8bitfiles.net/archives/archives.tar/archives/genie-commodore-file-library/TelcomTools/NEW-EBBS-INFORMATION

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To    : To EBBS Sysops and Users
From  : Ed Parry, EBBS Geek of the third kind (as well as it's author)
Subj  : EBBS 64/128 v4.0 info/EBBS modem Help
Date  : 11 March 1988

Hi Guys!

Alot of people have been asking me about the latest EBBS
project/updates I have been working on, so I thought I would take a
little time and write up a file for you regarding what is intended
and/or already in EBBS 128 v4.0. A majority of these mods and ideas
will also be implemented into EBBS 64 v4.0.

Message Bases - Alot of you have asked for MORE message bases. You
will have 10 message bases with v4.0! Each base will STILL be
individually leveled as per previous versions of EBBS.

Xfer Sections - Again, You wanted more and got them. 15 to be
exact. Each is individually leveled. 128 has 50 file per section,
64 has 35 file per section.

Dual Leveling - Levels will now be dual. One for message base &
misc access (text section, no time limit, sysop menu, etc.) and the
other for the 15 file transfer sections. This gives Sysops a
possible 65535 levels. The EBBS userfile level calculator is still
included.

Userfiles - Userfiles now have been expanded to 30 fields! The last
10 fields are used to keep track of each users last message read
counter. The other 20 are for normal userfile data. Added is
address, computer, protocol, first call, reads, posts etc. The
userfile editor has also been enhanced. When editing userfiles the
data for the field is automatically displayed for easier editing.

Quick Logon - I have implemented the EBBS-PC technique of quick
logons. To do this users type either their firstname
lastname;password(RETURN) or their user#;password. Logon name
patterns (must be 5 characters or more) will work also. IE: For me:
Ed Parr;password(RETURN). This should make auto logon macro's
easier to program as well as enhance/speed up logon's to EBBS
systems.

Auto Caps - When correct Capitolization is warrented, EBBS will
Auto Cap the entered data. (IE: At logon, filling out headers,
etc.)

Auto text/Auto text Delete - Auto text gives default data when
prompted. If you wish to accpet the default text then you can hit
return. If not, simply type YOUR input and the default text will
auto delete and your text will replace it. Much thanx to Dennis
Bruner for the AUTO TEXT DELETE idea!

Petascii Color/graphics - I have already added in a CG option. I
WOULD like some feedback from CG BBS Sysops tho. Do you LIKE to
have cursor controls and Reverse video capabilities in your CG
option or ONLY color and graphics?

Optimization - I have implemented several new (to my style of
programming) optimization techniques to reduce code size. This
should make the BBS a bit more configurable for advanced EBBS
sysops as well as save alot of programming space.

Email - Is now stored on disk in a more efficient way. For
example:'880301 0 1' would be the Sysops (User #0) 1st piece of
email. The date it was sent is 1 March 1988. This will make it
easier for Sysops to delete email by date and solve the problem of
having 16 or less characters for email filenames based on user
names, vice numbers.

Sysop Feedback - I have added the option to allow Co Sysops or
remote Sysops to read and reply to feedback via the Sysop menu.
This comes in very handy for ME on Corewars, as Fred Bennett often
gets mail because folks assume *I* run Corewars instead of FB.

Caller Log - I have added two fields to the caller log. Now the
caller log will reflect the normal data (on/off and date) as well
as the callers baud rate and minutes used for that call.

Time Limit - I have decided to do away with using TI$ for online
timing since it is very inaccurate during serial disk ops. I now
use the TOD clock. I also have implemented a TIME USED field into
each userfile so the maximum daily time limit cannot be exceeded by
any user. (Unless you give them NO TIME LIMIT via there user
level.)

Protocols - I have yet to add in the intended protocols BUT I do
intend on adding at LEAST xmodem/crc and WXmodem. It is possible I
might also add in xmodem/1k and/or ymodem-bat.

Trap - This will make your EBBS more crash proof! I am not sure how
or even if I can add this into EBBS 64 (possible only by 'wedging'
into the errout vector I suspect) but it WILL be in EBBS 128.
(Thanx to Lonnie De Cloedt and Glen Jones of Riverboat Adventure at
818-888-3221 for the great idea!) What TRAP will do is allow your
EBBS to log potentially encountered errors into a file and re-RUN
itself to avoid a crash! A slight inconvience for the caller, but
not nearly as much as having the BBS down til you can get to it to
re-boot!

Autoboot - I removed the BOOT up 'GET TIME' routine. This will
enable Sysops to make EBBS power outage recoverable! The TIME will
blink on the WAITING for CALL screen til you set it. This will also
indicate a power outage recover.

2400 baud support - I have implemented routines to handle 2400
baud. I also modified the routines to be completely MANUAL. This
means EBBS's should be compatible with ANY RS232 modem! I have also
removed 300 baud modem support. (IE: No 1650, Westridge etc.
support.) With 1200 baud modems under $80 it is hard for me to
believe any serious Sysop could not afford a 1200 baud modem at
least. If your interested in a $140 2400 baud modem then call
Computer Discount at 1-303-825-2943. (CO). I also recommend the
Omnitronix RS232 interface. Their number is (WA) 1-206-236-2983.
(About $29).

Auto Modem Config - I have added in a partial modem auto config
routine. This will set up most of your modem parameters internally.

Config Module - The config module is now a 'normal' program. It
prompts for input. The days of editing a BASIC config module are
gone! In most cases default data is supplied. (IE: Like modems DCD
and RI settings etc!)

Advanced Configuring - For Advanced Sysops - Sysops can directly
edit the CFG file now. I have put ALOT more data in the CFG file
(like menu data and internally used text and numeric's) that will
NOT be CONFIG module configurable.

Xfer Section - Altho I have yet to work on the xfer section as of
yet I do have the follwoing plans for it:

a) Auto logoff after UL/DL option.
b) Possibly a TEXT search option.
c) More protocols. (as mentioned above.)
d) Possibly multi UL/DLing via Ymodem-Bat. (IF I add it in.)

User Stats - I have enhanced the user stats fields and might add in
a TODAY stats feature (ala EBBS-PC) as well. Today stats will show
total calls, minutes used, effective useage for that day only.

Sysop Utility Module - I have moved MOST non essential utilities to
an EXTERNAL Sysop module. This is to save EBBS's main module space
for more programming room as well as allow me the ability to more
easily add and expand Sysop utilities

Editor - Multi line delete and insert is now supported.

Illegal text - Instead of allowing and echoing illegal text (IE:
Like in a new user application) I now just set a flag and turn all
illegal text characters to a null. Nulls get filtered out via the
EBBS line editor, hence the data simply does not acknowledge if
typed in.

REM's - Registered (or registering) EBBS Sysops will be glad to
know that I have added REM's thruout EBBS for improved
read-ability.

Read Thread - has been improved.

MISC EBBS INFORMATION:

EBBS 64/128 v4.0's price will go up to $60 when released. Those
sending $40 will get the previous version (3.x) and will be
required to pay a one time $20 update fee. Once registered for v4.0
updates will be $5 each.

I have decided to revise my update policy. I will ONLY accept $5
for an update. No more disks, mailers, etc. I also have decided to
discontinue the Corewars registered Sysop sections. I have had
multiple problems regarding registered Sysops 'lending' out their
passwords so their friends can DL the updates.

EBBS MODEM HELP!

Modem Help - I get alot of calls regarding modem compatibility and
problems. Following should shed some light regarding EBBS and
modems:

1) EBBS's are NOT compatible with the Commodore 1660.
2) EBBS's are not compatible with the Anchor 64xx series of modems.
3) EBBS v4.0's will no longer support 300 baud ONLY modems.

When it comes to setting up your modem config:

RI, CA and MS can ONLY be 0 or non zero. IE:

RI can only be 0 or 8, CA can ONLY be 0 or 16 and MS can ONLY be 0
or 32. In general, if ONE setting is non-zero then thay ALL should
be non-zero. If one setting is zero, then they ALL should be zero.
RI is generally the BEST way to determine your settings. If EBBS
continuously indicates CALL ANSWERED then chances are ou need to
invert your RI, CA and MS settings.

MS is ONLY used if your modem/interface supports a line 12 (modem)
to pin J (computer) signal. Most modems do NOT support this
however, as this is a NON standard RS232 line. If supported, line
12 will allow EBBS to detect athe difference bewteen a 300 or 1200
call ONLY. (2400 baud modems have 3 baud rates and will not work
using this option.)

'Standard' RS232 lines are:

Pin: Name - Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1:  GRND - NON Standard. Sometimes used as a ground.
2:  XMIT - This is the 'send data' line.
3:  RECV - This is the 'receive data' line.
4:  RTS  - Ready to send.
5:  CTS  - Clear to send.
6:  DSR  - Data Set Ready.
7:  SG   - Signal ground.
8:  DCD  - Data Carrier Detect. Tracks modems carrier status.
12: HS   - NON standard - Sometimes used for 300/1200
           determination.
20: DTR  - Data Terminal Ready. Turns on TR light. Hangs up if
           reset.
22: RI   - Ring Indicator. Tells when line is 'ringing'.

For MOST modems, I suggest you use AA=1. Also be SURE to QUIET
(ATQ1) your response codes. The RETURN character following the
response code 'CONNECT' often will initialize 1200 baud regardless
of the callers baud rate! You MUST type the ATQ1 in at the initial
EBBS bootup from CHAT mode. I suggest typing it several times, just
to make SURE it takes.

Determine YOUR modems OK setting - From BASIC in immediate mode
with your modem hooked up, turned on and plugged in:

open 1,2,3,chr$(6)+chr$(0)(RETURN)
print peek(56577)(RETURN)

The result is your OK variable setting.

If your EBBS constantly indicates "CALL ANSWERED" and your sure
there is no call, then most likely you need to invert your RI, CA
and MS settings (as mentioned above.)

If this does not solve the problem, then your modem is most likely
not setup right for EBBS ops. You MUST insure that your DCD
(Carrier Detect) line is NOT forced 'on' all the time. You also
SHOULD (not really mandatory but best) make sure your DTR line is
NOT forced 'on' at all times. Also be sure that your Auto Answer IS
forced on so the modem will answer for EBBS.


I hope this helps you enjoy EBBS now and in the future! Thank you
for supporting EBBS!

REGISTERING:

EBBS 64 v3.x  - $40.
EBBS 64 v4.x+ - Not available til June 88.
EBBS 128 v3.x - $40.
EBBS 128 v4.x - Not available til May 88.
EBBS-PC v1.x  - $80 ($70 for registered CBM Sysops.)
EBBS-PC v2.0  -  "    "    (Not available til May 88 - QB4
version.)

When ordering, PLEASE be sure to indicate which computer version
you want.

Ed Parry/EBBS HQ
8711 Langdon Ave #8
Sepulveda, CA 91343
818-891-9350 - EBBS Hotline - Noon til 6pm weekdays.
818-846-8083 - Fred Bennett's Corewars EBBS.
818-888-3221 - Lonnie De Cloedt's/Glen Jones Riverboat Adventure
EBBS.
818-342-4601 - Bill Greenland's/Dennis Bruner's Open Mind EBBS.
GEnie Mailbox = EBBS

EOF