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1992-11-19
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A NEW USERS GUIDE TO THE INSTALLATION AND SET-UP OF "QWK" ECHO MAIL
By: Alan Apollo - The Laser~Coast~Line - Santa Monica, CA (310) 394-1214
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 15th, 1992
-------------------
A year ago, I was asking myself all the same questions, you probably are, about
getting started echoing NetMail! Now that I operate a HUB for several Networks
and have had to help new nodes get set up to echo from me, I thought I would
try to create this "HOW-TO" manual to help others get going. This document was
created for WILDCAT! Users and TOMCAT!/TNET QWK Mail, it makes no attempt to
explain the methods involved in setting up for other brands of BBS software or
different mailers/tossers!
WHAT DO I NEED TO ECHO MAIL
---------------------------
I will omit the obvious, the hardware, software, to run the existing BBS,
however, if you intend to HUB, allow others to pull mail from you. It
should be noted that the minimum hardware would include 200megs HD storage,
a 386 CPU at 33/40mhz and a high speed modem (14400baud).
The following is a list of software that you will need to get started:
ROBOCOMM - Automated terminal program for mail runs.
* TOMCAT! - QWK user interface to WILDCAT!
* TNET - QWK Import/Export interface.
+ TNET CFG FILE - TNET configuration file LZRCST.ZIP
DUPMSG - Deletes unwanted duplicate, outdated, messages.
CONFXREF - Detailed listing of conferences HUB/LOCAL numbers.
TSTCFG - Test Configure, checks for "Crossed" conferences.
TRACK - Helps ID the origin of "Crossed" messages.
* - Included w/ WILDCAT! BBS Software.
+ - This filename depends on which BBS you call and is available
from them specifically for that configuration of their BBS.
For the most part it will be refered to as LZRCST.CFG here!
Please check for the latest versions of the above programs. You
will find all these programs on the MSI HQS BBS, Bakersfield, CA.
and here at the Laser~Coast Line!
WHAT DO I DO FIRST
------------------
Your first step should be to locate a BBS that is willing to allow you to call
them and pull the conferences that you are interested in. Download their TNET
configuration file, mine is LZRCST.ZIP and contains LZRCST.CFG as the actual
file. This will list all of the conferences available and the number of the
conference on their BBS. (More on the configuration file later.) You do not
need to take all conferences, unless you decide and are accepted for HUB
status. You may post a message to you users with a list of all available
conferences and ask them to help you decide which conferences you will carry.
Now you have the TNET configuration file and you have selected the conferences
your BBS is going to carry! Next you need to decide what the conference
number is going to be on your BBS. You may not want to use the same numbers as
the Net conferences, as they may be in conflict with your own local conferences
so you will need to select new numbers. Once you have figured out where you
want to put the new conferences, using your favorite ASCII text editor load up
the XXXXXX.CFG (LZRCST.CFG) and now you will start editing to show the correct
numbers.
TNET CONFIGUATION FILE (LAZRCST.CFG)
------------------------------------
This is a partial example of what you will find in this file and a guide to
setting up the initial parameters.
Note: The ";" as the first character indicates that the line is comments and
can be used to turn on/off features, conferences as indicated below for TCAN
and the second conference description.
===========================================================================
SYSTEM = WILDCAT3 <-- Your Software Version WILDCAT2 or WILDCAT3
WORK = C:\WORK\ <-- TNETS Work Directory For Packing/Unpacking
QWKDIR = C:\QWK\ <-- Directory To Store QWK Packets (Incoming)
REPDIR = C:\REP\ <-- Directory To Store REP Packets (Outgoing)
PACKER = PKZIP -es ! , PKUNZIP -o ! <-- Pack/Unpack Commands
APPEND = N <-- Optional - Append Exported Replies
To Existing REP File
ATFILTER = Y <-- Stops "@" codes from being sent in messages
PRIVNAME = ALAN APOLLO <-- YOUR SYSOP NAME
VERBOSE = NO <-- Optional - NO (Short Form Logs)
ATTLIMIT = 100000 <-- Maximum File Attachment Size 0 To Turn Off
;TCAN = MODEM MOUTH <-- Stops Messages From This User (Trash Can)
IMPORTTAG = W ,WILDNET: Laser~Coast~Line - Santa Monica, CA (310) 394-1214
EXPORTTAG = W ,WILDNET: (Your BBS - Your State - Your Phone Number)
LOGFILE = C:\LOGS\TNET.LOG <-- Directory To Store TNET Logs
CONF = ? ; CATCALL <-- Your Conference Number And Name - CORRECT "?"
HUBNUM = 2 ; CATCALL <-- Our Conference Number And Name - DO NOT CHANGE!!
PRIVATE = Y <-- Allows Private Messages To Be Sent/Received.
TAG = W <-- Import/Export Tag Lines To Use Above.
NEXTMSG = 0 <-- MUST BE 0 - TNET Will Maintain Aferwards.
;CONF = ? ; DOORS <--|
; HUBNUM = 3 ; DOORS <--|
; PRIVATE = Y <--|---- This Conference Is Turned Off (;'s)
; TAG = W <--|
; NEXTMSG = 0 <--|
===========================================================================
A brief re-cap of the above notations.....
SYSTEM - Either "WILDCAT2" or "WILDCAT3"
WORK - TNETS Working Directory For Temporary Use.
QWKDIR - Where To Store Your QWK (LZRCST.QWK) Packets
REPDIR - Where To Store Your REP (LZRCST.REP) Packets
PACKER - Commands Used To Pack And Unpack
APPEND -
ATFILTER - Allows Or Dissallows the "@" Codes To Be Received
PRIVNAME - Your Name As It Is In MAKEWILD (Your Login Name).
VERBOSE -
ATTLIMIT - Maximum Attached File Size - "0" To Turn Off.
TCAN - User Names You DO NOT Want To Receive Mail From.
IMPORTTAG - Tag Line Of Your HUB - DO NOT CHANGE
EXPORTTAG - Your BBS Tag Line Should Include Name/State/Phone Number.
LOGFILE - Where You Want The TNET Transaction Logs Saved To.
CONF - Number Of This Conference On Your BBS - BE SURE THIS IS CORRECT!
HUBNUM - Name/Number Of The Conference On The HUB - DO NOT CHANGE!
PRIVATE - Allows Private Messages To Be Sent And Received By TNET.
TAG - A Letter Referencing A TAG LINE Previously Described.
NEXTMSG - High Message Counter Used By TNET - Be Sure "0" First Time.
; - The Use Of ";"s Cause The Line To Be Ignored By TNET!
MAKEWILD/CONFERENCE DEFINITION
------------------------------
NOTE: References Are To Makwild 3.50x (06/21/92)
And now comes the fun part, depending on how many conferences you have decided
to carry on your BBS. Run MAKEWILD for the BBS and from the first menu, select
GENERAL DEFINITION, if you do not have enough active conferences available for
the new network conferences. Select [6] - Number Of Conferences, and set the
correct number for your new configuration. [ESC] back to the menu, and select
CONFERENCE DEFINITION. Using the TNET configuration file (LZRCST.CFG) you have
just finished editing as a guide, you may now start typing in the new conference
names. Using the [ARROW] keys select the appropriate conference number and hit
[ENTER], type in the name only at this time. You may want to prefix these new
conferences i.e WN- for WildNet or RN- for RaceNet, ect! When you have typed
in the name press the [ESC] key and move to the next conference number. Repeat
these steps until all conference names have been entered. Review your work
being sure that you have entered the correct name at the correct number in the
MAKEWILD definitions.
Now using the Global Command [F4], you can set all the common parameters for
the new conferences. First select the conferences to modify and toggle on all
the new conferences you have previously typed in....
Set The Path Names To Use For These Confernces - May Be Different
Than Your Normal Local Conferences If Desired. On My System I Keep
The Various Networks And Local Conferences In Their Own Directories.
In The Examples Below "NTWK" Could Be WNNT (WildNet), Up To You!
BULLETINS - Path To Bulletins i.e..... C:\WC30\BULL\NTWK\
QUESTIONNAIRS - Path To Questionnairs i.e. C:\WC30\QUES\NTWK\
MENUS - Path To Menus i.e......... C:\WC30\MENU\NTWK\
HELP - Path TO Help Files i.e.... C:\WC30\HELP\NTWK\
DISPLAY FILES - Path To Display Files i.e. C:\WC30\DISP\NTWK\
MESSAGES - Path To Message Files i.e. C:\WC30\MSGS\NTWK\
CONFERENCE SYSOP - This Should Be Blank (No Comments On Net)
MAIL TYPE - NORMAL Is The Correct Answer for QWK Mail
MAX CONFERENCE MESSAGES - 100 - This Is Up To You And Your Sysetem!
MAX LINES PER MESSAGE - 150 - Again, This Is Up To You!
NUMB OF QUESTIONNAIRES - ??? - Number You Have Created For Use Here!
NUMB OF BULLETINS - ??? - Again The Number You Have Created!
CHECK VALID NAME - PROMPT Is The Correct Answer For Net Mail
FILE AREA ACCESS - Areas You Want Accessed From Net Conferences
PROMPT TO KILL MSGS - NO Is The Prefered Setting!
ALLOW HIGH ASCII CHRS - NO At This Time - Change Seperate If Needed
ALLOW MSG CARBON COPIES - Generally NO!
ALLOW PRIVATE MESSAGES - Generally YES!
FORCE ALL MSG PRIVATE - NO Is The Correct Answer For Net Mail!
ALLOW RETURN RECEIPT - Generally NO!
USE ALIAS NAMES - Answer NO For Global Changes!
ALLOW MSG ATTACHMENTS - Your Decision/HUB Must Have On Also To Work!
READ ONLY CONFERENCE - Prohibits Users From Entering Messages!!
When you are satisfied with your entries hit [F10] and the change will be made!
After this is run, use [ENTER] on one of your selected conferences to verify
that the new parameters you have created with [F4] GLOBAL, have taken effect!
If you have any special configuration needs, now is the time to select the
conference number and edit it! i.e. 20-WN-BBS ADS Need to turn on High ASCII or
7-WN-For Sale Perhaps you want your users to only read but not enter messages
on this conference, or 18-WN-Admin You want to turn on message Attachments!
BTW: Message Attachment means that a file may be attached and sent along with
the text message. The user will be prompted to download this file, when the
message is read. Both the SENDING and RECEIVING BBS's must have this function
activated in the TNET configuration, and the value declared there must be the
same or greater than the size of the file being attached!
Now it's time to set you access levels to each conference using the [F2]
command EDIT ACCESS. I would strongly suggest you use CONFSEC to do this
instead, especially if you have a large number of conferences, the [F3] COPY
command will not copy ACCESS LEVELS, in case you were wondering!
Skip this section if you are going to use CONFSEC, refer to it's DOCs for an
explanation of use! For the rest of you who have the time and patience to do
this using [F2], here we go! You must select each conference number, as you
did above when entering the conference names, only instead of pressing [ENTER]
you will press [F2] and toggle on the ACCESS LEVELS that you wish to be able
to enter this conference. Repeat for all remaining conferences, then go back
and 'spot-check' your work! i.e. that a new user cannot access say the
SYSOP CHAT conference or an ADULT conference, check the important ones!
WILDCAT! IS READY
-----------------
At this time WILDCAT! has been fully configured to accept all the new Network
conferences you have added! If you use SORTCONF to create your listing seen
when the [L] command is used at the [J] prompt, you will need to change your
configuration file and run SORTCONF to update the list! Be sure that the TNET
configuration file (LZRCST.CFG) is in your WC directory with TNET and TOMCAT!
i.e. C:\WC30\ or your home node directory!
MAKING YOUR FIRST MAIL RUN
--------------------------
(Set Your COMM Program Download Path To The Path Specified In LZRCST.CFG)
Now it is time to get your first QWK mail packet! Automatic Mail Runs come at
a later time! First we need to configure TOMCAT! on our HUB BBS. Using your
standard communications program, i.e. QMODEM, PROCOM, ect. login using NETSYSOP
access granted by your HUB. TURN-ON your capture buffer and record the entire
session. From the main menu select [M]essage Menu, (Session Assumes WC3.55)
and select the command to [U]pdate Conferences. You will be given a list of
conferences that you have access to, a page at a time! You may enter a range of
conerences to select or one at a time or certain ones i.e. 1,5,7.8-10 are all
acceptable. When selecting you will notice a "*" by the number indicating that
it has been selected. To go to the next page type [+], continue these steps
until you have selected all of you conferences. Return to the [M]essage menu
and select [T]OMCAT! When the program loads, select [C]onfigure, and set all
or check all of the available options! Some may be pre-set by the Sysop.
[C]onfigure Conferences - Already Done!
* [R]eset High Message Pointers - Select 10%
[U]pload LZRCST.PTR File - (NO CHANGES!)
[S]end Your Own Messages - NO
[N]ew File Scan - YES (Optional)
[D]ate For New Files - XX/XX/XX (NO CHANGES!)
[I]nclude New Bulletins - YES (Optional)
[M]aximum Packet Sizes - 1000/200
# [A]ttachment Size Limit - 20K / All Attachments (Optional)
[T]ransfer Protocol - Zmodem (Optional)
[P]acker (Archive) - PKZIP (Optional)
[F]ormat For Packets - QWK (NO CHANGES!)
+ [G]oodbye After Uploads - YES (NO CHANGES!)
* - This is an important step as there may be 1000's of messages on the
first call! Things will be normal on your next call. You will not
use this option again.
# - Set to "0" to turn this option off!!
+ - This should be set to log you off! You should first Download your
QWK packet, then upload your REP last if you have one. With this
to YES, the REP file will be processed after you logoff!
Using [Q] to return to the TOMCAT! main menu select [D]ownload QWK Packet and
the system will scan and prepare your packet! As soon as it is ready, download
and then log off, you can select [G]oodbye, when prompted to download the QWK
packet! If all went well you will find the LZRCST.QWK file in the directory you
specified in the TNET.CFG (LZRCST.CFG).
TEST CONFIGURE
--------------
You may now run TESTCFG.EXE to verify that you do not have mistakes in either
TNET or WILDCAT! This is very important, "CROSSED" conferences are major
problems for you and everyone else, and not a really good way to start out in
EchoMail! Please read the documentation included with TSTCFG.ZIP for a better
understanding of the use of this program. Simply you will execute the program
TESTCFG.EXE from your home node i.e. C:\WC30 with the configuration file name
at the DOS prompt...... C:>TESTCFG LZRCST /LZRCST.RPT This will send the report
to the file LZRCST.RPT for you to view or print out! Using the report, double
check your configuration files for errors!! When you are completely satisfied
that everything is correct! To cover yourself you should now ZIP (ARJ) up the
TNET configuration file (LZRCST.CFG) and the report from TESTCFG (LZRCST.RPT)
and upload them to the Sysop at you HUB for his approval, and to verify that
you will have no problems!!
The next step is to manually import the QWK packet you received into you BBS
conferences. Change to your home node directory i.e. C:\WC30 and from the DOS
prompt enter TNET IMPORT LZRCST, watch the screen, TNET will tell you if there
are any problems. Depending on the speed of your CPU and the size of the QWK
packet, this "TOSSING" may take a few moments, this is normal. As the messages
are 'imported' into your conferences you will see the conference number and the
number of bulletins accepted. When control is returned at the DOS prompt the
next thing you should do is type TNET HIGH LZRCST, this will insure that your
initial pointers are set correctly.
RENUMBERING YOUR CONFERENCES
----------------------------
Should the occasion arise for you to re-number the messages on your BBS, using
WCRENUMB for example. Certain steps must be taken to prevent the uploading of
massive numbers of duplicate messages to your HUB/HOST BBS! You must run the
TNET HIGH LZRCST command to re-set your message pointers. If you use an EVENT
to renumber, add the line below to you batch file, here is an example:
@echo off
cls
tnet export northga
wcrenum /A
if errorlevel 1 goto :high <------ Use These Lines
:high <-----|
tnet high northga <-----|
This will prevent the Batch file from aborting should an error occur during the
renumber process. Just remember, if you re-number, you must set the message
pointers using TNET HIGH!!
ECHO MAIL ONLINE!
-----------------
Congratulations....at this point you may want to fire up the BBS and login to
take a peek at the messages in your new Net Mail conferences. At this point
you must decide the method of making your mail runs. Some options are terminal
script programs like TELIX, QMODEM, ect. there are many packages of scripts for
automated mail runs or you may choose to make the calls yourself. The following
section will cover another method... ROBOCOMM!
ROBOCOMM AUTOMATED MAIL RUNS
----------------------------
(Assumes Installation Of ROBOCOMM Is Completed And Default Parameters Are Set)
I have included in this overall info package sample BATch files for using ROBO
as an event while you sleep. They have been very effective, and have a 99%
success rate for obtaining the mail every day!! Let's get started, start up the
ROBOCOMM program and from the opening menu select [D]irectory, from the pull
down menu select [B]BS Systems and finaly select [A]dd, enter the following:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Edit Add Delete Rename Statistics Note Prompts Commands Exit
BBS ID
LZRCST System Name: The Laser~Coast~Line
System Type: Wildcat! 3.5
Phone Number 1: 1-310-394-1214
Phone Number 2:
Phone Number 3:
Login ID Name: your bbs
Password: ********
Baud Rate: 19200
Mail Door Menu: Msgs Conference:
Mail Door Command: T
File Conference: 0
File U/L Area: 0
PC Pursuit City:
DL Mail Protocol: ZMODEM
UL Mail Protocol: ZMODEM
DL File Protocol: ZMODEM
UL File Protocol: ZMODEM
Language To Use: 0
Date Format: MM/DD/YY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press the [ESC] key to save this entry and return to the main menu. Now you
will select [A]genda and from the pull down menu select [C]reate and enter the
following:
DO NOT ENTER "[" or "]" INDICATES KEY TO PRESS FOLLWED BY [ENTER]
Name For Agenda: LZRCST
Enter [N] [S] [A] [0] [P] [G] LZRCST [S] LZRCST [ESC]
The screen should show the following information:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Agenda LZRCST
Call The~Laser~Coast~Line
J;0->Scan new files since last login: A (SMTWTFS)
Get QWK mail packet (SMTWTFS)
Send REP reply packet (SMTWTFS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G = Get QWK Packet D = Download Files E = Extract Script File
S = Send REP Packet U = Upload Files Alt-P = Edit Parameters
M = MegaMail/PC Relay N = Scan New Files Alt-D = Select Days
P = PCBoard Mail J = Jump To Terminal + = Completion Status
R = Run Program (DOS) C = Issue Command - = Temporary/Permenent
F1=Help Tab/Sh-Tab=Move Del=Delete Alt-R=Reset Agenda Esc=Save&Exit
Robocomm 4.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This completes the configuration of the ROBOCOMM terminal!
EVENT BATCH FILES
-----------------
WILDCAT! has the ability to run EVENTS and call BATCH FILES that can be used to
create automated mail runs. Included in this archive is another ZIPPED file
containing BATCH files for ROBOCOMM to make automated runs. This file is named
LCBATCH1.ZIP. For more information on setting up EVENTS see your WC Manual
pages 207-209. However, the process is pretty self-explanatory!
WHAT NOW??
----------
I hope I haven't left anything important out, please excuse any typos! I have
been working on this file for a few days and starting to see cross eyed. Feel
free to contact me, ALAN APOLLO, at the Laser~Coast~Line BBS (310) 394-1214, if
you have any questions about any other this! I will be revising and upgrading
this document in the near future, so I would be glad to hear your feedback!
Thanks.....Alan Apollo