8bitfiles.net/archives/archives.tar/archives/genie-commodore-file-library/C64-128BBS/COLOR-64-BBS-NEW-INFO

Text File | 2019-04-13 | 18.3 KB | 284 lines

                          COLOR 64 BBS DESCRIPTION



 1) COLOR 64  BBS fully supports Commodore color and graphics (both  shifted
    graphics  and  Commodore  key  graphics)   with  non-destructive  cursor
    movements  and  background  color changes when used  with  a  compatible
    terminal program (one will be sent with your BBS software  that you  can
    pass out to your members).   You will find  that color and graphics will
    make the  message base more enjoyable for your Commodore 64/128 callers.
    But  one  point  to  consider  is that some  graphic  messages  will  be
    unreadable for all users  not using a  Commodore  computer  with a color
    graphics terminal program.   So if you anticipate a lot of non-Commodore
    users, you may be better off with a BBS that just uses standard ASCII.

 2) Variable  baud rates from 110  to 500  baud for callers connected at 300
    baud are  supported  by  this BBS when used  with  a compatible terminal
    program.    If  a caller switches to a higher or lower baud rate,   that
    value  will be saved in the callers stats so the next time they  log  on
    the system will ask them if they want to switch to that baud rate again.
    For  higher baud rates,  Color 64  supports several types of 1200   baud
    modems as well as the Hayes SM2400 or good compatible.

 3) COLOR 64   BBS supports the new Punter protocol as well as the  standard
    Xmodem  (checksum)  protocol for file transfers.   As is normal for  the
    "C1" Punter protocol, variable block sizes are also supported.  But this
    BBS  will save the last used block size in the callers stats  record  so
    when  they  call again,  that same block size will be used again.    The
    download  directory is actually a separate seq file on disk  that  keeps
    all  downloads in a chronological order with the date uploaded  attached
    to each file.  This allows you and your callers to more easily see which
    files  are  new  and  just how long they have been  online.    This  BBS
    supports  up to 26  download directories on any number of drives,   each
    with a minimum level required for access.

 4) This  BBS supports both public and private messages.   A  caller (with a
    high enough access level)  can autoreply to any message either  publicly
    or  privately  and the system will automatically address each  autoreply
    message.    The public message base is divided into up to 18   different
    SYSOP  selectable  categories with message threading in  each  category.
    Each  category  will have a level assigned to it.   Any callers with  an
    with a level lower than that categories level will not see any  messages
    in  that  category.   Please notice that this is  not  multiple  message
    bases.   I  chose to use multiple categories in one message base instead
    for  many  reasons.    Mainly because I never did like  having  to  keep
    switching  message  bases  while looking for new messages to  read.    I
    prefer that the BBS allow me to read all new messages at once.  This BBS
    also  supports private messages (e-mail).   These private  messages  are
    stored  on  disk in individual mailboxes.   All mail for one  caller  is
    stored in one file and is separated when that person calls.  This allows
    us  to make the most out of a 1541  drives limited disk space.   Callers
    are allowed to autoreply (if they have high enough access level),  hold,
    or  delete each piece of mail.   Mail is automatically read at  time  of
    logon.

 5) The  BBS  maintains a caller log in memory in spare ram under the  BASIC
    rom.  This allows you and your remote SYSOPs to read the caller log over
    the modem as opposed to only seeing it on a printer.   The caller log is
    self maintaining, that is it will automatically cycle itself keeping the
    most recent callers at the top of the list.   As new calls are received,
    the  log  automatically erases the oldest entry from the bottom.    This
    self  maintenance feature allows you to look at the log as often as  you
    want and not need to be concerned with having to clear it, keep paper in
    the  printer,   of make sure there is sufficient disk space.    The  log
    consists of a trail of each callers activity while on the BBS.  It first
    starts  by indicating if the caller connected at 1200  baud and if  they
    answered Y or N to graphics.  Next you will see their membership number.
    If  the password is not entered correctly,  then the wrong guess will be
    stored  in the log (allowing us to see if someone is trying to  guess  a
    password).  Once online, the current time and date are stored in the log
    and an entry indicating how much mail (if any)  was received,  how  much
    was  held and to whom replies were sent.   Then through the rest of  the
    time online, every major action is recorded in the log,  leaving a trail
    for  you  and  your SYSOPs to review.   I  have found  this  information
    valuable  in  determining  which downloads are most  popular  and  which
    sections of the BBS were most often used.   It also allows me to see who
    uploaded what programs.   This log is optionally saved to disk when  the
    system  is shut down allowing you to either always have the last day  or
    two of callers in the log,  or to just have the callers in the log since
    the last time the system was started.  And if the save to disk option is
    enabled,   an  archive  of caller logs will be created  every  night  at
    midnight, allowing you to maintain a permanent record of all activity on
    your system.

 6) The  system  supports help files and text files that can be  read  while
    online.  The maximum number of text files are limited only by the number
    of  files allowed on one disk and/or the amount of free space.   Callers
    can  upload/download  text  files directly with  the  Punter  or  Xmodem
    protocol and remote sysops can download, scratch, and replace text files
    as  necessary assuming you store the text files on the same disk as  the
    downloads.

 7) COLOR 64 BBS supports the C1700, C1764, and C1750 RAM EXPANSION unit and
    most  kinds of disk drives (device numbers 8-15,  single and/or dual  as
    well as the 1571 in 1571 mode or double sided 1541  mode).   I have used
    only generic input, print, and get commands to prevent incompatibilities
    with  3rd party drives.   Because of the bugs in the new Commodore  1581
    disk drive,  you would need to limit the use of this drive  to  uploads,
    downloads,  text  files and help files (at  least  until Commodore fixes
    their  problems).    Color 64  BBS is too large to fit into the  limited
    memory of the Commodore 64  all at once.   So I have divided the program
    in to several smaller files that load into memory only when needed.   To
    minimize these overlay times,  the system requires FASTLOAD, Mach 5,  or
    1541 Flash with a 1541 or 1571 in 1541 mode; a  burst mode rom from Chip
    Level Designs for burst mode loads from the 1571  or 1581 disk drives in
    burst mode;   IEEE Flash,  Quicksilver  or Busscard II with an  SFD1001,
    2341, 4040, 8050, 8250, 9060, etc. for high speed disk loads or a C1700,
    C1764,   or  C1750  ram expansion module for  instant  memory transfers.
    FASTLOAD,   Mach 5,  and Quicksilver will load an overlay in 15  seconds
    while the 17XX will do the same in about 1/10th of a second.

 8) Available  from  remote is the ability to do all  password  maintenance,
    public message maintenance,  system message files maintenance,  full DOS
    capabilities  and download directory maintenance.   Although the  system
    can run very much unattended,  it may be necessary to have someone watch
    over  things  when  you  will  be  away  for  a  while.    These  remote
    capabilities  will allow the BBS to still run like normal,  even if  you
    are going to be gone for an extended period of time.  Your remote SYSOPs
    will be able to edit (without changing the From:  JOHN DOE (#99) line in
    the header of a message), scratch, or change the category of any message
    on the system.  They will be able to change a callers access level, time
    remaining, name, password,  etc as well as create a new membership list.
    And  they will be able to scratch uploads from the directory if the disk
    is  beginning  to  fill up.   I  believe your remotes  will  find  these
    abilities quite sufficient when operating the system from remote.

 9) Another feature of this BBS software is a built in  terminal program for
    you  to use when calling other boards without the need to take your  BBS
    down.     This   terminal   program  supports   multiple   baud   rates,
    1650/1660/HAYES autodialing, regular ASCII and CBM graphics (with a non-
    destructive  cursor  and background color changes),  Punter  and  Xmodem
    uploads and downloads to or from any drive on the system,  message maker
    with ASCII upload capabilities (for creating your messages offline), and
    full  DOS  functions  on  any drive (including a  seq  file  reader  and
    printer).

10) COLOR  64   BBS has a feature to allow you to read your  mailbox  (which
    contains your mail,  all SYSOP feedback and the new user's applications)
    and  caller log without having to actually log onto the BBS.    Just  by
    pressing a couple function keys,  you can see who has been online and if
    there is any important mail waiting for you.   Also,  these function key
    routines allow you to print the caller log and feedback on your printer.

11) The  system  maintains a very accurate clock and date.    All  messages,
    public  and  private,   will  be  date  and  time  stamped.    The  date
    automatically  increments  at midnight and will not need any  attention.
    Also  at  midnight,   all mailboxes will be searched for  old  mail  and
    deleted if older than a SYSOP defined number of days.

12) Color 64 supports 6 access levels for your callers and 3 levels for your
    SYSOPS.  Each caller is assigned a specific access level that gives them
    more  or  less access  to  the system.   Each access level has  a  SYSOP
    selectable  time  limit  days for automatic purge  and  each  membership
    record has a SYSOP selectable expiration date.  Each  callers time limit
    will be automatically reset at midnight and if they have not called in a
    SYSOP assignable number of days,  they will automatically be purged from
    your  membership list (eliminating the need for the system  operator  to
    spend  a lot of time manually removing callers that have quit  calling).
    If  their expiration date (assigned individually for each  member)   has
    been reached,  that callers access level will automatically reduced to a
    predetermined  level  (useful  for pay systems where you  would  give  a
    higher  access  for  a  certain amount of  time  based  on  a  financial
    contribution).  Also at midnight,  the public and private messages disks
    will  be validated,  thus allowing us to go to sleep knowing the BBS  is
    taking good care of itself.

13) Also,   the BBS has an auto-rerun program wedged into the C64  operating
    system always watching for a system crash.   Of course I have made every
    possible  attempt to make sure the software is free of bugs,  but  if  a
    caller  does  find a way to crash the system,  well then the  damage  is
    truly  minimized.    The system will disconnect the  caller,   save  all
    important variables,  end then rerun itself reloading all variables back
    into  memory and begin waiting for the next caller.   This allows us  to
    sleep  much easier at night,  knowing the system will still  be  running
    when we get up the next morning.

14) The welcome messages,  logoff message, menus, new user messages,  system
    information files,  etc. are stored in seq files on disk.  Included with
    the  COLOR  64  BBS is both a standalone color/graphic seq  file  editor
    (will allow you to create/edit files almost 500  lines long) and a built
    in  editor  (for creating/editing shorter files online).   You will  not
    need  any other seq file editor,  although I do like to use Easy  Script
    when  creating  really long text files.   Instructions  for  using  Easy
    Script  to  create  formatted  seq files like this one are  in  the  BBS
    documentation.

15) Each command is reprogrammable.   That is you can reassign the character
    to type for each function and the access level required to execute  that
    function.    And there are 9 spare commands for you to use  when  adding
    your own modules.

16) There  is  a  download credit system that prevents any one  caller  from
    always  downloading  and  never uploading.   This system  tracks  blocks
    uploaded and downloaded instead of files.   You can set the access level
    at which callers are exempt from this system,  the number of free blocks
    of  credits to give each new member,  and the number of download credits
    earned per block uploaded.

17) There  is  a new user application in place that can easily  be  modified
    (with  a  seq file editor)  to meet your needs.   All  applications  are
    automatically stored in the SYSOP's mailbox.

18) As  new  files are uploaded,  there is an option to ask each  caller  to
    enter  an  upload description.   This description will be optionally  be
    displayed  during a [N]ew downloads scan and before each download.   The
    description is just like a  regular  message with a  100  line limit and
    full color/graphic capabilities.

19) Color 64 BBS supports multi-file transfers.  The multi-transfer protocol
    used in Color 64  BBS is compatible with MultiTerm, TouchTerm, CommTerm,
    and  most  all  others.   Multi-uploads are not supported in  the  BASIC
    system  as  they would defeat the upload description  feature  described
    above.    But for those that would rather have multi-uploads then upload
    descriptions, I  have an optional module (on the back side of the master
    disk) that does support both multi-uploads and multi-downloads.

20) Two  extra  empty program overlays are supplied along with a  third  one
    that  is mostly empty.   If you are a BASIC programmer,  you should  not
    have  any trouble designing and putting your own modules online.   Or if
    you would rather try some prewritten optional modules, many can be found
    on my BBS available for  download  (from  our private Color  64   SYSOPs
    support section).

                                   OTHER NOTES

The COLOR 64  BBS was written and copyrighted by myself,  and sells for $50.
It  takes about 2 weeks for a personal check to clear,  so if you are  in  a
hurry,   please send a money order or cashiers check made out to me  at  the
address listed below.   This purchase price will entitle you to all  updates
as  they  occur at no extra cost (by downloading small self  updating  files
from my BBS or by sending in a blank disk in a returnable mailer with proper
postage) as well as programming and operations type support as necessary.

This BBS is written mostly in BASIC with just enough machine code in all the
right places to allow us to efficiently use a 1200  baud modem.   If you are
interested in a BBS program that you can be easily modified to suit your own
tastes, then this one is for you!  This program is not compiled and not copy
protected.   I  am sure you will find it easy enough to change around as you
see fit.   All input and output to and from the disk and modem is written in
machine code to make the BBS as fast as possible.

As  far as modems,  for 300  baud use the 1650  or 1660  (w/  serial  number
greater than 100,000)  is recommended.   Any compatible will also work,  but
the  64  Modem from Total Telecommunications (or any modem that answers  the
phone  with  alternating answer/originate tones...sounds like  beep,   boop,
beep,   boop...)    is  not  really recommended.   Although  this  modem  is
functionally  equivalent  to  a  1650  and the BBS  will  find  no  problems
operating  with  it,   callers using a 1660  modem (and  many  non-commodore
modems)   will  find it a little difficult to connect with.   It  seems  the
alternating tones will confuse a 1660  into never knowing whether your modem
has  answered  or  not.   There is a way around this,  just have  your  1660
callers switch their 1660  to answer mode as soon as they hear your carrier.
But as you can see, this is not the best modem to run a BBS on.

For 1200  baud use, several types of modems are supported.   The most highly
recommended  modem is a Hayes Smartmodem 1200  or a good compatible  with  a
Vic1011A or Omnitronix RS232  interface.  Another modem that works real well
and  costs  a lot less is the Commodore 1670  modem.   This modem  does  not
recognize DTR and can not be commanded to answer a ringing phone on command,
but for the price and ease of setup, it is worth considering.  One last type
of  1200   baud modem supported is a simple autoanswer auto-baud modem  that
supports DTR, carrier detect, and has a high speed indicator on RS232 pin 12
with  an Omnitronix RS232  interface.   This last type of modem is not  real
popular, but if you run across a good deal, it is good to know this BBS will
support it.

For 2400 baud use, I  support the Hayes Smartmodem 2400 or a good compatible
using  any standard RS232  interface.   I  am currently using a Hayes SM2400
with no problems.   If you choose a compatible, it must emulate very closely
the Hayes standard.

Well  I  sure hope this text file answered all of your questions about  this
BBS software.   If you still have any specific questions, feel free to leave
me feedback on the Daily Exchange (703-466-2120)  or write me at the address
below.

Thank  you for your time and I sure look forward to working with you  should
you decide to buy this BBS software.

Greg Pfountz
14 Longdale Rd
Bristol VA 24201