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│ TGW5 Version 1.0 Documentation
│ (C) Copyright 1996, Brad Kaplan/Phoenix BBS Modifications.
│ All Rights Reserved.
│
│ For Telegard 3.01+ systems (see details below).
│
│ Program released December 6, 1996
WHAT IS TGW5?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TGW5 is a *simple* utility that allows you to modify Telegard's NODES.DAT
file via the command line. The name stems from the '5 Ws' - who, what, where,
when and why because it most accurately reflects what can be edited by TGW5
along with the simple fact that I could not come up with something better.
WHY IS TGW5?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I created TGW5 because of one small 'oversight' on Tim Strike's behalf with
Telegard. When shelling out to an external door, Renegade BBS will not
replace the 'status' in the who's online if a custom one is already provided.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with Telegard (yet?). That is, regardless
of what the status is set to via the NS menu keys prior to running an external
door, Telegard will always set that node's status to 'External Door.' Because
I like the ability to let other users know specifically where a node is (e.g,
teleconference, a particular online game, etc.), there came the need to
create something that could be run from a batch file to make these changes
beyond Telegard's reach. Having accomplished this small task, I had no reason
not to expand TGW5's capacity to being able to edit several other fields.
WHO AM I?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I'm not really sure. I have been a SysOp (remotely and locally) off and on over
a period of several years (dating back to Telegard 2.7). Upon its release, I
had switched to and stuck primarily with Renegade. Telegard 3.0+ has since then
shown me the light and I am dedicating all my resources (BBS wise) to Telegard.
WHAT IS PHOENIX?
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Phoenix really isn't. A couple of years ago, I co-founded a BBS modification
group known as TRiC (The Renegade Information Crew). I had since then dropped
out (sort of fell into obscurity) and needless to say am no longer affiliated
with the group. However, I am toying the idea of creating my own group once
again (Phoenix referring to the legendary bird that rises from its ashes) or
affiliate myself with a group I would be comfortable being in (right now, both
ACiDiC and X-Press Mods are considerations, so if they see me and are
interested, please contact me). So as I am getting my stuff together to even
bother to apply to either group, I'm crediting all my work thus far to Phoenix
(if anyone is interested in joining such a venture, please contact me as well).
HOW TO CONTACT ME
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Right now, I may be reached via the internet at BsKResume@aol.com. I may also
be able to provide support via the BBS I am remote SysOp of (203-368-1526) and
I will hopefully start monitoring TG_SUPPORT actively.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND LICENSE
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TGW5 and its documentation are (C) Copyright 1996 by Brad Kaplan and Phoenix
BBS Modifications. This documentation may not be produced in whole or in part
without the expressed written consent of the author. Source code to this
product is to be considered possession of solely the author and possession of
such by any other individual obtained through either reversed engineering or
other means without the expressed written consent of the author shall be
considered theft and a direct violation of both this copyright and the license
as described below.
You are licensed and given permission by the author to use this product freely
as you see fit. You may also distribute the original archive containing only
the original, unmodified files freely providing there is no fee associated
with this package specifically. This product may also be distributed freely via
electronic media such as CD-ROM providing the author has been contacted in
advance far enough to provide a more up to date product.
NOTES AND DISCLAIMER
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This product is guaranteed to do nothing more than consume hard drive space.
While as much testing was done as possible to ensure this product works as
documented, there is always a distinct possibility that something has been
overlooked, etc. Please contact the author at the address given above if any
such problems are encountered but be forewarned that you will be using this
product at your own risk and the author will not be held responsible for any
damage to your system as a result - either directly or indirectly - from its
use.
To make things worse, this is my first Telegard utility and I've literally
written it overnite. That is, a lot of what this product does was new to me and
I've tried to adapt as best I could, but I can offer no promises.
Also, there is a very slim chance this will ever be a problem due to the
nature of this product, but I am not sure what the results will be if this
product is executed while the nodes.dat file is already opened. I imagine it
will be denied its read/write access and will abort with an error. I would
greatly appreciate it if someone with more experience can contact me and give
me some ideas on how to address that sort of situation. Thanks in advance.
WHAT TGW5 CAN'T MODIFY
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TGW5 currently does not support the modification of attributes specific to that
node which would otherwise be accomplished through the node manager with the
exception of the available flag.
Logon time may not be modified through TGW5 because of the feasibility (or
lack thereof) of inputting the time and date of login while enforcing some
reality.
The IsHidden and IsQuiet flags are not supported. As it is, I'm not even sure
Telegard supports these fully yet. Also, reserved are not supported.
USING TGW5
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
As TGW5 is a simple program, it stands to reason its use would also be
relatively simple. Its basic syntax is as follows:
SYNTAX: TGW5 /Nx [/C<path>] [/A<+|-|!>] [/B<bps>] [/H<handle>]
[/I<status id>] [/L<location>] [/R<real name>] [/S<status>]
The only required parameter is /Nx where x is the node you wish to modify or 0
to modify *all* nodes. There is no specific order in which you must provide the
parameters.
The rest of the parameters are described below:
/C<path> - PATH TO NODES.DAT
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TGW5 needs to know the location of the NODES.DAT file (located in your BBS's
DATA subdirectory). If NODES.DAT is in the current directory when you execute
TGW5, this parameter is not necessary. Otherwise, you will need to indicate
where NODES.DAT may be found. For example, if your NODES.DAT file is located in
C:\TG\DATA, your command line might look something like:
TGW5 /N1 /CC:\TG\DATA\ /S"Online Game"
Including the reverse slash (\) at the end of the path is optional - TGW5 will
automatically add it if you don't.
/A<+|-|!> - AVAILABLE FLAG SETTING
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This option will affect the available flag for the specified node(s). When a
node is flagged as unavailable, it will not be able to accept calls (as you will
not be able to load Telegard with that node), nor will it be displayed in the
who's online listing.
The /A is followed by a single character - either a plus (+), a minus (-) or an
exclamation point (!) which makes the specified node(s) active, not active or
toggles its/their status respectively. For example:
TGW5 /N0 /A+
will make *all* nodes active, while:
TGW5 /N2 /A-
will make Node 2 NOT active, and:
TGW5 /N0 /A!
will TOGGLE (reverse) the active status for all nodes. Given the above
examples, all nodes will no longer be active except for Node 2 which will now
be active.
For your convenience, plus (+) may be substituted with 1 (the binary bit for
on), Y (for Yes) or T (for True). The minus (-) may also be substituted with
the plus' respective opposites (0, N and F).
/B<bps rate> - BPS RATE
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will allow you to adjust the BPS rate for the specified node(s). For
obvious reasons, it is recommended you do not adjust the BPS rate for a node
on which there is already a user. An example would be:
TGW5 /N2 /B14400
Which would set the baud rate for Node 2 to 14400.
A specified baud rate of 0 will result as 'Local.'
/H<handle> - HANDLE - MAXIMUM 36 CHARACTERS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will allow you to modify the Handle of the 'user' on the node(s)
specified. The only thing to note here is that if you wish to include spaces in
the new handle, you must enclose the entire handle in quotes ("). For example:
TGW5 /N3 /H"Brad Kaplan"
will set the 'handle' of the user on node 3 to Brad Kaplan. If no space was
being used in the new handle, the quotes would not be necessary, e.g.:
TGW5 /N3 /HBrad
A really interesting use for this option may be to replace the Waiting For Call
on an empty node with the node's phone number (providing you have the
appropriate lines configured to display handles in your language file).
/I<status id> - STATUS ID
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will set the Status ID of the specified node(s). The Status ID is a number
between 0 and 4 which refer to the following settings:
0 - The node is waiting for a call.
1 - The node is marked as offline/down.
2 - The node is in an event.
3 - There is a user connected on this node.
4 - The node is waiting to be reset.
It is imperative that you maintain necessary precautions and discretions when
modifying the Status ID for a particular node and return the ID back to its
original state when you've finished doing what you're doing with it.
/L<location> - LOCATION OF USER - MAXIMUM 30 CHARACTERS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will set the geographic location (city, state/whatever) of the specified
node(s). See /H<handle> for example and notes regarding use of spaces.
/S<status> - STATUS OF USER - MAXIMUM 36 CHARACTERS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will set the status (location on BBS, what the user is doing, etc.) of the
specified node(s). See /H<handle> for example and notes regarding use of spaces.
/R<real name> - REAL NAME OF USER - MAXIMUM 36 CHARACTERS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will set the real name of the specified node(s). See /H<handle> for
example and notes regarding use of spaces.
SPECIAL NOTES AND CONSIDERATIONS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Remember, when you modify items such as the Handle or Location, etc., you are
not actually modifying the physical user record - just what users will see when
they do a who's online. Coupled with a script to input for parameters that can
be passed on to TGW5, one could have a lot of fun with users if one desired (or
allow users to battle it out amongst themselves).
Also, remember that all you will be able to see in the who's online listing is
what your language file is configured to show. So if your who's online doesn't
show the BPS rate of the node, there is no point to actually modifying it.
Finally, remember that there may be leftover data from the user previously on
the node(s) you are modifying. Be sure to modify enough parameters
appropriately so your who's online doesn't include this left over 'junk.'
OTHER PROGRAMS WHICH MODIFY NODES.DAT
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The following programs are ones I have had the pleasure of using prior to the
development of TGW5. With no disrespect to their respective authors, I have
provided a brief explanation of what each program does and (where possible) a
way to accomplish the same using TGW5. Please do not take offense if you have
written a program to modify NODES.DAT and I haven't mentioned it. I am able to
list only those programs and versions I am privy to accessing.
PSYCH0MULTINODEMESSENGER/TG .50 (Andrew H. Ziem - ziem@rmii.com)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHAT IT DOES:
PMM allows you to view who is online, edit users, create 'fake' users and
message users. I have not seen any other version (either prior to .50 or
later - .50 was the latest version I could find as of 12/06/96), but this
particular version only allows you to send online messages to users
(according to its documentation).
WHAT IT REALLY DOES:
As its only function at this time is to message users, a description of what
the program actually does is beyond the scope of TGW5 and its documentation.
HOW YOU CAN DO IT WITH TGW5:
Because the possibilities here are 'limitless' and subject to how your
language files' representations of the who's online are configured, no
example will be provided. However, any switches for TGW5 are applicable and
should otherwise be documented.
TELEGARD NODE ACTIVITY TOGGLE 1.0 (Dark Zone Software - krawlur@brewich.com)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHAT IT DOES:
This utility allows you to toggle the active status of a specified node. It's
essentially the author's response to those who have inadvertently toggled
all of their nodes (on multi-node systems) to inactive status and thus are
unable to load Telegard without resorting to deleting the NODES.DAT file
altogether. For all I know, this may also come in handy in other places as
well (such as making a local node 'temporary' by having the batch file turn
the node on before running Telegard).
WHAT IT REALLY DOES:
It toggles the Active flag of the specified node. I.E., if the specified
node is marked as inactive, it now becomes active. If the specified node is
marked as active, it now becomes inactive.
HOW YOU CAN DO IT WITH TGW5:
Although TGW5 goes one step further, allowing you to specify whether the node
is active or inactive (as opposed to getting 'lucky' in automated processes),
it does support the same treatment as TGNAT. For example, the following
command line will toggle the Active flag of node 1:
TGW5 /N1 /A!
TELEGARD NODES.DAT UPDATER 1.1 (Francis Julien - 1:242/510)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHAT IT DOES:
Allows you to modify the Status ID and Baudrate of the specified node.
WHAT IT REALLY DOES:
See above.
HOW YOU CAN DO IT WITH TGW5:
The following example will set node 2 to 'event' status and indicate to the
user that the node's maximum baud rate is 28800.
TGW5 /N2 /I2 /B28800
TELEGARD ALTERWHO 1.0 (Steve Adams - TGUtils@aceshigh.gryn.org)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHAT IT DOES:
This utility allows you to customize the 'status' of a node, e.g.:
Node Name Speed Status Location
===== ============================ ====== ================ ==================
1 Offline/Unavailable - - -
2 Joe Sysop Local Browsing Anytown, Anywhere
3 BinkleyTerm Executed Local Alterwho v1.0 By Steve Adams
WHAT IT REALLY DOES:
It modifies the Status ID of the specified node to the Connected state (3)
to force TG into displaying the information for the node. It also modifies
the handle (real name as well?), status and location where your specified
text goes into the handle position and a little self-promotion into the
status and location fields.
HOW YOU CAN DO IT WITH TGW5:
The following command line will yield the same results as those displayed
above (minus the advertisement):
TGW5 /N3 /I3 /H"BinkleyTerm Executed"
The *exact* same results (advertisement and all) can be achieved with:
TGW5 /N3 /I3 /H"BinkleyTerm Executed" /S"Alterwho v1.0" /L"By Steve Adams"
Just be sure that you return the ID back to what it should be (normally 0)
when whatever is finished.
OTHER COPYRIGHTS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Telegard is (C) Copyright Timothy Strike. Renegade is (C) Copyright Cott Lang.
All other products are copyrighted their respective authors.