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MEGAHOST
System Version 2.30
Document Created on January 1, 1994
Don Mankin
Copyright (c) 1994 by Don Mankin
All Rights Reserved
231 Market Place #353
San Ramon, CA 94583
Support BBS Number 209-836-2402 (ONLINE Registration)
This is a user supported product. We encourage you to pass
it along to others. If you find MEGAHOST of value, please
register it with us. If used commercially or for commercial
purposes, a registration fee of $79 (US Dollars) is
required. Otherwise, registration would be just $49.
Include $4.00 shipping and handling plus California sales
tax of 7.75% if ordering from California.
Please send your registration to the above address or,
register online using your MasterCard or Visa. Support of
this product is provided exclusively through the Support BBS
at the number provided above.
Thanks for supporting MEGAHOST!
MEGAHOST User Guide
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION .........................................2
II. THE SMALL PRINT .....................................4
2.1 Shareware ......................................4
2.2 Warranties (There aren't any) .................4
2.3 Miscellaneous Notices ..........................4
III. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ....................................4
IV. MEGAHOST FILES ......................................5
4.1 Files Used by MEGAHOST .........................5
4.2 Examples of Displays to Callers ................6
4.3 Files Created by MEGAHOST ......................7
4.4 Documentation for MEGAHOST .....................9
V INSTALLATION ..........................................10
5.1 Modem and Cable ................................10
5.1.1 Modem Settings ..........................10
5.1.2 AT Cable Configuration ..................11
5.2 Directory Setup ................................12
5.2.1 General and for Single-User Systems .....12
5.2.2 Special Instructions for a multi-user
BBS ............................................12
5.3 Computer Configuration .........................13
5.3.1 Autoexec.bat ............................13
5.3.2 Config.sys ..............................13
5.3.3 Multi-User BBS Requirements .............14
5.3.4 Operation under Desqview ................14
5.3.4.1 Desqview and ANSI ................14
5.3.4.2 Change a Program Settings ........14
5.4 Program Configuration ..........................15
5.4.1 Configuring Security Level ..............15
5.4.2 The Menuing System ......................16
5.4.3 MEGAHOST.CNF Settings ...................18
ACFILES= ..................................18
ALLOW300= .................................18
ANSIDELAY= ................................18
ANSWERSTRING= .............................18
ASKANSI= ..................................19
ASKBIG= ...................................19
ASKCONDOR= ................................19
ASKFILECHECK= .............................20
ASKMAILCHECK= .............................20
ASKNAPLPS= ................................20
ASKRIP= ...................................21
AUTOINDUCTION= ............................21
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin i
MEGAHOST User Guide
BATCHLOG= .................................21
BATCHON= ..................................22
BATCHOFF= .................................22
BATCHUPL= .................................23
BAUD= .....................................23
BBSNAME= ..................................23
BETWEENRINGS= .............................23
BIOS= .....................................23
BUMPNEWUSERSECURITY= ......................24
BUMPQUESTIONNAIRE= ........................24
CALLBACK= .................................24
CALLERRECS= ...............................24
CHANGEMENU= ...............................24
CHECKAPI= .................................24
CLOSEDSYSTEM= .............................24
CMDLINE= ..................................25
COLOR= ....................................25
CONDORSYS= ................................25
COSYSOP= ..................................25
COMn_BASE= ................................25
COMn_INT= .................................25
COMn_IRQ= .................................25
CONFERENCE= ...............................26
DATAPATH= .................................27
DEBUG= ....................................28
DEFAULTS= .................................28
DEVICELAYER= ..............................28
DIALSTRING= ...............................29
DIRECT= ...................................29
DIRECTORY= ................................29
DIRPW= ....................................30
DOORMENU= .................................30
DOORSYS= ..................................30
ENABLEFIFO= ...............................30
ENTERMSG= .................................30
EVENT= ....................................30
EXECSWAP= .................................31
HOURS= ....................................31
HWFLOWCTL= ................................31
INITSTRING= ...............................31
INTERNALXFRS= .............................32
LOCKBAUD= .................................32
LOGFILE= ..................................32
LOGONALIAS= ...............................32
LPT= ......................................32
MAILMENU= .................................32
MATCHLEVEL= ...............................32
MDM300= ...................................33
MDM1200= ..................................33
MDM2400= ..................................33
MDM4800= ..................................33
MDM9600= ..................................33
MDM19200= .................................33
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin ii
MEGAHOST User Guide
MDM38400= .................................33
MDM57600= .................................33
MENU=ANSI .................................33
MENU=BUZZBACK .............................33
MENU=CHANGEDIR ............................33
MENU=DOWNLOAD .............................33
MENU=ECHODOOR .............................33
MENU=FILEDESC .............................34
MENU=HELP .................................34
MENU=LOGDRIVE .............................34
MENU=KNOWNCALLER ..........................34
MENU=MSGTOSYSOP ...........................34
MENU=OPERATOR .............................34
MENU=PROGRAMDIR ...........................34
MENU=QUESTIONNAIRE ........................34
MENU=READLOG ..............................35
MENU=SEARCH ...............................35
MENU=TRAPDOOR .............................35
MENU=UPLOAD ...............................35
MENU=VIEWBULL .............................35
MENU=ZIPPYDIRSCAN .........................35
MODEMDELAY= ...............................35
MSGRECS= ..................................35
NAPLPSDELAY= ..............................36
NETTYPE= ..................................36
NEWPVTMSG= ................................36
NEWUSERSECURITY= ..........................36
NEWUSERTIMELIMIT= .........................36
NODE= .....................................36
NOTIMERS= .................................36
OFFHOOK= ..................................37
OPTION= ...................................37
PORT= .....................................37
PRINTER= ..................................37
PROTECT= ..................................37
PROTOCOL= .................................38
QUIET= ....................................38
READMSG= ..................................38
RESETSTRING= ..............................39
RETRIES= ..................................39
REVMSGFILE= ...............................39
RINGBACK= .................................39
RINGPIN= ..................................39
SAVESCRN= .................................40
SEPARATORS= ...............................40
SHOWSWAPMSG= ..............................40
SKIPFILECHECK= ............................40
SKIPMAILCHECK= ............................40
START= ....................................40
SWAPTOEMS= ................................40
SYSOP= ....................................41
TDSTRING= .................................41
TEMPDIR= ..................................41
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin iii
MEGAHOST User Guide
TRAPDOOR= .................................41
UPLOAD= ...................................42
UPLOADINPLACE= ............................42
USEPS2= ...................................42
USERLOCK= .................................42
USERMENU= .................................42
XONXOFF= ..................................42
5.4.4 CDROMDIR.CNF Settings ...................43
VI. OPERATING MEGAHOST ..................................44
6.1 Startup ........................................44
6.2 Local Mode .....................................44
6.3 Bulletins ......................................44
6.4 The Directory/Status Lines .....................45
6.5 Using MEGAHOST: The Menus .....................46
6.5.1 The Main Menu ...........................46
(A)NSI Color -- on/off ....................46
(B)uzz Back ...............................46
(C)hange Directory ........................46
(Download File ............................46
(E)cho Mail ...............................48
(F)ile Descriptions .......................48
(G)oodbye Logoff ..........................48
(H)elp with MHOST .........................48
(K)nown Caller Log ........................48
(L)og New Drive ...........................48
(M)essage System ..........................48
(O)perator Chat ...........................48
(P)rogram Directory .......................49
(Q)uestionnaire ...........................49
(S)earch for File .........................49
(U)pload File .............................49
(V)iew Bulletins ..........................49
(Z)ippy Dir Scan ..........................49
(+)-Trap DOOR(s) ..........................49
(*)-Read Log File .........................49
(&)-Add Prog. Desc. (SysOp Only) .........50
Operating Under Networks ..................50
6.5.2 Known Caller System Options .............50
(A)dd Caller (SysOp Only) ................50
(C)ompress Database (SysOp Only) .........50
(D)elete by Record (SysOp Only) ..........50
(E)dit Caller Info ........................51
(I)nquire Personal ........................52
(G)oodbye Logoff ..........................52
(L)ist Callers ............................52
(S)end to Printer (SysOp Only) ...........52
(P)ause Toggle ............................52
(Q)uit to Main ............................52
(R)ebuild Database (SysOp Only) ..........52
(X)pert Mode ..............................52
6.5.3 Message Database System Options .........53
(B)ackward Read ...........................53
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin iv
MEGAHOST User Guide
(C)ompress Database (SysOp Only) .........53
(D)elete by Record (SysOp Only ...........53
(E)nter Message ...........................53
(F)orward Read ............................54
(G)oodbye Logoff ..........................54
(I)ndividual Message ......................54
(L)ist to Printer (SysOp Only) ...........54
(M)essage Area ............................54
(N)ew Message .............................54
(P)ause Toggle ............................54
(Q)uit to Main ............................54
(R)ebuild Database (SysOp Only) ..........55
(S)earch Messages .........................55
(X)pert Mode ..............................55
(Y)our Mail ...............................55
Note on Reading Messages ..................55
6.6 Closing MEGAHOST Down ..........................56
6.7 Function Keys ..................................56
6.7.1 F-Key Alone .............................56
6.7.2 SHIFT + Function Key ....................57
6.7.3 CTRL + Function Key .....................57
6.8 Keypad Keys ....................................57
6.9 Tilde Key ......................................58
VII. FOR THE ADVANCED AND THE CURIOUS ...................59
7.1 More on initstring .............................59
7.2 Running a DOS (or a program) from a remote .....60
7.3 Premature Exits (and exiting remotely) .........62
VIII. COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS ............................66
8.1 Downward compatibilty of future versions .......66
8.2 Memory resident program problems ...............66
IX TESTIMONIALS .........................................67
A. MINIHOST / MAXIHOST / MEGAHOST CONVERSIONS ...........68
A.1 MiniHost to MaxiHost Conversion ................68
A.2 MaxiHost to MegaHost Conversion ................68
A.3 MegaHost 1.3 to MegaHost 2.0 Conversion ........71
B. BIG TERMINAL .........................................73
C. NAPLPS TERMINAL ......................................74
D. RIPscript ............................................76
E. MegaFIDO .............................................79
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin v
MEGAHOST User Guide
I. INTRODUCTION
MEGAHOST is a low maintenance, feature-rich, bulletin
board program. It can be operated as a a single-user
or ulti-node system, either under DOS, shared on a
network, or multitasked under Quarterdeck's DesqView
and Microsoft's Windows 3.1.
MEGAHOST runs on an IBM PC or compatible with 384 RAM
under PC- or MS-DOS 3.0 or higher. It can be used with
floppies but is written with a hard drive in mind.
MEGAHOST is initially configured for Hayes-compatible
modems, but can be set up for other modems. See 5.1
and 'More on INITSTRINGS' below.
A person calling MEGAHOST should call at 8 bits, no
parity and 1 stop bit, to enable Xmodem transfers.
However, MEGAHOST also operates if called at 7 data
blits, even parity and one stop bit.
Some MEGAHOST features:
* Multi-User Message and Caller Databases
* No limit on number of callers (databases support
over 2 billion records)
* Event Scheduling
* Questionnaire facility
* Operator Chat hours
* Trap DOOR menuing system
* Message System printing
* Menu driven DIRECTORY changes
* User-defined Menus
* Marked Downloads
* Built-in Xmodem, Xmodem-1K
* Xmodem 1KG, Ymodem, Ymodem-G, Zmodem, & Kermit
modules
are available at no extra cost
* Supports up to fifteen external file transfer
protocols
* Hierarchical or non-hierarchical security
structure
* Releases all but 12k when in a door or a DOS
shell
* File description updates in any directory
* Data files may be in a separate directory
* Twenty five character CONFERENCE descriptions
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 6
MEGAHOST User Guide
* ANSI graphics new user, help, and good-bye
screens
* Creates DOOR.SYS or DOORINFO1.DEF file
* Support for REMOTE IMAGING PROTOCOL (RIP)
terminals
* Support for NAPLPS GRAPHICS terminals
* Support for BLUE INSTANT GRAPHICS terminal
* Support for CONDOR GRAPHICS terminals
* Support for ACFILES
* Support for front end mailers and echo mail
doors
* Support for DigiBoard Universal Device Driver
* Support for FOSSIL drivers
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 7
MEGAHOST User Guide
II. THE SMALL PRINT
2.1 Shareware
This program is not in the public domain. If you
decide to keep this product and use it on a regular
basis you must register this program with the author.
Read the opening screen for registration details.
2.2 Warranties (There aren't any.)
All WARRANTIES of merchantibility and fitness for any
particular purpose are disclaimed. The author
disclaims any liability by way of warranty or
otherwise, for any damage which results from any
application of this program.
2.3 Miscellaneous Notices
This document mentions the names of various commercial
products; many of these names are trademarks or
registered trademarks.
III. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank Rod Cole, Jimmy Nord, Matt Wakeley, Ted
DeCastro, Chuck Childers, Lyle Eddy, Andy Walsh, Peter
Evans, Carl Sagerquist, Jim Spheekas, Don Lokke, Dennis
Tuchler, and many others for the help they have
provided. This has included suggestions, coding, and
system documentation. It is truly appreciated.
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 8
MEGAHOST User Guide
IV. MEGAHOST FILES
4.1 Files Used by MEGAHOST
MEGAHOST.CNF MEGAHOST Configuration file
MEGAHOST.EXE The main executable program
BATCH1.BAT Tests BATCHLOG front end -- See
BATCHLOG=
BATCH2.BAT Sample BATCHLOG.BAT file -- See
BATCHLOG=
BATCHLGn.BAT For alternative logon front end for
node n
BATCHON.BAT Used to call external programs upon
logon
BATCHOFF.BAT Used to call external programs upon
logoff
BATCHUPL.BAT Used to call external programs after
uploads
ECHODOOR.BAT Used to invoke optional 3rd party
echo mail system
EVENT.BAT Used to call external programs at a
certain time
TRAPDOO?.BAT Provides a door to a program or batch
file, which you select. If only one
trapdoor is to be used, the batch
file should be TRAPDOOR.BAT. If more
than one is used, the file should be
TRAPDOO?.BAT where ? is a letter,
A...Z (e.g. TRAPDOOA.BAT,
TRAPDOOB.BAT)
WATCHDGn.COM Public domain program to monitor
Carrier Detect for COMn (WATCHDG1.COM
for Com1, WATCHDG2.COM for Com2)
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 9
MEGAHOST User Guide
4.2 Examples of Displays to Callers
BULLETIN.G00 ANSI color bulletin menu
BULLETIN.T00 ASCII (monochrome) bulletin menu
BULLETIN.G?? ANSI color bulletin. ?? is a number
01-99
BULLETIN.T?? ASCII (monochrome) bulletin. ?? is a
number 01-99
CHNGMNU?.G00 Sample CHANGE DIRECTORY menu. See
User Defined Menus
DOORMNU?.G00 Sample TRAPDOOR menu. See User
Defined Menus
GOODBYE.G01 ANSI color text file (edit to suit
your needs) displayed upon logging
off the system
GOODBYE.T01 ASCII (monochrome) text file (edit to
suit your needs) displayed on logging
off the system
HELP.G00 ANSI color help menu file (edit to
suit your needs) displayed if caller
picks the (H)elp with MHost Main Menu
option
HELP.T00 ASCII (monochrome) menu help file
(edit to suit your needs) displayed
if caller picks the (H)elp with MHost
Main Menu option. ?? is a number 01-
99
HELP.G?? ANSI color help file (edit to suit
your needs) displayed if caller picks
the (H)elp with MHost Main Menu
option. ?? is a number 01-99
HELP.T?? ASCII (monochrome) help file (edit to
suit) displayed if caller picks the
(H)elp with MHost Main Menu option
MAILMNU?.G00 Sample Mail Menu. See User Defined
Menus
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 10
MEGAHOST User Guide
MAINMNU?.G00 Sample Main Menu. See User Defined
Menus
NEWUSER.G01 ANSI color file displayed for new
users
NEWUSER.T01 ASCII (monochrome) file displayed for
new users
QUESTn.IN Sample Questionnaire input file for
node n - See MENU=QUESTIONNAIRE.
WELCOME.G01 ANSI color file displayed after
connection is established
WELCOME.T01 ASCII (monochrome) color file
displayed after connection is
established
Additional GRAPHICS support files have been added to
the list. Files that support BIG Graphics have file
extensions that end with '.3??', '.2??., or '.1??'
depending upon the graphics mode. Files that support
NAPLPS graphics have file extensions that end with
'.P??'.
4.3 Files Created by MEGAHOST
BATCHLOG.DAT Created when BATCHLOG=Y.
CALLERSn.LST Created or appended to when LPT=0 and
the SysOp selects (S)end to Printer
from the Known Callers Log menu
(n=node in which the SysOp was when
(S) was pressed).
CALLERSn.PRN Created or appended to when LPT=0 and
the SysOp selects (P)rint from the
user record screen called after
pressing (E)dit Caller Info or
(I)nquire Personal from the Known
Caller Log Menu (n=node in which the
SysOp was when (P) was pressed).
COMPRESn.FLG This informs MEGAHOST when a
compression is occuring; n=node
(COMPRES2.FLG is for node 2).
DIRNAME.BBS Created for descriptions of files for
download in \DIRNAME. Where DIRNAME
is the name provided UPLOAD=, it
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 11
MEGAHOST User Guide
includes file descriptions provided
by the caller uploading them. If the
UPLOAD keyword points to a root
directory (not recommended) the
filename becomes FILES.BBS instead.
Files from \DIRNAME can be moved to
the proper download directory (e.g.
\DNLOAD) and the relevant data in
DIRNAME.BBS can be put in a file
there (e.g. DNLOAD.BBS). The data
file for files in a directory must
always have the name of the directory
and the extension, BBS.
If network support is requested,
uploaded file descriptions go to
UPLOADSn.BBS, not DIRNAME.BBS. File
descriptions in these *.bbs files
must be put in the appropriate
DIRNAME.BBS files by the SysOp.
DOOR.SYS See DOORSYS=.
DORINFO1.DEF See DOORSYS=.
MAILFIL.DAT Message data file.
MAILFIL.IX Message index file.
MEGAHSTn.LOG Logs callers' activities on the
board, for node n.
MEGAHST1.DEF See DOORSYS=.
MESSAGEn.LST Created or appended to when LPT=0 and
the SysOp selects (L)ist to Printer
from the Message System menu (n=node
in which the SysOp was when (S) was
pressed).
MESSAGEn.PRN Created or appended to when LPT=0 and
the SysOp selects (P)rint from the
menu of choices under a message
(n=node in which the SysOp was when
(P) was pressed).
NODEn.FLG This informs MEGAHOST when other
nodes are running; n=node (NODE2.FLG
is for node 2).
QUESTn.OUT Questionnaire output file for node n.
See MENU=QUESTIONNAIRE.
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 12
MEGAHOST User Guide
REINDEXn.FLG This informs MEGAHOST when reindexing
is occuring; n=node (REINDEX2.FLG is
for node 2).
USRSFIL.DAT Caller data file.
USRSFIL.IX Caller index file.
????????.$$$ Temporary file.
If MAILFIL.* or USRSFIL.* is deleted, MEGAHOST
recreates them on the next logon.
Deleting either *.IX file will cause the related
database to be reindexed next logon.
4.4 Documentation for MEGAHOST
MEGAHOST.DOC This file, which can be printed on
most laser printers by setting the
lines per page to 66.
READ.ME Last-minute news.
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 13
MEGAHOST User Guide
V. INSTALLATION
Installation is easy. This part of the document leads
you through the steps.
1. First, your modem must be set up properly, and
the cable connecting the modem to the
communications port of your computer must be in
good shape and properly configured. See 5.1.1
Modem Settings and 5.1.2 AT Cable Configuration.
2. Second, you must load MEGAHOST's executable
files into a directory and list that directory
in the PATH statement of your autoexec.bat. See
5.2 Directory Setup.
3. Third, you must check your config.sys and
autoexec.bat to be sure they include necessary
statements. These steps are described in 5.3
Computer Configuration.
4. Finally, you must configure MEGAHOST, itself, by
editing its configuration file. The
configuration file, MEGAHOST.CNF is an ASCII
text file which contains the information
MEGAHOST needs to function properly. This step
is covered in 5.4 Program Configuration.
5.1 Modem and Cable
5.1.1 Modem Settings
Your modem must have these settings:
DTRnot forced on!
CD not forced on!
AA not forced on!
Note: Apparently some versions of the AST Six Pack
force the DTR and CD signals true. See the AST manual
for more information. Here are some modem setting
examples:
a. HAYES 1200 EXTERNAL MODEM
Switch Set.
1 UP DTR controlled by pin 20. Required.
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 14
MEGAHOST User Guide
2 DN Numeric messages. Optional. Set by MEGAHOST
software.
3 DN No result code display. Optional. Set by
MEGAHOST software.
4 DN Modem does not echo. Optional Set by
MEGAHOST software.
5 DN Auto Answer suppressed. Optional. Set by
MEGAHOST software.
6 UP CD controlled by pin 8. Required.
7 UP Single line connection. Required.
8 DN AT command recognition. Required.
b. HAYES 1200B INTERNAL MODEM
Set the three switches on the board from A-B to B-C,
the alternate position. This jumper is not documented
in the manual. MEGAHOST now works with the factory set
switch settings.
c. HAYES 1200B MODEL 07/00043 INTERNAL MODEM
Switch Set.
1 UP/DN Select COM1: or COM2:
2 UP Select single line
3 DN Detect carrier
4 UP Monitor DTR status
5 UP Select Bell 212A
6 UP US/Canada
d. US ROBOTICS 2400 AND 9600
Use Hayes 1200 external switch settings. (Early ROM
versions of the 9600 seem to ignore the V setting and
respond only to switch 2.)
5.1.2 AT Cable Configuration
If the cable which connects your modem to your
computer, is new, and was purchased from a reputable
dealer, you can skip this part.
AT nine pin --------DB 15
1 -----------CD---------8
2 -----------RD---------3
3 -----------TD---------2
4 -----------DTR-------20
5 -----------SG---------7
6 -----------DSR--------6
7 -----------RTS--------4
8 -----------CTS--------5
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 15
MEGAHOST User Guide
9 -----------RI--------22
5.2 Directory Setup
5.2.1 General and for Single-User Systems
All executable files should go in a single directory
(you might name it C:\MEGAHOST). That directory's name
must be in the DOS path. You may keep data files (eg.
menu files, bulletin files, etc.) in another directory
(e.g., C:\MEGAHOST\DATA), but if you do that, be sure
to insert the name of that directory after DATAPATH= in
MEGAHOST.CNF. If your data directory is
C:\MEGAHOST\DATA, then DATAPATH=C:\MEGAHOST\DATA.
It is also a good idea to set aside a directory for
files uploaded to your MEGAHOST bulletin board, and one
or more directories for files to be downloaded by
people who call in to your board. You might call the
upload directory C:\UPLOADS. If you do set up such a
directory, put its designation after the UPLOAD=
statement in the configuration file, MEGAHOST.CNF. If
your upload directory is called C:\UPLOADS, then that
entry would be UPLOAD=C:\UPLOADS.
Each directory set aside for files to be downloaded by
those who call in, should be listed after the
DIRECTORY= statement in MEGAHOST.CNF. Using an alias
for the directory name, and limiting access to that
directory to persons with a particular security level,
are discussed after DIRECTORY=.
5.2.2 Special Instructions for a multi-user BBS
You cannot run the same MEGAHOST executable files more
than once. Do not invoke MEGAHOST executable files
twice. You must have a separate directory for the
executable files for each node, and each of these
directories should be in the path. In each of my
directories, I have BATCHOFF.BAT, BATCHON.BAT,
EVENT.BAT, TRAPDOOA.BAT, TRAPDOOB.BAT, TRAPDOOC.BAT,
TRAPDOOD.BAT, MEGAHOST.EXE, MEGAHOST.CNF, MEGAAPIn.EXE,
and MEGAAPIn.DAT.
You may keep the shared data files in a separate
subdirectory, and set DATAPATH= to that subdirectory.
This directory should have MAILFIL.* and USRSFIL.*
files, and all menus, bulletins, etc.
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 16
MEGAHOST User Guide
(*.Gxx), ASCII (*.Txx), BIG (1.xx, 2.xx, 3.xx), and
NAPLPS (P.xx) files' attributes to read only. This is
done with this DOS 5.0 command: attrib +r filename.ext.
I have these files set read-only: BULLETIN.*,
CHNGMNU1.*, DOORMNU1.*, GOODBYE.*, HELP.*, MAILMNU1.*,
MAILMNU2.*, MAINMNU3.*, NEWUSER.*, USERMNU1.*,
USERMNU1.*, and WELCOME.*
5.3 Computer Configuration
5.3.1 Autoexec.bat
The PATH statement in your autoexec.bat file should
include the name of each directory in which you have
MEGAHOST executable files. As an alternative, if you
start up MEGAHOST with a batch file, you can include a
SET Path= statement on a line batch file before the
line which calls MEGAHOST.
COMSPEC should point to the location of command.com.
The computer should know where to find command.com.
Normally, command.com is kept in the root directory on
the drive from which you boot up (C:\), and DOS doesn't
need to be told where to find it. Still, it doesn't
hurt to be sure, so include a COMSPEC= statement at the
beginning of your autoexec.bat. If you keep
command.com in the root directory, the statement should
be COMSPECT=C:\. If you keep it in another directory
(eg. C:\DOS), then the line should be COMSPEC=C:\DOS.
Be sure the COMSPEC statement includes the drive
specifier.
Some problems involving COMSPEC have been resolved
either by placing a path to command.com , or by placing
a copy of command.com in each directory with executable
MEGAHOST files.
5.3.2 Config.sys
You should have ANSI.SYS loaded in your system before
you run MEGAHOST. You can do this by placing this line
in your CONFIG.SYS: DEVICE=ANSI.SYS
If ANSI.SYS is in a directory other than the root
directory of the disk from which you boot up, include
the path to ANSI.SYS in that DEVICE= statement e.g.:
DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
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You should also have at least 40 files available to
DOS. You can do this by putting this line in your
CONFIG.SYS: FILES=40
If you operate MEGAHOST under Quarterdeck's memory
management program, Qemm, see your Qemm manual for an
alternative way to provide for 40 files.
5.3.3 Multi-User BBS Requirements
If you set NETTYPE=MSNET or NETTYPE=DESQVIEW, in
MEGAHOST.CNF, load SHARE. This can be done by this
line in config.sys: Install=[p:]Share.exe.[/f:n][/l:n],
where [p:] is the full path for Share.exe, including
the drive specifier, [/f:n] is the space in bytes to
record sharing information (e.g. /f:4096, the default
being 2048) and [/l:n] is the number of files that can
be locked at a time (e.g. /l:30, the default being 20).
5.3.4 Operation under DesqView
5.3.4.1 DesqView and ANSI
If you operate MEGAHOST under DesqView, loading
ANSI.SYS from your CONFIG.SYS will do you no good at
all. Load DesqView's DVANSI.COM into the window in
which you will run MEGAHOST. You can do this by
starting MEGAHOST from a batch file, which calls DVANSI
before calling MEGAHOST. This is an example of such a
batch file:
@Echo off
REM This file is called Mhost.bat
DVANSI
MEGAHOST
EXIT
The DesqView Change a Program Program Name field would
hold MHOST.BAT, and the Directory Field would hold the
name of the MEGAHOST home directory (e.g. C:\MEGAHOST).
5.3.4.2 Change a Program Settings
If you use the batch file described above for loading
DVANSI, do not set the MEGAHOST window to close on
exit. That is, put N in the Close on exit (Y, N,
blank) field on the Change a Program Advanced Options
menu. The EXIT command at the end of the batch file
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will take care of closing the window after exit, and
allow the whole batch file to complete its commands
before the window closes.
The Protection level (0-3) field on the Change a
Program Advanced Options menu should not be set to 3,
unless you also instruct QEMM386 to exclude your EMS
paging address. Otherwise, DesqView will error when MH
tries to write to EMS.
5.4 Program Configuration
Before you use MEGAHOST, configure it by making entries
to the configuration file MEGAHOST.CNF. This is a
plain ASCII file, which you can edit with an ASCII text
editor. You may also use a word processor if you save
the file in "document" or "dos text" form. Items begun
with semicolons are considered comments and are ignored
when MEGAHOST.CNF is read by the program, so you can
insert comments in the configuration file with safety.
This section guides you in setting up MEGAHOST.CNF, the
MEGAHOST configuration file. It begins by describing
two important features of MEGAHOST, which need separate
discussion before you move on to adjusting the entries
in MEGAHOST.CNF.
5.4.1 Configuring Security Level
A caller's security level determines a caller's access
to various features of MEGAHOST. By setting a caller's
security level in that person's file (see MEGAHOST.CNF
Settings, NEWUSERSECURITY= and see (K)nown Caller Log,
(E)dit Caller Info under CALLER MENU OPTIONS) you
determine whether that caller can enter a message,
upload or download a file, log onto a subdirectory,
etc.
MEGAHOST can be configured for hierarchical or non-
hierarchical security levels:
1) A hierarchical security level system is
cumulative. The privileges of those with higher
security numbers include all the privileges of
those with lower security numbers. If access to
C:\Dir1 and C:\Dir2 is made available to persons
with security level 1, and access to C:\Dir3 and
C:\Dir4 is available only to persons with
security level 2, then those with security level
2 have access to all four directories.
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2) A non-hierarchical system is noncumulative. It
limits persons to access privileges assigned to
persons with their particular security level.
In the former example, if you set up MEGAHOST in
a non-hierarchical way, then the people with
security level 1 would have access to C:\Dir1
and C:\Dir2, and people with security level 2
would have access only to C:\Dir3 and C:\Dir4.
For further information on how MEGAHOST can be
set up for hierarchical or non-hierarchical
security levels, see DIRECTORY=, MATCHLEVEL=,
MENU= and PROTECT=.
5.4.2 The Menuing System
MEGAHOST supplies six menus:
1) The Main Menu, from which all other menus are
accessed
2) The Known Caller Log Menu (see 6.5.2 Known
Caller System Options)
3) The Message System Menu (see 6.5.3 Message
Database System Options)
4) The Upload Menu, which offers a selection of
protocols and guides the process of uploading to
the MEGAHOST board
5) The Download Menu, which offers a selection of
protocols and guides the process of downloading
from the MEGAHOST board
6) The Exit Menu, which offers a choice to leave,
continue or leave a comment for the SysOp and
then leave.
These menus are also available
7) The Bulletin Menu, if you have Bulletin.T00 or
Bulletin.G00 (or both) available for use
8) The Change Directory Menu, if the caller has
access to more than one directory.
9) The door Menu, if the caller has access more
than one Trapdoor with the + option on the Main
Menu
The options available on the main, message and known
caller menus are set out below. A few things need to
be noted here:
Security level determines the availability of a main
menu option. A security level can be assigned to a
main menu item. If security levels are non-
hierarchical (MATCHLEVEL=Y), you can assign multiple
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security levels to a menu item. Security levels are
separated with commas, e.g.: MENU=ANSI;0,5,8,100
To disable a menu item, specify a security level of -1.
The SysOp can add or change main menu choices. The
MEGAHOST.CNF keyword, OPTION= enables the SysOp to
alter the MEGAHOST supplied main menu by adding or
changing main menu choices. This freedom has limits:
First, if you select a letter which belongs to an item
already provided on the menu, that option is
overridden. It cannot be assigned to another letter.
Second, because of the first limitation, you cannot
override the (G)oodbye menu option. Finally, you are
limited to 35 OPTION= entries.
User-defined menus are available. While MEGAHOST has a
default menu display for each menu, the SysOp can
create alternative menu displays for the main, change
directory, trapdoor, mail, and known caller menus. You
may have up to 10 menus for each. The example given
will address the main menu setup, because what is
described for that menu applies as well to:
CHANGEMENU=, DOORMENU=, MAILMENU=, MAINMENU=, and
USERMENU=. Syntax for User-defined menus is:
MAINMENU=MAINMNU1;0
MAINMENU=MAINMNU2;100
MAINMENU=MAINMNU3;8
MAINMENU=MAINMNU4;5
Order of entry is not important. This menu array is
sorted in highest to lowest order by security level -
the order each entry is read into memory is not
important. If a caller with a security level of 0
calls in, MAINMNU2 is first checked, then MAINMNU3,
then MAINMNU4, then finally MAINMNU1 will be displayed.
If a caller with security level 7 calls in, MAINMNU2 is
first checked, then MAINMNU3, then MAINMNU4 is checked
and displayed. When a match is found, the search ends
- only one menu will be displayed. Because only one
menu can be displayed, it does not make sense to
duplicate security levels.
MAINMNU1 and the other examples represent 8 character
names of files that exist in the directory pointed to
by DATAPATH=. In this example, a caller whose security
matches MAINMNU1 will either see MAINMNU1.G00 if ANSI
is enabled, or MAINMNU1.T00 if it is not.
If MATCHLEVEL=Y, a callers security level must exactly
match one of the menu's security levels or no menu will
be displayed! You may assign multiple security levels
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to each menu entry. The security levels statement
should be separated with commas as in the following
example.
MAINMENU=MAINMNU1;0,5,8,100
MAINMENU=MAINMNU2;23,65,81,22
These entries are sorted by the first number of the
available security levels so that the search order
would be MAINMNU2 (security 23) first, then MAINMNU1
(security 0) second. This should not be significant
providing you do not duplicate security levels.
The MENU= configurations in MEGAHOST.CNF must be set
even if the User-defined Menus are installed. The
MENU= setting provides the security level for each menu
option. The MENU= keywords MUST be configured to
provide the necessary security levels for each menu
option.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of
MEGAHOST that supports User Defined Menus, make sure
that the extensions for your UDF Menus now reflect the
change from '.??1' to '.??0'. This change was
implemented to conform with the extension standard used
in the bulletin and help menus.
5.4.3 MEGAHOST.CNF Settings
Be sure you change the setting of SYSOP=. Substitute
your name for "DON MANKIN" so that the system
recognizes you as SysOp.
ACFILES=N
If Y, filenames in new file descriptions are
left-justified, making the .BBS file compatible
with the program ACFILES.
ALLOW300=Y
Set to Y, this allows 300 baud modems to use the
system. N would prohibit 300 baud modems from
coming on.
ANSIDELAY=Y
Setting this to N eliminates a short pause added
when displaying ANSI output that causes some
high speed modems to miss ANSI escape sequences
which displays garbage on the display screen.
ANSWERSTRING=ATA
This string causes the modem to answer.
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ASKANSI=Y
If set to N, the caller is not asked whether
ANSI color, nor any of the following supported
graphics modes are desired.
ASKBIG=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST adds the Blue Instant
Graphics mode to the availability list. When BIG
protocol is chosen, it is assumed that the
caller is using the terminal program BIG and
MEGAHOST requests BIG's status. Three modes of
BIG are supported: DEMO-LEVEL, REGISTERED, and
REGISTERED-ADLIB. If BIG Terminal is in
REGISTERED-ADLIB mode, text files and menu
screens with the extension .3?? are displayed.
If the level is REGISTERED, text files and menu
screens ending with .2?? are displayed.
Finally, if BIG is in DEMO-LEVEL, files with the
extension .1?? are displayed. If display files
appropriate to a mode are not available, the
next lower mode's files will be used. For
example, if the mode is REGISTERED-ADLIB but
*.3?? files are not found, *.2?? files are
used. If there are no *.2?? files, MEGAHOST
will look for *.1?? files to display. If no
DEMO-LEVEL file are found, ANSI *.G??' files are
tried, and if that fails, ASCII *.T?? files are
sought. If *.T?? files are not available, no
files are displayed. This option cannot be set
unless ASKANSI=Y.
Note: When a BIG file is transmitted to the
caller, the files are not displayed on the BBS
side. Instead, the SysOp is notified that a BIG
file is being sent. See Appendix B.
ASKCONDOR=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST adds the CONDOR mode to
the availability list. When the CONDOR protocol
is chosen, it is assumed that the caller has
loaded the CONDOR.SYS device driver into his/her
CONFIG.SYS and is using a terminal compatable
with it. MEGAHOST cannot test the terminal for
CONDOR support. When selected, text files and
menu screens with the extension .C?? are
displayed. If CONDOR (*.C??) files are not
found, ANSI *.G??' files are tried, and if that
fails, ASCII *.T?? files are sought. If *.T??
files are not available, no files are displayed.
This option cannot be set unless ASKANSI=Y.
If CONDORSYS-Y and the CONDOR.SYS device driver
is loaded in the SysOps CONFIG.SYS file, the
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SysOp may also see the CONDOR graphics on the
BBS machine. Otherwise, when a CONDOR file is
transmitted to the caller, the files are not
displayed on the BBS side. Instead, the SysOp
is notified that a CONDOR file is being sent.
See Appendix D.
ASKFILECHECK=N
If set to Y, the caller is asked whether new
file names, available since the last time the
caller logged on, should be displayed. If set
to N the new files' names are shown without
asking.
If you set both ASKFILECHECK and SKIPFILECHECK
TO Y, MEGAHOST will not load and will show you
an error message.
ASKMAILCHECK=N
If set to Y then the system will ask the caller
if it should check for new messages since the
last time the caller was on the system. If set
to N the system will check for new messages
without asking.
NB: If you set both ASKMAILCHECK and
SKIPMAILCHECK TO Y, MEGAHOST will not load and
will show you an error message.
ASKNAPLPS=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST gives callers a choice of
ASCII, ANSI, or NAPLPS Graphics protocols. When
NAPLPS protocol is chosen, it is assumed that
the caller is using a NAPLPS terminal program
similar to the one available from MicroStar
Software Ltd. MicroStars terminal requires a
code sequence of #27+'%'+'A' to change to NAPLPS
graphics mode, and a sequence of #27+'%'+'@' to
change back to ANSI mode. These sequences are
sent by MEGAHOST appropriately. When a NAPLPS
graphics screen is requested, MEGAHOST look for
the files with the extension .of P?? to display
If display files appropriate to a mode are not
available, the next lower mode's files will be
used. For example, if the NAPLPS graphics files
*.P?? are not found, *.G?? ANSI files will be
displayed. If that fails, ASCII *.T?? files are
sought. If *.T?? files are not available, no
files are displayed.
Note: When a NAPLPS file is transmitted to the
caller, the files are not displayed on the BBS
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side. Instead, the SysOp is notified that a
NAPLPS file is being sent. See Appendix C.
Limitations: Unlike BIG graphics which supports
ANSI text when in graphics mode, the NAPLPS
implementation must switch between graphics and
text modes. MEGAHOST cannot properly prompt the
caller for anything requiring more than one
keystoke. This means that, when supporting
NAPLPS, you are only allowed 9 bulletins (more
if you also use letters) and 9 entries in the
(C)hange Directory menu. (You may not change
directories freeform)
ASKRIP=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST adds the Remote Imaging
Protocol mode to the availability list. When
RIP protocol is chosen, it is assumed that the
caller is using the RIPterm terminal program and
MEGAHOST requests the RIPterm's supported
RIPscrip version number. If detected, text
files and menu screens with the extension .R??
are displayed. If RIP (*.R??) files are not
found, ANSI *.G??' files are tried, and if that
fails, ASCII *.T?? files are sought. If *.T??
files are not available, no files are displayed.
This option cannot be set unless ASKANSI=Y.
Note: When a RIP file is transmitted to the
caller, the files are not displayed on the BBS
side. Instead, the SysOp is notified that a RIP
file is being sent. See Appendix D.
Limitations: MEGAHOST cannot properly prompt
the caller for anything requiring more than one
keystoke. This means that, when supporting RIP,
you are only allowed 9 bulletins (more if you
also use letters) and 9 entries in the (C)hange
Directory menu. (You may not change directories
freeform)
AUTOINDUCTION=Y
Causes the Induction function to be called upon
logon if the caller is not recognized by the
system. The caller will be disconnected if the
induction process fails.
BATCHLOG=N
BATCHLOG is not fully supported in MEGAHOST. It
is available only as it was implemented in
MAXIHOST. If BATCHLOG=Y, MEGAHOST selects an
alternate, user-written, batch logon routine; it
is up to the SysOp to provide one that is CTTY
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compatible (INT 21). After the carrier is
detected, BATCHLOG.BAT is invoked by MEGAHOST.
BATCHLOG.BAT calls your logon routine. This can
provide a custom front end for a business to
tailor to its requirements. The user program
must create an ASCII file, BATCHLOG.DAT,
containing this information:
USER=FIRST LAST
SECURITY=9
TIMELIMIT=60
KBDTIMER=3
BUZZBACK=836-2402
ANSI=Y
The keywords should not have leading spaces in
the file; they are only shown this way here for
clarity. BATCHLOG.DAT is read by MEGAHOST upon
return. If BATCHLOG.DAT is not found, the
caller's security defaults to 0. If SECURITY =
NEWUSERSECURITY then NEWUSER.?00 will be
displayed. If SECURITY is a negative number the
user is logged off. The USER field length is 25
characters.
If BATCHLOG=Y you must toggle Batchlog OFF by
pressing SHIFT-F7 from the Configuration Screen
before pressing ESC to exit MEGAHOST.
BATCHON=N
If BATCHON=Y, MEGAHOST executes BATCHON.BAT just
before it shows a caller the newuser screens and
the bulletin menu, or checks for mail. This
lets the SysOp customize the system with
external routines such as checking a badname
file against the callers name or giving the
caller his fortune or horoscope. External
programs for such purposes are available for
download from various BBSs throughout the
country.
BATCHOFF=N
This can be set to A, B, N or Y. If BATCHOFF=Y
or B, MEGAHOST executes BATCHOFF.BAT just before
logging the caller off. If BATCHOFF=A, MEGAHOST
executes BATCHOFF.BAT just after logoff. This
allows the SysOp to customize the system with
routines such as personal messages, updating
bulletins, logs, etc. External programs for
such purposes are user supplied and may be
downloaded from various MEGAHOST BBSs throughout
the country.
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BATCHUPLOADS=N
This can be set to N or Y. If BATCHUPLOADS=Y
then the file BATCHUPL.BAT will be called
immediately following an upload to the system.
This allows you to invoke one of the many virus
checkers to test the integrity of the upload.
The uploaded file names are passed as command
line arguments to the batch file. Be aware that
the caller is still online during this process.
BAUD=1200
Selects initial baud rate. Usually this is set
to the highest allowed by the modem, which at
connection moves down to that of the caller if
necessary. For example, if you are using a 9600
baud modem, you would normally set this switch
to 9600.
Note: Probably, the Multi Tech 2400 should be
set to 300 as it moves up to the correct speed.
BBSNAME= +
+
+U
U
U THE SWAMP
THE SWAMP
THE SWAMP U
U
U+
Replace "THE SWAMP" with your system's name
(unless, of course, you have named your system
The Swamp). You have up to 25 characters. What
you put here is shown on the main menu screen.
See section 6.4, below.
BETWEENRINGS=-1
Changing this value allows MEGAHOST to recognize
different ringing signatures when used in
conjuction with PBX's, voice / data / FAX switch
boxes, etc. It is not a good idea to change
this value unless your situation fits the above
condition.
Setting this to -1 disables this feature,
MEGAHOST's default condition. Any other value
enables it. The value expected is not in
seconds, but is an arbitrary number. MEGAHOST
defaults it at 7, a good place to start. When
enabled, RINGBACK will not work, unfortunately,
and must be set to -1.
BIOS=Y
This prevents the program from writing directly
to the screen. It is MUCH faster to set BIOS=N.
Under the supported multitaskers DesqView,
TaskView, TopView, DoubleDos, and Microsoft
Windows, BIOS may be set to N and direct screen
writes will occur correctly within the proper
window.
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BUMPNEWUSERSECURITY=0
Increases a new users security level by the
number specified after the caller has
successfully completed the induction module. If
the SysOp wants to screen and upgrade each new
caller individually leave this at 0. If you
wish the system to upgrade each caller
automatically, indicate the number to add to
NEWUSERSECURITY here. Also see NEWUSERSECURITY.
BUMPQUESTIONNAIRE=0
Increases a new users security level by the
number specified after the caller has
successfully completed the Questionnaire.
CALLBACK=N
If set to Y, mandatory BUZZBACK is invoked.
This provides a great deal of security. A user
places a call to MEGAHOST. After his password
is confirmed, MEGAHOST hangs up and returns a
call to the telephone number placed in the
caller database's Data Phone Number field for
that caller. The user gives his first name,
last name and password again and is then able to
log on. You may need to add S7=60 to your
INITSTRING. Also see BUZZBACK and RINGBACK.
CALLERRECS=500
This number sets the maximum number of callers
available to the Caller Database. Once this
number is reached, caller entries must be
deleted before new ones can be added. You may
always increase this number if you run out of
room. You may NOT reduce the size of the
database any smaller than the highest message
number. You may, however, delete all USRSFIL.*
files and start over if necessary. Additional
utilities should be available by the time you
read this that will help you better maintain
this database.
CHANGEMENU=CHNGMNU1;0
See User-defined menus under section 5.4.2
CHECKAPI=N
If set to Y, MEGAAPIn.EXE is being used.
MEGAAPIn.EXE is not bundled with MEGAHOST but
may be obtained from the Support BBS.
CLOSEDSYSTEM=Y
If set to Y (Yes), anyone giving a name not
found in the caller database file will have NO
access -- he'll be disconnected.
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If set to N (No = an OPEN system), then a new
caller will have the security level set by
NEWUSER= in this file.
CMDLINE=N
Select Y to invoke MEGAHOST from a front end
mailer such as FRONT DOOR. The batch file
invoking MEGAHOST should send the connected baud
rate as its first command line parameter
followed by CARRIER if invoked remotely, or
LOCAL if invoked locally. If the parameters are
not given, CMDLINE=Y is ignored. For example:
MEGAHOST 9600 CARRIER invokes MEGAHOST at 9600
baud with carrier checked.
MEGAHOST 9600 LOCAL invokes MEGAHOST with no
carrier checking.
COLOR=Y
Selects color mode. Select Y if you are using a
color monitor with a color graphics adapter, N
otherwise.
CONDORSYS=N
If ASKCONDOR=Y and the caller selects CONDOR
mode when logging on, and CONDORSYS=Y and the
CONDOR.SYS device driver is loaded in the SysOps
CONFIG.SYS file, the SysOp will also see the
CONDOR graphics displayed on the BBS computer.
Otherwise, when a CONDOR file is transmitted to
the caller, the files are not displayed on the
BBS side. Instead, the SysOp is notified that a
CONDOR file is being sent. See Appendix D.
COSYSOP=DON MANKIN
Replace 'DON MANKIN' with your co-SysOp's name.
The co-SysOp has certain privileges normal
callers do not. Comment out this line (put a ;
in the first character position of this entry in
the MEGAHOST.CNF file) if no co-SysOp is wanted!
You may have up to two COSYSOP entries.
COMn_BASE= and COMn_INT= and COMn_IRQ=
The following are default values:
COM1_BASE=$3F8 COM1_INT=$0C COM1_IRQ=$04
COM2_BASE=$2F8 COM2_INT=$0B COM2_IRQ=$03
COM3_BASE=$3E8 COM3_INT=$0C COM3_IRQ=$04
COM4_BASE=$2E8 COM4_INT=$0B COM4_IRQ=$03
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They establish the port addresses, interrupt
lines, and IRQs for the UART. Specify changes
in the .CNF file. Be Careful!
CONFERENCE=1;GENERAL;0;Miscellaneous Topics;Local
CONFERENCE=2;BETATEST;9;Beta Test Conference;Net
The identifier following the ID would be the
conference name, followed by the security level,
followed by the description, followed by an
optional network identifier. Your conference
name and description may contain up to 25
characters. Your network identifier needs to be
either Local, or Net. If left off, MegaHost
defaults the conference to Local. This Net
descriptor is necessary if you are importing and
exporting FIDO echos via Crystal Vision's
MegaFIDO program. See Appendix E for more
information on this product.
If you do not specify at least one conference in
the configuration file, one GENERAL conference
is the default.
You may have up to fifty conference entries.
Each conference entries should begin with a
unique id number 1 - 32767. This number is used
by the (M)essage System to associate a message
with a conference. Once established, you must
not change a conference's ID number. Doing so
would get your conferences mixed up. You may,
however, delete conferences, and sort them.
For instance, suppose you wanted to add a
conference between:
CONFERENCE=1;CATS;0;Cat Stuff;Local
and
CONFERENCE=2;ZEBRAS;0;Zebra Stuff;Local
You would a third conference and sort them as in
the following:
CONFERENCE=1;CATS;0;Cat Stuff;Local
CONFERENCE=3;DOGS;0;Dog Stuff;Local
and
CONFERENCE=2;ZEBRAS;0;Zebra Stuff;Local
This would display them in the correct order in
the conference menu.
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Later you could even delete a conference as in
CONFERENCE=3;DOGS;0;Dog Stuff;Local
and
CONFERENCE=2;ZEBRAS;0;Zebra Stuff;Local
As long as the IDs have not been changed the
message database will be intact. If you do
decide to delete a conference entry, make sure
you delete the associated messages from the
message database first.
If MATCHLEVEL=Y then the syntax for CONFERENCE
could be:
CONFERENCE=2;ZEBRAS;0,5,8,100;Zebra
Stuff;Local
Notice that allowed security levels are
separated with commas.
DATAPATH=C:\MEGAHOST\DATA
Single-User BBS:
You may store your data files on a separate
drive and directory by stating it here. Your
data files include bulletins, welcome, newuser,
messages, and user files. Executables would be
kept in the directory MEGAHOST would be run
from, C:\MEGAHOST for instance. Executables
would include .EXE, .BAT, and .COM files. The
configuration file must also exist in the
executable directory. I keep MAXHOST.EXE,
MEGAHOST.CNF, TRAPDOOR.BAT, and all my external
file transfer programs together in my executable
directory.
Multi-User BBS:
Set DATAPATH= to the subdirectory where you
store all shared files. Shared files include
MAILFIL.* and USRSFIL.* files, all menus,
bulletins, welcome files, etc.
NB: Set all ANSI/ASCII files' attributes to Read
Only (use the DOS command, attrib +r
filename.ext). I have these files set to read-
only: BULLETIN.*, CHNGMNU1.*, DOORMNU1.*,
GOODBYE.*, HELP.*, MAILMNU1.*, MAILMNU2.*,
MAINMNU3.*, NEWUSER.*, USERMNU1.*, USERMNU1.*,
and WELCOME.*
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DEBUG=N
If DEBUG=Y then WELCOME, NEWUSER, and GOODBYE
text files will be displayed when the SysOp logs
on locally. Also, BATCHON.BAT and BATCHOFF.BAT
will be executed if they are set to be executed.
Also, record information is displayed when
viewing records in the database systems. If set
off, none of the above will occur when logged on
locally.
DEFAULTS=100
This works with PROTECT= to let you decide which
of your users can go where on your system; it
sets protection defaults for drives and
directories not named in a PROTECT= line.
Regardless of a DEFAULTS=9 setting, a caller
with security level 5, say, would be able to
access drives or directories having PROTECT= set
at 5 or less, e.g. PROTECT=A;5 or
PROTECT=C:\GAMES;5.
However, that user could not change to a
directory not so listed as it would default to a
security level of 9.
In short, PROTECT= takes precedence over
DEFAULTS=.
If MATCHLEVEL=Y then the syntax for DEFAULTS
would be:
DEFAULTS=0,5,8,100
Notice that the allowed security levels are
separated with commas.
DEVICELAYER=UART
MegaHost supports three different device
drivers. UART is the default device layer.
Specifying FOSSIL here allows the use of fossil
drivers. MegaHost was tested with BNU but
should work fine with X00 as well. Note that if
FOSSIL is specified for MegaHost, using external
file transfer protocols and door programs that
do not support fossil drivers could cause
problems when MegaHost gets control back.
Specifying DIGIBOARD allow the use of DigiBoards
utilizing the XIDOS5.SYS universal device
driver. MegaHost currently supports only COM1
through COM4.
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DIALSTRING=ATDP
This string tells MEGAHOST to use ATDP as the
dialing prefix, for a dial (pulse) telephone
line. Use ATDT for touch tone. This configures
the modem for use with the BUZZBACK and CALLBACK
features explained later.
DIRECT=N
DIRECT=Y tells MEGAHOST it is connected to
another computer by a null modem rather than a
modem. Carrier detect must be forced on. This
method has been used to transfer files between
two machines connected via a null modem cable.
MEGAHOST has also been tested in this
configuration with limited success on an
Ungermann-Bass broadband LAN. Flow control may
prevent Xmodem file transfer. Experiment with
this if you wish.
DIRECTORY=C:\NEWFILES;0;MEGAHOST Programs;UPLOADED.FILES
This allows for programmatic change of
directories within a list. You may have up to
50 of these entries unless ASKNAPLPS=Y or
ASKRIP=Y. (see ASKNAPLPS or ASKRIP for
restrictions) The directory is first, followed
by the security level, then the description. If
the caller selects a menu choice here, the
security level is determined by the level in
DIRECTORY=. If the caller enters the directory
name manually, the security level is determined
first by a DIRPW= entry, and if not found, then
a PROTECT= entry, and if a PROTECT= entry is not
found, the DEFAULTS= security level is used.
See DEFAULTS above, DIRPW and PROTECT below.
The 4th argument, UPLOADED.FILES is an optional
directory alias. It can be up to 25 characters
maximum. Some SysOps wish to 'hide' real
directory information from the caller. If a
directory alias exists, it will be displayed
rather than the real directory when changing
directories, searching, etc.
If MATCHLEVEL=Y then the syntax for DIRECTORY
would be:
DIRECTORY=C:\NEWFILES;0,5,8,100;MEGAHOST
Programs
Notice that allowed security levels are
separated with commas.
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DIRPW=C:\SECRET;PASSWORD
This allows password protection of directories.
In the above example, the directory SECRET on
drive C: would require the password of PASSWORD.
You may have up to 10 DIRPW entries. Directory
security precedence is determined in the
following order: DIRECTORY=, DIRPW=, PROT=, and
finally DEFAULTS=.
DOORMENU=DOORMNU1;0
See User-defined menus under section 5.4.2
DOORSYS=0
If set to 1, MEGAHOST creates a small version of
DOOR.SYS file in the directory pointed to by
DATAPATH=. This file is used by Doorway. See
the documentation provided with it. If set to
3, MEGAHOST create the larger generic version of
the DOOR.SYS file. Unless set to 0, MEGAHOST
will also create a DORINFO1.DEF file and a
MEGAHSTn.DEF file. The DORINFO1.DEF file is
used by Door programs written for QuickBBS and
others. The MEGAHST1.DEF. file contains all of
the current callers information as required by
MEGAHOST. It is provided for programmers who
design door programs.
ENABLEFIFO=N
If Y, MEGAHOST enables the FIFO buffering of the
16550 UART chip. This is desirable for high
speed modem transmissions.
ENTERMSG=1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
leave messages to other users. (Replaces
MENU=ENTERMSG)
EVENT=Y;24
Setting event to Y enables event scheduling.
The event will be triggered, in the above
example, at 12 midnight. Should a caller be on
the system at midnight, the caller will be
logged off. The batch file EVENT.BAT, created
by the SysOp, will then be executed by MEGAHOST.
As in HOURS=, MEGAHOST accepts only 24 hour
increments. Allowable hours are 01 - 24. Half
hour increments are ignored. For instance, 2330
would set off the event at 11pm.
Note: If a caller is transferring files using
an external file transfer protocol, and is on
during the event time, the event could be
missed!
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EXECSWAP=N
If EXECSWAP=Y then the amount of memory MEGAHOST
leaves resident in memory while executing
external programs is approximately 12k. Most of
MEGAHOST is swapped out to EMS or disk if EMS is
not available. This leaves almost all of your
system's memory available to your programs
called from (+)- Trap Door! One note of caution
using this feature. It is never a good idea to
run a TSR from within a child process.
HOURS=18;08
This would make (O)perator Chat available to
those callers with the proper security level
(See MENU=OPERATOR below) between, in the
example above, the hours of 6pm through 8am. As
in EVENT=, MEGAHOST accepts only 24 hour
increments. Allowable hours are 01 - 24. Half
hour increments are ignored. For instance, 2330
would be recognized as 11pm. The HOURS=
availability may be forced on via SHIFT-F10 in
the F1 Configuration Screen.
HWFLOWCTL=Y
A N disables CTS and DSR checking, which are
needed to support high speed modems. CTS (Clear
To Send) and DSR (Data Set Ready) are signals a
modem sends (and receives) from the terminal,
telling the terminal that the modem is ready to
send (or accept) data for transmission.
INITSTRING=ATE0M0Q0V1X1S0=0S1=0
This is the INITSTRING for Hayes 1200 baud
modems. Your communications program (e.g.
Procomm, Qmodem, etc) must be responsible for
resetting the modem.
You may have two INITSTRING= entries each
consisting of 40 characters or less. If you can
fit all of your commands into one INITSTRING=
you should do so. Using two strings lengthens
the time required for resets.
If you enter a command into your INITSTRING that
is not recognized by your modem, the entire
INITSTRING is ignored by the modem.
See More on INITSTRING for further information,
particularly on troublesome modems.
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INTERNALXFRS=Y
Setting to N disables the availability of the
built-in file transfer protocols.
LOCKBAUD=N
This option supports 9600 and 14400 modems. If
LOCKBAUD=Y then your modem will communicate to
the UART at the speed specified by the BAUD=
keyword in your MEGAHOST.CNF file instead of the
baud rate your caller has connected with.
LOGFILE=Y
If LOGFILE=Y, MEGAHOST creates a file
MEGAHSTn.LOG for each node (n=node number)
records in it whatever a user does on line, and
appends to it records of subsequent activity.
This is useful for open systems; it lets the
SysOp see who uploaded/downloaded what, when.
Setting PRINTER=Y also directs this output to
the printer.
LOGONALIAS=N
If LOGONALIAS=Y, MEGAHOST allows single or
multiple word logon aliases. This
implementation is not ideal as it does not allow
for both private name and public alias entries
in the caller database.
LPT=1
Indicates which printer port to send printed
output to. LPT=1 indicates LPT1, LPT=2
indicates LPT2, and LPT=0 indicates to send
printed output to the MEGAHOST.LOG file.
MAILMENU=MAILMNU1;0
See User-defined menus under section 5.4.2.
MATCHLEVEL=N
MEGAHOST normally uses a hierarchical security
structure. Under a hierarchical security
structure, for example, a caller with security
level 10, has access to menu options, protected
directories, conferences, and so on, would be
restricted to those that were protected at
levels 10 or below.
MATCHLEVEL=Y changes this to a non-hierarchical
structure. Menu options, protected directories,
conferences, etc., would have several security
levels associated with them. A caller's
security level must match one of the security
levels associated with that item to gain access
to that item.
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MDM300=CONNECT;1
MDM1200=CONNECT 1200;5
MDM2400=CONNECT 2400;10
MDM4800=CONNECT 4800;11
MDM9600=CONNECT 9600;12
MDM19200=CONNECT 19200;14
MDM38400=CONNECT 38400;-1
MDM57600=CONNECT 57600;-1
These defaults configure MEGAHOST to be
compatible with Hayes V Series Modems. They
should not have to be modified unless your modem
supports baud rates of 9600 or greater and is
not Hayes-V Series-compatible. First comes the
keyword, then a semicolon, the verbal connect
string, a colon, and the numeric connect string.
If your modem does not support a baud rate, set
the numeric result code to -1. An example for a
US Robotics Courier HST:
MDM300=CONNECT;1
MDM1200=CONNECT 1200;5
MDM2400=CONNECT 2400;10
MDM4800=CONNECT 4800;-1
MDM9600=CONNECT 9600;13
MDM19200=CONNECT 19200;-1
MENU=ANSI;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher
for (A)NSI Color.
MENU=BUZZBACK;9
A user needs a clearance level of 9 or higher to
request a (B)uzz Back. Selecting this option
will instruct MEGAHOST to call the user back at
the number placed in the configuration file.
MENU=CHANGEDIR;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
(C)hange Directory (i.e. subdirectory).
MENU=DOWNLOAD;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
(D)ownload a File.
MENU=ECHODOOR;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
be able to invoke 3rd party echo mail facility.
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MENU=FILEDESC;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
get (F)ileDescriptions. Selecting this option
displays the file created by uploads or the &
command.
MENU=HELP;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
get (H)elp with MEGAHOST, i.e. to view HELP.?01.
This should be low if you are running an open
system and let new users have access.
MENU=LOGDRIVE;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
(L)og New Drive (for instance to change from
drive C: to drive D: or E:).
MENU=KNOWNCALLER;0
A user needs a security level of 0 or higher to
enter the (K)nown Caller module.
MENU=MSGTOSYSOP;0
A user needs a security level of 0 or higher to
leave a (M)essage to SysOp.
MENU=OPERATOR;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
attempt an (O)perator Chat. The caller will get
a "not available" message if the request is
outside the hours specified by the keyword
HOURS=.
MENU=PROGRAMDIR;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
see the (P)rogram Directory option. This
specifies whether he can get a listing of the
filenames and sizes of the subdirectory or drive
where he is located.
MENU=QUESTIONNAIRE;1
Given a security level of 1 or more, MEGAHOST
will read the file QUESTION.IN, display a line
of it, allow the caller to respond, read another
line, etc, until the end of the file is reached.
The caller's responses are then written out to a
file QUESTION.OUT. This is a very simple
questionnaire procedure and no field type
checking of any kind is done. The file
QUESTION.?01 file, if available, is displayed
before the questionnaire begins.
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MENU=READLOG;9
A user needs a clearance level of 9 or higher to
read the log containing private messages to the
SysOp and caller statistics.
MENU=SEARCH;1
A user needs a clearance level of 1 or higher to
(S)earch for Files. Protected files and
directories are not listed during the search.
The logged drive, and all drives listed in the
DIRECTORY= entries are searched.
MENU=TRAPDOOR;9
A user needs a clearance level of 9 or higher to
use the trapdoor facility. See TDSTRING= and
TRAPDOOR=.
MENU=UPLOAD;0
A user needs a clearance level of 0 or higher to
(U)pload a File. A request to upload will be
denied if space is not available.
MENU=VIEWBULL;0
A user needs a clearance level of 0 or higher to
view the bulletins.
MENU=ZIPPYDIRSCAN;0
A user needs a clearance level of 0 or higher to
be able to search for text within .BBS files.
MODEMDELAY=5
This integer value constitutes a pause inserted
between characters when AT command strings are
sent to the modem. Most modems should work well
with this set to 1. If your system is not
answering calls or the modem does not reset then
increase this number until it works. Some
modems require a count of 10 or better. This
will slow down the recycle time between calls
however.
MSGRECS=50
This number sets the maximum number of messages
available to the Message Database System. Once
this number is reached, messages must be deleted
before new ones are added. You can increase
this number if you run out of room. You may not
reduce the size of the database any smaller than
the highest message number. You can, however,
delete all MAILFIL.* files and start over if
necessary.
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NAPLPSDELAY=1
This integer value constitutes a pause inserted
between characters when MEGAHOST sends graphics
/ text switching control sequences to the NAPLPS
terminal program.
NETTYPE=NET
This indicates the kind of multi-user
environment in which MEGAHOST is to operate. If
it is a single-user mode, ENTER NETTYPE=NONET.
If MEGAHOST operates as a multi-user BBS under
DESQVIEW, VINES, MSNET or NOVELL, substitute the
name of that environment for NET.
NB: If NETTYPE=MSNET or DESQVIEW, the DOS
program Share must be loaded.
NEWPVTMSG=N
If Y, new callers are allowed to enter private
messages to the SysOp. If the new caller's
security is less than that specified by
MENU=ENTERMSG but NEWPVTMSG=Y then that caller
may not leave public or private messages to
anyone other than the SYSOP=.
NEWUSERSECURITY=0
Sets the clearance level for new users.
NEWUSERTIMELIMIT=0
Sets the time limit for new users.
NODE=n
Set this to the node number for which this
MEGAHOST.Cnf is to be used. If MEGAHOST is to
operate as a single-user BBS, NODE=1. If
MEGAHOST is to operate as a multi-user BBS,
there must be a MEGAHOST.CNF for each node, and
n= the number of that node. So, if this
MEGAHOST.CNF is for node 3, NODE=3. Each
MEGAHOST.CNF file must contain a unique node
number.
NOTIMERS=10
Callers with a security level of 10 or above
will NOT be logged off when they have been on
the system longer than NEWUSERTIMELIMIT or when
they have waited longer than KBDTIMER seconds
between keystrokes. If MATCHLEVEL=Y, the
syntax would be like: NOTIMERS=0,5,8,100
(Notice that the security levels are separated
with commas).
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OFFHOOK=N
Setting to Y takes your modem off hook when in
local mode. This encourages your callers to
believe your system is in use, and not off line.
OPTION=(S)pecial Stuff;S;SPECIAL;5
The OPTION keyword allows the SysOp to ADD or
OVERRIDE main menu choices. In the above
example, '(S)pecial Stuff' will be displayed as
a menu option when UDF menus are NOT in effect,
S is the key that calls the batch file,
SPECIAL.BAT is the batch file invoked, and '5'
is the security level required. Be advised that
if you enter an existing MEGAHOST option, the
existing option will be overridden by the one
you provided. You will not be able to get the
overridden option back, ie, you cannot reassign
it to another key. Therefore, the (G)oodbye
menu option cannot be overridden. In this
example, the default menu option (S)earch for
file, is no longer available. The semi-colon
(;) key is not possible to reassign because of
the .CNF semi-colon delimiter. You may have up
to 35 OPTION entries.
PORT=1
Selects serial port 1. If you are using serial
port 2, this number should be 2. I have
attempted to support ports 3(1000/3E8, irq4) and
4 (2E8/744, irq3); try either at your own risk,
as I have no way of testing it.
PRINTER=N
Changed to Y, this directs tracking output and
comments to the printer. (To direct it to disk,
use LOGFILE=Y.)
PROTECT=
If MATCHLEVEL=Y then you may assign multiple
security levels to a protect item. The security
levels in the PROTECT statement would be
separated with commas as in:
PROTECT=C:\GAMES;0,5,8,100
See MATCHLEVEL= for more information.
Only 50 PROTECT entries are allowed. Here are
some examples as to how they can be used:
PROTECT=A;9 A user cannot select drive A:
without a clearance level of 9 or higher.
(Note that there is no colon following the drive
letter.)
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PROTECT=*.CFG;9 No file with the extension .CFG
can be downloaded without aclearance level of 9
or above. (Batch file transfer will disable
this protection.)
PROTECT=C:\GAMES;3 A user could not select
directory C:\GAMES without a security level of 3
or above.
PROTOCOL=SEND;Ymodem;dsz port %PORT% speed %BAUD% sb -k
%FILENAME%
PROTOCOL=RECEIVE;Ymodem;dsz port %PORT% speed %BAUD% rb
MEGAHOST includes ASCII, Xmodem and Xmodem-1K,
Xmodem-1KG,.Ymodem, Ymodem-G, and Zmodem file
transfer protocols. Other file transfer
protocols are available from various BBSs.
MEGAHOST allows for SysOp configuration of any
of these external protocols up to a total of ten
SEND/RECEIVE sets. MEGAHOST's implementation of
these protocols require them to be batch
protocols. No prompt is given for received
files. The PROTOCOL=SEND/RECEIVE indicates
which menu, the upload or the download, will
display and execute the protocol. The next item
between the semicolons indicate how the item
will be displayed on the menu. Finally, the
command line as it will be sent to the external
file transfer program. %PORT% will be replaced
by your port number, %BAUD% will be replaced by
the connected baud rate, %UART% will be replaced
with the UARTS DTE speed, and %FILENAME% will be
replaced by the filename(s). The above
configuration calls DSZ requesting a Ymodem
Batch file transfer. The sample MEGAHOST.CNF
configuration file includes configurations for
Zmodem, Ymodem-G, PCKermit, SEAlink, Lynx, and
MegaLink. Be sure to set a path to the
directory containing these files PRIOR to
running MEGAHOST. The programs required for
these protocols are not bundled with MEGAHOST
but may be obtained from most boards.
QUIET=N
Setting this switch to Y prevents the beep sent
to the SysOp upon a caller's connection.
READMSG=0
If the callers security level is not at least
the value given here, he / she will not be able
to enter the Message System at all, even to read
mail. The Message System menu option wll not be
displayed on the main menu.
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RESETSTRING=ATZ
This string is sent to the modem during
initialization and after each call. For Everex
24 MNP modems, RESETSTRING=ATZ0.
RETRIES=2
If set to 2, the caller may attempt 2 tries each
at the First & Last Name: and Password: prompts
before he or she is logged off. You may set
this to 1, 3, 4, etc. See USERLOCK=.
REVMSGFILE=N
Normally MEGAHOST appends a new data to the
bottom of the data file. This requires reading
all the old data before getting to the new ones
at the bottom. The technique is simple and
requires little disk space. If REVMSGFILE=Y, on
the other hand, MEGAHOST creates a temporary
file: the new data are sent to it first, and the
old data file are appended to the end of it. If
this process is successful, the old data file is
erased and the temporary file given its name.
Descriptions for the upload and download .BBS
files are handled in this manner. This method
takes a little longer to update files.
RINGBACK=N
Changed to Y, this allows you to use MEGAHOST on
your dedicated voice or FAX line. To trigger
MEGAHOST, a second call must be received between
10 and 60 seconds after a first call. (The
first call would not be answered; the would-be
MEGAHOST user would hang up once he hears the
ringing tone.) Ringback requires that the
MEGAHOST system call again within 60 seconds
before it will answer the phone. If you have an
answering recorder on the same line, make sure
it is set up to answer on the 3rd or 4th ring.
This will enable you to call in from a remote,
call MEGAHOST once, hang up, and call right
back. Also see BUZZBACK and CALLBACK.
RINGPIN=N
MEGAHOST normally detects an incoming ring via a
'2' or 'RING' from the modem. IF RINGPIN=Y, it
will not get its ring indication from the modem,
but directly from the serial card. Enabling
this option will require pin 22 be available on
the RS-232C cable.
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SAVESCRN=Y
If set to Y the 'WAITING FOR CALL' screen will
move on the screen at various intervals to avoid
screen burn-in.
SEPARATORS=N
Set this to Y if you want line separators placed
into the .BBS files. This requires additional
time online for your callers to view (P)rogram
Descriptions, but makes the display more
readable.
SHOWSWAPMSG=Y
If set to N then, even if EXECSWAP=Y, the
"Swapping MEGAHOST Out" message will not be
displayed. This message might complicate the
display. If SWAPTOEMS=Y then the swapping is so
fast that the user need not be informed that the
swap has occurred.
SKIPFILECHECK=N
Set to Y, this tells MEGAHOST not to check for
new files at all.
SKIPMAILCHECK=N
If set to Y, this tells MEGAHOST not to check
for mail at all.
NB: If you set both ASKMAILCHECK and
SKIPMAILCHECK TO Y, MEGAHOST will not load and
will show you an error message.
START=C:\PUBLIC
Directory where MEGAHOST will start from. This
allows you to invoke the program from one
directory, and start callers off in another.
For example, you may not allow users to have
access to the directory or drive that contains
the MEGAHOST program files. You might put these
in \MEGAHOST but have the START line change to
\PUBLIC once the program has started up.
Another option would be to boot from drive C:
but have the START line switch to drive D:
(START=D:\).
SWAPTOEMS=Y
If set to N, EMS is not utilized during an
ExecSwap. Only disk will be used. This is
provided in the rare case of EMS
incompatability. See EXECSWAP= for more
details.
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SYSOP=DON MANKIN
Replace DON MANKIN with your own name. The
SysOp has certain privileges over any other
user.
TDSTRING=Jump to DOS
This determines how the Trap Door option appears
in the menu. For instance, if the external
program you wish to run is the editor EDLIN, you
could set TDSTRING=Editor. SeeTRAPDOOR=.
TEMPDIR=C:\MEGAHOST
This directory is where the MAXISWAP.$$$ file
will be saved if EXECSWAP=Y and there is
insufficient EMS or SWAPTOEMS=N.
TRAPDOOR=DOS Shell;9;Command Line Interpreter
If MATCHLEVEL=Y, you may assign multiple
security levels to a trapdoor menu item.
Security levels in the TRAPDOOR statement would
be separated with commas as in:
TRAPDOOR=DOS Shell;0,5,8,100;Command Line
Interpreter
See MATCHLEVEL= for more information.
You may have up to nine TRAPDOOR= entries. In
the example, DOS Shell would be the menu item, 9
would be the security level for that item, and
Command Line Interpreter would be the
description of the item. Selecting a 1 from the
(+)-Trap Door menu would execute TRAPDOOA.BAT,
selecting a 2 would execute TRAPDOOB.BAT, etc.
through TRAPDOOI.BAT. If there are no TRAPDOOR=
entries, then selecting (+) from the menu would
automatically execute TRAPDOOR.BAT (if there is
one), and no menu would be presented.
MEGAHOST passes the following command line
parameters:
%0 = name of program called (.bat, .exe, .com)
%1 = port number
%2 = baud rate
%3 = first name
%4 = last name
%5 = security level
%6 = ANSI (Y or N)
%7 = directory MEGAHOST was to started from
%8 = CARRIER or LOCAL
%9 = NODE NUMBER
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UPLOAD=C:\PUBLIC\UPLD
Drive and directory where you want uploaded
files to go. If this directory does not exist
prior to running MEGAHOST you will get a Bad
UPLD Parameter in *.CNF File error message.
UPLOADINPLACE=100
A caller given this security level would be
allowed to upload to the currently logged in
drive:\directory rather than be forced to upload
to the directory specified by UPLOAD=.
If MATCHLEVEL=Y, the entry could be:
UPLOADINPLACE=0,5,8,100.
Notice that allowed security levels are
separated with commas.
USEPS2=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST sets port addresses and
IRQ to PS2 defaults.
USERLOCK=N
If set to Y, MEGAHOST tracks unsuccessful logon
attempts. If a user makes twice the number of
unsuccessful logon attempts set by RETRIES=,
MEGAHOST flags the callers database entry, and
further logon attempts will be denied. The
SysOp's name is not displayed at the main menu,
nor are messages left to SysOp translated to the
name set by SYSOP= for security reasons.
USERLOCK should only be used where security is
most important; a cracker could lock out a
legitimate user. It is therefore not suitable
for normal BBS operations.
USERMENU=USERMNU1;0
See the discussion of User-defined menus under
section 5.4.2, above.
XONXOFF=Y
MEGAHOST, by default, supports Xon (ctl-s) Xoff
(ctl-q) for character pausing. This can be
disabled by setting XONXOFF equal to N.
Enabling Xon/Xoff flow control in MEGAHOST may
confuse callers not familiar with its usage. If
Xon/Xoff is enabled, and some line noise sends a
CTL-S (19 decimal), the caller's terminal will
freeze until a CTL-Q (17 decimal) is received
from the caller. If the caller is unaware of
this technique, he or she will eventually hang
up and complain of BBS troubles.
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5.4.4 CDROMDIR.CNF Settings
With the introduction of MEGAHOST Release 2.30, the
configuration keyword CDFILEDESC= goes away. The
functionality provided by CDFILEDESC is replaced by
adding the file CDROMDIR.CNF to the directory pointed
to by DATAPATH, unlike the MEGAHOST.CNF file which must
exist in the same directory as MEGAHOST.EXE.
The CDROMDIR.CNF will contain entries as in the
following example:
R:\GAMES\ACTION R:\GAMES\ACTION\FILES.BBS
R:\GAMES\ARCADE R:\GAMES\ARCADE\FILES.BBS
This file maps the physical directory R:\GAMES\ACTION
to the file FILES.BBS in the R:\GAMES\ACTION directory.
When MegaHost is requested do do a (F)ile Description
or (Z)ippy File Scan, the appropriate text file will be
displayed. For more information about how MegaHost
normally handles file descriptions, see (&)-Add Prog
Desc. below.
Please note that if you wish the (F)ile Descriptions,
(Z)ippy Dir Scan, and the (C)hange Directory menu
options to reference the CDROM directories, you must
have a matching DIRECTORY= entry for each CDROMDIR
entry.
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VI. OPERATING MEGAHOST
6.1 Startup
Once you have configured the program, move to the
subdirectory in which you installed MEGAHOST, and call
it up. MEGAHOST first shows you a copyright /
registration screen as it reads the configuration file,
then, it waits for a caller, you see the wait for
caller screen.
6.2 Local Mode
To use the program in local mode, press ESC any time
you see the 'Waiting for Call' screen. You will then
need to answer the 'First & Last Name:' and 'Password:'
prompts just as if you had called from somewhere else
(a remote system).
6.3 Bulletins
After logon, MEGAHOST checks if the caller has
specified a graphics protocol. If so, MEGAHOST first
checks for the appropriate bulletin menu file. For
instance, if NAPLPS was selected, MEGAHOST looks for
the file BULLETIN.P00 and attempts to display it. If
the file is not available, MEGAHOST looks for the
bulletin menu file BULLETIN.G00 and attempts to display
it. If the caller did not specify ANSI or if this file
is not found, BULLETIN.T00 is sought and, if found,
displayed. If the caller then presses 3 for the third
bulletin, MEGAHOST looks for the file BULLETIN.P03,
(BULLETIN.G03, or BULLETIN.T03). Four sets of
bulletin files may be kept: files named with extensions
starting with P, 1, G and T respectively. In each
case, if the ANSI file is not found, the non-ANSI file
is sought.
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Bulletin BIG ANSI ASCII
number Graphics Color mode
[menu] bulletin.100 bulletin.g00 bulletin.t00
1 bulletin.101 bulletin.g01 bulletin.t01
[et cetera]
99 bulletin.199 bulletin.g99 bulletin.t99
Any unique 2 characters after the .B, P, G or .T works.
For instance, BULLETIN.TAA, BULLETIN.TA1, etc. are both
valid. This can increase your bulletin count well past
99.
6.4 The Directory/Status Lines
Over the main menu, at the upper left of the screen,
the caller sees something like:
CALLER NAME Node-1 (Saturday) 08/01/1992 10:33 38400
{50}
+U THE SWAMP U+
--------------------------------------
SYStem OPerator - Sy sOp
THE DIRECTORY: 00:04-56
The first line is the caller's name, the node on which
he is calling (Node-1) the day of the week and the
date, time, CONNECT rate, and the caller's security
level in {curly brackets}.
The next line is the name of the BBS, as it was entered
after BBSNAME= in MEGAHOST.CNF., under which is the
name of the SysOp, which was entered in MEGAHOST.CNF
after SYSOP=.
Finally, on the last line comes the name or alias for
the current directory (see DIRECTORY=, below), the
number of minutes used, and the number of minutes left
to the caller.
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6.5 Using MEGAHOST: The Menus
These menu options can be made available to a caller.
You use MEGAHOST.CNF to set the security level of each
-- and, if you wish, to disable some completely.
6.5.1 The Main Menu
(A)NSI Color -- on/off
This command, when enabled, will allow color on
those systems properly configured. There are
three requirements for this. The caller's
communication parameters must be set to 8 bits,
no parity, and must support ANSI color: Boyan,
Qmodem, Procomm, and Pibterm are three that do;
some require that ANSI.SYS be installed on the
caller's system. Finally, of course, the caller
must have a color monitor.
(B)uzz Back
This command instructs MEGAHOST to buzz the
caller back at the number in the configuration
file. The SysOp will be billed for any long
distance charges.
(C)hange Directory
This command allows the caller to move within
the hard (or other) drive, using DOS rules for
doing so, or by a SysOp-provided menu.
(D)ownload File
Upon entering D from the menu, caller may
download (receive) a file. ASCII, Xmodem,
Xmodem-1K, Ymodem, Ymodem-G, and Zmodem
protocols are supported. The caller may NOT
enter a directory or drive specifier here, but
instead must have specified the appropriate path
beforehand. The system will prompt for the
filename, look for the file, and if it finds it
then prompt for the protocol:
External File Transfer Protocols:
1 -- ASCII. This is for the ASCII protocol. This
should ONLY be used for text files, not for compiled
programs, source code, or compressed or archived files
(.ARC, .ZIP, .LZH, etc.) where error correction is
necessary. You should also not use this protocol to
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upload documents to a file directory. Error-correcting
protocols (e.g., XMODEM) are safer and more reliable.
MEGAHOST requires character and line pacing on
ASCII uploads of messages and auto log-ons.
Users of Procomm should type ALT S, 6, and
change the following:
Pace Character = 62
Character Pacing = 50
Line Pacing = 5
Users of Boyan should use Message Upload rather
than ASCII protocol when uploading messages.
Message Upload senses the pacing character and
indicates its selection on the upload screen.
2 -- XMODEM. The plainest error-correcting protocol,
useful for downloading to old computers or those
running antiquated communications software. Blocks are
128 bytes long.
3 -- XMODEM-1K. This protocol is used more frequently
at baud rates of 2400 or higher, or over fairly clean
telephone lines. As blocks are 1024 bytes long, less
time is spent error checking. Ymodem allows faster
file transfer when used under packet switched networks
such as PC Pursuit.
The following protocols are available at no cost from
the Support BBS:
4 -- XMODEM-1KG. Same as above but with no
error correction code. This is used when
callers are certain that their modems are
capable of doing their own error correction.
This protocol has the fastest throuput but also
has the highest risk
5 -- YMODEM. Batch protocol containing 1k
packets.
6-- YMODEM-G. Same as Xmodem-1KG above but
allows batch downloads.
7-- ZMODEM. One of the most popular file
transfer protocols today, it combines the
strengths of the protocols listed above, and
then adds optimized packet lengths, file
recovery, and more.
8 -- KERMIT. A 7 bit file transfer protocol
popular on many of the big computer systems.
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External File Transfer Protocols:
The SysOp may, at his/her option, enable a
number of external file transfer protocols.
These programs are available for download from
most BBS systems. See PROTOCOL= for information
on how to integrate them into MEGAHOST.
Unless KERMIT is selected, when someone calls in at 7
data bits, even parity, MEGAHOST switches to 8 data
bits, no parity before file transfer, and after the
transfer returns to 7 data bits, even parity.
(E)cho Mail
This option is likely to be disabled. It
invokes a 3rd party echo mail module.
(F)ile Descriptions
If the caller is in a directory containing a
.BBS file of file descriptions, this option
displays that file. A .BBS file is one either
created by the system, or by the SysOp giving
descriptions of files available for download.
The caller can stop the display of filenames,
and return to the menu, by typing S.
(G)oodbye Logoff
Self explanatory; logs the caller off.
(H)elp with MHOST
Displays one of the help text files edited by
the SysOp.
(K)nown Caller Log
Enters the Known Caller module. See Known
Caller System Options.
(L)og New Drive
Changes the default logged drive. Your average
BBS type caller is unlikely to have enough
security to access this option.
(M)essage System
Enters the Message Database System. See Message
Database System Options.
(O)perator Chat
Selecting this option enables both the caller
and the SysOp to chat real-time via their
keyboards. To exit chat mode, either party
simply presses ESC.
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(P)rogram Directory
This option will list the various files and
directories on the system. The file size will
follow the directory entry. Size is rounded to
the nearest 'K' (1024 bytes). Directories will
be enclosed in [] brackets. [DBASE] would be a
valid directory.
(Q)uestionnaire
Prompts callers with a series of questions, and
collects answers for SysOp.
(S)earch for File
Search within the directory for the filename
specified and gives the path if found. DOS wild
cards can be used. Protected files and/or
directories are not displayed.
(U)pload File
The caller sends a file to the host system and
is asked to describe it. Entering a / as the
first character in the description places a *
next to the filename and then only the SysOp can
display it via the (P)rogram Descripts command.
Removing the asterisk makes it displayable to
all. End the description with a blank line when
done.
(V)iew Bulletins
Brings up a menu of bulletins. The caller can
read the bulletin by entering its number,
redisplay the menu by entering M, or exit the
bulletin function by pressing the Enter key.
You can stop the scrolling of a bulletin and
return to the menu by pressing S.
(Z)ippy Dir Scan
Enables one to search all of the .BBS files for
a particular filename or file description.
(+)-Trap DOOR(s)
Access to external programs provided by the
SysOp, including access to DOS. The TRAPDOOR
menu entry is written by the SysOp; and may say
something other than "TRAP Door(s)". See
TDSTRING=.
(*)-Read Log File
Allows a caller with the proper security level
to see what other users have done while on the
system and what files they have uploaded or
downloaded.
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(&)-Add Prog Desc. (SysOp Only)
This allows you to add file descriptions to the
.BBS file in the current directory. If the file
does not exist, it is created. MEGAHOST asks
for the filename to add. It then finds the size
of the file, asks for a description, and adds
this to the .BBS file. The .BBS file would be
DIRNAME.BBS where DIRNAME would be the name of
the directory you are in. For instance, in the
directory C:\MAXI\UPLD, the .BBS name would be
UPLD.BBS. If you are in the root directory, the
name would be FILES.BBS.
Operating Under Networks:
When network support is requested, upload file
descriptions are sent to the file UPLOADSn.BBS instead
of DIRNAME.BBS. These files must be merged with the
DIRNAME.BBS files by the SysOp.
6.5.2 Known Caller System Options
Pressing (K)nown Caller Log at the Main Menu Displays the
Known Caller Log menu:
(A)dd Caller (SysOp Only)
Allows SysOp to add a caller entry into the
caller database.
(C)ompress Database (SysOp Only)
The record slot for each caller marked for
deletion is recovered by the system in order to
reuse that record. Prior to (C)ompress,
(D)eleted caller records are still recoverable
by the system, and may be (U)ndeleted. After
(C)ompress, the record slot is released, and
that caller record may not be (U)ndeleted.
(D)elete by Record (SysOp Only)
Allows the SysOp to delete records by entering
the record number. The record number for a
caller entry is obtained by setting DEBUG=Y.
The record numbers will then be added to the
header when the caller entry is displayed. This
function could be useful when attempting to
restore a damaged caller database.
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(E)dit Caller Info
A caller may edit personal information here.
The SysOp may edit records based on last name,
security level, or deleted status.
When a caller, not the SysOp, presses (E)dit
Caller Info, he or she is presented with
unfilled lines from that caller's personal
record, to which that caller may write
information. As each line is presented, the
caller may press Enter, to leave information
unchanged, or the caller may put new information
in that record space.
When the SysOp selects a user file for editing,
this is what is shown:
First & Last Name : Mortimer Snerd
Business :Entertainer
Address :1226 Limpopo Drive
City :Vent-de-Ventre
State :Illisouri
Zip Code :65220
Country :U.S.A.
Home Phone :286-9909
Work Phone :928-6909
Data Phone :920-8699
Password :Grobnik
Security Level :1
Allowed Min Per Day : 30
Used Minutes Today : 2
Nbr of Uploads :10
Nbr of Downloads: 20
Nbr of Logons :5
User Flag :0
Bad Attempts :2
Xfr Protocol :0
Last Msg Read :147
(D)elete, (E)dit, <N>ext
(P)rint, (S)top, (U)ndelete:
A deleted record may be undeleted until the
database is compressed. Selecting (E)dit
displays the blank record, line by line. The
SysOp may enter something, which alters the
record entry, or hit Enter, which leaves the
entry as it was. The User Flag, and Xfer
Protocol spaces are not yet made use of by
MEGAHOST.
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If the SysOp selects (P)rint, and LPT=0, the
record is appended to CALLERSn.PRN (n=the node
in which the SysOp issues the (P)rint command).
(I)nquire Personal
Displays personal information about caller.
Shows name, business, city, state, and if
allowed, the callers address and phone numbers.
The SysOp may traverse the caller database and
edit records from here. See (E)dit caller info.
When printing to a file (LPT=0) from the edit
screen, the record is appended to the file
CALLERSn.PRN (n=node in which the SysOp issues
the (P)rint command).
(G)oodbye Logoff{tc \l 4 "(G)oodbye Logoff"}
Asks you if you really want to log off. If you
say no, you will find yourself out of the
Message System.
(L)ist Callers
List callers sorted by: last name, state,
number of uploads, number of downloads, number
of logons, and the most recently called.
(S)end to Printer (SysOp Only)
Prints ALL caller records to the printer. If
LPT=0 then the caller database is saved to the
file CALLERS.LST.
(P)ause Toggle
With (P)ause ON the callers screen will pause
after every Caller database entry, or screen of
entries depending upon which menu option has
been selected.
Q)uit to Main
Returns caller to main menu.
(R)ebuild Database (SysOp Only)
Enables the SysOp to rebuild all of the index
files. This function could be useful when
attempting to restore damaged database indexes.
(X)pert Mode
Toggles between a full menu and an abbreviated
list.
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6.5.3 Message Database System Options
Pressing (M)essage System at the Main Menu displays the
Message System menu:
(B)ackward Read
Asks caller for starting a message number. If
ENTER is pressed MEGAHOST will start with the
last message. The message database is then
traversed backwards.
(C)ompress Database (SysOp Only)
The record for each message marked for deletion
is recovered for reuse by the system. Prior to
(C)ompress, (D)eleted message records are
reserved, and may be (U)ndeleted. After
(C)ompress, the record is released, and messages
may no longer be (U)ndeleted.
(D)elete by Record (SysOp Only)
Lets the SysOp delete records by entering the
record number. The message's record number is
added to the message header seen if DEBUG=Y.
This can be useful when trying to restore a
damaged message database.
(E)nter Message
Lets a caller enter a public or private message
in the message database. The caller must also
select a conference to which to post the
message, if there is more than one conference.
A message is ended by pressing Enter twice. To
leave a blank line between paragraphs of a
message, press the spacebar once at the line to
be left blank, and then Enter. If the caller
presses Enter twice, ending the message, this
menu of choices appears:
(A)bort, (C)ontinue, (D)elete, (E)dit,
(F)ilter, (I)nsert, (L)ist, or (S)ave
If (A)bort is pressed, the message is not
entered to the database, and the caller returns
to the Messages Database System Menu.
(C)ontinue presents the last line of the message
with the cursor at the point at which the caller
may continue the message. (F)ilter lists the
message without upper ASCII (ASCII "graphics")
characters, while (L)ist sets out the message as
entered. (I)nsert lets the caller insert a
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line, and (D)elete lets the caller delete lines.
(S)ave saves the message to the database.
Pressing (E) in this edit menu lets the caller
substitute one string with another.
(F)orward Read
Asks caller for starting a message number. If
Enter is pressed MEGAHOST will start with the
first message. The message database is then
traversed forwards.
(G)oodbye Logoff
Asks you if you really want to log off. If you
say no, you find yourself at the main menu.
(I)ndividual Message
Prompts the caller for a message number and
displays the message if found.
(L)ist to Printer (SysOp Only)
Prints all messages (all conferences, private or
otherwise) to the printer. If LPT=0, the
messages are saved to MESSAGESn.LST (n=node in
which the (L)ist command was issued).
(M)essage Area
A conference selection other than ALL limits
viewing of messages to the chosen conference.
(N)ew Messages
If the caller is recognized by the system (he
has an entry in the caller database) then (N)ew
Messages will start forward displaying messages
left since the last time he was on. If not,
(N)ew Messages will start forward displaying
messages one month prior to the current date.
(P)ause Toggle
With (P)ause ON the caller can (A)nswer,
(D)elete, and (E)dit messages depending upon the
callers security. These choices are given after
each message is displayed. To capture messages
very quickly, (P)ause should be toggled OFF.
This mode is read-only; there is no provision
for the above choices.
(Q)uit to Main
Returns caller to main menu.
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(R)ebuild Database (SysOp Only)
Enables the SysOp to rebuild all of the index
files. This function could be useful when
attempting to restore damaged database indexes.
(S)earch Messages
Allows caller to search the To, From, and
Subject fields of the message database.
Wildcards are NOT permitted.
(X)pert Mode
Toggles between a full menu and an abbreviated
list.
(Y)our Mail
Displays messages either From you or To you
starting with the first message.
Note on Reading Messages
If a caller presses any of the message reading
commands, and is shown a message, under that message is
a menu of options.
If the caller is the SysOp, the options are:
(A)nswer, (D)elete, (E)dit, <N>ext
(P)rint, (S)top, (T)oggle Pvt, (U)ndelete:
Notice that the SysOp may treat any message as if it
were written by or to the SysOp. The SysOp may answer,
delete, edit or change it from private to public or
vice versa. If the SysOp presses (P), the message text
is sent to MESSAGEn.PRN.
If the caller is not the SysOp, the caller sees these
options under any message written to or by that caller:
(A)nswer, (D)elete, (E)dit, <N>ext, (S)top:
When a caller reads a message not from that caller, or
to ALL, the menu is limited to
(A)nswer, <N>ext, (S)top:
When a caller presses (E)dit, the following occurs:
First, the caller is given a chance to change the
Subject:, Received:, and Must it be Private? lines of
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the message header. The caller leaves a line as it was
by pressing Enter without typing anything. Next, the
caller is asked for the conference to which that
message should be posted. Finally, the caller sees the
message again, and under it, the same options available
to a person who had just finished entering a message
(pressed Enter twice). All the commands are the same
as they are after the entry of the message, except that
they relate to the edited version of that message. If
the caller presses (A)bort, the editing session is
aborted and the message remains as it was before (E)dit
was pressed. See (E)nter Message for more on the
editing commands.
6.6 Closing MEGAHOST Down
To quit, press ESC at the Waiting for Call screen, then
press Enter at the First & Last Name: prompt. This
brings you back to the DOS prompt. This can only be
done from local mode (while at the keyboard).
6.7 Function Keys
These functions are available from the Waiting for Call
screen and the Main Menu. Changes produced by function
keys remain in effect only until MEGAHOST closes down.
6.7.1 F-Key Alone
F1 Press F1 once to see a listing of how the system
is configured and what the security levels are
for the menu items. Pressed F1 while seeing
that listing to toggle Debug mode. In Debug
Mode, MEGAHOST displays ANSI screens during
local logon, logoff, reports various errors to
the log, and displays the record numbers of
messages.
F2 Sets Ringback status toggle
F3 Toggles log (turns user log on or off)
F4 Toggles printer (turns printer log on or off)
F5 Toggles closed system (makes Closed or Open
system)
F6 Sets Off Hook Toggle
F7 Toggles color on and off
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F8 Initial baud rate toggle
F9 Security -1 Each press of F9 drops by one the
security level of an on-line caller.
F10Security +1 Each press of F10 raises by one the
security level of the user on-line, to give that
user have temporary access to functions not
otherwise available to him.
6.7.2 SHIFT + Function Key
SF1Toggles XONXOFF state
SF2Toggles MATCHLEVEL state
SF3Toggles BIOS state
SF4Toggles DIRECT state
SF5Toggles EXECSWAP state
SF6Toggles ALLOW300 state
SF7Toggles BATCHLOG state
SF8Toggles CALLBACK state
SF9Toggles USERLOCK state
SF0If set to TRUE then Operator HOURS are bypassed
and SysOp is available
6.7.3 CTRL + Function Key
CF1Toggles SAVESCRN state
CF2Toggles RINGPIN state
CF3Briefly drops DTR to disconnect the caller
6.8 Keypad Keys
Up arrow Increases callers time allowed
during the current call
Down Arrow Decreases the callers time allowed
during the current call
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Right Arrow Increases the callers Security
Level during the current call by 1
CTL Right Arrow Increases the callers Security
Level during the current call by 20
Left Arrow Decreases the callers Security
Level during the current call by 1
CTL Left Arrow Decreases the callers Security
Level during the current call by 20
Home Toggles SysOp available status
Ctl End Disconnects caller
6.9 Tilde Key
The tilde key ~ can be pressed by the SysOp from almost
anywhere to invoke the Operator Chat function. For
instance, if MEGAHOST is prompting for the Subject
field when leaving a message, and the SysOp presses the
tilde ~ key locally, Operator Chat will be invoked.
After escaping from Operator Chat, MEGAHOST will still
be expecting the Subject field to be filled in.
Because Operator Chat can now be invoked from almost
anywhere now, it is up to the SysOp to remember what
function he or she interrupted.
Please note that because the tilde ~ key now has
special meaning, it is not possible to enter it when
leaving a message or answering a MEGAHOST prompt.
(shucks!)
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VII. FOR THE ADVANCED AND THE CURIOUS
7.1 More on INITSTRING
The examples of INITSTRING below use V1. This sets the
modems to verbal result codes. While V0 can also be
used, for numeric result codes, V1 maintains software
compatibility with other communications programs. If
you have difficulty with one mode, try switching to the
other. The same applies to the E1 (echo) command.
Your modem may respond better in E1 state as opposed to
E0, or visa versa.
Any INITSTRING sent to a Hayes modem MUST be 40
characters or less. If the string contains a command
not recognized by the modem, the entire string is
ignored, and MEGAHOST will not operate correctly.
Some clone 2400 baud modems are compatible either with
the Hayes 1200 (and should use the Hayes 1200
INITSTRING) or with the Hayes 2400 compatible (and
should use the Hayes 2400 INITSTRING). If you are not
certain which to use, experiment.
Hayes 1200 baud modems:
INITSTRING=ATE0M0Q0V1X1S0=0S1=0
This is the initialization string sent to the modem.
It breaks down as follows:
AT Attention M0 Speaker off
X1 Extended result code Q0 Send result
codes
E0 Echo off S1=0 Count 0 rings
S0=0 Do not auto answer V1 verbal result
codes
Hayes 2400 baud modems:
INITSTRING=AT&D2V1Q0E0S0=0&C1&T5L3B1M1
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This is the initialization string sent to the modem.
It breaks down as follows:
AT Attention Q0 Result codes enabled
&J0 Single-line connection B1 Select Bell 212A
&D2 Follow DTR E0 Characters not echoed
&T5 RDL disabled M1 Modem on until
carrier
V1 Verbal result codes S0=0 Disable auto answer
L3 High speaker volume &C1 Detect carrier
(not forced on)
Racal Vadic 1200/2400/9600 modems:
INITSTRING=AT&C1&D2E0M0Q0V1X4S0=0S1=0
Multi-Tech 2400 baud modems:
INITSTRING=ATE0M0Q0V1X1S0=0S1=0&Q1
This string is the same as that for the Hayes 1200 with
the exception of the &Q1, which instructs the Multi-
Tech to emulate the Hayes 1200 modem.
US Robotics Courier HST 9600:
INITSTRING=ATE0M0Q0V1X1S0=0S1=0&B0&H0&I0&N0
This modem uses the same INITSTRING as the Hayes 1200,
plus:
&B0 DTE rate follows connection rate
&H0 Flow control disabled
&I0 Flow control disabled
&N0 Normal link operations
The result code expected from the modem is 13 for a
9600 baud connect.
Everex Evercom 24 modems:
INITSTRING=ATE0Q0V1X4L3S7=60
Everex 24 MNP modems:
INITSTRING=ATE0M0X4\N3\Q0\V0\X1\G0\C1%C1S0=0
Some Everex modems require the contents of registers S3
& S4 to be reversed, i.e. S3=10 S4=13.
7.2 Running DOS (or a program) from a remote
TRAPDOOR.BAT or TRAPDOO?.BAT (where ? is a letter, A
...Z), is executed from MEGAHOST. A path MUST BE SET
to point to TRAPDOOR.BAT if the call is to be
successful. A sample TRAPDOOR.BAT is provided with
this package; as written, it enables WATCHDOG, a public
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domain program that monitors carrier detect at DOS
level.
MEGAHOST sends TRAPDOOR.BAT a parameter to inform it
which port is selected, so it may run the proper
version of WATCHDOG. You might do well to use this
file as is. You could change the line with COMMAND to
the name of the program of your choice; this would not
allow DOS access, but would execute the program and
then return to MEGAHOST. Keep in mind that very many
programs write directly to the screen, or intercept the
keyboard directly. These programs will not operate
correctly under the DOS shell, and may hang up the
system. If you have called in DOS then type EXIT at
the DOS command line to return to MEGAHOST.
There is a fine shareware program, available on the
MEGAHOST Support BBS, and other BBSs, called Doorway.
That program lets you operate your computer by remote,
as if you were there. You can do many things from a
remote position with Doorway which you cannot do by a
simple drop-to-DOS using CTTY.
MEGAHOST passes the following command line parameters:
%0 = name of program called (batch, exe, com)
%1 = port number
%2 = baud rate
%3 = the caller's first name
%4 = the caller's last name
%5 = the caller's security level
%6 = whether the caller selected ANSI after log on
(Y or N)
%7 = the directory MEGAHOST was to start from
%8 = is CARRIER if the call is from a remote
computer,
or LOCAL
%9 = the number of the node
The following TRAPDOOR.BAT file is an example of using
Doorway from a DOS shell.
echo off
cls
if .%8. == .LOCAL. goto local
c:\rundir\doorway COM%1: /VD^U /OT /GON /M32767 /AON
/BMS /S* /CDOS
goto end
:local
c:\rundir\doorway local /OT /GON /M32767 /AON /BMS
/S* /CDOS
:end
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The following TRAPDOOR.BAT file is an example of using
Doorway to call in an external program. Rundir would
be the directory MEGAHOST was invoked from, and
Startdir would be the directory specified by START=.
@echo off
cd\doors
if .%8. == .LOCAL. goto local
if .%6. == .N. goto nonansi
c:\rundir\doorway com%1: /VD^U /AON /OT /S* /GON
/M30 /kV255 /PC:\doors\users.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
%6 %7 %8 %9
goto end
:nonansi
c:\rundir\doorway com%1: /VD^U /AON /OT /S* /GOFF
/M30 /kV255 /PC:\doors\users.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
%6 %7 %8 %9
goto end
:local
c:\rundir\doorway LOCAL /T:^C /O:T /S:* /G:ON
/M32767 /PC:\doors\users.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6
%7 %8 %9
:end
cd\startdir
7.3 Premature Exits (and exiting remotely)
It may happen that your MEGAHOST BBS exits prematurely.
For example, the computer may reboot because of a power
outage. One way to avoid this problem is to use a
batch file (call it MEGA.BAT), an alternative
autoexec.bat file and, if your normal config.sys does
not load ANSI.SYS, an alternative config.sys file. The
last line of the alternative autoexec.bat file (call it
AUTOEXEC.MEG) would be MEGA M. The alternative
config.sys file would load ANSI.SYS. These files would
sit in the root directory of the boot disk.
@ECHO OFF
REM THIS IS MEGA.BAT
IF "%1"==""GOTO MENU
IF "%1"=="B" GOTO BBS
IF "%1"=="M" GOTO MEGAHOST
IF "%1"=="R" GOTO RETURN
GOTO MENU
:BBS
REM THIS ASSUMES A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION FOR
MEGAHOST, FROM WHAT REM YOU HAVE FOR YOUR
NORMAL, WORKDAY SETUP. BE SURE THAT THE LAST
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REM LINE IN AUTOEXEC.MEG IS MEGA M SO THAT A
REBOOT TAKES YOU BACK TO REM MEGAHOST
REM
ECHO *** WARNING ***
ECHO You are about to alter your autoexec.bat and
config.sys
ECHO after which you will call up your MEGAHOST
BBS. If you
ECHO want to stop now, press Control-C, otherwise,
pause
IF EXIST C:\AUTOEXEC.REG GOTO MEGAHOST
REN C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.REG
REN C:\AUTOEXEC.MEG AUTOEXEC.BAT
REN C:\CONFIG.SYS CONFIG.REG
REN C:\CONFIG.MEG CONFIG.SYS
:MEGAHOST
REM THIS ASSUMES
REM 1) YOU OPERATE UNDER DESQVIEW, OR
REM 2) YOU DON'T OPERATE UNDER DESQVIEW AND DON'T
REM HAVE ANSI LOADED BY WAY OF YOUR CONFIG.SYS,
AND
REM 3) YOU HAVE DVANSI.COM. THERE ARE OTHER
COMMAND-LINE
REM -LOADABLE ANSI PROGRAMS AVAILABLE ON BBSs, SUCH
AS ANSI.COM.
REM
DVANSI
MEGAHOST
MEGA M
:RETURN
ECHO **********************************
ECHO THIS RETURNS YOUR COMPUTER TO
ECHO ITS NORMAL, WORKDAY CONDITION
ECHO **********************************
IF EXIST C:\AUTOEXEC.MEG GOTO END
REN C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.MEG
REN C:\CONFIG.SYS CONFIG.MEG
REN C:\AUTOEXEC.REG AUTOEXEC.BAT
REN C:\CONFIG.REG CONFIG.SYS
GOTO END
:MENU
ECHO
************************************************
*
ECHO * This Batch File Manages the MEGAHOST BBS
*
ECHO *
*
ECHO * Syntax: MEGA [P]
*
ECHO * Where [P] is one of these parameters:
*
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ECHO *
*
ECHO * ? Brings up this menu
*
ECHO * B To reconfigure the computer and
*
ECHO * call up your MEGAHOST BBS
*
ECHO * M To call up MEGAHOST without change
*
ECHO * in the computer's setup
*
ECHO * R To Reverse reconfiguration of the
*
ECHO * of the computer and Return to its
*
ECHO * regular, workday configuration
*
ECHO *
*
ECHO
************************************************
*
:END
GET W
This is how the batch file works. When you call MEGA
alone or with anything but upper case B,M or R, you see
a list of parameters and the file exits.
If you call MEGA B, and if there is no AUTOEXEC.REG in
the root directory, config.sys and autoexec.bat are
renamed and substitute files are appropriately renamed.
If there is an AUTOEXEC.REG, in the root directory,
DVANSI (you can substitute any other command-line
started ANSI system program) is called and MEGAHOST is
started. Note that, if ANSI.SYS is already loaded,
DVANSI won't load. If there is a power outage, or for
some other reason the host computer reboots or MEGAHOST
closes down without your having told it to, MEGA Bat is
called up again -- either by the batch file itself or
by the newly named autoexec.bat. Since the command is
MEGA M, the file skips all the renaming steps, which
are unnecessary now.
If you are in DesqView or some other multi-tasking
environment, you could call MEGA M. That command
causes MEGA.BAT to jump right to the part which calls
DVANSI and MEGAHOST, altering no files along the way.
How would you get out of this loop? Simple! You
should have a way to Drop to DOS from inside MEGAHOST.
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Drop to DOS and issue the command, MEGA R. That
command puts things the way they were before MEGAHOST
was called up and warm boots the computer.
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VIII. COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS
8.1 Downward compatibility of future versions
Strict compatibility between different versions of
MEGAHOST is attempted, but not guaranteed. See
Appendix A for instructions on converting MINIHOST
files to MAXIHOST and MAXIHOST files to MEGAHOST.
8.2 Memory resident program problems
MEGAHOST does not function correctly when certain
memory resident (TSR) programs are loaded. DOSEDIT, a
DOS editor, does strange things at times, especially
after a Jump to DOS. Those spiffy clock programs
interfere with binary file transfers. If you are
having problems, remove all resident programs from
memory and see if this helps. TSRs should be invoked
from a DOS shell TRAPDOOR only with caution!
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IX. TESTIMONIALS:
PC World MAY 1991 says:
MAXIHOST, a versatile shareware BBS that almost
anyone can use. MAXIHOST's ample security
features and easy setup make it ideal and a
MAXIHOST BBS is easy to maintain as it is to set
up.
Micro Cornucopia NOV-DEC 1989 says:
MINIHOST has amazing low maintenance
requirements, is very flexible, and after years
of reliable use Mankin's little BBS is a gem of
a system.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education Vol 53,
Summer 89 says:
Because of the extensive documentation, I have
never a need to call for help and a file
shareware BBS which every college of pharmacy
should try.
Personal Computer Communications, The bible of the on-
line World, by Alfred Glossbrenner (of the New York
Times) says:
For new users we recommend Don Mankin's
MINIHOST. Simple to setup and use and for
anyone willing to tap an office or home computer
from a distant location.
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APPENDIX A: MINIHOST / MAXIHOST / MEGAHOST CONVERSIONS
A.1 MiniHost to MaxiHost Conversion
Delete MINIHOST.00?
Rename MINIHOST.* MAXIHOST.*
Rename *.B?? to .T??
Rename MINIHOST.?00 to WELCOME.?01
Rename MINIHOST.?01 to NEWUSER.?01
Finally, add a unique identifier in front of each conference
entry:
CONFERENCE=1;GENERAL;0;Miscellaneous Topics
CONFERENCE=2;PROBLEMS;0;Problem Resolution
CONFERENCE=3;BETA_TEST;5;Beta Test Versions
A.2 MaxiHost to MegaHost Conversion
The programs necessary for this conversion must be obtained
from the MEGAHOST Support BBS. These files are:
USRS2ASC.EXE
ASC2USRS.EXE
MAIL2ASC.EXE
ASC2MAIL.EXE
CNF2ASC.EXE
CVTBBS.EXE
MEGAAPI1.EXE (if you used MHAPI.EXE). If yours is a multi-
user system, rename MEGAAPI1.EXE, MEGAAPIn.exe, where n is
the number of the node in which that program will operate).
Backup all MAXIHOST files, then copy MAXIHOST.CNF to
MEGAHOST.CNF and add these entries to MEGAHOST.CNF file,
with the appropriate completions:
ACFILES
ASKANSI
ASKBIG
ASKFILECHECK
ASKMAILCHECK
ASKNAPLPS
AUTOINDUCTION
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CMDLINE
ENTRMSG
CTSCHECK
LOGONALIAS
MENU=ECHODOOR
MENU=ZIPPYDIRSCAN
NEWUSERSECURITY
NEWUSERTIMELIMIT
SKIPFILECHECK
SKIPMAILCHECK
Delete these entries from MEGAHOST.CNF
MENU=ENTRMSG
MENU=INDUCTION
MENU=YOURMAIL.
MSGLINES
TIMELIMIT
USER
Copy the necessary conversion programs and the new
MEGAHOST.EXE file to the same directory as the one with your
original MAXIHOST.EXE file in it. You should already have a
path set to this directory.
Change directory to the one with MAILFIL.DAT in it. Run
MAIL2ASC.EXE, to create MESSAGES.LST. You may then kill the
MAXIMAIL.* files as they are no longer used.
Run USRS2ASC.EXE to create CALLERS.LST. You may then kill
the MAXIUSRS.* files as they are no longer used.
Now that the two *.LST ASCII files are created, run
ASC2MAIL. It creates MAILFIL.DAT and MAILFIL.IX. These are
your new message files.
Run ASC2USRS. It creates USRSFIL.DAT and USRSFIL.IX. These
are your new callers log files.
If currently using MHAPI, change references to MHAPI to
MEGAAPIn (n=node) in all batch files operating for that
node. Obtain a new MEGAAPI1.EXE and, for each node, rename
it MEGAAPIn.EXE, where n=the number of the node. Finally,
at the DOS command line enter MEGAAPIn INIT for each node.
Run MEGAHOST. Make sure that the printer is set to FILE.
You can do this by pressing F5 from the configuration
screen. From the message system, press (L)ist to Printer.
This will rewrite MESSAGES.LST with MEGAHOST's updated
syntax. Keep this file, repeating this process from time to
time.
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From the (K)nown Caller module, press (S)end to Printer.
Make sure that printer is set to FILE. This will rewrite
CALLERS.LST with MEGAHOST's updated syntax. Keep this file,
repeating this process from time to time.
If you need to restore the databases, use ASC2MAIL.EXE and
ASC2USRS.EXE. If you delete the MAILFIL.* and USRSFIL.*
files they will be recreated. If you don't kill them, the
records read in will replace the originals. PASSWORD.MH and
INDUCT.MH are no longer used. MEGAAPI functions include one
to create .PRN files that can be used to read the callers
information.
You will need to call the Support BBS to obtain a MEGAHOST
registration number.
A.3 MegaHost 1.3 to MegaHost 2.0 Conversion
CONFIGURATION - SINGLE USER
Enter NETTYPE=NONET in your .CNF file
Enter NODE=1 in your .CNF file
Rename MEGA_API.EXE to MEGAAPI1.EXE
Do a MEGAAPI1 INIT
Delete MEGA_API.DAT
Change your batch files that reference MEGA_API to
MEGAAPI1
Rename BATCHLOG.DAT to BATCHLG1.DAT
Rename MEGAHOST.LOG to MEGAHST1.LOG
Rename QUESTION.IN to QUEST1.IN
Rename QUESTION.OUT to QUEST1.OUT
CONFIGURATION - MULTI USER
First, an explanation is in order. You CANNOT run two
instances of MH, i.e., you cannot invoke the MH
executables twice. You must create two separate sub
directories and copy the executables there. The files
I have in each directory include BATCHOFF.BAT,
BATCHON.BAT, EVENT.BAT, TRAPDOOA.BAT, TRAPDOOB.BAT,
TRAPDOOC.BAT, TRAPDOOD.BAT, MEGAHOST.EXE, MEGAHOST.CNF,
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MEGAAPI2.EXE, and MEGAAPI2.DAT. Make sure you have a
path to this directory, and a path to the directory
with all of your external file transfer protocols (and
Doorway).
Each .CNF file must be modified as follows:
Set DATAPATH= to the sub directory where all of your
shared files will exist. This directory should have
your MAILFIL.* and USRSFIL.* files, and all of your
menus, bulletins, etc. This is important. Any/All
ANSI/ASCII files MUST MUST MUST have their file
attributes set to READ/ONLY. This is done using
'attrib +r filename.ext'. I have the following files
set read-only: BULLETIN.*, CHNGMNU1.*, DOORMNU1.*,
GOODBYE.*, HELP.*, MAILMNU1.*, MAILMNU2.*, MAINMNU3.*,
NEWUSER.*, USERMNU1.*, USERMNU1.*, and WELCOME.*
Enter NETTYPE=[DESQVIEW | MSNET | VINES | NOVELL] in
your .CNF file.
If NETTYPE=MSNET or DESQVIEW then SHARE MUST BE LOADED!
Enter NODE=[1-9] in your .CNF file - must be unique for
each .CNF!
Rename MEGA_API.EXE to MEGAAPIn.EXE where n is the
above NODE= number
Do a MEGAAPIn INIT where n is the above NODE= number
Delete MEGA_API.DAT
Change your batch files that reference MEGA_API to
MEGAAPIn where n is the above NODE= number
Rename BATCHLOG.DAT to BATCHLGn.DAT where n is the
above NODE= number
Rename MEGAHOST.LOG to MEGAHSTn.LOG where n is the
above NODE= number
Rename QUESTION.IN to QUESTn.IN where n is the above
NODE= number
Rename QUESTION.OUT to QUESTn.OUT where n is the above
NODE= number
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APPENDIX B: BIG TERMINAL
BIG TERMINAL
Blue Instant Graphics! On-line Interpreter
Copyright 1991-92 by Larry Mears
All rights reserved
Version 1.02 Shareware
BBS (205) 722-0900
(Genie) L.MEARS
11027 Crestfield Dr.
Huntsville, Alabama 35803
USA
Blue Instant Graphics (BIG) Terminal presents a new
concept in on-line graphics! Now see true on-line
graphics. If you are tired of the blocky ANSI graphics
that most BBSs offer, then you will be pleasantly
surprised by the super fast high resolution graphics
this new terminal emulation unleashes! Registering
allows for advanced graphic and sound features such as
on-line Adlib (tm) support, special sound effects, and
bitblit operations.
BIG does graphics by way of an attention command
sequence, similar to a Hayes modem, and interprets one
letter commands and values up to 9999. It also does
ANSI graphics in their standard form. BIG also exists
as Instant Graphics!(IG) in the Atari ST on-line world.
BIG was written after IG and is not fully compatible
with IG but very similar. You should be able to get IG
scripts off Atari BBSs and alter them slightly to work.
It would be advisable to get the IG doc, look for
IG216.ARC.
So, what's so great about BIG graphics? Well it means
lines, circles, ovals, rectangles, fill patterns,
system fonts, you can have BIG colored text any where
on the screen. BIG with a little help from the users
out there could open a new door for telecommunications.
This terminal would allow better game programs to be
written for BBS doors. Another use is bar and pie
charts. A good idea would be to have a on-line comic
strip. There are many possibilities.
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APPENDIX C: NAPLPS Terminal
Microstar Software Ltd.
100-34 Colonnade Rd. North
Nepean, Ontario, CANADA K2E-7J6
VOICE (613) 727-5696
BBS (613) 727-5272
Personality+III(R) is a communication package that
interprets either the VT100 ((c)DEC) control syntax in
a textual display, or the North American Presentation
Layer Protocol Syntax (NAPLPS) in a graphical display.
NAPLPS is a government standard (ANSI-X3.110-1983/CSA-
T500-1983) for the encoding of alpha-numeric, alpha-
mosaic, alpha-geometric and alpha photographic
constructs. This syntax is based on the international
standards ISO-2022 and ISO-2375. NAPLPS is a
resolution independent and device independent syntax
and Personality+III uses the proprietary Microstar
Virtual Device Interface (MVDI(R)) to display data
encoded in this syntax. MVDI is implemented on IBM-PC
((c)IBM) compatible, Macintosh ((c)Apple) and AppleIIGS
((c)Apple) personal computers, and custom
manufacturers' terminals. For more information
regarding the programmer's C language toolkit and
distribution license for MVDI please indicate your
needs when you register your copy of the software.
The software can be programmed with modem control
sequences to dial a service and communicate
asynchronously. Many host services are being changed
in the U.S. and Canada to support switching between a
textual presentation and graphical presentation and are
using NAPLPS as the graphics syntax. A selection of
device dependent screen drivers is included with the
program. The user must choose the language of the user
interface and the screen driver that corresponds to the
graphics card in the computer.
The host can control the video display mode by sending
one of two particular ISO-2375 registered control
sequences down the asynchronous communication line.
When the software detects the sequences, the mode will
change before the next datum is parsed. This allows a
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service to mix both text pages and NAPLPS graphic pages
in a single session.
The three byte hexadecimal sequence 0x1b, 0x25, 0x41
(in ASCII: ESC, '%', 'A') will switch the presentation
to the NAPLPS graphics mode. The three byte sequence
0x1b, 0x25, 0x40 (in ASCII: ESC, '%', '@') will switch
the presentation to the text mode.
This program will interpret the ASCII character set
'high-bit' characters following the international
standard ISO-8859/1, also called Latin-1. This
character set is different than the code pages found on
standard personal computers, and does not include line
drawing characters. Some Bulletin Boards expect the
use of code pages, hence there may be accented
characters appearing on the screen when line drawing
characters are used.
This program is configured with built-in support of
Latin-1 characters on screens with either 14-dot high
(EGA standard) or 16-dot high (VGA standard)
characters. Some laptop and other personal computers
do not follow either of these standards in their
default modes. Some of these computers do, however,
provide a hot-key combination on the keyboard that
configure their text screen to be one of these
standards.
When the program detects that the dot height of
characters in text mode is neither 14 nor 16, it will
not use the built-in support, however, it will still
interpret Latin-1 characters and will assume that the
current code page loaded in the video character set
generator is Code Page 850 (PC Multi- lingual Code
Page). Refer to the operation of your personal
computer or operating system for instructions on
configuring the code page of your video character set
generator to Code Page 850.
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APPENDIX D: RIPscript
------------------------------------------
RIPscrip Graphics Protocol Specification
"Remote Imaging Protocol"
Copyright (c) 1992-1994
TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Revision 1.53.00
May 12th, 1994
------------------------------------------
============================================================
== INTRODUCTION ==
============================================================
As system operators of many bulletin board systems,
we've often wished for some form of Graphical User
Interface for our boards. Like most Sysops, we've come
across many solutions. But they all seemed to fall
short in one way or another: inadequate for THIS
system, incomplete, difficult to implement, too
complex, or lacking in graphics development tools. In
short, we became frustrated. So, we decided to write
our own Graphical Script Language.
RIPscrip stands for "Remote Imaging Protocol Script"
language. This graphical language is our answer to the
graphics needs of the BBS community and has serious
tools for implementation and practical use. For more
information on RIPaint, RIPterm or RIPscrip development
tools, contact:
MEGAHOST Copyright (c) 1994 - by Don Mankin 79
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TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.
16458 Bolsa Chica #15
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
VOICE: (714) 379-2131
FAX : (714) 379-2132
DATA : (714) 379-2133
(ArenaBBS: The Major BBS...32 lines)
============================================================
== USE OF RIPscrip LANGUAGE ==
============================================================
The RIPscrip language is made publicly available and is
freely licensed by TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. By
freely licensed, we mean that the language can be used
in the creation of other products. It does not mean
that RIPscrip is public domain. TeleGrafix maintains
the copyright of the RIPscrip language.
RIPscrip, RIPaint, RIPdraw, and RIPterm are trademarks
of TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. If you make a
product that uses RIPscrip, you must state in your
program's "About Box" and documentation that this
product uses RIPscrip and the trademark statement. You
may not use RIPterm, RIPaint, RIPdraw, or RIPterm in
the name of your product.
If you have any questions regarding these issues,
contact TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. at 714/379-
2131.
============================================================
== DEFINITION ==
============================================================
RIPscrip is a text based Script language for displaying
online graphics. The script language conforms to 7-bit
ASCII, avoiding the use of Extended ASCII characters.
This allows transmission over X.25 networks and other
carriers that do not support full 8-bit binary
transfers easily. RIPscrip allows RIPscrip graphical
statements to be mixed with printable ASCII text and
[de facto standard] ANSI/VT-100 directives. RIPscrip
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can dynamically determine what is graphics and what is
text and display them appropriately in separate windows
(a graphics window and a text window). And if you must
have your own proprietary commands, RIPscrip has room
for that too.
============================================================
== HOW DOES RIPscrip WORK? ==
============================================================
RIPscrip uses a flexible, and very efficient script
language for its graphical statements. Its efficiency
stems from its compactness and developmental planning.
It is entirely Object Oriented instead of Raster
Oriented for efficient transmission of data and
powerful editing capabilities (using RIPaint for
example). The language is open ended enough so that
literally trillions of different graphics commands can
be implemented as needed. RIPscrip is not a
proprietary protocol standard and is open to suggestion
from the rest of the world.
Earlier Graphical Script Languages (Avatar and Skypix
among others), utilize special command characters to
indicate which graphics command is to be executed.
This precludes their use on systems that are limited to
ASCII printable text. Traditional script languages use
English words to accomplish things (eg, "BOX 0,0
100,50"). This kind of thing is incredibly bulky,
especially when you consider that pictures are usually
not simple things, but comprised of hundreds or
thousands of individual graphical operations (eg, line,
circles, fills, text, etc.). With this in mind, a
human-readable script language was completely
inappropriate for the relatively limited bandwidth of
conventional modems.
So, one of our main strategies for this language was to
make it as efficient as possible without going
completely binary. This allows the immediate
installation of the protocol onto any ASCII text-based
host system -- because the language consists entirely
of ASCII printable characters. We justify the
unreadability of the language by pointing out the
limitations of today's modems and phone lines --the
language must be compact.
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MEGAHOST User Guide
APPENDIX E: MegaFIDO
MegaFIDO allows you to connect your BBS to other BBS's
and information centers in the very popular FidoNet
store-and-forward mail network. You can exchange
messages and files with over 15,000 BBS's around the
world. Your users will enjoy communicating with people
in the United States and other countries. Reduce your
long distance bill by communicating with software and
hardware vendors who stay in touch with customers on
FidoNet. FidoNet offers you and your users over 400
topical echomail conferences which are shared by more
than 15,000 BBS's world wide. Share mail with people
in Europe, North America, Oceania, America Latina,
Africa and Asia.
A Shareware version of the product is available from
the MegaHost support BBS.
For more infomation, contact Crystal Vision, Inc.
15260 Minosa Trail
Dumfries, VA. 22026
703-680-4733
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