The Arsenal Files 6/The Arsenal Files 6 (Arsenal Computer).ISO/sync/dfax103.zip/DFAX.DOC

Text File | 1996-03-01 | 19KB | 401 lines

                                   Domain FAX

                   Copyright (c) 1993-95 Domain Entertainment

                           Installation/Configuration


Domain FAX                                                    Table of Contents
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Introduction ............................................................... 1

Program Features ........................................................... 2

Setting up for Synchronet .................................................. 3

Configuring Domain FAX ..................................................... 4

Making Documents Available for FAXing ...................................... 5

Program Files .............................................................. 6

Getting Domain FAX to Send Out FAXes ....................................... 7

Known Problems ............................................................. 8

Setting up with BGFAX ...................................................... 9

Setting up a Dedicated Outgoing FAX Line .................................. 10



Domain FAX                        Introduction                           Page 1
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    Domain FAX is a multi-user capable, online FAX add-on program for
Synchronet BBS systems.  Domain FAX will allow users to have documents, made
available by you, FAXed to them.  It will also allow users to upload documents
and have them FAXed out to a phone number of their choice.
    These instructions will give you a quick description of the program, as
well as instructions on setting up the configuration file for the program
(DFAX.CFG) and adding it to your Synchronet external programs.  Please be sure
to read ALL of the instructions to avoid any problems setting up the program.

    IMPORTANT: The following limitations have been placed on the UNREGISTERED
               version of Domain FAX to encourage user registration: Only 1
               document can be made FAXable, and fees for FAXing are NOT
               configurable (all are set to 0).


Domain FAX                      Program Features                         Page 2
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    o   Multi-User capable.

    o   Charges are on a file size, rather than a "per FAX" basis.

    o   Seperate charges for local and long distance FAXing.

    o    Supports 7 popular FAX packages to accomodate your software/hardware.

    o   Sysops can make up to 100 documents available for users to have FAXed
        to them.  (This option can be disabled).

    o   Users can upload files to have them sent out as FAXes to a number that
        they specify.  (This option can be disabled).

    o   Phone number trashcan file where sysops can place "undialable" numbers.

    o   Long distance file, where sysops can place the prefixes of "local"
        numbers that should be considered long distance.

    o   Local file, where sysops can places the prefixes of "long distance"
        numbers that should be considered local.

    o    FAX event(s) (when the FAXes are send out) are completely configurable
        by the sysop.

    o   Easy to use configuration program.



Domain FAX                        Installation                           Page 3
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    The program setup is very simple.  Just run the program INSTALL.EXE, and
it'll create the necessary directories and copy the files for you!  After
that's done read on!
    NOTE: If you received Domain FAX in compressed form with no INSTALL.EXE
program, you will need to create a directory off of your Synchronet XTRN
directory, call the directory DFAX (\SBBS\XTRN\DFAX), and unzip the archive
into this sub-directory. You will also need to create another subdirectory
under this one called INFILE (\SBBS\XTRN\DFAX\INFILE).
    Now, set up the program (using the Synchronet configuration program) so
that it looks like this:

    Name                        Domain FAX
    Start-up Directory          C:\SBBS\XTRN\DFAX    (or whatever yours is!)
    Command Line                dfax
    Clean-up Command Line
    Cost in Credits             0
    Access Requirements
    Execution Requirements
    ANSI Required               No
    Multi-User                  Yes
    Intercept I/O Interrupts    Yes
    Shrink BBS                  No
    Modify User Data            No
    Uses WWIV Color Codes       No
    Execute on Event            No
    Menu Command Keys           Main ( )        Transfer ( )
    BBS Drop File Type          Synchronet      XTRN.DAT
    Place Drop File In          Node Directory


Domain FAX                   Configuring Domain FAX                      Page 4
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    You're just about ready to go now, the only thing left to do is to set up
the DFAX options to suit your system, and to create a list of documents
available for faxing from your system.  To do this, go to your DFAX directory
and run DFCONFIG.
    Once you're in the DFCONFIG program, highlight the first option (Configure
Default DFAX Settings) and press ENTER.
    Now go through the list and modify the options as required to suit your
BBS.  You should only set a BBS area code if you are in the US or if the
phone numbers of your country match the AAA-PPP-SSSS format.
    If you wish to allow users to upload and send their own FAXes, you should
make sure that the Transfer Protocol that you've selected (either DSZ (c)
Omen Technology INC. or DTP <Domain Transfer Protocols> (c) Domain
Entertainment) is located in the EXEC directory of your BBS.

    NOTE: If you select DSZ as the transfer protocol, and DSZ does NOT
          exist, Domain FAX will attempt to use GSZ.

    The minimum and maximum acceptable phone number length options are pretty
self-explanitory.

    The "Numbers not in Local List are LD" option simply means that any phone
number (or prefix) not found in the local prefix list should be considered a
long distance number.

    Setting the "Allow Users to Send Their Own FAXes" option to NO will
prevent users from being able to upload files to be sent out as FAXes.

    The minumum level for sysop abilities option is a very powerful option.
Any user entering Domain FAX having this level or higher will be treated as
though they are of a sysop level.  This gives them various abilities, such
as not being charged for FAXes, and being able to send faxes long distance
when others cannot.  This does NOT allow the user to dial numbers in the
bad prefix list.  This option can be disabled by setting it to 0.

    The last two options on this screen will allow you to configure the costs
(in BBS credits) to charge users for sending and receiving FAXes.  Note that
LD (Long Distance) users and Local users can have different "per kilobyte"
costs for sending and receiving documents.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Domain FAX looks for either DSZ or DTP in your Synchronet
                EXEC directory, you should have the program you plan to use
                in this directory for users to be able to upload files to
                send as FAXes.



Domain FAX           Making Documents Available for FAXing               Page 5
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    Now for setting up documents to be available to FAX from your system.
From the DFCONFIG program, select "Edit List of FAXable Documents" from the
opening menu.  To add a FAXable document to the list, hit INS, and enter the
COMPLETE PATH to the file you wish for users to be able to have FAXed to
them.  To remove a document, move the cursor to the document name and hit
DEL.  To change the name of a document, move the cursor to the document name
and hit ENTER.  You can add up to 99 FAXable documents to this list.
    If this list is empty, users will NOT have the option to select FAXes from
your system, they will only have the option to "Upload & Send a FAX".

    Now for a menu of these docs, you can create up to three different menu
types for this, either a .RIP (RIP graphics), .ANS (ANSI graphics), or a
.ASC (plain ASCII file/^A file) menu (or all three, but you should ALWAYS have
a .ASC menu present if you have a list of files which can be FAXed).  The file
name should be DFAXDOCS.ASC (.RIP, and/or .ANS), and it should be a menu of
file numbers (1 thru up to 99) and the document the number corresponds to
(numbered according to their placement in the DFAXDOCS.CFG file).  These menus
are NOT created using the DFCONFIG program, you should use your favorite ASCII,
ANSI, or RIP editing program to create this menu.



Domain FAX                       Program Files                           Page 6
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    Following is a list of files that Domain FAX uses for it's operation, some
files may not always be present in some configurations.  A description of what
the file does follows each file name, files created using the DFCONFIG program
are noted as such:

DFAX.EXE        The main executable file.

DFAX.CFG        Domain FAX configuration file.
                THIS FILE IS CREATED USING THE DFCONFIG PROGRAM.

DFAXCALL.EXE    The program that sends out requested FAXes.

DFAXDOCS.CFG    List of FAXable documents.
                THIS FILE IS CREATED USING THE DFCONFIG PROGRAM.

DFAXDOCS.ASC    Menu of FAXable documents (also .ANS and .RIP).

DFAXSEND.ASC    Displayed to users who have scheduled faxes to be sent out.

TOOLONG.ASC     Displayed to users when they have entered a phone number which
                exceeds the maximum allowable length (in the DFAX.CFG file).

TOOSHORT.ASC    Displayed to users when they have entered a phone number which
                is shorter than the minimum allowable length (in the DFAX.CFG
                file).

BADPHONE.ASC    Displayed to users when they have entered a phone number which
                is contained in the trashcan (BADPHONE.FIL) file.

BADPHONE.FIL    A list of PREFIXES (each on it's own seperate line) which users
                should not be able to use in their phone numbers.  (example:
                to keep users from calling long distance numbers, you should
                place a '1' or a '0' on a line in this file).
                THIS FILE IS CREATED USING THE DFCONFIG PROGRAM.

LONGDIST.FIL    A list of LOCAL PREFIXES (numbers which don't require a '1' or
                a '0' to be dialed) which should be considered a long
                distance call.  (example: a phone number in the same area
                code as you '234-5555' doesn't require a 1 or 0 to be dialed,
                but is a long distance number, you should place '234' on a
                line in this file).
                THIS FILE IS CREATED USING THE DFCONFIG PROGRAM.

LOCALNUM.FIL    A list of LONG DISTANCE PREFIXES (numbers which require a '1'
                or a '0' to be dialed) which should be considered a local
                call.  (example: a phone number in a different area code as
                you '1-909-234-5555' is a local call, you should place
                '1909234' on a line in this file).
                THIS FILE IS CREATED USING THE DFCONFIG PROGRAM.



Domain FAX            Getting Domain FAX to Send Out FAXes               Page 7
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

    Domain FAX does callouts via the file called DFAXCALL.EXE, you should
create a batch file which will change into your DFAX directory, and run
DFAXCALL with it's required parameters (type DFAXCALL /? to at the DOS prompt
for a list of required parameters).  This program should ONLY be run from the
node which is set up to do FAXes using your FAX software.  An example event and
batch file would look like this:

LOGOFF EVENT:   %!LOGOFF.BAT %#         (runs LOGOFF.BAT with the node number)

LOGOFF.BAT:

    @echo off
    if not %1==3 goto end       (where node 3 is the node number to send FAXes)
    cd \sbbs\xtrn\dfax          (the DFAX directory)
    dfaxcall \ZFAX /T=0 /A=5    (FAX program directory, type of FAX program,
                                 and number of attempts to make)
    :end

    Supported FAX program types are as follows:

        0 = ZFAX v2.xx      1 = ZFAX v3.xx              2 = BitFax
        3 = QuickLink II    4 = The Complete PC FAX     5 = FaxTalk Plus
        6 = MultiExpressFAX 7 = BGFAX v1.xx

    You can also run DFAXCALL from a node specific DAILY or TIMED event,
whichever best suits your system.  If the callouts are to be performed on a
node which uses a front end mailer, you should either have it set up as a
LOGOFF event (above example) or edit your MAILER.BAT file to include callouts
at certain events.

    Most FAX programs require a conversion program to first be run on the FAX
file before it is sent out.  DFAXCALL will automatically run the appropriate
conversion program UNLESS the file being sent out has an extension of .FAX,
if so, it will assume that the file is already converted and not attempt to
convert it again so be sure not to use this extension on ANY of your FAX files
unless they are already in a format supported by your FAX program.

    IMPORTANT: BGFAX is a SHAREWARE command line send/receive FAX program.  It
           is included as a convenience with Domain FAX, and Domain
           Entertainment does not charge any fees for including this file.
           If you should decide to use BGFAX for your FAXing needs, you
           should read and abide by the BGFAX registration form.  For help
           with setting up BGFAX with Domain FAX, read the section in this
           manual on 'Setting up with BGFAX'.

    NOTE: Because certain FAX programs use TSR's that may not immediately
          FAX out files, Domain FAX will not delete converted FAX files
          for these programs until they are greater than 24 hours old to
          insure that they have been sent.



Domain FAX                       Known Problems                          Page 8
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    Although Domain FAX supports several packages supplied by manufacturers
with their fax modems, not all of these packages are guaranteed to produce
desired results!

    The best package that I've found so far that produces the BEST results, and
offers the advantage of converting files on the fly, is ZFAX (ZyXEL).  This
package is highly recommended for use with Domain FAX (if you are using a ZyXEL
modem of course).

    Any package which requires a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program
(also known to some as a Memory Resident program) to operate, is NOT
recommended for use when running a BBS, this is because of possible conflicts
with the operation of the BBS.  Unfortunately most packages I've found (with
the exception of ZFAX and BGFAX) require a TSR, and should only be used if
absolutely necessary.

    Another known problem is that with FaxTalk software (or FaxTalk PLUS), the
fax conversion program produces a seperate file for each fax page to be sent.
This results in only the FIRST page of the fax to be sent, and the remaining
pages to be ignored.

    These are currently the only known problems.



Domain FAX                   Setting up with BGFAX                       Page 9
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    BGFAX is a nice shareware send/receive FAX program.  BGFAX is included with
the Domain FAX program as a convenience, and Domain Entertainment does not
collect any additional fees for including this program.  Since BGFAX is a
SHAREWARE program, if you should decide to use this program for your needs,
you should follow the instructions on registering BGFAX which are included in
the BGFAX???.ZIP file.

    Now on with the setup.  BGFAX works with several different brands of modems
and comes with some kind of instructions for setting up some of them, but to
make things a bit easier, I've included 4 pre-written configuration files which
will require very little modification on your part.

    First of all, you will need to create a directory for BGFAX, and unzip the
BGFAX???.ZIP file into this directory.    Then, based on the type of modem you
have, you will need to copy the corresponding configuration file from the
Domain FAX directory into the BGFAX directory, and name it BGFAX.CNF
(e.g.: for Rockwell modems, at the DOS prompt type type the following:

    COPY C:\SBBS\XTRN\DFAX\ROCKWELL.CNF C:\BGFAX\BGFAX.CNF).

  o For the Supra, Practical Peripherals, Zoom, Microcom, and most other class
    2 FAX modems using the Rockwell chipset, use the ROCKWELL.CNF file.
  o For the Hayes 28.8 and the Supra LC, use the HAYES.CNF file.
  o For USRobotics FAX modems, use the USR.CNF file.
  o For ZyXEL modems, use the ZYXEL.CNF file.

    When you have completed the above steps, you will need to use a plain ASCII
text editor, and edit the BGFAX.CNF file that you will be using.  Comment lines
in the file will tell you which lines need to be altered.


Domain FAX          Setting up a Dedicated Outgoing FAX Line            Page 10
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

    Domain FAX is normally set up in such a way that FAX attempts are made
either when a user hangs up and/or at a certain time of day.  In some instances
you may want to set up a dedicated outgoing FAX line which will FAX any
outgoing documents continuously throughout the day.

    A dedicated outgoing FAX line will require a dedicated FAX modem, a
dedicated phone line, and a dedicated machine or DESQview  (or similar) window.
On the dedicated machine or window, you simply need to edit the FAXSERVR.BAT
file which is included with Domain FAX, and run the batch file after all
necessary changes are made.  The batch file should be run while in the Domain
FAX subdirectory.

    The FAXSERVR.BAT file utilizes a program called DWAIT.EXE to wait a
specified amount of time between checking on and attempting FAXes.  The DWAIT
program is included with Domain FAX, and is written to automatically detect
DESQview and give up DESQview timeslices.