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TINYHOST PLUS
V 1.11
10 August 1993
Copyright (C) 1991-93 by Bruce A. Krobusek
An Enhanced Version of TinyHost - the small,
personal, Host/BBS program for
IBM PC's and compatibles
Created by : Bruce A. Krobusek
5950 King Hill Drive
Farmington, NY 14425
TinyHost BBS : 716-924-4193
CompuServe : 74106,1335
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 What is TinyHost? 1
1.2 Why TinyHost Plus? 1
1.3 Where's the Manual? 2
1.4 Manual Conventions 2
2.0 INSTALLATION and SETUP 2
2.1 General Comments 2
2.2 Modem Init Changes 2
2.3 Added Descriptors 3
CALL - Define a Call Out event 3
CALLDBUG - Call Out debug enable 4
PERSONAL - Personal Directories enable & security 4
RECEIVE - File(s) to be downloaded by Call Out 4
SEND - File(s) to be uploaded by Call Out 5
TIMEOUT - Limit TinyHost Plus run time 6
3.0 OPERATION 6
3.1 Call Out Mode 6
3.2 Personal Directories 7
3.3 Recent Activity Statistics 7
3.4 Considerations 8
4.0 MISCELLANEOUS 8
4.1 What is Shareware? 8
4.2 Distributing TinyHost Plus 9
4.3 License Agreement 9
4.4 Warranty Information 9
4.5 Program Support 9
Brand and product names used throughout this document are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is TinyHost Plus?
TinyHost Plus is an expanded version of TinyHost, the small,
personal, Host / BBS program. TinyHost Plus has all of the
features of TinyHost V3.31, plus:
* Timeout provisions to set the length of time TinyHost
Plus is to run.
* Supports Personal Directories - a directory that only
the user and the SysOp can access remotely.
* Recent Activity statistics - shows number of calls,
uploads, downloads, and comments left since THP started
or SysOp reset. This feature is in the registered version
only.
* Call Out capability to connect with another TinyHost or
TinyHost Plus system to transfer up to 20 files
automatically (registered version; the shareware version
permits transferring up to 5 files).
* TinyHost Plus is still tiny! The executable file is less
than 110K, and the program only requires approximately
150K of system RAM to run in.
Your version of TinyHost Plus should include the following
files:
THPxxx.EXE - The TinyHost Plus executable. The
xxx refer to the version number of
the program
TINYHOST.DOC - The TinyHost manual in printer
ready form (PRINT TINYHOST.DOC)
TH-PLUS.DOC - The TinyHost Plus manual addendum in
printer ready form (PRINT TH-PLUS.DOC)
TINYHOST.WEL - A sample welcome file
TINYHOST.CFG - A sample configuration file
THREMOTE.BAT - Sample batch file for Shell-to-DOS
ZMXMIT.BAT - Batch file for DSZ ZModem downloads
ZMRCV.BAT - Batch file for DSZ ZModem uploads
REGISTER.FRM - Ready-to-print registration form
(PRINT REGISTER.FRM)
THP-HIST.TXT - A file describing the release
history of TinyHost Plus
THP-READ.ME - A short text file describing
TinyHost Plus
IN-NODE.LST - A text file with a list of all
current Intelec nodes (BBSes)
1.2 Why TinyHost Plus?
TinyHost Plus was created initially to fulfill a specific
client's application. It was necessary to be able to transfer
files automatically between remote sites at specific times, yet
Page 1
still have the capability of receiving other calls from other
users.
Since then, I've decided to put many advanced features into
the Plus version, and keep TinyHost the way it is - small and
simple. This isn't to say that TinyHost won't be enhanced. It
just will not be burdened with specialty functions (such as the
automatic Call Out capability).
1.3 Where's the Manual?
This document addresses all of the added functions in
TinyHost Plus only. Please refer to the TinyHost manual
(TINYHOST.DOC) for further information on general setup and use.
1.4 Manual Conventions
To save wear-and-tear on the author's typing fingers,
TinyHost will hereafter be referred to as TH; TinyHost Plus will
be abbreviated as THP.
2.0 INSTALLATION and SETUP
2.1 General Comments
Unlike all other TH/THP descriptors, the placement within the
TINYHOST.CFG file of CALL, SEND, and RECEIVE is critical. The
CALL descriptor must come first, followed by up to 20 SEND/RECEIVE
descriptors (5 in the Shareware version).
2.2 Modem Init Changes
Only one minor change must be made to the modem init string
to move from TH to THP. The 'X' setting, which selects which
modem result codes are active, must be set to 3 or greater. The
additional result codes necessary are:
BUSY - Denotes that the remote line is busy.
NO CARRIER - Informs THP that Carrier Detect has failed
(modem linkup was not made).
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2.3 Added Descriptors
Several descriptors have been added to THP to implement the
new features:
CALL - Defines the Call Out function
CALLDBUG - Enables Call Out debugging
PERSONAL - Path & security for Personal Directories
RECEIVE - Defines a file to download
SEND - Defines a file to upload
TIMEOUT - Sets a period of time for THP activity
All descriptors (except CALLDBUG) are re-loaded when the Warm
Boot command is issued from the TinyHost Plus select prompt.
CALL - Specifies the parameters for Call Out event where THP
dials out to another TH/THP system. Do NOT put any embedded
spaces in any of the descriptor fields. The descriptor format is:
CALL:<hhmm>,<dial>,<first>,<last>,<password>,<retries>
<hhmm> - The time that the Call Out event is to be run. The
time is to be specified in 24-hour military format (0000-2359,
0000 equals midnight). All four digits, including leading zeroes,
must be present. An hour value of 99 will cause the event to be
executed as soon as THP is run.
<dial> - The dial-out string which includes the phone number
to be dialed. This string will be sent directly to the modem. The
string must include the modem's attention command and type of
dialing (pulse or tone) to be used. Up to 24 characters may be
used in this string.
<first> - First name of account to use when logging into
destination system (15 characters max).
<last> - Last name of login account. Up to 30 characters in
length.
<password> - Password of login account. Limited to 8
characters.
<retries> - Number of times to retry if a connection is not
made (due to a busy signal, etc.). THP will wait one minute
between dialing attempts. Retries is optional, and defaults to
zero.
The following line:
CALL:0130,ATDT5551212,Fred,Mbogo,FOOBAR,5
would execute a Call Out event at 1:30 AM, tone dial 555-1212,
use the account of Fred Mbogo with the password FOOBAR, and try 5
Page 3
times to connect. Changing the line to:
CALL:9900,ATDT5551212,Fred,Mbogo,FOOBAR,5
would cause the Call Out event to be executed as soon as TinyHost
Plus is started.
CALLDBUG - Placing this descriptor in the config file will
display the progress of the Call Out event on the local screen.
This is useful for debugging an event. CALLDBUG is not affected
by a Warm Boot.
CALLDBUG # No other info is needed for Debug
PERSONAL - Specifies the path and minimum security level
needed for access to a Personal Directory. A Personal Directory
can be accessed (remotely) only by the user and someone with
SysOp level security. The format of this descriptor is:
PERSONAL:<path>,<security>
<path> - This is the system path where all personal
directories are to be located. The terminating backslash ('\')
must be omitted. This path must be created by the SysOp for
personal directories to be enabled.
<security> - Minimum security level needed to access a
personal directory. Note that any UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD security
levels are ignored when within a personal directory.
This sample descriptor for personal directories:
PERSONAL:C:\TINYHOST\PERSONAL,7
would create individual directories for all users with security
levels of 7 or higher within the C:\TINYHOST\PERSONAL path.
Personal Directories are re-evaluated after a Warm Boot command
is given, as well as on initial execution.
While within one's Personal Directory, Upload and Download
security provisions are temporarily suspended. This permits a
SysOp to configure THP so that users are prevented from uploading
and/or downloading public files, yet able to transfer them when
in their own personal directories.
RECEIVE - Specifies the parameters for receiving
(downloading) a file from the remote system. The format of this
descriptor is:
RECEIVE:<path>,<filename>,<protocol>
<path> - This is the remote system's directory path to
the desired file. Unless the file is in the root directory of the
remote system, the terminating slash ('\') must be omitted. If
the file is in the Start-Up directory of the remote system then
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<path> may be left blank (but the trailing comma MUST be
included!). <path> is limited to 63 characters.
<filename> - Filename of the file to be downloaded. The file
will be stored in the execution directory of the calling system.
The same name will be used as the destination file, and any
existing file will be overwritten (no backups made). <filename>
is limited to 12 characters.
<protocol> - Number of the protocol to be used: 1 for
XModem/CRC; 2 for 1K-XModem. External protocols are not presently
supported.
A sample descriptor line:
RECEIVE:C:\TINYHOST,ZORKMID.TXT,1
would move to the C:\TINYHOST directory of the remote system and
try to download ZORKMID.TXT using XModem/CRC. Do NOT use spaces
in any of the descriptor fields.
It is possible to download files from a Personal Directory by
using the string PERSONAL in place of a directory path, as:
RECEIVE:PERSONAL,ZORKMID.TXT,1
THP would first attempt to move to the account's Personal
Directory before attempting to download the file ZORKMID.TXT.
SEND - This descriptor specifies the sending (Upload) of a
file from the calling system to the remote. The format is:
SEND:<path>,<filename>,<protocol>,<overwrite>
<path> - This is the remote system's directory path where the
file being sent should be stored. Unless the file will be placed
in the root directory of the remote system, the terminating slash
('\') must be omitted. If the file is in the Start-Up directory
of the remote system then <path> may be left blank (but the
trailing comma MUST be included!). <path> is limited to 63
characters.
<filename> - Filename of the file to be uploaded. The file
will be stored in the directory specified by <path>. <filename>
can include a path to access a file outside of the TinyHost Plus
execution directory. The name of the file being transferred will
be retained at the destination system. <filename> is limited to
75 characters.
<protocol> - Number of the protocol to be used: 1 for
XModem/CRC; 2 for 1K-XModem. External protocols are not
supported.
<overwrite> - Specifies whether or not existing files on the
destination system with the same name should be overwritten or
not. <overwrite> expects a 'Y' or 'N', and defaults to No. When
overwriting a file, backups are automatically made on the
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destination system. A successful overwrite also depends on the
login account having sufficient security to permit overwriting a
file.
A sample descriptor line:
SEND:C:\TINYHOST,ZORKMID.TXT,2,Y
would move to the C:\TINYHOST directory of the remote system and
try to upload ZORKMID.TXT using 1K-XModem. If ZORKMID.TXT already
exists then it is overwritten (security permitting). Again, no
spaces should be used in any of the descriptor fields.
It is possible to upload files to a Personal Directory by
using the string PERSONAL in place of a directory path, as:
SEND:PERSONAL,ZORKMID.TXT,1
THP would first attempt to move to the account's Personal
Directory before attempting to upload the file ZORKMID.TXT.
TIMEOUT - Sets the length of time that THP is to remain
active. After this time has elapsed, THP will return to DOS. The
length of time is set in hhmm format, from 0000-2359 (leading
zeroes are necessary). Note that, because of the software
routines used, the actual timeout delay may be up to one minute
less than that specified. Also note that both an EVENT and
TIMEOUT time cannot be specified.
The following line:
TIMEOUT:0130
would allow THP to run for approximately one hour and thirty
minutes before exiting to DOS. If a call is in progress when the
TIMEOUT time expires, THP will wait until the caller has logged
off before quitting.
3.0 OPERATION
3.1 Call Out Mode
When in Call Out mode, TinyHost Plus should require no
operator intervention. If, during the dialing process, the call
must be redialed, pressing <ESC> at the local keyboard will abort
the Call Event.
When the connection is made, all of the commands that need to
be executed to transfer the specified files, such as Change
Directory, etc., will be handled automatically. In case of line
noise, each command will be attempted three times before
TinyHost Plus gives up and moves on.
If Log file support is enabled, THP will keep track of file
transfers and whether they were successful or not.
Page 6
3.2 Personal Directories
The SysOp must create the subdirectory that will hold the
personal directories, but does not need to create the individual
directories themselves - TinyHost Plus will do this
automatically. Upon start-up, THP will check to see if personal
directories have been enabled (by virtue of the descriptor
definition), then will check individual security levels to see if
that user will have access to his or her directory. If so, THP
will check to see if the directory already exists and, if it does
not, one will be created.
All personal directories will be stored in the path given by
the PERSONAL descriptor. The individual directories will be named
in the same fashion as personal message files: the user's first
name is used, with characters from the last name being added to
pad the directory name to eight characters in length. For
instance, if the user's name is Joe Fabeets, then his personal
directory will have the name JOEFABEE.
To enter a personal directory when logged on, enter an 'M' at
the Main Menu prompt. To exit, enter another 'M'. Files can be
uploaded and downloaded within a personal directory without
regard to the UPLOAD or DOWNLOAD security settings. Also, file
overwrites are permitted without regard to the OVERWRITE security
level.
While within a personal directory, the Change Directory
function is disabled - the only way in or out of a personal
directory is through the [M]ove command. This is to prevent other
users from gaining access to other personal directories. Also,
while within a personal directory, the [L]ist Directory function
does not display a path to further hide these directories.
3.3 Recent Activity Statistics
The registered version of TinyHost Plus keeps track of recent
activity information since the program was started or since the
last SysOp reset of this feature. This information includes the
number of calls, number of uploads and downloads, and number of
Comments left to the SysOp. Note that the number of calls does
*not* include calls made by a user with SysOp level or greater
security.
This information is displayed on the local monitor at the
bottom of the screen. It is also available to a remotely
connected SysOp by entering a STAT or STATS command at the Main
Menu prompt.
These statistics can be reset locally or remotely. To reset
locally, press <F2> at the Waiting for Ring screen. To reset
remotely, someone with SysOp or greater security can enter RESET
at the Main Menu prompt.
Page 7
3.4 Considerations
In order to decide what to do and when to do it, TinyHost
Plus looks over each line of data it receives from the remote
TinyHost system. Because of this, TinyHost Plus will be very
sensitive to the text information included in the TINYHOST.WEL
file that the remote system displays on connect (assuming one has
been created). The following strings (minus the double quotes),
if they appear in the remote system's TINYHOST.WEL file, can
cause TinyHost Plus to fail to logon:
"Enter First Name"
"Enter Password"
"<ENTER>"
"Select"
4.0 MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 What is Shareware?
TinyHost Plus is being released as Shareware, which means
that you can try the program out *before* you buy it and make
sure that it will do what you want. If you find it of use, you
are requested to mail a contribution ($35 suggested) to the
author to support the continued development of this and other
products. Please send a check or money order (U.S. funds only)
to:
Bruce A. Krobusek
5950 King Hill Drive
Farmington, NY 14425
For your $35 you will receive the latest registered version
of TinyHost Plus on either 5 1/4 (360K) or 3 1/2 (720K) media
(please specify). The registered version of TinyHost Plus has the
same functionality as the Shareware version, but:
* Supports up to 100 users
* Includes the Screenblanker and Sound On/Off functionality
* File transfer count increased from 5 to 20
* Displays Recent Call statistics
* Has exit delay removed
* Has registration reminder text removed
You will also receive a registered version of the next major
release of TinyHost Plus, and notifications of future upgrades.
Recent registered users of TinyHost can upgrade to TinyHost Plus
for $10. Please check with the author for further information.
A ready-to-print registration form has been included with
TinyHost Plus. Simply print out REGISTER.FRM using the DOS PRINT
command, fill it out, and return it with your check or money
order.
For those interested, quantity discounts are available.
Custom versions of TinyHost Plus can also be created. Contact the
author for more information.
Page 8
4.2 Distributing TinyHost Plus
Even though TinyHost Plus is Shareware it remains a
copyrighted program. As such, it may be freely copied and
distributed under the following guidelines:
* The author retains the sole right to sell the program
for a profit.
* The author grants users the right to copy and distribute
the Shareware (Unregistered) version of TinyHost Plus so
long as all program and documentation files remain
unaltered and are distributed as a group.
* The program may not be bundled with any other hardware
or software without the permission of the author.
* Recognized users groups may charge a maximum of $5 for
duplication and/or distribution of TinyHost Plus.
Registered users are requested to distribute only the
Shareware (Unregistered) version of TinyHost Plus. There is no
major difference in functionality.
4.3 License Agreement
Unregistered users are granted a 60-day evaluation period.
After that time, they are expected to either register TinyHost
Plus or cease using it.
Registered users may use TinyHost Plus on more than one
machine, as long as there is no possibility of more than one copy
being in use at a time. Site licenses are available. Please
contact the author for more information.
4.4 Warranty Information
The author (Bruce A. Krobusek) disclaims all warranties
expressed or implied as to the quality and performance of this
program (TinyHost Plus). The author will not be held liable for
any lost profits, lost savings, or any other direct, indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use of
this program. Your use of this program constitutes your agreement
to this disclaimer and your release of the author from any form
of liability or litigation.
4.5 Program Support
Now that the legal technicalities are out of the way, let me
state that I have done my best to ensure that TinyHost Plus is
error free. However, that is not to imply that one might not find
errors that have been missed. If a problem should be found,
contact me through one of the avenues mentioned below and I will
do my best to correct it. Naturally, the more information that
can be supplied as to the nature of the bug the better chance I
will have of finding and squashing it!
Page 9
I am also interested in receiving any comments or suggestions
regarding TinyHost Plus. Although I have a few ideas for upcoming
enhancements, I am always interested in hearing what other people
think of this program.
Here are some methods that can be used in contacting me,
starting with the most preferable:
TinyHost Support BBS - (716) 924-4193 USR Courier V.32bis
This is my personal BBS that is running TinyHost,
and it is available 24 hours a day. (Unless I happen
to be in the process of debugging a new release.)
Logon as NEW USER with the password GUEST. (This
may change as TinyHost Plus grows. Read the opening
screen for the latest logon and version info.)
Intelec Network - This is a national BBS network
There are nodes all over the U.S. and Canada,
with a few starting to appear in other nations.
I will monitor the Communications and Shareware
conferences for any messages addressed to me.
The latest Intelec node (BBS) list has been
included as IN-NODE.LST. There is probably a BBS
that carries Intelec near you.
CompuServe Informational Services - My account number
is 74106,1335. I usually logon daily.
Internet - via CompuServe: 74106.1335@compuserve.com
Micro Science BBS - (716) 594-1804 USR Dual Standard /
V.32bis. This Bulletin Board is located in
Rochester, NY, and is run by Larry Helber. The
latest version of TinyHost will always be available
as a free download. Do a file search (Z) and scan
for TINYHOST, or download THP*.ZIP. There is also
a TinyHost support conference where messages can be
left and received. No BBS registration is required
for TinyHost download or support.
Home Address - 5950 King Hill Drive
Farmington, NY 14425
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