ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º ÇÄ¿ º K E E P I N G I N T O U C H º ³ º ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ º ³ º SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter º ³ º for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! º ³ º March 1992 º ³ º Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE º ³ º Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 º ³ º 38400/19200/9600/24400/1200 Baud º ³ º 2 Nodes º ³ º º ³ ÈÍÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Edited by Jacque Shipley The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz Other Contributions As Noted ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ÇÄ¿ ÈÍÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ With the release of SPITFIRE v3.2, Mike is busy compiling the registered versions for all the eagerly awaiting Sysops. Mike's article will return in April's "Keeping In Touch". ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ NEW FEATURES IN SPITFIRE 3.2 ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; File Tagging is supported by SPITFIRE v3.2. When listing files each file is preceded by an alpha character with the exception of , which is used to Stop the display. Callers simply enter the alpha character preceding the file description. After selecting the download option from the File Menu, SPITFIRE will automatically insert the name(s) of the file(s) tagged for downloading. Multi-line file descriptions are a new feature in SPITFIRE v3.2 which the Sysop may optionally configure. From the ALT+Z window, the Sysop sets whether the BBS will allow 1, 2, 3 or 4 line descriptions when files uploaded to the BBS. It should be noted that if a file is uploaded for Sysop Only and the BBS is configured to use 2 or more line descriptions, the multi-line file description is written to HEYSYSOP.LOG. In addition, Sysops have the option, from the ALT+T window, of adding one line to the file description which credits the caller who uploaded the file. An example of this would be: Uploaded by Mike Woltz. Multi-word text search is available from the Message and File Menus. A caller may enter up to six key words. SPITFIRE uses these key words to locate the desired text in a message or file description. If a key word is located in a message, SPITFIRE will display the subject of the message. SPITFIRE through the use of the companion utility, SFSENDIT, allows a special file to be downloaded by a specific caller or callers with a specific security level. When the caller logs on to the BBS, he/she is notified that the file is awaiting them and given the option to download the file. SFSENDIT is included with SPITFIRE v3.2. The DAILYLMT.DAT file format has been modified. DAILYLMT.COM, also included in with SPITFIRE v3.2, is a menu-driven utility which easily allows the Sysop to create or modify their existing DAILYLMT.DAT file. New parameters in DAILYLMT.DAT, if appropriately defined, allow SPITFIRE to monitor and adjust a caller's security when a required upload/download file transfer ratio is violated. Similarly, SPITFIRE will return the caller to their original security once the required upload/download ratio requirement has been satisfied. The format of SFDOOR.MNU has also changed, although SPITFIRE will recognize both the old and the new format. An example of the new format might look like any of these: Guess A Number,SEC>=10 Guess A Number,SEC=10 Guess A Number,SEC<=10 The line begins with the title of the door followed by the security parameter. SEC>=10 would require a security greater than or equal to 10, SEC=10 would require a security equal to 10 and SEC<=10 would require a security less than or equal to 10. SFDOOR.COM is included in the SPITFIRE package. It is an easy to use, menu-driven utility that allows the Sysop to create or modify their existing SFDOOR.MNU. SPITFIRE now provides a toggle (ALT+T window) which allows the Sysop to configure whether a caller is required to enter their password when returning from a door. A new work file, SFCALLOG.DAT is to be placed in the SPITFIRE work path. SFCALLOG.DAT contains information which is used when writing to the caller's log. When external file transfer protocols are used, SPITFIRE automatically handles moving files to the appropriate directory. This simplifies the batch files needed for external file transfers. For instance, a sample ZModem batch file might look like this: BRK OFF ECHO OFF CD\SF\EXTERNAL DSZ.COM %2 rz CD\SF BRK ON SPITFIRE can also be configured to create a text file in your EXTERNAL directory which contains a list of the files to be downloaded, provided the external protocol is capable of reading the text file (for instance, DSZ.COM). By using the file list, the path and name of each file is stored in the text file. Using the text file allows up to 99 files to downloaded per batch. When using the text file option, the file(s) are downloaded directly from the download file path. This eliminates the risk of running out of disk space since the file(s) no long have to be copied to the EXTERNAL directory. A ",USEFILE" should appear at the end of the protocol menu in SFEXTDN.BBS. For example. ZModem Batch,Batch,Usefile would take advantage of the text file download feature. A sample batch file might look like this: BRK OFF CD\SF\EXTERNAL DSZ.COM %2 sz @C:\SF\EXTERNAL\SFEXTRAN.LST CD\SF BRK ON When exporting messages or capturing a chat, SPITFIRE gives the Sysop the option of sending the message or chat capture to a printer, provided a printer is attached and ready to go. SPITFIRE allows a file area to be configured as a "FREE" file area. When a file area is configured as a "FREE" file area, the caller's statistics are not updated when downloading files from this area. In addition, each file area contains a "Search File Area" field that is set to determine whether the file area will be included when searching for new files. If toggled to Yes, the file area is searched and if toggled to No, the file area is skipped when listing new files. Some significant changes have been made in the Sysop Page feature. There are two more display files. SFPGOFF.BBS/CLR will display to the caller if the Sysop has the Page feature turned off. SFUNANS.BBS/CLR will display to the caller if the Sysop has the Page feature turned on but does not answer the page. If a page goes unanswered and the caller continues to page the Sysop, SPITFIRE will not notify the Sysop of the additional pages, provided SPITFIRE finds SFPAGED.CLR/BBS in the display file path. If the Sysop wishes to be paged multiple times, SFPAGED.BBS/CLR should not be used. The length of time SPITFIRE sounds the page has been increased to 15 seconds. If the page is not answered, [ CHAT REQUEST ] will blink in the caller information banner. The Sysop can now configure from the ALT+T window whether SPITFIRE will "Test Files Upon Boot". This option is specifically included for BBS's that handle a large number of message conferences. If this is toggled off, no tests are performed on the various message base files. It is highly recommended that this be toggled on, to ensure all the files are in working order. Another new toggle from the ALT+T window determines whether a caller who is being logged off due to password failure will be allowed to leave a comment to the Sysop, prior to SPITFIRE logging the caller off the BBS. When a caller changes to a new Message Conference, SPITFIRE will ask the caller if he/she would like to read messages in this conference. When a caller changes to a new File Area, SPITFIRE will ask the caller if he/she would like to list files in this area. The Sysop can now configure, per Message Conference, the maximum line length of messages saved in this conference. Acceptable values range from 25 to 99 lines. A caller with Sysop security has the ability to copy a message from one conference to another. This option also provides the flexibility of addressing the message copied to another caller. There are two new options in the lter Conferences menu. These include ...Include All Conferences and ...Remove All Conferences. When searching for a caller on the BBS, SPITFIRE will prompt for a full or partial name to be entered. SPITFIRE will display any matches to a partial entry and prompt whether this is the caller from whom you are searching. If N is entered, SPITFIRE will continue to search until a match is found or report that no satisfactory match could be found. A number of changes have been made in regard to CD-ROM file areas. SPITFIRE will skip over any file area marked as a CD-ROM file area, when listing for new files. File statistics are not displayed after listing new files if a CD-ROM file area exists, since these file area(s) are skipped the file statistics would not be accurate. From the modem configuration window, the Sysop can configure a break length in the modem initialization string. For each tilde (~) found in the string, SPITFIRE will pause according to the break length configured here. 1000 equals 1 second, 500 would be half a second, 250 would be a quarter of a second, etc. The Drop To Dos password is no longer visible from the ALT+Z window. Only astericks display, providing tighter security for the BBS. Should the Sysop forget the password, it will need to be reconfigured. This by no means, includes all the changes in SPITFIRE v3.2. It is merely an attempt to highlight the most significant changes in this version. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ REVIEW OF MKSFLIST ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; MKSFLIST is a utility that greatly simplifies the process involved of making SPITFIRE file listing and message listing for each security level allowed on your BBS. A configuration file, MKSFLIST.CFG, defines the path for the SPITFIRE home, message and display directory. From the configuration file, the Sysop can enter a unique banner title of up to 75 characters. It also dictates the various security levels for which the MGLST.BBS/CLR and FILST.BBS/CLR will be created. The file listing display includes the File Area number, the File Area title, the number of files in each File Area and the number of bytes in each File Area. The Message Conference listing display includes the number of the Message Conference, the Message Conference title and the number of messages that are available in each of the conferences. File Areas that are tagged as Preview File Area are also displayed along with any File Areas available to that particular security area. The command line parameters that are used when executing MKSFLIST. Listings can be created for the File Area, Message Conference or File Area and Message Conferences. Options include whether the listing will be based on your SFFILES.BBS or DOS directories. To explain how these might vary, my board stores 90 meg of files on a tape drive which callers can individually restore to the disk drive. Using the DOS directories options, those files are not included because they do not actually exist in the DOS directory. However, using the SFFILES option, MKSFLIST reports these. This fine utility comes to us as FREEWARE from Dave Stahl. Dave offers full support of this utility on his board, Quantum Leap BBS at (508) 267-0651. Dave reports he intends to further develop this utility so it offers a choice of different display styles and colors. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; Mark D. Pickerill Hacker Heaven BBS Monteray, California Mark's 31, married to Carla and lives in a double-wide mobile home overlooking Monteray Bay. He's been running his BBS since early July, 1987...started out using Fido, but found it inadequate and began looking round for better software. Having an extensive background of RCP/M, he wanted something simple, flexible software that didn't take hours on end to set up and run. A lot of evaluation went into his search, resulting in his choice of SPITFIRE. "It's been pretty good, treated me well, this SPITFIRE. My initial problem with it," he acknowledges, "was the lack of automation. Mike loves interactive database-type programs. I've partly influenced Mike into making several changes and now feel his software's pretty close to perfect, running it along with Bob Zimmerman's SFPACKU to delete old users--since we can't run the built-in users pack as an event. I'm waiting with bated breath for version 3.2 which'll have multi-line file descriptions. "I've invested considerable time in customizing software and hardware to make my board as bullet-proof as possible. For example, my board and one other out of about 25 local boards came up and ran when power was restored following the October '89 Loma Prieta earthquake. Its successful bootup is attributed to its industrial computer, plus my customizing efforts. The board practically runs itself. All I do is validate new users, process new uploads and answer messages. I never have to bother about packing old users, old messages, garbage collection or anything. It's all automatic." Mark's involvement with computers began while in electronics school, starting with a Univac 90/70. Soon afterward, he bought an early Tandy Model I TRS-80, and in the fall of 1981 purchased an IMSAI-8080 in kit form. This latter machine has been his main system ever since. Actually, he doesn't like the PC architecture, considering it a bad cross between a Model I TRS-80 and an Apple ][+ and the best features of neither. But be this as it may, it does the job. "My initial experience with modems," Mark remembers, "was in '83 when I purchased a 300 baud acoustic coupler for the IMSAI. I called one of the San Francisco Bay area RCP/Ms and have been a modem junkie ever since." He's now running on a 2400 bauder. He says his BBS is unlike any other he's dialed. "I try to run it like an RCP/M. Meaning it's technically oriented, but oriented toward ALL computers. Programming is the thrust of the board--as that's my only real interest in computing. I currently have software for CP/M-80, CP/M-86, Macintosh, Amiga, Commodore, Atari 8-bit, a satellite TV section and, of course, lots of MS-DOS goodies. My ALL-computer orientation means all my screens are done in pure ASCII...no IBM extended characters, ANSI graphics, etc, are to be found. Also there's no logon fee charged...pay BBSs being against `Hacker Ethics.' "Come to think of it," Mark confided, "I almost gave my board another name. I was all set to call it Pagan's Refuge, when one day my boss was in my office where I have 8 computer terminals. `This place looks like Hacker Heaven,' he remarked...stemming from which came my board's name. I've had some--not a lot--of questions from users who are aware of the media-hyped meaning of `hacker.' My opening screen clearly explains the difference between that and the original meaning of the term. The screen reads, `Hacker Heaven is for REAL hackers (programmers), not the newer meaning of hackers (criminals). No illegal activities. Everything for the programmer, no .GIFs, gee-whiz utilities." His other noncomputer activities include camping in a 22-foot fifth-wheel trailer, reading lots of science fiction and fantasy and writing technical articles. He is currently working on a chapter to be published in an upcoming McGraw-Hill book, "Handbook of Components for Electronics," plus writing a magazine article. Mark says his latest spare-time project is restoring a recently-acquired 1944 generator to use as a stand-by power supply--since his rural area is subject to blackouts in bad weather. Quite a guy, this Mark D. Pickerill.--Ed. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems: Pyrate Isle...............................915-362-7041...2400 Baud Tommy Wesson, Sysop..................................Odessa, Texas The Corner Bar BBS........................716-865-8171...2400 Baud Brian Balsis, Sysop............................Rochester, New York The Wild Hog..............................716-964-7595...2400 Baud Jim Davis, Sysop..................................Hamlin, New York Prince....................................305-556-6677...2400 Baud Sy Feierstadt, Sysop..............................Hialeah, Florida DEEJEE....................................013-441189.....2400 Baud Pieter Hendriks, Sysop........................Tilburg, Netherlands The MicroComputer Club....................203-596-8684...2400 Baud Bart Chase, Sysop...........................Waterbury, Connecticut Higgy's Heroes............................812-537-5686...9600 Baud Jeff Higgins, Sysop..........................Lawrenceburg, Indiana The Hour Glass BBS........................309-797-8129...2400 Baud Anthony Panno, Sysop..............................Moline, Illinois Tim's House Of Fun........................301-705-7115...2400 Baud Timothy Ward, Sysop..............................Waldorf, Maryland Eagle's Nest..............................703-496-3670...2400 Baud Chuck Elliott, Sysop...........................Saltville, Virginia Educator's BBS............................713-331-6923...2400 Baud Walt Ledbetter, Sysop.................................Alvin, Texas Computer Age BBS..........................913-762-6273...2400 Baud Neville Lyons, Sysop.........................Junction City, Kansas Global Comm BBS...........................404-962-7225...2400 Baud Dennis Lindsay, Sysop.......................Lawrenceville, Georgia Round Midnight BBS......................33-1-4415-9270...2400 Baud Dan Serfaty, Sysop...................................Paris, France RayFract BBS.............................+33-694-62995..14400 Baud Eric Courteau, Sysop................Saint Michael sur Orge, France The Poor Mans BBS.........................207-328-4830...2400 Baud Bill Strickland, Sysop...............Loring Air Force Base, Kansas The Rising Sun BBS......................01182333647130...2400 Baud Franklin Rogers, Sysop......................................APO AP Blade Runner BBS..........................803-569-2565...2400 Baud Charles Harrington, Sysop..............Goose Creek, South Carolina "Shareware Galore!".......................412-339-1975...2400 Baud Ronald Mangone, Sysop................New Kingsington, Pennsylvania The Port Brew BBS.........................512-337-4338...2400 Baud Jay Dickenson, Sysop............................San Antonio, Texas Professional Computer Services BBS........316-672-3189...2400 Baud Michael Reno, Sysop..................................Pratt, Kansas Quandera: The Information Exchange........602-527-8895...2400 Baud Scott Fell, Sysop...............................Flagstaff, Arizona Computer Works BBS...........No Phone Number Available...2400 Baud Jim Lambert, Sysop................................Ashford, Alabama A & E.....................................316-685-3197...2400 Baud Alan Jester, Sysop................................Witchita, Kansas Mike's Mess...............................815-634-2186...9600 Baud Mike Lincheski, Sysop..........................Coal City, Illinois Just For Bytes............................812-423-3394...2400 Baud Eric Scales, Sysop.............................Evansville, Indiana The Outhouse..............................904-645-3884...2400 Baud Jeff Kesemeyer, Sysop........................Jacksonville, Florida John's BBS................................702-870-0603...2400 Baud Mathias Piar, Sysop..............................Las Vegas, Nevada The Funny Farm............................402-489-3597...2400 Baud James Rogers, Sysop..............................Lincoln, Nebraska Run Right BBS.............................519-756-3652...2400 Baud Lynn Weaver, Sysop......................Brantford, Ontario, Canada Dark Shadows BBS..........................206-858-6772...2400 Baud Steve Mitchell, Sysop.......................Gig Harbor, Washington The Outer Ridge BBS.......................515-674-4417...9600 Baud David Ray, Sysop......................................Colfax, Iowa Goldstar-BBS "United"....................31-20-6326492...9600 Baud Pieter De Jong, Sysop.......................Amsterdam, Netherlands Hobbes's Board............................512-523-5756...2400 Baud John McClenon, Sysop............................San Antonio, Texas Delaware Gamers BBS.......................302-479-5481...9600 Baud John Linton, Sysop............................Wilmington, Delaware Manta-Soft................................814-337-0216...2400 Baud James Ketchum, Sysop.......................Meadville, Pennsylvania The Green Machine..................011-82-333-661-3842...2400 Baud Art Dunkle, Sysop...........................................APO AP NCT'S Free BBS.........................916-961-8238...Baud Unknown C. M. Colson, Sysop..........................Fair Oaks, California The Computer Shack........................602-296-8390...2400 Baud Ben Lockard, Sysop.................................Tuscon, Arizona The Lost Cluster..........................402-292-0084...2400 Baud Darrell Payne, Sysop...............................Omaha, Nebraska In addition, there were 6 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations from: Mocksville, North Carolina; Rochester, New York; Gaum; St. Petersburg, Florida; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Las Vegas, Nevada. There were 16 registrations for whom registration information was incomplete. These included BBS's in: St. Louis, Missouri; LaPorte, Texas; Evansville, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; Warwick, Rhode Island; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Erie Pennsylvania; Webster, New York; Pittston, Pennsylvania; Hiwycomb, England; Lincolnshire, England; Garden Grove, California; Spanaway, Washington; Detroit, Michigan; Campbell, California; and Binghamton, New York. The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's new policy of accepting on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations. JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for contributions. Please forward any articles in ASCII text to either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.