantly being updated:

      - More MOD formats recognized
      - Better descriptions for each module format

    The one essential thing that is missing:

      - List modules in a directory other than the current one

  ķ
Ĵ HISTORY 
  ͼ

       1993.05.23 - MODNAMES v1.0
       1993.05.26 - MODDIR v1.0

       1993.06.16 - MODDIR v1.2
                    - Totals at bottom added.

       1993.06.25 - MODDIR/MODNAMES v2.0
                    - Added module type recognition/display.
                    - Eliminated Null Pointer Assignment error!

       1993.07.11 - Added recognition for 15-channel and "FLT4" types.
                  - Refined MED file recognition, now reads title too.

                  - MODNAMES v2.1
                    - Moved titles to right of types to allow longer type
                      descriptions and still make for a readable directory.

                  - MODDIR v2.1
                    - Redesigned output format.

       1993.07.20 - MODDIZ first official release
                  - MODDIR/MODNAMES/MODDIZ v2.2
                    - Added Scream Tracker 3 (S3M) recognition
                    - Added Advanced Module Format (AMF) recognition

v2.5 - 1993.07.26 - First release together as "MODUTILS"
                  - Leading spaces on titles now removed
                  - Unknown titles now use "Unknown :[filename]"
                  - Blank titles now use "Filename:[filename]"
                  - Output appearance slightly altered

                  - New format recognitions:
                    - "FLT4"-specific
                    - More MED types
                    - Future Composer
                    - KingMOD
                    - UltraTracker

                  - MODNAMES
                    - Removed silly "Executing" line
                    - Description for DESCRIPT.ION added to DESCRIPT.ION

                  - MODDIZ
                    - Fixed batch file yet again

v3.0 - 1993.08.05 - Length problem with error with mods with blank titles
                    and long filenames fixed.
                  - More nice boxes added to documentation.

                  - New format recognitions:
                    - SMUS Module (some old Amiga format)
                    - Face the Music

v3.1 - 1993.08.20 - Short description for Tracker formats changed
                  - Files got SMALLER because I removed redundant info

                  - New format recognitions:
                    - ProTracker with > 64 channels
                    - StarTrekker 4 channels
                    - StarTrekker 8 channels
                    - ModEdit

v3.2 - 1993.08.26 - MODDIR now fully justifies filenames

                  - Modules with invalid characters (first 26 ASCII chars)
                    get appropriate title

                  - New format recognition:
                    - StarTrekker 6 channels

v3.3 - 1993.09.01 - MODDIZ now uses correct ID when writing simpler
                    FILE_ID.DIZ for KingMOD files.

                  - New format recognition:
                    - AudioVision ROM file

v3.5 - 1993.09.25 - No new features, I just put my Internet address in this
                    MODUTILS.DOC file and FILE_ID.DIZ. See ABOUT THE AUTHOR
                    for more info.

v3.6 - 1993.11.28 - New format recognition:
                    - MultiTracker Module Editor


