ETOOLS.EXE v 1.1
(c) NCH Swift Sound
--------------------

ETOOLS is a command line tool that will extract the header information from a .DCT file format (used by Express Dictate, DialDictate and the MSRS) and produce an XML format file as well as a WAV format file if required.

This is the Linux (Red Hat) version of Etools. The Windows version can be downloaded from www.nch.com.au/etools.

For more information about Express Dictate see www.nch.com.au/express. For more information about DialDictate see www.nch.com.au/dialdictate. For more information about MSRS see www.nch.com.au/msrs.

Typically ETOOLS is used by third party developers to create file management and distribution systems for dictation files.


USAGE:

etools.exe "dctfilepath.dct" ["outputxmlfile.xml" ["outputwavefile.wav"] ]

Where:
 dctfilepath.dct is the full name (including the path) of the dct file to be read.
 outputxmlfile.xml is the full name of the xml file to be created.    
 outputwavefile.wav is the full name of the wav file to be created.

Where both outputxmlfile.xml and outputwavfile.wav are omitted etools writes the xml information to STDOUT. This can be used to 'pipe' input into your application. It is also useful when run from the command line for diagnostic purposes.

Where outputxmlfile.xml is specified as "-" etools writes the information to the outputwavfile.wav if it is provided.

RUNNING ETOOLS:

You can run etools from the command line or from your program (eg. using system or as a pipe using popen).

OUTPUT XML:

The output is in tagged xml format. Typical output is like this:

<?xml version="1.0" ?> 
<dct_header>
  <dct_encrypted>false</dct_encrypted> 
  <dct_userid>100</dct_userid> 
  <dct_filenumber>53</dct_filenumber> 
  <dct_date>1028298243</dct_date> 
  <dct_displayfilename>Dictation 1</dct_displayfilename> 
  <dct_username>Lupton, Peter</dct_username> 
  <dct_useremail>pl@nch.com.au</dct_useremail> 
  <dct_usercompany>NCH Swift Sound</dct_usercompany> 
  <dct_userphone>62511889</dct_userphone> 
  <dct_usercell>0417447297</dct_usercell> 
  <dct_userfax>62511887</dct_userfax> 
  <dct_useraddress1>7 Dines Place</dct_useraddress1> 
  <dct_useraddress2>Bruce ACT 2617</dct_useraddress2> 
  <dct_useraddress3>Australia</dct_useraddress3> 
  <dct_useraddress4 /> 
  <dct_filepriority>50</dct_filepriority> 
  <dct_notes>Not</dct_notes> 
</dct_header>

Some useful field:
"dct_user" is the unique registration ID provided to each user when they register. This is useful for directing files based on the identity of the person who recorded them.
"dct_filenumber" is a unique number assigned to each file.
"dct_date" the date of the recording in seconds since 1 January 1970 (time_t format).
"dct_filepriority" indication of file priority between 1 - 100 which can be set by the user.
"dct_notes" is ordinarily the notes entered by the dictator. With advanced Express API the notes can also include sub fields provided by user prompts or external applications.

For more information, please contact nch@nch.com.au.

SUMMARY LICENCE TERMS:
1. ETOOLS can be distributed without charge so long as it is intended to be used with Express Dictate, DialDictate or the MSRS and it does not attempt to undermine the registration ideals of the licensing of those applications.
2. ETOOLS is provided "as is" with no warranties of any kind. NCH Swift Sound will not be liable for any losses arising out of its use. You are responsible for testing it and should not be used for critical purposes without other systems in place.
3. This licence can be revoked at any time by NCH Swift Sound with notice.
