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RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX A -- RBBS-PC Record Formats ------------------------------------ This appendix is intended to document the record formats of some of the more significant records used within RBBS-PC. As such, it is intended more as a "programmers' guide" for those who wish to write RBBS-PC utilities rather than as "user documentation." No record format is "sacrosanct" and any of them may be changed in future releases. However such changes are not made capriciously and, when they are made, are accompanied by some utility program that will allow the old files to be reformatted into the new format. The MESSAGES file contains the messages that have been left on RBBS-PC. It is a random file with 128-byte records. The first record of the MESSAGES file acts as RBBS-PC's "checkpoint" record. The records immediately following this first record are the RBBS-PC "node" records. Each "node" record represents the activity/options associated with a particular copy of RBBS-PC ("node"). There can be up to thirty-six copies of RBBS-PC running simultaneously sharing the same set of static files. Therefore there can be up to thirty-six "node" records following the "checkpoint" record. The MESSAGES file has the following logical format: +----------------------------------------------+ Record #1 | RBBS-PC "checkpoint" record | +----------------------------------------------+ Record #2 | RBBS-PC "node" record for node # 1 | | | | up to | | | | RBBS-PC "node" record for node # 9 | | RBBS-PC "node" record for node # 0 | | RBBS-PC "node" record for node "A" | | | | up to | | RBBS-PC "node" record for node "Z" | | | +----------------------------------------------+ | First Record in Message portion of file | +----------------------------------------------+ | | \ Message records that have been used \ \ \ | | +----------------------------------------------+ | Record available for next message | +----------------------------------------------+ | Last record available in MESSAGES file | +----------------------------------------------+ Page 105 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 The FIRST RECORD of the "MESSAGES" file acts as a "checkpoint" record for all the multiple RBBS-PC's that may be sharing the MESSAGES and USERS files. It contains information critical to maintaining the integrity of these two files. The layout of RBBS-PC Message File Record Number 1 is as follows: Position Length Description 1 - 8 8 Number of last message on system 9 - 10 2 --- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 11 - 20 10 Current caller number 21 - 51 31 --- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 52 - 56 5 Record Number of first record in the USERS file 57 - 61 5 Record Number of the next available record in the USERS file 62 - 66 5 Record Number of the last record in the USERS file 67 1 Reserved for Node ID currently reserving the USERS file 68 - 74 7 Record Number where "messages" portion of the MESSAGES file begins 75 - 81 7 Record Number of the next available record in the MESSAGES file where the next message may be written 82 - 88 7 Record Number of the last record in the MESSAGES file 89 - 95 7 Maximum number of messages allowed in the MESSAGES file 96 - 97 2 Reserved for Node ID currently reserving the MESSAGES file 98 -122 25 --- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 123 -126 4 Last message number read by the SYSOP 127 -128 2 Maximum number of RBBS-PC's sharing this MESSAGES file As a programming reference, line 23000 of the BASIC source code for RBBS- PC.BAS contains the code for reading this "checkpoint" record. Page 106 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Following the first record of the MESSAGES file are from one to 36 "node" records. Each "node" record contains information critical to the running of that copy of RBBS-PC associated with that "node". The layout of each RBBS-PC "node" record is as follows: Position Length Description 1 - 31 31 Name of last person on this copy of RBBS-PC 32 - 33 2 Available indicator for SYSOP 34 - 35 2 Annoy indicator for SYSOP 36 - 37 2 Indicator that the SYSOP is next on the system 38 - 39 2 Line printer available indicator 40 - 41 2 Door's availability indicator 42 - 43 2 Eight bit transmission indicator 44 - 45 2 Baud rate. -1 = 300, -2 = 450, -3 = 1200, -4 = 2400 46 - 47 2 Upper case indicator 48 - 52 5 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 53 - 54 2 Graphics indicator 55 - 56 2 SYSOP indicator 57 1 Activity indicator (I=inactive, A=active) 58 - 59 2 SNOOP indicator 60 - 61 2 Baud rate caller dialed in at. 300, 1200, 2400 62 - 63 67 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 64 - 69 6 Time logged on system 70 - 71 2 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 72 - 73 2 Private Door 74 - 75 2 Transfer Function 76 - 85 10 Daily Exit Last Date 86 - 90 5 Daily Exit Last Time 91 - 92 2 Reliable Mode 93 - 128 36 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- As a programming reference, review lines 175, 842, 13549, 43070, AND 44000 of the BASIC source code for RBBS-PC.BAS and RBBSSUB2.BAS to see how these fields are set/used. A message within the messages file consists of a MESSAGE HEADER followed by the text of the message. The RBBS-PC Message File "message header" record layout is as follows: Position Length Description 1 1 Contains an "*" for read-only messages, blank otherwise 2 - 5 4 Message number of this message 6 - 36 31 The name of the person the message is from 37 - 58 22 The name of the person to whom the message is sent 59 - 66 8 Time of day that the message was sent (HH:MM:SS) 67 - 67 1 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 68 - 75 8 Date the message was sent (MM-DD-YY) 76 -100 25 Subject of the message 101 -115 15 Password for the message (if any) 116 -116 1 "Active" message indicator = hex 225 "Killed" message indicator = hex 226 117 -120 4 Number of 128-byte records for this message -- including the the "message header" record. 121 -122 2 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 123 -125 3 Date (packed) the message was last read (MM/DD/YY) 126 -128 3 Time (packed) the message was last read (HH:MM:SS) As a programming reference, review lines 3405, 3460, 3530, and 8076 of the BASIC source code for RBBS-PC.BAS to see how these fields are set. Page 107 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Each record following the MESSAGE HEADER record is a MESSAGE TEXT record and consists of 128 characters. Each of these 128-byte message text" records contains the message text. The end of each line in the message is followed by an RBBS-PC "end-of-line" indicator which is equal to an ASCII 227. This allows RBBS-PC to "pack" multiple message lines in a single 128-byte record. The USERS file contains information unique for each RBBS-PC user who logs on. It is a random file with 128-byte records. The layout of each users record within the USERS file is as follows: Position Length Description 1 - 31 31 Users first and last name (separated by a blank). 32 - 46 15 Users password for logon. 47 - 48 2 Users security level (permanent). 49 - 62 14 Users logon options (see detail breakdown below). 63 - 86 24 City and state from which the user is calling. 87 -105 19 ---- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE ---- 106 -119 14 Date and time the user was last on (MM-DD-YY HH:MM). 120 -122 3 Date the user last listed a directory. 123 -124 2 Number of downloads done by the user. 125 -126 2 Number of uploads done by the user. 127 -128 2 Elapsed time the user was on for day of last access. As a programming reference, line 9400 of the BASIC source code for RBBS- PC.BAS contains the code for opening this file. The field used to record the users log on options is utilized as follows: Position Length Description 49 - 50 2 Number of times the user has logged on 51 - 52 2 Last message number read by the user 53 1 Protocol Preference (X, A, M, C, I, Y, G, K, W, blank) 54 1 Graphics 0-text, 1-graphics, 2-color 55 - 56 2 Margin length for this users messages 57 - 58 2 Bit Flag -- this 16-bit field is denoted by bit 0 being the least significant (i.e. right-most bit) and bit 15 being the most significant (i.e. left- most bit). These "bit flags" have the following meanings (0=off, 1=on): BIT Definition (what ON means) 0 Bell prompts 1 "Expert" mode 2 Nulls 3 Upper case only 4 Line feeds 5 Skip old bulletins 6 Check new files on logon 7 Use autodownload 8 Required questionnaire answered 9-15 RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE 59 - 60 2 Date subscription began 61 1 Page length to use for this users terminal 62 1 ------- RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE --------- --- 14 Page 108 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX B -- RBBS-PC in a DESQview Environment ----------------------------------------------- Before you continue, make certain you have read and thoroughly understand the instruction manual provided with your copy of DESQview. 1. Modifications to DOS CONFIG.SYS and RBBS-PC batch files: ------------------------------------------------------------ The first step in using DESQview with RBBS-PC is setting up your CONFIG.SYS file. Files=25 is probably the most critical value. This value tells DOS how many files may be open at the same time. This value may need to be increased if you intend to run more than 2 nodes of RBBS-PC. A typical CONFIG.SYS file should include the following: files=25 buffers=25 (device=ansi.sys is not required when using DESQview) If you intend to use two or more nodes of RBBS-PC, a batch file will be required for each node. These batch files will eventually be executed from the DESQview "Open Window" menu and will load each node of RBBS-PC. Contents of RBBS1.BAT Contents of RBBS2.BAT if exist rctty1.bat del rctty1.bat if exist rctty2.bat del rctty2.bat watchdg1 off watchdg2 off rbbs-pc.exe 1 rbbs-pc.exe 2 watchdg1 on watchdg2 on if exist rctty1.bat rctty1.bat if exist rctty2.bat rctty2.bat rbbs1.bat rbbs2.bat In the above examples, the program WATCHDOG is being used to monitor for carrier when the SYSOP has dropped into DOS remotely or a user has opened a Door. For example, WATCHDG1 monitors COM1 and WATCHDG2 monitors COM2. If you aren't using WATCHDOG, leave these commands out of your batch files. 2. What to Tell RBBS-PC's "CONFIG" Utility ------------------------------------------ When using DESQview you will need to change the following parameter with the RBBS-PC "CONFIG" utility: Environment running concurrent RBBS-PC's ------ DESQview 3. Running Multiple Nodes (or copies) of RBBS-PC ------------------------------------------------ If you intend to use two or more nodes of RBBS-PC, you will need to change a few additional parameters with the RBBS-PC "CONFIG" utility. When using multiple nodes of RBBS-PC you will be using a .DEF file for each node. Each node will have a .DEF file named RBBS?PC.DEF where ? represents the number of the node. These are created by answering YES to the question "Will you be running multiple copies of RBBS-PC (YES or NO)?" when the "CONFIG" utility first loads. If you prefer to use the parameters from your existing single node RBBS-PC.DEF file, you may simply copy that file to the new .DEF files before you run the "CONFIG" utility. After loading the "CONFIG" utility, it will ask you "To which copy of RBBS-PC will these options apply (1 to 36)?" and you should respond with node number (or copy) you want to configure. Here are the parameters that will have to be changed for each node of RBBS- PC you intend to use. This example is for a system with two nodes. Page 109 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Node DEF file--> RBBS1PC.DEF RBBS2PC.DEF Default Configuration Parameters Parameters Parameters -------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Communications port to be used by RBBS-PC ---- COM1 COM2 File RBBS builds dynamically to open a 'door'- D:RCTTY1.BAT D:RCTTY2.BAT When a 'door' closes, file to re-invoke RBBS - D:RBBS1.BAT D:RBBS2.BAT Maximum number of concurrent RBBS-PC's ------- 2 2 Please note that the preceding parameters are located on different pages of the "CONFIG" utility. The parameter pages and numbers aren't specified to avoid confusion in the event they are changed in subsequent versions of the "CONFIG" utility. 4. DESQview Setup Default Settings ---------------------------------- The first step in setting up DESQview for use with RBBS-PC is specifying the default settings for DESQview. DESQview has a program called SETUP.EXE that you should run. After the SETUP program loads, press RETURN for the Advanced Setup Procedure followed by a "P" for Performance defaults. Here is an example of the settings you should use. Advanced Setup: Performance Task Processing Time (clock ticks) Foreground: 4 <----- Background: 3 <----- Memory Usage (in K bytes) DESQview Scripts: 1 Playback Scripts: 1 Learn Scripts: 1 System Memory: 12 High Speed Comm? (Y/N): Y <----- Jump Scroll? (Y/N): N Swap to Disk? (Y/N): N The arrows above refer to changes from DESQview's default settings. NEVER indicate more clock ticks for Background processing than you are using for the Foreground processing. DESQview will automatically increase the amount of Background clock ticks whenever there is little demand for Foreground processing. This is the case when running RBBS-PC in the background and doing word processing or a similar task in the foreground. This feature cannot function properly if the Background clock ticks are set higher than the Foreground clock ticks. Setting the High Speed Comm default to YES will make communications interrupts the highest priority. This will keep file transfers going smoothly for your callers while you are doing other tasks or operating multiple nodes of RBBS-PC. 5. Adding RBBS-PC to DESQview's "Open Window" Menu --------------------------------------------------- Refer to the section "Adding Your Own Program" in the DESQview manual. You will need to "Add a Program" for each node of RBBS-PC you intend to operate on your system. You may name the programs N1, N2, etc. N1 will load the batch file RBBS1.BAT, N2 will load RBBS2.BAT and so on. Use the following settings for each node (or copy) of RBBS-PC you install. Page 110 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Add a Program Program Name . . . . . . RBBS-PC [node 1] Keys to use on Open Menu N1 Command to Start Program RBBS1.BAT Path to Data Files . . . D:\RBBS (subdirectory RBBS1.BAT is located in) Memory Size (in K) . . . 288 (see "Memory Considerations" below) Window Position . . . . Row 0 Column 0 Height 25 Width 80 Script Buffer Size (in bytes) 1000 Options: OFF ON---> Displays graphics information OFF ON---> Uses its own colors OFF ON---> Allows keyboard type-ahead OFF ON---> Allows script type-ahead OFF OFF To toggle an option ON or OFF, move the cursor to the option with the TAB key and press the + key to the right of the numeric pad. An option is ON whenever it is highlighted on your screen. Only the first four options on the right hand side should be highlighted before pressing RETURN to end the "Add a Program" session. Leaving the "Displays graphics information "option set to OFF (not highlighted) may cause your system to lock-up when you attempt to open another window. 6. Memory Considerations ------------------------- Current versions of DESQview require a little under 162k of your system's memory. This leaves you with about 478k to operate RBBS-PC on a system with 640k. Specify a minimum window size of 232k for each node of RBBS-PC you intend to operate. Two nodes would be the maximum amount for a system with 640k. If you choose to use RBBS-PC's external protocol drivers for file transfers and your system's memory is 640k, you would have to tell CONFIG that they were to be invoked by EXITing to a .BAT file rather than SHELLing to them. If you use the second node for SYSOP duties only, the above configuration should work nicely. When using the second node for SYSOP duties an additional modem and an additional RS-232 interface is not required -- all you have to do is use CONFIG to set up the .DEF file for the node you are going to use for SYSOP duties as using COM0. Failure to do so will prevent your second node from loading properly. 7. Expanded Memory ------------------- If you are using an "Expanded Memory" board that allows more than 640k to be used for programs, the constraints discussed in the previous section may not apply. Specify a window size of 440K for each node of RBBS-PC and invoke the external protocol drivers by SHELLing. For information on running programs in expanded memory, refer to the manuals for DESQview and your particular memory board. 8. How to AUTOEXEC RBBS-PC From DESQview ---------------------------------------- Refer to the section "Learn: DESQview's Keystroke Macro Feature" in the DESQview manual. A script assigned to the ! key (on the DESQview menu) has a special meaning. It is performed at the time you start up DESQview, Page 111 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 immediately after the DESQview menu appears. This is called a STARTUP SCRIPT. You should "Learn" the Startup Script with no windows open and with the DESQview menu displayed to be sure it will play back properly. Use this particular script to load N1, N2, etc. of RBBS-PC. If you load DESQview from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, RBBS-PC will load from DESQview automatically. This can be handy if there is a power outage while you are away and no one is around to re-load RBBS-PC when the electricity returns. Finally, it's suggested that you open the window(s) for RBBS-PC prior to opening a window for any other application software. 9. RBBS-PC Technical Support For DESQview ----------------------------------------- The preceding configuration has been given to every SYSOP that has contacted our bulletin board system regarding DESQview usage with RBBS-PC. It has, in every case, solved their problems with DESQview and RBBS-PC. If you follow these instructions and continue to have difficulties, please contact us and we will do our best to help out. John Taylor SYSOP, Indiana On-Line (tm) (812) 332-RBBS /data (812) 332-1110 /voice Page 112 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX C -- RBBS-PC in a MultiLink Environment ------------------------------------------------ RBBS-PC CPC15-1B can ONLY run in a MultiLink environment with MultiLink Version 3.02 or earlier. MultiLink Version 3.03, 4.0 and later are unable to support programs compiled with the new BASIC compilers if the programs write to both the communications port and the local PC's screen. Compile and run the following simple program and you can see for yourself: DEFINT A-Z OPEN "COM1:1200,N,8,1,RS,CD,DS" AS #3 FOR I = 1 TO 3200 PRINT "This is line"+STR$(I) NEXT END This simple program will hang MultiLink 3.03 and 4.0 because with these newer releases, MultiLink became incapable of switching tasks correctly if the communications port was open and the screen was scrolling. CONFIG's allows the SYSOP to tell RBBS-PC that it will be running in a MultiLink environment. This is ESSENTIAL when running RBBS-PC under MultiLink. CONFIG allows the SYSOP to specify what MultiLink terminal type code to pass to MultiLink whenever RBBS-PC exits to DOS via a "Door". Page 15 of the MultiLink documentation specifies the various terminal type codes. When a SYSOP indicates that "doors" are available (via parameter 81 of CONFIG) and RBBS-PC is to be run under MultiLink, the SYSOP is asked to select the MultiLink terminal type that RBBS-PC is to inform MultiLink to expect when MultiLink is given control of the "Door." RBBS-PC CPC15-1B has been tested running two copies of RBBS-PC under DOS 3.1 and MultiLink Advanced (version 3.02) on an IBM PC which had a mother- board containing 256K and an AST Comboplus board with 384K (a total of 640K). The "autoexec" file was named AUTOEXEC.BAT and contained the following parameters MLINK /9,288/9,288 NOTE! ==> I have been unable to get multiple copies of RBBS-PC to run under either MultiLink 3.03 or MultiLink 4.0 (newer releases of MultiLink) with the above configuration. Instead I have had to set the MLINK command to MLINK /1,182,1,xxx/1,182,1,xxx where xxx is the baud rate that you want the modem initialize at. Additionally, this has only function when patches through 7 were applied to ML 3.03. Applying subsequent patches caused very strange results. It is important to avoid doing several things when running RBBS-PC under MultiLink. First, NEVER RUN MLSLICE! This is because MLSLICE hangs off the PC's timer chain and the code generated by the BASIC compilers violates all sorts of DOS conventions whenever it is utilizing the PC's speaker (i.e. as when RBBS-PC pages the SYSOP). In so doing, the code generated by the BASIC compilers is incompatible with programs that do follow DOS conventions. Second, NEVER use the DOS "PRINT" command! This is because there is a bug in the code generated by the BASIC compiler that causes the system to hang if a compiled BASIC program is running and DOS is printing something. This bug has been corrected in the BASIC compiler that was used to generate Page 113 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 RBBS-PC.EXE that is distributed. However the version of RBBS-PC that you get (if other than from CPCUG) may not have this bug corrected. This is a bug that occurs independent of running MultiLink. Third, check your Intel 8088 chip's copyright date by opening up the cover and locating the 8088 chip. If the copyright date printed on the chip is 1978 (i.e. pre 1981), REPLACE THE INTEL 8088 CHIP!!!!! The 1978 Intel 8088 chip had several design flaws that will cause your system to lock up occasionally. One of these design flaws allowed interrupts to occur while stack switching (something that will happen running multiple partitions doing disk I/O under any multi-tasking DOS add-on such as MultiLink or even IBM's TopView). Don't blame MultiLink for the flawed Intel 8088 chip that IBM put in your PC! It costs about $70 ($35 for the chip and $35 for labor) and takes about 15 minutes to have the 1978 Intel 8088 chip replaced. In fact, if you are going to replace your 1978 Intel 8088 chip, you might consider the newer (and 5% to 10% faster) NEC V20 chip. Fourth, DON'T USE "BUFFERS=" in the CONFIG.SYS for DOS! This may be an "old wives tale," but I am convinced (but can't prove) that there are incompatibilities between the code the BASIC compiler generates, DOS's use of "BUFFERS=", and MultiLink. Fifth, DON'T ALLOW MNP PROTOCOL for file transfers. An incompatibility exists between the Software Link, Inc.'s Multi-Link and MICROCOM's MNP software. Until the respective vendor's resolve this, don't use both products concurrently! Sixth, RBBS-PC will only run in Background 1 or Background 2. Finally, DON'T RUN PROGRAMS THAT USE THE BASIC "RUN-TIME" LIBRARY, and always invoke the BASIC interpreter with the command BASIC /C:0! Both the BASIC interpreter's handling of communications ports and BASRUN.EXE seem to violate enough DOS conventions to "lock up" MultiLink. When RBBS-PC detects that it is running in a MultiLink environment it will automatically do the following: 1. When re-cycling, it will automatically enque on the correct MultiLink resource ID for the communications port defined in CONFIG for that copy of RBBS-PC to use. 2. When re-cycling, it will automatically tell MultiLink that this is a type "9" partition (i.e. MultiLink is NOT to handle the communications port). 3. When exiting to DOS via a "door", RBBS-PC will automatically tell MultiLink to start handling the communications for this partition (COM1 or COM2) and what type of terminal was defined in CONFIG that would be on the communications port (MultiLink terminal types 1 through 12). Manually, it is possible to bring up and run one copy of RBBS-PC under MultiLink. The only way that I have been able to bring up two copies of RBBS-PC successfully (one copy running in each of two partitions) was to bring them up via AUTOEXE1.BAT and AUTOEXE2.BAT files. It appears that during the MultiLink initialization sequence when the partitions are being established and the "AUTOEXEx.BAT" files are being invoked that MultiLink doesn't get "confused" and lock up with a second copy of RBBS-PC present. If using Multi-Link to run multiple nodes in the same machine under DOS 3.x or above, it is recommended that the SYSOP execute SHARE.COM prior to starting multiple RBBS-PC nodes under Multi-Link and specify FILES=20 in the CONFIG.SYS file. Page 114 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX D -- RBBS-PC in a CORVUS Network ----------------------------------------- RBBS-PC uses the standard Corvus SEMAPHORES when sharing files among multiple copies of RBBS-PC within a Corvus Network. This is accomplished via the MS-DOS utility driver, DRIVEC2, that Corvus supplies with its network. On a multi-server Corvus network (i.e. where there are multiple shared hard disk drives) all PC's that are running RBBS-PC within the Corvus network MUST have their "home volume" on the same server. Corvus maintains each PC's semaphores on that PC's "home volume". In order to "share" files among various PC's in a Corvus network, all the PC's that are "sharing" must also be looking at the same set of semaphores. In a single-server Corvus network this is not a consideration because there is only one "home volume." RBBS-PC has been only tested with the Corvus CONSTELLATION II interface cards and software that Corvus provides for the IBM PC. RBBS-PC should work with both Corvus' older "flat cable" network as well as their newer OMNINET twisted wire pair cable network when running CONSTELLATION II software. It is entirely possible that RBBS-PC would work with some combination of both Corvus network types as long as they were running CONSTELLATION II software. It should be self-evident that every PC within a Corvus network running RBBS-PC must have a Corvus interface card. If multiple copies of RBBS-PC are running in a Corvus network that is using older Corvus software (i.e. NOT running the CONSTELLATION II software), the interface cards must, at least, all have the CONSTELLATION II ROM. RBBS-PC is tested only to run on IBM PC's within a Corvus network. Clearly an IBM "clone" that can run IBM's DOS, RBBS-PC.EXE, and is supported by Corvus' network should also work. However, such configurations (and their many variations) are not part of the environment within which RBBS-PC is tested and supported. Page 115 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX E -- RBBS-PC in an ORCHID PCnet NETWORK or AST PCnet NETWORK --------------------------------------------------------------------- RBBS-PC CPC15-1B can be implemented on an Orchid PCnet or AST PCnet Network environment. It is assumed that the necessary network hardware is installed correctly. The following discussion describes a network currently in operation and receiving more than 1000 calls per week on two telephone lines for the Computer Connection of Virginia Beach. Equipment Employed 1. 80286 based SERVER with base memory of 512K running at up to 9 mghz and containing the following: Parallel-Serial Board for the AT with the serial port addressed as COM1 AST Rampage memory board configured with 2 megs of expanded memory Monochrome Adapter with parallel printer port PC Net adapter addressed as 0080 with default jumpers Hard disk that can be divided into multiple volumes Single High Density [1.2 meg] floppy disk External modem and cable connected to COM1 2. 8088 based WORKSTATION with base memory of 640K running at up to 8 mghz and containing the following: multifunction board with async port addressed as COM1, a clock, and parallel port PC Net adapter addressed as 0011 with default jumpers Color Graphics Adapter Two 360K floppy drives External modem and cable connected to COM1 Software - 1. Operating System = DOS 3.1 network-wide 2. Network Software = Orchid PC Net 3.0a 3. Disk Caching Software = Orchid CACHE.EXE version 2.2 4. RAM Disk = AST FASTDISK Installation - Preliminaries 1. Backup hard disk, system and network disks. 2. If any other hardware configuration than above, be sure to resolve INTerrupt conflicts with the PC NET adapters. If there are second serial or parallel ports in the system, you should disable them. Using the WORKSTATION, boot with DOS 3.1 then 1. Place the Orchid Network System disk in A: and a blank formatted system disk in B:, create the SERVER and WORKSTATION boot disks with SPCGEN and UPCGEN commands, respectively. 2. Copy device drivers for the hard disk, for the RAM disk, and for Expanded and Extended memory (REMM.SYS and REX.SYS) to the SERVER boot disk as well as CACHE.EXE. Using your favorite ASCII text editor, create the following CONFIG.SYS file: device=spc.com <--- Network SERVER driver device=REMM.SYS <--- Expanded memory driver device=rex.sys 1024 <--- Emulated extended memory of 1 mb device=fastdisk.sys 1024 512 128 /e <--- RAM disk of in extended memory Page 116 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Place the following commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file: disk13 <--- Network required for floppy disk use cache [drives] d=128 x=896 /r <--- Cache using 128 of DOS memory and and 896K of EMS memory for drives assigned on the Server to reduce number of disk accesses spcbio 138023 <--- Server network program stating the interrupts used Using the SERVER, boot with the newly created SERVER boot disk 1. Run the network program SPCINST. 2. After naming all the available drives on the server, assign all the hard drive volumes to the WORKSTATION # 11 and make them all READ/WRITE capable. "Remote Execution" need not be enabled. 3. The SERVER will then reboot and the network will have the final configuration as outlined above. Using the WORKSTATION, boot with the newly created WORKSTATION boot disk then perform the following steps: 1. Add to the CONFIG.SYS file for the WORKSTATION the command, FILES = 16. 2. Run the network program UPCINST and set it up to communicate with SERVER # 80. 3. "Map" in all the drives that were assigned by the SERVER. 4. The WORKSTATION will then reboot so the changes can take effect. 5. After the booting is completed, do a DIR C: to see if one can read the directory on the SERVER hard disk. If not, recheck cables, plug-in cards for INTerrupt conflicts, and network adapter cards to verify all jumper settings. If necessary, run the SELFTEST and NETTEST diagnostics for the network adapter cards. Also, demonstrate the ability to copy files across the network to and from the server then verify the transfer using the COMP command. Assuming that you are able to do a DIR across the network and copy files to and from the SERVER, you are then ready to run CONFIG.EXE of RBBS-PC. CONFIG Options for PC Net - Start up CONFIG and confirm use of RBBS in a multinode environment. Assign the number 1 Node to your SERVER. 1. Assign all welcome, bulletin, help and menu files to the SERVER's RAM drive so the workstation may access them in the fastest way. 2. Store FILESEC, PASSWRDS, MESSAGES, USERS and other sensitive files in a non-downloadable but sharable drive volume on the SERVER so the workstation may have read/write access to them. 3. Select a location for the SERVER's CALLERS file and the WORKSTATION's [option 85]. 4. Give unique names for BATch file options, e.g. RCTTY1.BAT and RCTTY2.BAT, RBBS1.BAT and RBBS2.BAT using the numbers to indicate the node number assignment. 5. Choose PCNET as the environment that you are running RBBS-PC under [option 142]. Other Considerations 1. VDISK or Extended memory, which is not-emulated memory, should not be used on the SERVER but can be used on the Workstation. The network configuration most likely to remain operating with very Page 117 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 few problems is DOS 3.1, Orchid 3.0a PC NET software and CACHE.EXE version 2.2 and an Expanded/Extended memory combination using the new Lotus/Intel/Microsoft EMS memory boards. [Many thanks to Charles Innusa of PC Rockland for sharing this information!] 2. Two nodes can be efficiently set up using the SERVER in non-dedicated mode but the danger is that if the SERVER locks up, the whole system locks up. The sample PC Net system is set up in this fashion but it is an economical approach to a two node system which has been functioning quite well with minimal problems. Do not run software on the SERVER that is known to cause problems especially memory resident utilities. 3. There is a potential for files being CROSS-LINKED in any read/write sharable environment. Frequent backups are to be very strongly recommended. Rob Cecchino Sysop, Computer Connection (804) 481-1824 @ 1200/2400 for assistance. Because of wide variety of hardware combinations and possible network permutations, the above is intended ONLY as general guidelines to be followed when installing RBBS-PC on your Orchid network. Page 118 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX F -- RBBS-PC in an Alloy PC-SLAVE/16 Environment --------------------------------------------------------- The PC-Slave is an IBM compatible computer on an expansion card manufactured by Alloy Computer Products, Inc. of Framingham, MA 01701. Their telephone number is (617) 875-6100. Adding PC-Slaves converts the PC from a single CPU to a multiple CPU, all under the control of the main or host PC. Each slave can run RBBS-PC (or other programs). A. THE ADVANTAGES: Compared to other means for running multiple RBBS-PC's, the advantages of slaves are: 1. SPEED -- Each copy of RBBS has a dedicated computer and therefore runs very fast compared to multi-tasking products like Multi-Link, DesqView, or Top View. 2. SHARED FILES -- Each bulletin board can share files, including the users and messages. The PC Slave system acts like Orchid's PC-Net network for record locking. 3. EXPANDABILITY -- You can have up to 31 slaves. The big advantage over Multi-Link is that you have faster boards and can expand beyond 2 boards. The big advantage over networks is that you do not have to add another PC, just another slave. The power supply and cooling capacity of a PC-2 limit you to adding only 1 slave. An XT and AT can have more. You can buy PC compatibles that have more expansion slots. You can also get an external hard disk with expansion slots. Or you can buy an expansion chassis. 4. COSTS -- It is far cheaper to expand using PC-Slave/16's than a network. The PC-Slave lists for $900 and can be purchased for significantly less. Other networks require not only a separate PC but also a "network" card of some sort which puts the costs of each port well above $2,000. 5. DEDICATED PC IS NOT REQUIRED -- Your PC can remain free for you to use while slaves run the bulletin boards (or run another copy of the bulletin board). You do not degrade performance on the slaves, except for contention for the hard disk and that can be mitigated by using disk caching. B. THE DISADVANTAGES: The disadvantages of a slave system are: 1. Not all hard disks are compatible with the slaves. Hard disks known to be compatible include the 20 meg Seagate, Priam 60 meg, and Bernoulli hard disks, as well as the Alloy line of hard disks. Hard disks definitely not compatible include all models of US Design. 2. There is no easy or cheap way to view the sessions on a monitor. Standard IBM PC monitors cannot be attached to a slave, though there are several monitors that can be. A special cable is required. The cheapest effective solution is to have a single monitor attached to a switch box that lets the activity be viewed on any slave. 3. Neither DOORS nor dropping to DOS can be done safely on a slave. The danger is that if carrier is dropped, the modem may continue to answer the phone and potentially let a new caller pick up the same session without being identified as a different caller. 4. At most two drives can be shared for writing. All drives can be read from any slaves, but to write on a non-shared drive, no other can write to it. Page 119 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 C. OVERVIEW OF SETTING UP A PC-SLAVE/16 RBBS_PC: Five easy steps on how to install RBBS-PC in a PC-Slave/16 environment (Note that the PC Slave system requires a special configuration for RBBS): STEP 1 -- You will have to purchase multiple telephone lines. They can be made to roll so that only one number is called, and if busy, the call will roll over to the other lines. STEP 2 -- Install the slaves. Remember to set switches on the slave boards that number them consecutively. See the PC-Slave documentation for details. STEP 3 -- Install the software. The Alloy PC-Slave has to have special Alloy software called ATNX to coordinate the slaves and process requests for shared resources. You also have to run an Alloy routine to prepare your hard disk for use with the Alloy slaves. See the PC-Slave documentation for details. STEP 4 -- Install a modem with no pin 22. Pin 22 used to be required with RBBS in order to answer the phone. On the slaves, pin 22 CANNOT be connected, or else the slave will continuously reboot. STEP 5 Configure RBBS-PC using CONFIG.EXE with the following options: (a) use COM2 (b) Number of rings to wait before answering: 0 (c) Tell RBBS you are running on an IBM compatible rather than a PC, XT, or AT. (Lie and tell RBBS you have a Compaq Plus.) (d) Set the maximum number of bulletin boards to as many boards as you intend to install (rather than the number you are currently running. This makes expansion easier.). (e) PC-Net is the multi-user environment you will be running under. (f) Set up the RBBS files. An easy way to configure the multiple RBBS's is to put each one in a separate subdirectory, e.g. "RBBS1" for the 1st node, "RBBS2" for the second, etc. Inside each subdirectory will be the callers file for that node and the DEF file (RBBS1PC.DEF, RBBS2PC.DEF, etc.). The DEF files can be the same. Make the default drive on each slave be the right subdirectory. Path over to where the RBBS-PC.EXE is stored. Invoke each RBBS by using its node number, e.g. "RBBS-PC 1", "RBBS-PC 2", etc. You can set up an autoexec for each slave that brings up the boards automatically upon system boot. Please note that the ATNX software is very vulnerable to any RAM resident software. You should install the Slaves with no additional software present and carefully test any resident software you want to run with it. D. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SETTING UP A PC-SLAVE 16 RBBS-PC: Hardware Limitations: 1. Two PC/Slave 16 cards per XT box or three in an AT maximum otherwise you'll be buying power supplies frequently. An expansion chassis for four cards (Alloy Plus4) or expansion chassis for up to nine cards will be needed for bigger systems. Expansions boxes can be daisy-chained to up to thirty one Nodes or workstations, if needed. Page 120 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 2. PC/Slave 16 cards do not support PIN 22 for Ring Detect. You must be able to set your modem to AutoAnswer as well as NOT have PIN 22 wired on your modem cables; if PIN 22 is connected, each callers RING will reboot the Slave. 3. No clock on the PC/Slave 16 card. The Slave gets the Time and date from the main system clock and so one must be available. 4. A terminal such as a Kimtron KT-7/PC or Alloy PCST is required to locally access and TYPE to a Slave. Other terminals will work but may not support all of the IBM extended graphics codes. For a multi-node RBBS, I use one terminal with an A-B-C-D switching box to 'dial in' the node I wish to TYPE to or SNOOP on. 5. The Slaves' CPU [NEC V20 @ 8 mghz] shuts down when writing to the hard disk. This creates problems with timeout errors on uploads which can be almost completely eliminated by using a fast hard drive supported by Alloy and known to work; I use Priam's ID60ATs. Also, the hard drive must be formatted with the most efficient interleave setting and driver. Hard drives that work without significant upload timeout errors have been formatted with either Golden Bow's Vfeature Deluxe or Priam's formatting software; this problem is especially noticeable on AT systems and not too much of a problem on small XT systems. Seagate, Bernoulli Box, Maxtors, and Priam Inner Space drives seem to work fine with the Alloy PC/Slave-16 cards. Software Limitations: 1. ATNX runs Orchid PC Net applications but NTNX is more versatile and will run applications for Novell's Advanced Netware, MS-Net, AND Orchid PC Net with proper file locking. NTNX has had less problems with file corruption and cross-linking than ATNX after polling current sysops using Alloy Slaves. 2. ATNX and NTNX will allow users working on Slaves to easily and routinely have read/write access on only TWO hard drive volumes. 3. ATNX and NTNX have difficulty keeping track of system date and time when "certain" programs are run on the Slave. With RBBS, running external protocols such as Ymodem and WXmodem cause the time and date on the Slaves to go awry. Also, WXMODEM does not work in upload mode on Slaves due to a timing problem in the initial handshake. Alloy's solution to this problem is a file called UPTIME.COM, which is run on the HOST, but I have had very poor results with it. The problem seems to be most identifiable on AT class machines. For the optimum system flexibility you may want to buy Alloy PC/Slave-16N cards which have the special PAL chip for NTNX/Novelle compatibility and NTNX software (current version is 1.6). RBBS-PC, however, will run fine without the PAL chip even under NTNX. Some nice additional utilities for the Slaves, including special diagnostics, are found in the separate PC-Plus Advanced User's Kit and are worth having. A single Kimtron KT-7/PC terminal or other smart terminal may be obtained right away but is not necessary for the bulletin-board-only system as one can always sign on from remote for answering mail; pay special attention to the terminal-to-Slave cable as it is non-standard and you'll probably wind up making it yourself for less than $5 in parts -- one end is a male 9-pin D-shell and the other is 25-pin RS232 male connector. Page 121 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 For a two to four node system, obtain a T-Switch box from Inmacs or RadioShack to hook the terminal as COMMON and Slave consoles. The computer to house the Slaves, called the HOST, should be the quickest CPU speed that you can obtain; I use an 'old' IBM AT running at 8/9 mghz with three Slaves and an AST Advantage with 128K to round out the host to 640K. All PC Slaves/16 should be purchased with 1 megabyte of onboard RAM. Installation: 1. Format your hard drive with either DOS 3.1 or 3.2. 2. Divide the hard drive into multiple volumes of standard DOS size (less than 32 megabytes). 3. Install NTNX or ATNX and the Slaves as is written in the Alloy manuals. Choose the default settings for everything. Use 512K on the 1 megabyte PC/Slave for caching and the other 512 to run RBBS. Depending on how the board is configured, you may need to set switches so that 512 is used to run applications. Use 4K for the Host PC caching. Allocate 25 files per each Slave + 64 for the maximum number of open files. 4. Set up the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files for the HOST as follows especially if you do not plan to use the HOST as a Node for RBBS-PC: CONFIG.SYS device=NX.SYS - NTNX driver (must be first!!) device=hard_drv.sys - Your hard Disk driver FCBS = 32,32 - File Control Blocks increased buffers = 20 - DOS buffers files = 32 - Number of OPEN files on HOST device = ANSI.sys - Extended graphics driver AUTOEXEC.BAT NTNX - NTNX driver fm 3 - Level of File protection prompt $p$g - customized dos prompt path = ........ - set path to the NTNX files 4. Set up the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files for the Slaves as follows: CONFIG.U0x under DOS 3.2 FCBS = 32,32 buffers = 10 files = 30 device = ansi.sys shell = C:\COMMAND.SLV C:\ /P /E:800 device = ANSI.SYS Of special note, the SHELL statement has been used to expand the environment space on the Slaves. This corrects a problem seen with random RBBS lockups or getting Out of Memory errors; external protocols and DOOR programs, given time, stop running due to memory problems if one doesn't use this SHELL statement. Under DOS 3.1, set /E:50 [= 50 paragraphs] and under DOS 3.2, set /E:800 [= 800 bytes]. AUTOEXEC.U0x fm 3 Page 122 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 prompt $p$g path = ....... Set the path to the NTNX files and to the 'home' directory for this node on the SHARED drives cd\RBBS0x Change to RBBS directory for Node x RBBSx.BAT Invoke RBBS-PC for Node x 5. Configuration. When running CONFIG with slaves, you must select the following options: a. Type of computer: Compaq Plus. b. Number of rings to wait before answering: 0. c. Environment: Orchid PC Net. d. Communications port: 2. e. Maximum number of users: at least as many slaves as you have, plus one if you plan to run a node on the host. You can specify more if you want to plan for expansion. 6. Set up RBBS-PC as follows: a. Create subdirectories \RBBS01, \RBBS02, \RBBS0x... on one of the shared drives. b. Create subdirectory \MAIN for your upload directory, answers to questionnaires, comments. c. On a cached drive, place all static RBBS-PC files such as MENUs, HELPs, PASSWRDS, TRASHCAN, external file transfer protocols. RBBS-PC.EXE and CONFIG.EXE go here as well. d. On the second SHARED drive, make a subdirectory \COMMON for MESSAGES, USERS, CONFENCE, and conference message/user files. e. If you plan to use DOORS, especially Bob Westcott's DOORWARE, create a subdirectory called \DOORS on the SHARED drive. f. Run CONFIG and create RBBSxPC.DEF files for all your nodes. Remember that you will run multi-user under PC Net. To answer on RING zero, the modem serial port on the Slaves must be addressed as COM2 and not COM1. Double-check file locations! You may need to edit your .DEF files to append subdirectory names for many of the file locations as CONFIG.EXE does not offer full subdirectory parameters yet. Or, by putting your static text files in the same subdir as MESSAGES and USERS and making it the default subdirectory, you will not need to edit config. Then copy RBBS1PC.DEF to RBBSxPC.DEF for each node that you hope to have then re-edit each .DEF file to customize Node numbers such as RCTTY1.BAT, RBBS3.BAT, etc. Finally, copy the RBBSxPC.DEF file to the matching subdirectory. If you don't wish to edit the .DEF files, place RBBSxPC.DEF on one shared drive and place the dynamic RBBS files on the other shared drive; be sure that you have at least logged into that other SHARED drive's subdirectory, using the AUTOEXEC.U0x before starting RBBS or else RBBS-PC will not find those files. g. Temporary files used for transfer or Verbose ARC listing are created on the default subdirectory automatically. You may assign CALLERS as either one file for all nodes or one CALLERS file for each node located in the default directory. h. To use Sysop Function 7 (Remote Drop to DOS), RBBS-PC must find COMMAND.COM. PC-Slave/16's, however, use COMMAND.SLV as the command processor; copy COMMAND.SLV to COMMAND.COM, place it on a cached drive, and tell CONFIG where to find it. Be careful using this Sysop function with the Slaves as you will lock up the Node if you lose carrier; WATCHDOG is incompatible with the Slaves. Page 123 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Additional tips/hints: 1. Avoid using any memory resident utilities. They may interfere with Slave operation. 2. Most of the time, my terminal stays off and I use a program on the Advanced Utilities disk called SEE.COM to view callers on-line any Node from the HOST. 3. Norton's Editor or WordPerfect Corporation's Programmers Editor from the WordPerfect Library is used for editing operations on the system, especially for maintaining the fixed-length directory of the file management system. Not many other editors, except EDLIN, can be used reliably. 4. Fine tune the network by adding as much cache for memory on the HOST as you can spare to as many drives as you have. This helps to reduce hard disk wear and tear. 5. Easy to forget but don't as it will be a source of frustration -- plan out your file locations on paper before actually setting up the system. 6. Backup your system frequently! If you have any questions or problems, feel free to leave a message on my system or call me direct. Rob Cecchino Sysop, Computer Connection of Virginia Beach Data (804) 481-9067 @ 300/1200/2400 Acknowledgments: The following individuals have helped me clarify the complexities of the Alloy PC Slave system: Ken Goosens of the FNMA-Software Exchange BBS (202)537-7475 Paul Kopit of the Software Society BBS (201) 729-7410 Paul Waldinger of the Sound of Music BBS (516)536-8723 Scott Williamson of the Alloy Support BBS (617)875-4229 Page 124 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX G -- RBBS-PC and 10 NET Network ---------------------------------------- Starting with RBBS-PC CPC15-1A support for Fox Researchs' 10 Net Network is being provided. Since this is the first release with this support we have very little that we can offer in tuning support for 10 NET. We selected to use the Semaphore locking mechanism that we have used in the other networks and therefore you must specify the following parameters on the Superstation in your 10 NET network. LOGINS=x 1 for every node on the system OPENFILE=xxx 10 for every node running RBBS-PC SHAREFIL=16 (This is the default you can add more if you want) LOCKS=x 3 SEMA=xxx 3 for every node running RBBS-PC You will also need to run NETSU and specify option 6 (DOS file sharing). Please note that these values should be in addition to any parameters you may have already specified for other User stations and other uses of your 10 NET network. And you can always make the values larger in attempting to improve performance. Page 125 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX H -- RBBS-PC and the Hearing-Impaired ---------------------------------------------- Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD's) use the Baudot character set (i.e. 5-bit) and utilize modems that transmit at 45 baud and do not generate a carrier signal. This is because such devices were initially adaptations of surplus Western Union TTY machines for telephone communications. The widespread use of Baudot devices by the hearing- impaired, the previous high cost of computers and modems, and the lack of software designed for electronic communications, has impeded the change to ASCII communications by the hearing-impaired community. Equipment manufacturers have also made it difficult for the deaf to change. When TDD's with ASCII code transmission capability began to be offered, the majority of manufacturers limited them to only 110 baud and put disclaimers in their manuals that said ASCII was available for use but that "computer language" was "less reliable" and hard to use. Their limiting of the TDD's output screen to 12 to 20 characters further compounded the problem because the screen would overwrite several times to display one line of text from a host system. The manufacturers' "solution" to this problem was to recommend printers for communication with such "host" systems as RBBS-PC. Some units now offer both 110 and 300 baud ASCII transmission in addition to the 45 baud Baudot. Unfortunately, these typically have only 20 character screens. In December of 1984, Ted Janossy of Rochester, Minnesota, sent me a three- page letter describing the above situation. Ted's letter motivated me to test and verify the "ring-back" feature of RBBS-PC in CPC12-4A. It had not been tested in earlier versions because I had assumed (presumptuously and insensitively) that "real SYSOP's don't use ring-back RBBS-PC's." Ted's letter awakened me to the potential of RBBS-PC to facilitate communications among the hearing-impaired. In the awakening I also had a chance to look down at my own feet of clay. RBBS-PC can be configured to answer calls only after a specified number of rings (i.e. 15). The telephone companies wire the homes of the hearing- impaired such that when the phone rings, the lights within the house flash on and off. With RBBS-PC a SYSOP can specify the number of rings RBBS-PC is to wait before answering the phone automatically. Setting this number high enough allows someone with a hearing impairment time enough to get to the PC running RBBS-PC. Pressing the PC's function key 5 (F5) causes RBBS-PC to answer the phone immediately. The caller would know that someone was at the keyboard because RBBS-PC answered the phone in less than the agreed- upon number of rings. The caller would log onto RBBS-PC normally and the person at the PC keyboard would be able to see who it was. If the person who was called wanted to "chat" with the caller, all they would have to do would be to press function key 10 (F10). If RBBS-PC didn't answer the telephone within the agreed-upon number of rings, the caller would know that whomever was being called couldn't come to the keyboard. The caller would then log on and leave a message. I would like to thank Ted and his wife, Sue, for caring enough to show where RBBS-PC might fulfill one of it's primary purposes, "the free exchange of information," by enhancing telecommunications for the deaf. Page 126 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX I -- RBBS-PC and the IBM PCjr -------------------------------------- RBBS-PC adheres to the Hayes standards for autoanswer applications that are described in Section 9, "Writing Programs for the Smartmodem 1200," of the the SMARTMODEM 1200 HARDWARE REFERENCE MANUAL. Under the section entitled "Additional Program Considerations" Hayes recommends that autoanswer applications (like RBBS-PC) "... force the modem to answer the call (ATA) rather than allowing the modem to automatically answer...." Beginning with CPC13-1A, RBBS-PC no longer REQUIRES the Ring Indicator signal from the modem (pin 22) in order to answer the phone (except if parameter 204 of CONFIG is non-zero). Here are some facts about the PCjr: 1. The PCjr's external modem interface does not have a Ring Indicator signal. 2. The PCjr requires that an external modem be opened as COM1 if no internal modem is installed. However, if no internal modem exists the PCjr requires that the COM2 RS-232 registers be used even though the port has been opened as COM1. Technically this is described as using the external RS-232 asynchronous adapter as logical channel 1 (i.e. COM1) but manipulating it as physical channel 2 (i.e. COM2). This occurs on a PCjr only when an internal modem is NOT present and the external RS-232 interface is. 3. The 128K PCjr only provides 90K of usable RAM (the rest is used by DOS, the monitor's buffers, etc.). Fortunately PCjr owners can get up to 256K of RAM with "add-on" equipment (from IBM and others) in order to have enough RAM for RBBS-PC to run in. 4. The standard PCjr supplied by IBM does not have a DMA and hence can't do communications I/O simultaneously while doing disk I/O. RBBS-PC beginning with version CPC13-1A will run an IBM PCjr providing that the PCjr 1. Has at least 256K of memory. 2. Disk I/O does not occur simultaneously with communications I/O (i.e. either you have a second disk drive with a DMA or you set BUFFERS=0). 3. One of the following three modem configurations are used: a.) An internal PCjr modem with an external Hayes modem where the external Hayes modem is used for RBBS-PC. b.) No internal PCjr modem with only an external Hayes modem used for RBBS-PC. c.) An internal PCjr modem with NO external Hayes modem used for RBBS-PC. The following discusses each of these three modem configurations supported by RBBS-PC with the PCjr. Internal PCjr Modem with RBBS-PC Using External Hayes Modem ----------------------------------------------------------- This configuration means that the PCjr has both a COM1 (the internal PCjr modem) and a COM2 (the external Hayes modem). RBBS-PC is set up to use COM2. No changes are required to for RBBS-PC for this type of PCjr Page 127 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 configuration. CONFIG parameter 204 should be set to 0. This will cause RBBS-PC to set the external Hayes modem into "auto-answer" mode and RBBS-PC will wait for carrier detect. This is the way that RBBS-PC overcomes the PCjr's lack of "ring-indicator" signal for the external communications port. No Internal PCjr Modem With RBBS-PC Using External Hayes Modem -------------------------------------------------------------- This configuration means that the PCjr has only one RS-232 interface -- the external Hayes modem. This must be opened as COM1 but use COM2's registers to control the communications port (believe it or not that's the way IBM designed the PCjr). CONFIG parameter 201 should be used to indicate that COM1 is being used. Unfortunately the current BASIC compilers (both IBM's Version 2 and Microsoft's QuickBASIC) are incapable of handling a communication port as logical device 1 (i.e. COM1) but on physical channel 2 (i.e. the interrupts are for COM2). Should this ever be fixed by either IBM or Microsoft, CONFIG parameter 31 should be used to indicate that no internal PCjr modem is installed. This tells CONFIG to make sure that COM2 registers are used to manipulate the PCjr's external communications port. Until this is fixed by the respective vendors, the PCjr user will have to run a utility like COMSWAP that exchanges the pointers between COM1 and COM2 within DOS. In either case, CONFIG parameter 204 should be set to 0. This will cause RBBS-PC to set the external Hayes modem into "auto-answer" mode and RBBS-PC will wait for carrier detect. This is the way that RBBS-PC overcomes the PCjr's lack of "ring-indicator" signal for the external communications port. Again no changes to RBBS-PC are required for this type of PCjr configuration. Only An Internal PCjr Modem for RBBS and NO External Hayes Modem ---------------------------------------------------------------- For this type of PCjr configuration, you can take the CONFIG default settings for the communications port (COM1) and specify that you are running on a PCjr (parameter 36). However, make sure that CONFIG parameter 208 specifies that the modem is to be opened at 300 baud. Of course, RBBS- PC will be only able to answer the telephone at 300 baud and send and receive data from users who log on with their communications parameters set at N/8/1 (i.e. no parity, eight data bits, and one stop bit) since RBBS-PC is limited by the PCjr's own modem's limitations. RBBS-PC already has the modem commands for the PCjr's very strange internal modem in the logic to answer the phone so no changes to the .DEF file are required. Page 128 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX J -- RBBS-PC Subscription Service ------------------------------------------ It seems that many people absolutely must be on the bleeding edge of RBBS- PC and demand each new version as soon as possible after it is released. Since downloading it from my RBBS-PC usually keeps my board busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week when each new version is released, and I want my board to be used to encourage and engage in discussions, I offer the RBBS- PC "Subscription Service" in order to free up my board. Within the United States for $35 (prepaid by check or money order) you can be guaranteed next day delivery of the very NEXT release of RBBS-PC just as I mail it to the CPCUG Software Exchange. The diskettes will be sent to you directly via Federal Express's "Courier-Pak" Overnight Envelope. In case you are wondering who gets the $35 it is allocated as follows: $ 25 -- Federal Express Charge for Courier-Pak 8 -- CPCUG Software Exchange 2 -- for the hassle the family puts up with and for rate changes ---- $ 35 = Total Cost Add: $5 for Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico $11 for Europe, the Far East, and Australasia Hopefully, this service will only be used by a very, VERY few! Most releases have a few fixes that get published within the first week or two that they are out. Because of this everyone is advised to check back for fixes after each release goes out. To obtain this service for the NEXT release (it does NOT apply to the current or previous releases) fill out the following form and send it along with your check or money order in U.S. funds (no purchase orders are accepted and your canceled check is your only invoice). +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | To: D. Thomas Mack RBBS-PC Subscription Service to| | 10210 Oxfordshire Road the NEXT release of RBBS-PC (if| | Great Falls, Virginia any, and none are implied or | | 22066 promised by this offer) | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |Date Requested: Date Received: | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |To (Recipient's Name): | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |Recipient's Phone Number (required): ( ) - | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |Exact Street Address (no P.O. Box or P.O. Zip Code accepted) | | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------| | City | State or Country | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------| | Signature (required) | ZIP Code for Street Address| | | | | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Note: this is not a promise that there will be any new releases. Page 129 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX K -- RBBS-PC National Listing Service ---------------------------------------------- Frequent inquires are made about a "national" list of RBBS-PC's. In order to help SYSOP's (and potential SYSOP's) everywhere find configurations that most closely match their own, with the introduction of RBBS-PC CPC12-5B an additional public service was inaugurated to keep an "ACCURATE" telephone listing of all publicly available RBBS-PC systems. The success of this endeavor depends on you. If you would like a chance to stand up and be recognized, please fill out and return the following form: +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | To: Jon Martin RBBS-PC National Listing | | 4396 N. Prairie Willow Ct. Service (if any, and none is| | Concord, California implied or promised by this | | 94521 offer) | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |Please REMOVE CHANGE ADD Date Requested: | |(circle one) to your Listing. Date Action Taken: | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |SYSOP's Name: | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |DATA Phone Number (required): ( ) - | |VOICE Phone Number (optional): ( ) - | |Do NOT publish my VOICE number (please check) _____ | |--------------------------------------------------------------| |Exact Street Address (no P.O. Box or P.O. Zip Code accepted) | |(Address will not be published. For my information only.) | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------| | City | State | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------| | Signature (required): | ZIP Code for Street Address| | | | | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Detailed System Information | | RBBS Name :_________________________________________| | Operating Hrs.(EST):_________________________________________| | Specialty of RBBS :_________________________________________| | Baud Rates :_________________________________________| | Number of Nodes :_________________________________________| | Modem Vendor/Model :_________________________________________| | Computer Type :_________________________________________| | Memory :_________________________________________| | Multi-Function Card:_________________________________________| | Monitor Vendor/Type:_________________________________________| | Disk Storage :_________________________________________| | Special Cards :_________________________________________| | DOS Version :_________________________________________| | Related Software :_________________________________________| |--------------------------------------------------------------| | Additional information/comments: | | | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Page 130 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX L -- RBBS-PC and The Ark-Paradyne Modem Switch Settings ---------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This information is NEW and needed for RBBS-PC versions CPC15- 1A and greater. With the current CONFIG.EXE (Ver 3.02) and RBBS-PC.EXE (Ver 15.1) programs, the S0 register is set to reflect the answer mode. S0=255 is for a ring- back system, S0=254 is for answer on a specified number of rings, and S0=1 to "auto-answer". Unfortunately the first two won't work with the ARK modem. You must change the modem command contained in RBBSxPC.DEF (where "x" is the node number for multiple machines or a "-" for a single node application.) You will find the command on the second line near the end and reads as follows: ATM0Q1S2=255S10=30E0S0=0. The only change is to make S0=0. Leave all other commands as the original. (See the section on "Hayes Command's considerations" for more on this). With this version of the CONFIG program, you only need to change this once. Further usage of CONFIG will not alter this again. Ark Modems can't accept any commands if the "AA" (auto answer) light is on and the phone is ringing until the number of rings equals the number set in the S0 register. RBBS-PC expects to issue a "modem answer command" when it detects a ring and is ready. If the Ark modem can't accept this command, it won't answer the phone. You therefore cannot use the ring-back system or answer on a ring greater than 1. Another interesting difference is that when the modem is in the "quiet mode" (Q1) NO results will be sent to the computer. If we inquire as to the number of rings received, it responds with nothing. Despite all of the above, the modem does work reliably to answer on 1 ring. The following is recommended for the ARK 24K Modem: Switch 1 UUUDDUUD (where U = Up = On and D = Down = Off) Switch 2 UDDDDUDD Switch 3 DUUDUUUU MODEM DTE/CLOCK FLOW BUSY DTR JUMPERS E8-E9 E15-E16 E4-E7 E11-E14 The ARK 24K Modem can't use the options such as doors or remote Sysop dropping to DOS. The modem has no time delay from MCR to DTR to drop of carrier. The ARK 24K PLUS has solved this problem. The following is for the ARK 24K PLUS Modem: This modem has additional features and has solved the time delay problem mentioned above. Use all the factory switch and jumper settings except: Switch 1, position 8 should be down - (Hayes mode) Switch 2, position 1 should be up - (Auto answer off) Switch 3, positions 6,7,8 should all be down - ( "AT" Auto Baud) It is also recommended that the speaker be unplugged to avoid noise. This Modem CAN be used for Doors and remote SYSOP to DOS. It has been tested with this and previous versions of RBBS-PC. The Program must be compiled with the patches applied to the compiler Page 131 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 as suggested by Jeff Porter. (See the Appendix in the RBBS-PC documentation entitled "RBBS-PC and BASIC Compiler Patches for "Doors"). Make the following changes with your Config program for either modems: Option 204 Number of rings to wait before answering 1 Do you want ringback? (YES/NO) NO Option 207 Issue commands between rings YES Option 208 Baud rate to initially open modem at 2400 The following modems were tested: 24K - ROM versions 2.1 & 2.21 & 2.23 24K PLUS - ROM version 3.51. If you have questions, please contact: Dave Hacquebord, Sunshine Bulletin board, Tampa, Fl. Voice: 1-813-884-4267 Data: 1-813-887-3984 Page 132 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX M -- RBBS-PC And the Anchor Signalman Express (MK12) ------------------------------------------------------------- The following are the switch and jumper settings for the Modem. Switch 1 = Off Switch 2 = Off Switch 3 = On Switch 4 = On Switch 5 = On Switch 6 = On Switch 7 = On Switch 8 = On Page 133 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX N -- RBBS-PC and the Everex 2400 modem switch settings --------------------------------------------------------------- The Everex Evercom 24 is an internal 2400 BAUD modem. It has 4 switches on the mounting bracket. If you are using COM1 then all switches should be in the OFF position. If you are using COM2 see the Installation Guide for the correct switch settings. The Evercom does not have non-volatile memory like the Hayes 2400 and the ATZ command will reset the modem to factory defaults. It is therefore not necessary to use CONFIG to set the Hayes 2400 defaults. Because of this major difference you must use CONFIG option 205 to change the standard modem defaults. Select parameters 2 and 5 and enter the command just as it is but with the addition of &D2. This will instruct RBBS-PC to add &D2 to the standard modem initialization string each time the system recycles. Please note that although the Evercom 24 manual indicates that &D2 is the default that this is a misprint in their manual and &D0 is the real default for the &D command. NOTE: Make sure that &D2 is inserted immediately following the "AT" when modifying parameters 2 and 5 of option 205! A special thanks goes to Carl Margolis (Everex) for his help in identifying these restrictions so that Evercom 24 users can now reliably use RBBS-PC. Do not select option 205 if you are using an Everex 1200 BAUD modem. Page 134 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX O -- RBBS-PC and the Prometheus 2400G modem switch settings -------------------------------------------------------------------- Underneath the 2400G is a bank of 10 switches that set certain operating characteristics of the ProModem 2400G. Only 3 (1,2 & 10) of these switches are currently implemented. The others are reserved for future expansion. All three of these switches must be in the off position for the 2400G to function properly with RBBS-PC. Page 135 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX P -- RBBS-PC and The US Robotics Modems Switch Settings ---------------------------------------------------------------- Both the US Robotics COURIER 2400 and COURIER HST modem switch settings should be as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 gang switch U U U D D U U D D D UUU (Where U = Up = Off and D = Down = On ) You can have parameter 208 "Modem rate" in CONFIG.EXE set to whatever you want. Set this to the maximum speed of the modem (2400 for the COURIER 2400 and 9600 for the COURIER HST. The US Robotics COURIER 2400 and COURIER HST modems are compatible with all of the features of RBBS-PC such as "Doors", Remote SYSOP to DOS and the RBBS version of MNP Protocol. The following LED lights should be "ON" while waiting for a call with Option 38 set to "2400" and parameter 204 set to "1" in CONFIG.EXE: HS High Speed Communications TR Terminal Ready MR Modem Ready (If you have parameter 204 of CONFIG.EXE set to "1" then... AA Auto Answer ...will be lit) The COURIER HST modem has firmware that should be set as follows: &F = Load factory settings into random access memory Next issue: AT&A1&B0&H1&I0&M4&N0&R2&S1&3 (SEE NOTE FOR &R2) &A1 = Display /ARQ result codes &B0 = DTE/DCE rate follows connection rate &H1 = Hardware (CTS, Pin 5) flow control &I0 = Flow control disabled &M4 = Normal if ARQ connection cannot be made &N0 = Negotiate highest possible link rate with remote modem &R2 = Received data output to terminal on RTS high (Pin 4) NOTE: If your HST 9600 modem responds 961 or greater to the ATI command, substitute &R1 for &R2. &S1 = Modem controls DSR &W = Write these settings to nonvolatile random access memory This will enable the COURIER HST to use the built in MNP protocol at the highest possible baud rate that can be negotiated with the calling modem -- providing the calling modem is also a COURIER HST modem. Page 136 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX Q -- RBBS-PC and the FASTCOMM 2496 Turbo Modem ------------------------------------------------------- The FASTCOMM 2496 9600 and 19200 baud modems work with RBBS-PC without modifications to RBBS. However some unusual quirks were noted with the FASTCOMM hardware. The modems would NOT follow terminal baud rate in the command mode if the transition was from 300 to 9600 (or 19,200) baud. Therefore, if RBBS-PC were configured to initially operate at 9600 baud, it would not properly reset after a 300 baud call. It would, however, follow all other changes within the range of RBBS-PC. If it was configured to initially answer at both 2400 and 4800 baud and it worked equally well with calls at 300,1200,2400,4800, 9600 and 19200 baud for both cases. Therefore set CONFIG option 208 to 2400 baud! It is interesting to note that the calling terminal speed and the RBBS-PC speed need not be the same when the FC2496 is operating at speeds greater than 2400 baud. This takes a little time to get used to since previous experience is that both calling and answering computer need to be communicating at the same speed. This is still the case at 2400 baud and below. It is recommended that CONFIG option 204 be set to answer on one ring! Specific instructions for modem set up are as follows: 1. Use the BASIC program SETFC.BAS below, set the default modem settings. This can also be done manually from a communications program. The speed that is used to establish the default modem settings is the speed to which the modem defaults on reset and power on. It is probably good practice to do this setup at the same speed that RBBS-PC uses as its default speed. In any case do not do it at 9600 Baud. 2. Tell RBBS-PC to open the modem at 2400 baud. 3. Edit RBBS-PC.DEF to replace the "ATZ" in the last line with "AAAAATZ". This string of A's resets the modem to the terminal baud rate so it can respond to the other commands. If you want to experiment, watch the modem respond to you when you change baud rates in your favorite communications program. This modem function is referred to as "autobaud". You will not see the first "A" and sometimes not the second. You should always see the third "A". Others have advised that their modems would "autobaud" from 300 to 9600 baud. Mine would not. Page 137 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 20 'title: 'SETFC.BAS, Copyright 1986 by H. Stanley Staten 30 ' 40 'This program was written to automatically set the 50 'FASTCOMM 2496 TURBO modem internal nonvolatile memory switches. 60 ' 70 ' Copyright (C) 1986 by 80 ' H. Stanley Staten 90 ' 12012 Cheyenne Rd. 100 ' Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2012 110 ' 120 DEFINT A-Z 130 CLEAR 140 ' 160 ' ******************************************************************** 170 ' * ROUTINE TO INITIALIZE THE FASTCOMM 2496 MODEM'S FIRMWARE * 180 ' ******************************************************************** 190 ' 200 COM.PORT$ = "COM1" 'Change to "COM2:" for COM2: use 210 PRINT "Setting FASTCOMM 2496 firmware for RBBS-PC on " + COM.PORT$ 230 ' 240 ' ********************************************************************* 250 ' * * 260 ' * INITIALIZE THE FASTCOMM 2496 VOLATILE MEMORY. SET THE FOLLOWING: * 270 ' * * 280 ' * AT#F = Set to factory defaults * 290 ' * AT#LCN = Set carrier detect to normal * 300 ' * AT#LDN = Set DTR to normal * 310 ' * AT#LX2 = Set for XON/XOFF flow control * 320 ' * ATS7=30 = Set wait for answer tone to 30 seconds * 330 ' * ATM0 = Turn speaker off * 340 ' * ATV1 = Issue long form of results codes * 350 ' * ATX2 = Full result messages * 360 ' * ATS57=1 = Hang up and reset automatically executed * 370 ' * ATE0 = Do not echo modem commands back to the PC * 380 ' * ATS10=10 = To cause to reset on loss of carrier faster * 390 ' * ATS58=3 = Force a 19200 Baud call to 9600 Baud locally* 405 ' * ATS22=46 = Suggested by the vendor * 406 ' * ATS0=0 = Don't answer until told to. * 410 ' * AT#W = Write settings to non volatile memory * 420 ' * * 430 ' ********************************************************************* 440 ' 450 OPEN COM.PORT$ + ":2400,N,8,1,RS,CD,DS" AS #3 470 PRINT #3,"AAAAAAAT" 480 PRINT #3,"AT#F" 490 PRINT #3,"AT#LCN" 500 PRINT #3,"AT#LDN" 510 PRINT #3,"AT#LX2" 520 PRINT #3,"ATS7=30" 530 PRINT #3,"ATM0" 540 PRINT #3,"ATV1" 550 PRINT #3,"ATX2" 560 PRINT #3,"ATS57=1" 570 PRINT #3,"ATE0" 580 PRINT #3,"ATS10=10" 590 PRINT #3,"ATS58=3" 595 PRINT #3,"ATS22=46" 596 PRINT #3,"ATS0=0" 600 PRINT #3,"AT#W" 620 SYSTEM Page 138 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX R -- RBBS-PC And The AT's RS-232 Cable ----------------------------------------------- The RS-232 serial connector is different for the AT than the PC or XT. The AT uses a connector called a DB-9, which is a 9 pin connector. An alternative to buying the AT serial cable from IBM, ($65-$80), is to make your own. A ten-wire cable can be purchased from any local computer store for about $.80 per foot, and the DB-9 and RS-232 connectors with hoods can be purchased from Radio Shack. The total cost should be about $12.00. A modem hooked up to the AT will work fine with the 9 pins connected in all terminal functions, except for auto-answer applications such as RBBS-PC. RBBS-PC requires pin 1 from the modem to be hooked up to the chassis ground on the AT or it can't answer the phone. There are two ways to hook up the ground wire on the computer end. The first way is to use a metal hood to cover the DB-9 connector. Wrap a bare wire that is attached to pin 1 of the RS-232 connector around the cable on the DB-9 end. When the metal hood is screwed down over the cable a connection will be made. When using a plastic DB-9 hood simply solder a wire from pin 1 on the RS-232 end to the metal body of the DB-9 connector. Since documentation is scarce for the AT, following figure lists the necessary pin connections for those wanting to make their own AT RS-232 cable. DB-9 (Computer End) RS-232 (Modem End) =================== ================== GROUND --------------------- 1 1 --------------------- 8 2 --------------------- 3 3 --------------------- 2 4 ---------------------20 5 --------------------- 7 6 --------------------- 6 7 --------------------- 4 8 --------------------- 5 9 ---------------------22 Page 139 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX S -- RBBS-PC And BASIC Compiler Patches for "Doors" ------------------------------------------------------------ Both the IBM Version 2.0 BASIC compiler and Microsoft's QuickBASIC compiler offers a lot of needed features to compiled BASIC programs. Regrettably, they also included a few "problems." For those who use RBBS-PC to "exit" to DOS (either via a "door" or as a remote SYSOP), the code generated by the new BASIC compilers would "help" you by dropping carrier when you chose to return to RBBS-PC from DOS or a "door." Help like this RBBS-PC didn't need. Jeff Porter was the first to document a six step "patch" to the IBM BASIC Version 2.0 compiler and to BCOM10.LIB of the QuickBASIC Version 1.0 compiler that corrects this problem within the logic of the code generated by the QuickBASIC compiler. Subsequently, Rod Bowman of "The PC Spectrum", (714) 945-2612,, subsequently, provided similar patches to the BCOM20.LIB of the QuickBASIC Version 2.0 and 2.01 compiler. As I stated earlier: "RBBS-PC continues to grow and expand because hundreds (and quite possibly thousands) of SYSOP's spend the time and trouble not only to modify RBBS-PC to meet their needs, but also to share these modifications with others." Please note that nowhere in the following documentation does Jeff describe the hours and hours it must have taken him to find the fix to the problem. Nowhere does he ask anything for himself for his efforts. As I have said so often "I am very proud of the company that RBBS-PC keeps." 1. Jeff Porter's DTR Patches for the QuickBASIC Version 1.x Compilers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As anyone who has tried to write any programs that use COM1: or COM2: with MicroSoft QuickBasic knows, the DTR modem control line is dropped every time a a communication file is opened or closed. I don't know why MicroSoft drops the DTR line all the time; all I know is that it can be a serious problem with programs such as RBBS-PC. Therefore, I present the following patch to fix the problem. This patch modifies the serial communication routines in the BCOM10.LIB file so that the DTR line will be not be turned off. Here is a transcript of a patch session. C>copy bcom10.lib bcom10bk.lib 1 File(s) copied C>debug bcom10.lib -d540 L 10 xxxx:0540 0B D2 75 04 B5 FF EB 34-FA 83 C2 04 32 C0 EE EB ..u....4....2... -d830 L 10 xxxx:0830 14 8B FA E8 00 00 83 C2-04 32 C0 EB 00 EE C7 47 .........2.....G -a54c xxxx:054C mov al, 1 xxxx:054E -a839 xxxx:0839 mov al, 1 xxxx:083B -w Writing 25C00 bytes -q Page 140 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 1. Make a backup copy of the BCOM10.LIB file, just in case. 2. Run debug and load BCOM10.LIB C>debug bcom10.lib 3. Display the following sections of data and see that they match. This is to insure that you are patching the correct version of the library. -d540 L 10 xxxx:0540 0B D2 75 04 B5 FF EB 34-FA 83 C2 04 32 C0 EE EB ..u....4....2... -d830 L 10 xxxx:0830 14 8B FA E8 00 00 83 C2-04 32 C0 EB 00 EE C7 47 .........2.....G 4. If debug shows the same information as listed above, then you may continue with the patching process. If not, go to the section 2 of this appendix. 5. Do the following: -a 54c xxxx:054C mov al, 1 xxxx:054E -a 839 xxxx:0839 mov al, 1 xxxx:083B 6. Now write the file back to disk and quit debug. The patch is complete. -w Writing bytes -q 2. Jeff Porter's DTR Patches for the IBM BASIC Version 2.0 Compiler -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you do not have MicroSoft QuickBasic or if you have a different version than I, you can probably still perform this patch. You will have to find the correct locations to patch. The addresses 054C and 0839 were found with the following procedure: 1. Search for the byte sequence 83 C2 04 32 C0 in the library file. If you are lucky, debug will find it in exactly two places. (for example:) -s 100 fff0 83 C2 04 32 C0 2. Unassemble the addresses you found. The first two instructions will be ADD DX, +04 XOR AL, AL Within the next few instructions should be OUT DX, AL 3. If everything has gone correctly so far, just change the Page 141 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 XOR AL, AL to a MOV AL, 1 4. Perform this change in both places where the XOR AL, AL instruction was found. 5. Write the updated file. 3. Rod Bowman's DTR Patch for the QuickBASIC Version 2.0 Compiler ------------------------------------------------------------------ Rod Bowman, of "The 'PC' Spectrum" (tm) whose RBBS-PC data line number is (714) 945-2612 provided the following patch for the QuickBASIC version 2.0 compiler library. This patch modifies the serial communication routines in the BCOM20.LIB file for QuickBASIC version 2.0 so that the DTR line will be not be turned off when running another program with the RUN Command of BASIC! Here is a transcript of a patch session. A>copy bcom20.lib bcom20bk.lib 1 File(s) copied A>debug bcom20.lib -dD368 L 5 xxxx:D368 83 C2 04 32 C0 ..2... -aD36B xxxx:D36B mov al, 1 xxxx:D36D -w Writing 2B000 bytes -q 1. Make a backup copy of the BCOM20.LIB file, just in case. 2. Run debug and load BCOM20.LIB A>debug bcom20.lib 3. Display the following sections of data and see that they match. This is to insure that you are patching the correct version of the library. -dD368 L 5 xxxx:D368 83 C2 04 32 C0 EE EB ..2... 4. If debug shows the same information as listed above, then you may continue with the patching process. If not, go to the section 2 of this appendix. 5. Do the following: -a D36B xxxx:D36B mov al, 1 xxxx:D36D Page 142 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 6. Now write the file back to disk and quit debug. The patch is complete. -w Writing bytes -q 4. Rod Bowman's DTR Patch for the QuickBASIC Version 2.01 Compiler ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rod Bowman, of "The 'PC' Spectrum" (tm) whose RBBS-PC data line number is (714) 945-2612 provided the following patch for the QuickBASIC version 2.01 compiler library. This patch modifies the serial communication routines in the BCOM20.LIB of QuickBASIC version 2.01 file so that the DTR line will be not be turned off when running another program with the RUN Command of BASIC! Here is a transcript of a patch session. A>copy bcom20.lib bcom20bk.lib 1 File(s) copied A>debug bcom20.lib -dD858 L 5 xxxx:D858 83 C2 04 32 C0 -aD85B xxxx:D85B mov al, 1 xxxx:D85D -w Writing xxxxx bytes -q 1. Make a backup copy of the BCOM20.LIB file, just in case. 2. Run debug and load BCOM20.LIB A>debug bcom20.lib 3. Display the following sections of data and see that they match. This is to insure that you are patching the correct version of the library. -dD858 L 5 xxxx:D858 83 C2 04 32 C0 4. If debug shows the same information as listed above, then you may continue with the patching process. If not, go to the section 2 of this appendix. 5. Do the following: -a D85B xxxx:D85B mov al, 1 xxxx:D85D 6. Now write the file back to disk and quit debug. The patch is complete. -w Writing xxxxx bytes -q Page 143 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 5. Ken Goosens' DTR Patch for the QuickBASIC Version 3.0 Compiler ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ken Goosens provided the following patch for the QuickBASIC version 3.0 compiler library. This patch modifies the serial communication routines in the BCOM30.LIB of QuickBASIC version 3.0 file so that the DTR line will be not be turned off when running another program with the RUN Command of BASIC! Here is a transcript of a patch session. A>copy bcom30.lib bcom30bk.lib 1 File(s) copied A>debug bcom30.lib -dDAB8 L 5 xxxx:DAB8 83 C2 04 32 C0 -aDAB8 xxxx:DAB8 mov al, 1 xxxx:DAB8 -w Writing xxxxx bytes -q 1. Make a backup copy of the BCOM30.LIB file, just in case. 2. Run debug and load BCOM30.LIB A>debug bcom30.lib 3. Display the following sections of data and see that they match. This is to insure that you are patching the correct version of the library. -dDAB8 L 5 xxxx:DAB8 83 C2 04 32 C0 4. If debug shows the same information as listed above, then you may continue with the patching process. If not, go to the section 2 of this appendix. 5. Do the following: -a DAB8 xxxx:DAB8 mov al, 1 xxxx:DAB8 6. Now write the file back to disk and quit debug. The patch is complete. -w Writing xxxxx bytes -q Page 144 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 APPENDIX T -- Using RBBS-PC to access Data Bases Remotely --------------------------------------------------------- 1. The Need for Data Base Services A feature that has been long missing from PC based host communication systems is the ability for SYSOPs to install customized data bases and let callers run true interactive data base queries against them. Because data base management is a major programming task, the most promising way to add data base services is to uses RBBS-PC's innovative "door" mechanism to exit RBBS-PC and have the remote user enter an existing data base management program. "Door"ing to a data base management program, however, is not as easy as one might hope. The major problems stem from the fact that data base management programs are never designed to work in this environment. o Most programs write to the hardware for speed rather than use bios calls, causing the "screen" output to appear on the host terminal rather than on the caller's terminal. o Data base programs do not monitor for carrier. If carrier drops they simply sit forever waiting for input rather than terminating. o Most use "full screen" rather than "line at a time", which usually does not work properly on a remote terminal. o Security. Most data base programs have no way to limit what a user can do. For example, they do not have a read-only mode, or the ability to restrict a user to specific files or fields. Many let the user issue dos commands inside them, which gives to call too much power. o Difficulty in learning to use. A caller can hardly be expected to know how to use a data base. Hence it must be possible to simplify and control the user interface inside the data base package. However, one database package that is able to be used as a "door" is ORACLE from Oracle Corporation at One Oracle Parkway in Belmont, California 94002. Their number is (415) 598-8000. The SQLBBS is a specialized bulletin board system specializing in supporting relational data base managers and making the power of SQL available to callers. SQLBBS uses an RBBS door to get into ORACLE. ORACLE is a very promising solution to providing remote data base services. It addresses the above problems as follows. o Screen writes. ORACLE user bios calls. All output appears perfectly normal on remote terminals through the CTTY interface in RBBS. o Monitor for carrier. Run WATCHDOG, which will reboot your system if carrier drops. o Full screen mode. ORACLE uses only ANSI commands to control the users screens. Callers whose remote communications package implements ANSI support therefore see full screen writes exactly the same as local users. FULL SCREEN WORKS! Page 145 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 o Security. ORACLE has all the security you could ever want because it was designed for multi-user systems. o Usability. ORACLE implements SQL, which is increasingly becoming an industry standard that all major data base systems are supporting. 3. Problems Using ORACLE o There is a problem getting the function keys to work properly remotely. o The ability for a caller to use DOS commands needs to be disabled within ORACLE. o Callers who do not know SQL need pre-structured queries and a menu interface to be designed for them. ORACLE supports a full screen interface but the user interface in ORACLE is not as programmable as one would like. 4. Current Progress The SQLBBS has implemented ORACLE to help manage the data processing for the National Council for Children's Rights (NCCR), and have several major data bases on-line for general interest. People can contact John Prior, the SQLBBS SYSOP, on Compuserve or MCI, by mail, or call SQLBBS if they wish to see how ORACLE is implemented, get the latest progress report, or share experiences implementing data base services. Here are details on the SQLBBS system and how to reach both John and it: Software: PC-DOS 3.1, RBBS-PC, Oracle V4.1.4 Hardware: WIN TURBO AT, 1 MEG on motherboard, C: 30MEG, D: 20MEG, 1 MEG EEMS Norton 4.0 Computing Index: 9.0 x IBM/XT Modem: 2400 Baud Hayes BBS Number: 301/881-6588 Hours: 24 hrs/day Address: Prior Computer Service Inc. POB 2168 Rockville MD 20852-2168 Compuserve ID: 76266,1072 MCI MAIL ID: JPRIOR SYSOPS: John F. Prior Steve J. Prior Tony Zelof SQL Tables Roster of the House of Representatives Available Roster of the Senate [both with addresses etc.] Now The States [2 char abbreviation and full name] Page 146 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 Available The 95,000 5 digit Zip Codes of the US Shortly Telephone Area Codes, Exchanges & Zips Software QMODEM 3.0 or Procomm 2.4.2 or later. on your end Just take the defaults N81, ANSI-BBS. 5. How to use my system as a trial Call SQLBBS as you would any other RBBS-PC system. Go through the Door. SQLBBS executes a "SELECT * FROM TAB;" for you which shows you the tables and views you can access. At the UFI> prompt execute any SELECT command you want against any table or view. "SELECT * FROM STATES;" returns all rows [records] of the STATES table. "SELECT * FROM STATES WHERE ST = 'MA';" returns all rows about the state whose two-character code is "MA". "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM STATES;" gives you a count of the rows in the STATES table. If you substitute another table or view instead of STATES such as SENATE, you can access other tables/views. "DESC HOUSE" would return the column names of the HOUSE table. "HELP" gets you help. "HELP SELECT" gets you help on the SELECT command. "HELP SET" gets you help on the SET command which can control many options for display etc. "SHOW ALL" shows you everything you can SET. "EXIT" terminates UFI and returns you to BBS-PC. 6. Implementation Cookbook A. Install RBBS-PC. B. Install Oracle. C. Create tables under a userid that will grant views to the userid you will use in item D below. D. Create a batch file that will invoke Oracle and force the user into a certain userid/password that will only have SELECT access to views. 7. How to get questions answered & get the latest? Call SQLBBS and leave a message. Page 147 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 8. Other software John has purchased the following software to make life easier: SQLCALC a spreadsheet interface to Oracle for prototyping FLASH a disk caching program for performance He is attempting to get special prices on these products and Oracle itself. 9. How to bring up Oracle and RBBS-PC Execute the following autoexec.bat file: echo off path C:\ORACLE\BIN;C:\SHELLS;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL;C:\GT; rem mousesys > nul prompt $p$g rem subst e: c:\xdb rem c:\dos\memo\memo flash 384 /ma /z > nul flash /cn > nul rem set gtpath=c:\gt rem set TZ=EDT+04 command /c \shells\menu turbokey a 1 > nul echo on oracle ior w \RBBS\RBBS Which executes the following bat file: c: cd \rbbs IF EXIST RBBS1F1.DEF DEL RBBS1F1.DEF IF EXIST RCTTY.BAT DEL RCTTY.BAT \RBBS\WATCHDOG OFF \RBBS\RBBS-PC \RBBS\WATCHDOG ON IF EXIST RBBS1F1.DEF GOTO EXIT IF EXIST RCTTY.BAT RCTTY.BAT cd \rbbs \RBBS\RBBS :EXIT And when a user goes through a door the following bat file gets executed: echo off ctty com2 cd \misc\sql ufi sql/sql cd \rbbs CTTY CON echo on EXIT 10. Future Areas to Investigate Oracle provides a full screen interactive screen painter interface to the Page 148 of 149 RBBS-PC CPC15-1B, Copyright 1987 by D. Thomas Mack June 7, 1987 DBMS that I have been able to bring up remotely, but I have been unable to get the function keys to work. They also provide a FASTFORM utility that generates a default screen for any table. This would allow update capability with the proper GRANTS of privileges. There is a security problem in that a knowledgeable Oracle user can get access to DOS. It looks like the solution at the present time will require a change either renaming the DOS commands within DOS to random strings that a caller would not guess easily or an enhancement to Oracle that allows this capability to be disabled. Call John Prior's the SQLBBS for the latest information on his innovative use of RBBS-PC. John F. Prior =========== E N D O F CPC15-1B D O C U M E N T A T I O N ========== Page 149 of 149