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1993-01-06
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Online INSTAbank 3.3 Public Release Version
───────────────────────────────────────────
(C) 1992, 1993, William J. Dykstra
Online INSTAbank is a Borland Pascal 7.0 application written
for Remote Access 1.11 and compatable versions. This program
will allow users to deposit and withdraw time and bytes.
The sysop may configure the maximum daily deposits and
withdrawals, as well as the maximum balances. There is also
a Rob the Bank feature, which may be enabled or disabled by
the sysop.
This program has been extensively tested on my BBS, and has
not caused any problems. There is, of course, absolutely NO
WARRANTY of any kind! This program may work for you, or it
may not! It will NOT WORK WILL ALL VERSIONS OF THE BNU Fossil
driver. It works fine with X00, but has been known to
lockup BNU systems. If you use the BNU .SYS file instead of the
BNU .COM file, you will probably have better luck with the program.
This program is being distributed as FREEWARE. That's right,
its gonna cost you all of zero dollars to register it. You
*MUST*, however, register it after 10 days of trial use.
Please see the section about registration at the end of this
document for more details.
Major Features of Online INSTAbank:
* users may deposit and withdraw time and bytes
* sysop may set the following limits:
- Maximum Time/Byte Balances
- Maximum Daily Time/Byte Deposit
- Maximum Daily Time/Byte Withdraw
* Rob the Bank feature allows a user to steal time and bytes
from either the bank or another user (May be disabled)
* FREE registration!
* Supports RA 1.11 and compatable versions
* Will not allow a user to take out time if it would cause
a conflict with the next scheduled system event
(reads system event as defined in RA, or from time left
according to DOBBS.BAT if you use a mailer like Front Door)
* specify path a filename of log file (big deal)
* Mulitnode support
New to version 3.3
──────────────────
Version 3.3 added support for multiple bank account limits, based on
security level. In other words, users with one security level may have
a limit of say, 2000 kb and 120 minutes (max balances) while a user
with another security level might be limited to 1000kb and 60 minutes.
You may define up to 100 different security levels, each with its own
daily deposit and withdrawal limits for time and bytes, and each with
its own maximum byte and time balances.
Please note there is a new configuration file required for this version
and there is also major changes made to the old configuration file.
Don't worry, the changes to the old file simply require deleting the
last 6 lines...
Version 3.3 also FINALLY fixes a problem with event time calculations.
Sorry about all the troubles with this, but there are all kinds of
wierd situations that can come up, and a few of them got missed (namely,
what happens if there is NO event scheduled?)
New to version 3.2b
───────────────────
Version 3.2b simply fixed a bug that was showing up now and then with
systems running Front Door (or other mailers using DOBBS.BAT). This
bug was causing the Minutes Until next System event to be read
incorrectly by the time bank when Remote Access was run with the -T
parameter. This should fix that bug. Everything else remained the
same.
New to version 3.2
──────────────────
Version 3.2 added a feature to read the DOBBS.BAT file that is created
by various BBS front end mailers such as Front Door. Online INSTAbank
will not allow a user to withdraw any time if that withdrawal would
allow a user to remain online during a scheduled system event. Until
now, the next scheduled system event was read from EXITINFO.BBS, which
Remote Access creates when a user runs an external door. If you run
a program such as Front Door, however, you will usually allow the front
end mailer to handle all events. If you have not defined the events in
Remote Access, though, the bank will not know about the event!
These mailer programs often create a file called DOBBS.BAT, which
contains the current baud rate, com port, and minutes until the next
event. You may now tell Online INSTAbank to read this file to
determine if they may withdraw time or if there is an event in the way.
NOTE: DOBBS.BAT is not modified when a user logs in locally, so it will
not read DOBBS.BAT when a local user is in the bank.
New to version 3.1
──────────────────
Version 3.1 added support for multinode systems. A temporary file is
created in the path to the bank files directory you specify, called
DEPINUSE.TMP. It is deleted when the user in the bank exits the program.
Line 7 of the configuration file specifies the Path to the Bank Files.
The bank files are the various data files used by the bank for storing
the accounts. You might want to set this to a separate directory, or
to the main RA directory. If you are running multiple nodes, you will
need to keep a separate configuration file in each LINE directory.
Each configuration file should point to the SAME bank files (line 7).
Each configuration file should point to its own LINE directory as the
path to the RA system files (EXITINFO.BBS and DORINFO1.DEF) (LINE 8).
By doing this, only ONE set of bank data files are used, but each node
will use the proper EXITINFO.BBS and DORINFO1.DEF files.
For example, if you had a two line system, with the RA system directories
\RA\LINE1 and \RA\LINE2 for the two nodes, then you would run one copy
of DEPOSIT from the \RA\LINE1 directory and the other from the \RA\LINE2
directory. Store a separate config file in each directory. Note you must
run DEPOSIT from the same directory that stores the config file, therefore
you must have a copy of DEPOSIT.EXE in each LINE directory, or have it
in a directory in your PATH statement, so it can be found when the LINE
directory is the CURRENT directory. The config file will only be found
if it is in the CURRENT directory.
If a user tries to access the deposit door, but it is already in use, they
will be notified that the door is in use, and the program will exit with
ERRORLEVEL 11. You probably won't need this ERRORLEVEL, but its there
just in case.
Installing Online INSTAbank
───────────────────────────
To install the program, unzip the original ZIP file into your Remote
Access system directory, or into its own subdirectory. Once you have
unzipped the archive, you must create (or modify) DEPOSIT.CFG. This
is the configuration file, and is a standard ASCII file. There should
be 9 lines in this file.
Line 1 : Registration code.
Line 2 : Sysop Name
Line 3 : BBS Name
Line 4 : Rob Bank (YES or NO)
Line 5 : Sysop Security Level
Line 6 : Path and filename of Log file
Line 7 : Path to the Bank files (data files)
Line 8 : Path to RA system directory (DORINFO1.DEF and EXITINFO.BBS)
Line 9 : Path to DOBBS.BAT. LEAVE THIS BLANK to disable this feature.
BE SURE YOU LEAVE A BLANK LINE FOR LINE 9 IF YOU DON'T USE
THIS FEATURE. ENDING THE FILE AT 8 LINES WILL CRASH THE BANK!
Sample Configuration File:
-------------------------------------
000000000000
Sysop Name
BBS Name
YES
32000
C:\RA\DEPOSIT.LOG
C:\RA\
C:\RA\
C:\FD\
-------------------------------------
*NEW TO VERSION 3.3*
You must also modify a file called DEPOSIT.SEC. This file MUST be
located in the directory with the bank's data files (the directory
specified as the Path to the Bank files (line 7 of config file)).
This file contains the various security levels and their limits.
You may have up to 100 different security levels defined, each on
its own line. If you define more than 100 levels, the rest will be
ignored. SPECIAL NOTE: THE FIRST SECURITY LEVEL MUST BE 0. This
will be the DEFAULT limits for all users. If their security level
is not defined in this file, then the default limits will be used!
DEPOSIT.SEC has this format:
<SL> <MTD> <MTW> <MBD> <MBW> <MTB> <MBB>
<SL> <MTD> <MTW> <MBD> <MBW> <MTB> <MBB>
<SL> <MTD> <MTW> <MBD> <MBW> <MTB> <MBB>
etc..etc...etc...
SL: Security Level
MTD: Maximum Time Deposit (daily)
MTW: Maximum Time Withdraw (daily)
MBD: Maximum Kbyte Deposit (daily)
MBW: Maximum Kbyte Withdraw (daily)
MTB: Maximum Time Balance
MBB: Maximum Byte Balance
example:
0 30 60 500 1000 120 4000
10 60 90 800 2000 240 4000
In the above example, all users by default will have a the following
limits: Max Time Deposit=30 mins
Max Time Withdraw=60 mins
Max Byte Deposit=500 kb
Max Byte Withdraw=1000 kb
Max Time Balance=120 mins
Max Byte Balance=4000 kb
and any user with security level 10 would have these limits instead of
the defaultss: Max Time Deposit=60 mins
Max Time Withdraw=90 mins
Max Byte Deposit=800 kb
Max Byte Withdraw=2000 kb
Max Time Balance=240 mins
Max Byte Balance=4000 kb
NOTE: The maximum value for each of these fields is 99,999.
Once you have modified the configuration files, you need to install
the program to run as an external door from Remote Access.
The program should be installed as a type 7 external program in
RACONFIG. Just run DEPOSIT.EXE to execute the program. No other
parameters are necessary. If you run into memory problems then you
may want to use DEPOSIT.EXE *M, to cause Remote Access to swap memory
before loading the door. You should not need to do this however. I
run the program without the *M parameter, both in DOS and Desqview
environments.
The program will use ANSI colour codes if ANSI is enabled in the
DORINFO1.DEF file. If the user uses ANSI on the BBS, then they
will have ANSI in the bank. Avatar is NOT supported. If they do
not have ANSI enabled then it will run in plain ASCII mode.
Options available to the users:
The options that are available to users are:
- Deposit Time/Bytes
- Withdraw Time/Bytes
- List accounts
- Send message to another user (70 character max length)
- Rob the Bank (or another user) *only if enabled by sysop
- Quit
- * Sysop (available to any user who's security level matches
the Sysop Security level setting in the config file)
The Rob the Bank feature will not appear on the menu if the sysop
has disabled this feature.
The sysop menu will only be available to users who have a security
level that is equal to or greater than the level you set in the
configuration file. This option will NEVER be displayed on the
menu, even if the user is allowed to access the function. The
key to use to access the sysop menu is the * key.
NOTE: Install this as a type 7 menu option in RACONFIG. You *MIGHT*
have to run it with the *M parameter, to cause Remote Access to
enable memory swapping when the program is run. If you have
problems running the program (for example, if you see the
message UNABLE TO EXECUTE: C:\RA\DEPOSIT.EXE) then you probably
don't have enough memory available. Enabling swapping should
fix this.
DEPMAINT.EXE - Maintenance Utility
──────────────────────────────────
This program contains the same options that the Sysop menu in
DEPOSIT.EXE does. This is for LOCAL use only, and is very
handy for changing account balances while a user is online.
You cannot use the sysop menu within the INSTAbank program
itself when a user is online, as it will read their info
from DORINFO1.DEF and EXITINFO.BBS.
Running DEPMAINT /MAINT will CLEAN THE DATA FILES. This
option should be used now and then to clean out the data
files. Old messages (any messages that are marked as
read) will be deleted from the message file, and any users
that are no longer located in USERS.BBS will be deleted.
Accounts with no time and no bytes (empty accounts) will
also be removed. The regular DEPOSIT.LOG file will indicate
who's accounts have been deleted. You may run this program
in your nightly events if you desire. (be sure to use the
/MAINT parameter!).
READMSGS.EXE - Message reader
─────────────────────────────
This program will simply display all of the messages that are in
the message file. Big deal. (it also shows who sent the
message, and who the message is for.)
Distributing Online INSTAbank
─────────────────────────────
Please feel free to distribute Online INSTAbank. Please
distribute only the original archive, in unmodified form.
NO FEE MAY BE CHARGED for this program, other than fees
necessary to cover the cost of distribution. This may be
included in shareware/freeware packages, such as CD-ROM disks
of shareware, etc.
Registering Online INSTAbank
────────────────────────────
You must register Online INSTAbank after 10 days of evaluation
use. If you continue to use the program after the 10 day trial
period, please register it. Registration is *FREE*, so you have
no excuse to avoid registering. There is a 5 second delay when
entering and exiting the program to encourage you to register.
Why do I require registration if its FREE? I want to know how
many people are using the program, so I can determine if furthur
development should be done.
I will gladly accept suggestions and ideas for the program. If
there is a feature you would like to see, let me know. Also,
PLEASE let me know if you encounter any bugs of any kind!
Custom versions of the program may be written on request, for a
very modest fee (usually less than $25 Cndn). If it is a very
small modification, and most are, then there will be no charge.
I will just consider it an "implemented suggestion".
Future Plans:
────────────
Not too much is planned for the future, as this program pretty
well does what I want it to. I was not going to release this
to the public, as I was just using it on my BBS, but after a
few requests by local sysops, I decided to make a public release
version.
I may eventually add a Transfer feature, to allow users to send
some of their time/bytes to another user. I may also add some
kind of vault breaker game to enhance (or replace) the current
bank robbery feature.
Your ideas are welcome! Send em to me!
--------[Cut Here]-------------------------------------------------------------
Online INSTAbank R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
*Sysop Name: _______________________________________________
*BBS Name: _______________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
City: ________________________ Prov/State: __________
Postal/Zip Code: __________________ Country: __________________
BBS Phone: __________________ Max Baud Rate: _____________
If you plan to call the BBS to pickup your registration code,
please fill out the following:
Real Name:_______________________________ (do NOT use an alias)
Password to use:_________________________
ANSI colour? (Yes or no):________________
The number you will be calling from:_______________________
(this will be matched via call display)
You *ONLY* need to fill out this information if you want me to
create an account ahead of time for you (and you are mailing this
form in. If you are simply going to call the BBS to get your
Registration code, don't worry about this logon info...)
Where did you obtain your copy of Online INSTAbank?
________________________________________________________________
Comments/Suggestions:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
--------[Cut Here - end of registration form]-------------------------------------------------------------
Mail the above registration form to:
Bill Dykstra
189 Bristol Road
Newmarket, Ontario. Canada.
L3Y 7X9
or call The BillBoard BBS
(416) 898-2443
14.4k v.32bis/v.42bis 8,N,1
and leave a message to Bill Dykstra (or sysop), with this
form file attached to the message.
If you would like me to send your registration code to you in the
mail, please include a self addressed stamped envelope (why should
I pay if you don't have to!?). If you do NOT include an envelope,
then I will assume that you will be calling the BBS.
I will create an account for you on the BBS if you fill out the
apropriate information above. I will leave you a message with
your registration code in it. Please allow enough time for the
letter to arrive here. I will post a message with your reg. code
the same day that I receive your letter. You do NOT have to mail
this form to me, however. You may call the BBS, upload this form
to me (File attach it to a message), and then page me. If I'm
around, I'll get your code on the spot. If I am not around, you'll
have to call back. I usually check mail every night at 5:45pm, as
well as at other random times. If you leave a message before 5:30pm
it will almost surely be answered by 6:30pm.
(see above for BBS phone number)
I hope this program works well for you, and you have no problems!
Need an archive viewer? Online Archive Master 3.8 is now available!
It is also FREEWARE, and is available on the BBS. This program will
allow users to view the contents of ZIP, ARJ, LHA, LZH, ARC, and PAK
files while online. They may also read files within the archive and
extract files to a separate extract zip file! Check it out on
the BBS!
These are both programs that I have written for my personal use on
my BBS, but, with the help of a few local sysops who kept bugging
me to release them, I have made public versions available. Since I
originally made them for my own use, and didn't intend them for
public release, I am making them freeware. After all, the program
was there, so why not let others benefit from them? I hope you
find them useful.
--Bill Dykstra