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1991-02-18
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How to use RLI Realtime Message Monitor V 11.16 RLIMON.EXE (1 of 3)
W0RLI SYSOPS, here is a program I wrote to reduce the drudgery of
daily chores each of us must go through to keep the BBS running
smoothly. I am a lazy sort, and figured there must be a better way
to keep track of what is coming into the BBS than the list/read/list
ritual we all endure. RLIMON.EXE will automatically send EVERY new
message entering the PBBS to LPT1 for immediate printing, or to a
user specified file for printing at a later time. It does this once
every hour, at a specified time, cutting keyboard time down to zilch!
If something "improper" is seen on the printout, then sign-on and
correct it. I have gone days without signing-on since I started
using RLIMON; I just drop by the printer and zip-off the messages that
have arrived since last time I dropped by, skim through them, and go
back to whatever it was the XYL had me doing in the first place!
RLI Realtime Message Monitor V11.16 is designed SPECIFICALLY for use
with W0RLI BBS software, version 11.xx, and WILL NOT WORK with any
other BBS software! It is free to all to use, at your own risk. It
has been uploaded to various Landline Ham BBS's as "RLIM1116.ZIP",
with the following files included:
o RLIMON.EXE (The program)
o RM-PIF.DVP (The DESQVIEW (tm) parameter file)
o RLIMON.DAT (The next message pointer)
o RLIMON.DOC (This file)
o CHANGE.DOC (Changes in new releases)
To install this program under DESQVIEW (tm), do the following steps:
1) Copy RLIMON.EXE into an executable files directory, i.e.
C:\DOS, D:\DV, C:\BIN, or wherever you put such things.
2) Make sure the "SET PATH = " command in AUTOEXEC.BAT
includes the directory used in STEP 1.
3) Copy RM-PIF.DVP into the DESQVIEW (tm) directory, whatever
you have named it, then under DV, use the AP, O/ther
commands to install it. Now, use the CP, RM commands to
edit the DV setup to suit you application. The program
needs 56 KB window space; and all that need be done to
the included RM-PIF.DVP file is change the drive where
\BBS directory is located, i.e., change D:\BBS to C:\BBS,
if that is where your \BBS directory is, and the directory
where the executable file (RLIMON.EXE) is.
4) To prepare for the first run, you need to create a file
in the \BBS directory called RLIMON.DAT. This file
contains one record, which is the MESSAGE NUMBER of the
next message to be printed by RLIMON. You may back up as
many messages as you wish for the first run, but be ready
for all the printer activity! Issue the following DOS
commands (this example is for D: drive):
d:
cd \bbs
copy con RLIMON.dat
nnnnn <enter> (nnnnn is next message to print)
<control-z>
(2 of 3)
There are seven valid command line switches available in version 11.16
that may be used with RLIMON. The switches are not case sensitive,
and can be used in any combination. RM-PIF.DVP has samples of these
switches, used at KJ4LQ BBS. The switches are optional, and the
defaults take effect if not used:
/F (use form feeds between messages, default = no form feeds)
/H (print all headers along with message text, default = none)
/H2 (print first and last headers, but NO others, default = none)
/M:nn (where nn is the minute of the hour to print new messages,
default = 00)
/O:{drive}{path}[filename] (Redirect output to the named file. Useful
if you don't want to print while away from the equipment.)
WARNING: This MUST be last switch on the command line!
/PH (print only messages with status "PH" "TH" "BH", an asterisk
will appear by unprinted message numbers on the screen.)
/S (disables internal timers and screen output for operation
under the control of W0RLI SERVER.
RLIMON is now ready to go to work for you! Open your BBS windows as
normal, then open RLIMON window. The copyright message will appear,
and RLIMON will cycle immediately, printing any new messages, then go
into the "waiting" mode. Occasionally, when the print cycle activates,
a message may appear on the screen in the "Subject" field:
[FORWARD IN PROGRESS] [FILE IN EDIT BY BBS] [* REMOVED BY GM], etc.
These messages usually indicate that MAIL.MB is locked by the BBS
for it's own use during a forward cycle, or someone is in the midst
of entering a message from a user port. It is suggested that RLIMON
be set to cycle as far between forward cycle minutes as possible to
reduce this possibility.
There are six commands available to the SYSOP while the program is
idle, as follows:
CTRL-E Exit to DOS (Close window)
CTRL-F Force a print cycle between timed cycles.
CTRL-I Increment the held counter (If it is lower than the
actual number of held messages. Editing improper
BID's on held mesages can cause this.)
CTRL-H Release held messages with one keystroke. (NOTE: run
MBINIT.EXE to re-enable forwarding of these messages)
CTRL-K Clear the file specified by the /O: switch
CTRL-R Read the file specified by the /O: switch
(3 of 3)
USING RLIMON UNDER SERVER CONTROL - The following steps are written
for W0RLI ver. 11.xx SERVER.EXE operation:
1) If you have never used the W0RLI server routines, PLEASE READ
Hank's documentation, as the following steps assume you are
familiar!
2) Set window size for SERVER.EXE to 148 K minimum (approx).
3) In SERVER.MB, add the line: ! {drive}{path}RM.bat
4) In your executable files directory, create the file RM.BAT with
the following text:
RLIMON /S [/switch2][/switch3]...
(Note the /S switch MUST be specified to disable all internal
keyboard, timer, and screen functions. All other switches may
be used as described earlier.)
RLIMON will now run at every server cycle, which you have specified
in INIT.MB .
NOTES: It is recommended that "AUTO GM" be set to "NO" in INIT.MB
so the BBS DOES NOT DO AN AUTOMATIC DAILY CLEAN-UP, as some
messages may be deleted before they are printed!!! The best
way to handle a clean-up is to first; close Desqview (tm)
down to one bbs window, second; FORCE a print cycle using
CTRL-F, third; do a clean-up (GM). If RLIMON.DAT gets
out-of-sync with actual message numbers, just edit RLIMON.DAT
to reflect the next message number you wish to print, then
restart RLIMON.
Send queries, suggestions, etc., to KJ4LQ @ KJ4LQ.VA.USA.NA, Ed,
Chesapeake, VA. 23320.