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ShareWare OnLine 2
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ShareWare OnLine Volume 2 (CMS Software)(1993).iso
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SF03-92.ZIP
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SF03-92.TXT
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1992-03-22
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╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ╟─┐
║ K E E P I N G I N T O U C H ║ │
║ ═══════════════════════════════ ║ │
║ SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter ║ │
║ for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! ║ │
║ March 1992 ║ │
║ Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ║ │
║ Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 ║ │
║ 38400/19200/9600/24400/1200 Baud ║ │
║ 2 Nodes ║ │
║ ║ │
╚═╤══════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Edited by Jacque Shipley
The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud
Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede
Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud
Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz
Other Contributions As Noted
╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ╟─┐
╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════════╝ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
With the release of SPITFIRE v3.2, Mike is busy compiling the
registered versions for all the eagerly awaiting Sysops. Mike's
article will return in April's "Keeping In Touch".
╒══════════════════════════════╕
│ NEW FEATURES IN SPITFIRE 3.2 │
╘══════════════════════════════╛
File Tagging is supported by SPITFIRE v3.2. When listing files
each file is preceded by an alpha character with the exception of
<S>, which is used to Stop the display. Callers simply enter the
alpha character preceding the file description. After selecting
the download option from the File Menu, SPITFIRE will automatically
insert the name(s) of the file(s) tagged for downloading.
Multi-line file descriptions are a new feature in SPITFIRE v3.2
which the Sysop may optionally configure. From the ALT+Z window, the
Sysop sets whether the BBS will allow 1, 2, 3 or 4 line descriptions
when files uploaded to the BBS. It should be noted that if a file is
uploaded for Sysop Only and the BBS is configured to use 2 or more line
descriptions, the multi-line file description is written to HEYSYSOP.LOG.
In addition, Sysops have the option, from the ALT+T window, of
adding one line to the file description which credits the caller who
uploaded the file. An example of this would be: Uploaded by Mike Woltz.
Multi-word text search is available from the Message and File Menus.
A caller may enter up to six key words. SPITFIRE uses these key words
to locate the desired text in a message or file description. If a
key word is located in a message, SPITFIRE will display the subject
of the message.
SPITFIRE through the use of the companion utility, SFSENDIT, allows
a special file to be downloaded by a specific caller or callers with a
specific security level. When the caller logs on to the BBS, he/she is
notified that the file is awaiting them and given the option to download
the file. SFSENDIT is included with SPITFIRE v3.2.
The DAILYLMT.DAT file format has been modified. DAILYLMT.COM, also
included in with SPITFIRE v3.2, is a menu-driven utility which easily
allows the Sysop to create or modify their existing DAILYLMT.DAT file.
New parameters in DAILYLMT.DAT, if appropriately defined, allow
SPITFIRE to monitor and adjust a caller's security when a required
upload/download file transfer ratio is violated. Similarly, SPITFIRE
will return the caller to their original security once the required
upload/download ratio requirement has been satisfied.
The format of SFDOOR.MNU has also changed, although SPITFIRE will
recognize both the old and the new format. An example of the new
format might look like any of these:
Guess A Number,SEC>=10
Guess A Number,SEC=10
Guess A Number,SEC<=10
The line begins with the title of the door followed by the security
parameter. SEC>=10 would require a security greater than or equal to
10, SEC=10 would require a security equal to 10 and SEC<=10 would
require a security less than or equal to 10. SFDOOR.COM is included
in the SPITFIRE package. It is an easy to use, menu-driven utility
that allows the Sysop to create or modify their existing SFDOOR.MNU.
SPITFIRE now provides a toggle (ALT+T window) which allows the
Sysop to configure whether a caller is required to enter their password
when returning from a door.
A new work file, SFCALLOG.DAT is to be placed in the SPITFIRE work
path. SFCALLOG.DAT contains information which is used when writing to
the caller's log.
When external file transfer protocols are used, SPITFIRE automatically
handles moving files to the appropriate directory. This simplifies the
batch files needed for external file transfers. For instance, a sample
ZModem batch file might look like this:
BRK OFF
ECHO OFF
CD\SF\EXTERNAL
DSZ.COM %2 rz
CD\SF
BRK ON
SPITFIRE can also be configured to create a text file in your EXTERNAL
directory which contains a list of the files to be downloaded, provided
the external protocol is capable of reading the text file (for instance,
DSZ.COM). By using the file list, the path and name of each file is
stored in the text file. Using the text file allows up to 99 files to
downloaded per batch. When using the text file option, the file(s) are
downloaded directly from the download file path. This eliminates the risk
of running out of disk space since the file(s) no long have to be copied to
the EXTERNAL directory. A ",USEFILE" should appear at the end of the
protocol menu in SFEXTDN.BBS. For example.
<A> ZModem Batch,Batch,Usefile
would take advantage of the text file download feature. A sample batch
file might look like this:
BRK OFF
CD\SF\EXTERNAL
DSZ.COM %2 sz @C:\SF\EXTERNAL\SFEXTRAN.LST
CD\SF
BRK ON
When exporting messages or capturing a chat, SPITFIRE gives the Sysop the
option of sending the message or chat capture to a printer, provided a
printer is attached and ready to go.
SPITFIRE allows a file area to be configured as a "FREE" file area.
When a file area is configured as a "FREE" file area, the caller's
statistics are not updated when downloading files from this area.
In addition, each file area contains a "Search File Area" field
that is set to determine whether the file area will be included
when searching for new files. If toggled to Yes, the file area is
searched and if toggled to No, the file area is skipped when listing
new files.
Some significant changes have been made in the Sysop Page feature.
There are two more display files. SFPGOFF.BBS/CLR will display to
the caller if the Sysop has the Page feature turned off. SFUNANS.BBS/CLR
will display to the caller if the Sysop has the Page feature turned on
but does not answer the page. If a page goes unanswered and the caller
continues to page the Sysop, SPITFIRE will not notify the Sysop of the
additional pages, provided SPITFIRE finds SFPAGED.CLR/BBS in the display
file path. If the Sysop wishes to be paged multiple times, SFPAGED.BBS/CLR
should not be used. The length of time SPITFIRE sounds the page has
been increased to 15 seconds. If the page is not answered, [ CHAT REQUEST ]
will blink in the caller information banner.
The Sysop can now configure from the ALT+T window whether SPITFIRE
will "Test Files Upon Boot". This option is specifically included for
BBS's that handle a large number of message conferences. If this is
toggled off, no tests are performed on the various message base files.
It is highly recommended that this be toggled on, to ensure all the files
are in working order.
Another new toggle from the ALT+T window determines whether a caller
who is being logged off due to password failure will be allowed to leave
a comment to the Sysop, prior to SPITFIRE logging the caller off the BBS.
When a caller changes to a new Message Conference, SPITFIRE will ask
the caller if he/she would like to read messages in this conference.
When a caller changes to a new File Area, SPITFIRE will ask the caller
if he/she would like to list files in this area.
The Sysop can now configure, per Message Conference, the maximum
line length of messages saved in this conference. Acceptable values
range from 25 to 99 lines.
A caller with Sysop security has the ability to copy a message from
one conference to another. This option also provides the flexibility
of addressing the message copied to another caller.
There are two new options in the <A>lter Conferences menu. These
include <I>...Include All Conferences and <R>...Remove All Conferences.
When searching for a caller on the BBS, SPITFIRE will prompt for
a full or partial name to be entered. SPITFIRE will display any
matches to a partial entry and prompt whether this is the caller
from whom you are searching. If N is entered, SPITFIRE will continue
to search until a match is found or report that no satisfactory
match could be found.
A number of changes have been made in regard to CD-ROM file areas.
SPITFIRE will skip over any file area marked as a CD-ROM file area,
when listing for new files. File statistics are not displayed
after listing new files if a CD-ROM file area exists, since these
file area(s) are skipped the file statistics would not be accurate.
From the modem configuration window, the Sysop can configure a
break length in the modem initialization string. For each tilde (~)
found in the string, SPITFIRE will pause according to the break length
configured here. 1000 equals 1 second, 500 would be half a second,
250 would be a quarter of a second, etc.
The Drop To Dos password is no longer visible from the ALT+Z window.
Only astericks display, providing tighter security for the BBS. Should
the Sysop forget the password, it will need to be reconfigured.
This by no means, includes all the changes in SPITFIRE v3.2. It is
merely an attempt to highlight the most significant changes in this
version.
╒════════════════════╕
│ REVIEW OF MKSFLIST │
╘════════════════════╛
MKSFLIST is a utility that greatly simplifies the process involved
of making SPITFIRE file listing and message listing for each security
level allowed on your BBS.
A configuration file, MKSFLIST.CFG, defines the path for the SPITFIRE
home, message and display directory. From the configuration file, the
Sysop can enter a unique banner title of up to 75 characters. It also
dictates the various security levels for which the MGLST<x>.BBS/CLR and
FILST<x>.BBS/CLR will be created.
The file listing display includes the File Area number, the File Area
title, the number of files in each File Area and the number of bytes in
each File Area. The Message Conference listing display includes the number
of the Message Conference, the Message Conference title and the number of
messages that are available in each of the conferences. File Areas that
are tagged as Preview File Area are also displayed along with any File Areas
available to that particular security area.
The command line parameters that are used when executing MKSFLIST.
Listings can be created for the File Area, Message Conference or
File Area and Message Conferences. Options include whether the
listing will be based on your SFFILES.BBS or DOS directories. To
explain how these might vary, my board stores 90 meg of files on
a tape drive which callers can individually restore to the disk
drive. Using the DOS directories options, those files are not
included because they do not actually exist in the DOS directory.
However, using the SFFILES option, MKSFLIST reports these.
This fine utility comes to us as FREEWARE from Dave Stahl. Dave
offers full support of this utility on his board, Quantum Leap BBS at
(508) 267-0651. Dave reports he intends to further develop this
utility so it offers a choice of different display styles and colors.
╒════════════════════╕
│ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH │
╘════════════════════╛
Mark D. Pickerill
Hacker Heaven BBS
Monteray, California
Mark's 31, married to Carla and lives in a double-wide mobile home
overlooking Monteray Bay. He's been running his BBS since early July,
1987...started out using Fido, but found it inadequate and began looking
round for better software. Having an extensive background of RCP/M,
he wanted something simple, flexible software that didn't take hours on
end to set up and run. A lot of evaluation went into his search,
resulting in his choice of SPITFIRE.
"It's been pretty good, treated me well, this SPITFIRE. My initial
problem with it," he acknowledges, "was the lack of automation. Mike
loves interactive database-type programs. I've partly influenced Mike
into making several changes and now feel his software's pretty close to
perfect, running it along with Bob Zimmerman's SFPACKU to delete old
users--since we can't run the built-in users pack as an event. I'm
waiting with bated breath for version 3.2 which'll have multi-line file
descriptions.
"I've invested considerable time in customizing software and hardware
to make my board as bullet-proof as possible. For example, my board and
one other out of about 25 local boards came up and ran when power was
restored following the October '89 Loma Prieta earthquake. Its successful
bootup is attributed to its industrial computer, plus my customizing
efforts. The board practically runs itself. All I do is validate new
users, process new uploads and answer messages. I never have to bother
about packing old users, old messages, garbage collection or anything.
It's all automatic."
Mark's involvement with computers began while in electronics school,
starting with a Univac 90/70. Soon afterward, he bought an early Tandy
Model I TRS-80, and in the fall of 1981 purchased an IMSAI-8080 in kit
form. This latter machine has been his main system ever since. Actually,
he doesn't like the PC architecture, considering it a bad cross between
a Model I TRS-80 and an Apple ][+ and the best features of neither. But
be this as it may, it does the job.
"My initial experience with modems," Mark remembers, "was in '83 when
I purchased a 300 baud acoustic coupler for the IMSAI. I called one of
the San Francisco Bay area RCP/Ms and have been a modem junkie ever since."
He's now running on a 2400 bauder.
He says his BBS is unlike any other he's dialed. "I try to run it like
an RCP/M. Meaning it's technically oriented, but oriented toward ALL
computers. Programming is the thrust of the board--as that's my only real
interest in computing. I currently have software for CP/M-80, CP/M-86,
Macintosh, Amiga, Commodore, Atari 8-bit, a satellite TV section and, of
course, lots of MS-DOS goodies. My ALL-computer orientation means all my
screens are done in pure ASCII...no IBM extended characters, ANSI graphics,
etc, are to be found. Also there's no logon fee charged...pay BBSs being
against `Hacker Ethics.'
"Come to think of it," Mark confided, "I almost gave my board another
name. I was all set to call it Pagan's Refuge, when one day my boss was
in my office where I have 8 computer terminals. `This place looks like
Hacker Heaven,' he remarked...stemming from which came my board's name.
I've had some--not a lot--of questions from users who are aware of the
media-hyped meaning of `hacker.' My opening screen clearly explains the
difference between that and the original meaning of the term. The screen
reads, `Hacker Heaven is for REAL hackers (programmers), not the newer
meaning of hackers (criminals). No illegal activities. Everything for the
programmer, no .GIFs, gee-whiz utilities."
His other noncomputer activities include camping in a 22-foot fifth-wheel
trailer, reading lots of science fiction and fantasy and writing technical
articles. He is currently working on a chapter to be published in an
upcoming McGraw-Hill book, "Handbook of Components for Electronics," plus
writing a magazine article. Mark says his latest spare-time project is
restoring a recently-acquired 1944 generator to use as a stand-by power
supply--since his rural area is subject to blackouts in bad weather.
Quite a guy, this Mark D. Pickerill.--Ed.
╒════════════════════════════════════╕
│ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS │
╘════════════════════════════════════╛
A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have
recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems:
Pyrate Isle...............................915-362-7041...2400 Baud
Tommy Wesson, Sysop..................................Odessa, Texas
The Corner Bar BBS........................716-865-8171...2400 Baud
Brian Balsis, Sysop............................Rochester, New York
The Wild Hog..............................716-964-7595...2400 Baud
Jim Davis, Sysop..................................Hamlin, New York
Prince....................................305-556-6677...2400 Baud
Sy Feierstadt, Sysop..............................Hialeah, Florida
DEEJEE....................................013-441189.....2400 Baud
Pieter Hendriks, Sysop........................Tilburg, Netherlands
The MicroComputer Club....................203-596-8684...2400 Baud
Bart Chase, Sysop...........................Waterbury, Connecticut
Higgy's Heroes............................812-537-5686...9600 Baud
Jeff Higgins, Sysop..........................Lawrenceburg, Indiana
The Hour Glass BBS........................309-797-8129...2400 Baud
Anthony Panno, Sysop..............................Moline, Illinois
Tim's House Of Fun........................301-705-7115...2400 Baud
Timothy Ward, Sysop..............................Waldorf, Maryland
Eagle's Nest..............................703-496-3670...2400 Baud
Chuck Elliott, Sysop...........................Saltville, Virginia
Educator's BBS............................713-331-6923...2400 Baud
Walt Ledbetter, Sysop.................................Alvin, Texas
Computer Age BBS..........................913-762-6273...2400 Baud
Neville Lyons, Sysop.........................Junction City, Kansas
Global Comm BBS...........................404-962-7225...2400 Baud
Dennis Lindsay, Sysop.......................Lawrenceville, Georgia
Round Midnight BBS......................33-1-4415-9270...2400 Baud
Dan Serfaty, Sysop...................................Paris, France
RayFract BBS.............................+33-694-62995..14400 Baud
Eric Courteau, Sysop................Saint Michael sur Orge, France
The Poor Mans BBS.........................207-328-4830...2400 Baud
Bill Strickland, Sysop...............Loring Air Force Base, Kansas
The Rising Sun BBS......................01182333647130...2400 Baud
Franklin Rogers, Sysop......................................APO AP
Blade Runner BBS..........................803-569-2565...2400 Baud
Charles Harrington, Sysop..............Goose Creek, South Carolina
"Shareware Galore!".......................412-339-1975...2400 Baud
Ronald Mangone, Sysop................New Kingsington, Pennsylvania
The Port Brew BBS.........................512-337-4338...2400 Baud
Jay Dickenson, Sysop............................San Antonio, Texas
Professional Computer Services BBS........316-672-3189...2400 Baud
Michael Reno, Sysop..................................Pratt, Kansas
Quandera: The Information Exchange........602-527-8895...2400 Baud
Scott Fell, Sysop...............................Flagstaff, Arizona
Computer Works BBS...........No Phone Number Available...2400 Baud
Jim Lambert, Sysop................................Ashford, Alabama
A & E.....................................316-685-3197...2400 Baud
Alan Jester, Sysop................................Witchita, Kansas
Mike's Mess...............................815-634-2186...9600 Baud
Mike Lincheski, Sysop..........................Coal City, Illinois
Just For Bytes............................812-423-3394...2400 Baud
Eric Scales, Sysop.............................Evansville, Indiana
The Outhouse..............................904-645-3884...2400 Baud
Jeff Kesemeyer, Sysop........................Jacksonville, Florida
John's BBS................................702-870-0603...2400 Baud
Mathias Piar, Sysop..............................Las Vegas, Nevada
The Funny Farm............................402-489-3597...2400 Baud
James Rogers, Sysop..............................Lincoln, Nebraska
Run Right BBS.............................519-756-3652...2400 Baud
Lynn Weaver, Sysop......................Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Dark Shadows BBS..........................206-858-6772...2400 Baud
Steve Mitchell, Sysop.......................Gig Harbor, Washington
The Outer Ridge BBS.......................515-674-4417...9600 Baud
David Ray, Sysop......................................Colfax, Iowa
Goldstar-BBS "United"....................31-20-6326492...9600 Baud
Pieter De Jong, Sysop.......................Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hobbes's Board............................512-523-5756...2400 Baud
John McClenon, Sysop............................San Antonio, Texas
Delaware Gamers BBS.......................302-479-5481...9600 Baud
John Linton, Sysop............................Wilmington, Delaware
Manta-Soft................................814-337-0216...2400 Baud
James Ketchum, Sysop.......................Meadville, Pennsylvania
The Green Machine..................011-82-333-661-3842...2400 Baud
Art Dunkle, Sysop...........................................APO AP
NCT'S Free BBS.........................916-961-8238...Baud Unknown
C. M. Colson, Sysop..........................Fair Oaks, California
The Computer Shack........................602-296-8390...2400 Baud
Ben Lockard, Sysop.................................Tuscon, Arizona
The Lost Cluster..........................402-292-0084...2400 Baud
Darrell Payne, Sysop...............................Omaha, Nebraska
In addition, there were 6 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems
registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations
from: Mocksville, North Carolina; Rochester, New York; Gaum;
St. Petersburg, Florida; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and
Las Vegas, Nevada.
There were 16 registrations for whom registration information was
incomplete. These included BBS's in: St. Louis, Missouri; LaPorte,
Texas; Evansville, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; Warwick, Rhode Island;
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Erie Pennsylvania; Webster, New York;
Pittston, Pennsylvania; Hiwycomb, England; Lincolnshire, England;
Garden Grove, California; Spanaway, Washington; Detroit, Michigan;
Campbell, California; and Binghamton, New York.
The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is
largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's new policy of accepting
on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations.
JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for
contributions. Please forward any articles in ASCII text to
either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.