MasterBatcher version 1.0  Copyright (c) 1994, 1996 Karl J. Runge.

DOWNLOADING:

ftp the file MB-1.0.tar.Z (or most recent version number, be sure
to use binary mode in ftp) to your machine.  Then unpack via the
command 

zcat MB-1.0.tar.Z | tar -xvf -

The contents will unpack into subdirectory MasterBatcher.  cd
to that directory (where you will find this README file
again), and follow the instructions to install.

DESCRIPTION:

MasterBatcher is a X GUI to create a bunch of Input data files for a
bunch of similar batch jobs.  It automatically creates Input and Output
filenames, the Input data Files, directories if needed, and a Script to
run them all.  The batch job may then be submitted on the local machine
or on a remote host (via Unix .rhosts feature). The format for the
filenames is set by performing mouse clicks on buttons corresponding to
each input parameter of your program.  The names of, number of, and
location of the parameter buttons is arbitrary and set by providing a
simple input template, i.e., a typical input file.  Input files and
Script may be easily viewed, edited, or deleted.

You must have Perl and tcl/tk (wish) installed on your system to 
use this program. Perl is at anonymous ftp site ftp.uu.net and 
tcl/tk is at sprite.berkeley.edu. These are great packages, I 
strongly suggest getting them. 

INSTALLATION:

Unpack the tarfile, and then cd to MasterBatcher. In this directory (where
this README file is found) enter the command 

./Install

It checks for basic Unix commands and the location of 'perl' and
'wish', make sure they are in your PATH now before running Install.

If you have perl and wish it should all be ok. Install makes a little
script called 'mb' to start everything up.  Enter

mb in 

to run it on the test input file 'in' in this directory. Later you can
move the file 'mb' from this directory to any directory, then 
entering "mb <template_file>" in any directory will start MasterBatcher
up on the given input file.

Start it up now and see if it works.

DETAILS:

For more information use the online help. 

Briefly, you click on "Names/Begin Define" to start defining the in/out
filenames, then click on a sequence of variables, then click "Names/End
Define" to set the name format. Next, change the values of the run parameters
in the entry boxes to the desired values, then "Add" it to the Run List.
This adds a few lines to the master Script and also creates the corresponding
Input data file. Keep building up runs this way till you've got enough.
The job may be submitted via "Runs/Run Script". Or manually at the 
command line later.

See the example $HOME/.mbrc file dot.mbrc for default entries in the
Remote and Mail listboxes.

Let me know if you have any problems, and more importantly if you found
this program to be of *any* use at all!

Karl J. Runge (runge at-sign karlrunge.com)

MasterBatcher is GNU Copylefted. See file COPYING for more info.