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1995-09-09
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"The Choice of Professionals"
Version 2.12
++ September 9, 1995 ++
Copyright (c) 1990-1995 Philippe Leybaert
All rights reserved.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The following names/products mentioned in this documentation are
copyrighted material, trademarks or registered trademarks:
Bimodem Erik Labs
BNU David Nugent/Unique Computing Pty Ltd.
Borland C++, Turbo C++ Borland International, Inc.
DESQview Quarterdeck Office Systems
DoorWay Marshall Dudley
FastEcho Software Technik Burchhardt
FidoNet Tom Jennings
GEcho Gerard van der Land
GChat/GEdit Chris Patterson
IBM PC/XT/AT International Business Machines, Inc.
LANtastic Artisoft Inc.
MBUTIL Gerard van der Land
Microsoft C Microsoft, Inc.
Multi-Edit American Cybernetics, Inc.
Novell Lite Novell Inc.
Opus Wynn Wagner III
QEMM Quarterdeck Office Systems
QuickBBS The QuickBBS Group, Inc.
QuickEd Tirosh Bros.
RIPscrip TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.
RemoteAccess (RA) Wantree Development and Andrew Milner
Squish Scott J. Dudley
TheBank Alain Schellinck
TLIB Burton Systems Software
FrontDoor Joaquim H. Homrighausen
Turbo Assembler/Debugger Borland International, Inc.
X00 Ray Gwinn
ZmailH Claude N. Warren
Zortech C++, BLink Zortech, Inc.
"JAM(mbp) - Copyright 1993 Joaquim Homrighausen, Andrew Milner,
Mats Birch, Mats Wallin.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED."
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 1 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── IMPORTANT INFORMATION - READ THIS FIRST ─────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
- ProBoard (to include all executables and documentation files)
is copyrighted material of Philippe Leybaert.
- You can use ProBoard for a period of 60 days, free of charge.
If you use the software after the evaluation period of 60 days,
you MUST register. (For registration information, see the
appropriate section of this manual).
- We reserve the right to quit giving support or releasing updates
of the software. We also reserve the right to charge a nominal
upgrade fee for future versions.
- The software and other materials included in the distribution
archive are provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. We
do not guarantee the correct functioning and/or reliability of
the software. The authors, or any agent of the authors will
not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, resulting
from the use of the software.
- You may not reverse-engineer ProBoard in any way and you may not
add, change or delete any files in the distribution archive.
- You are free to distribute the original, unmodified ProBoard
archive provided no fee is charged for its distribution. This
excludes charges for online time on electronic bulletin boards
or other communication services.
- 2 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── Contents ────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
INTRODUCTION .................................... 6
- Description .............................. 6
- Features ................................. 7
- Support .................................. 10
- Technical Info ........................... 14
- Credits .................................. 15
REGISTRATION .................................... 18
INSTALLATION .................................... 25
- RemoteAccess to ProBoard conversion ...... 25
- RemoteAccess compatible files ............ 26
STARTING PROBOARD ............................... 28
CONFIGURATION ................................... 30
- Options (F1) ............................. 30
- Protocol Configuration (F2) .............. 44
- The Local Protocol PEX ............... 48
- Message Areas (F3) ....................... 50
- Message Area Groups (F4) ................. 56
- File Areas (F5) .......................... 57
- File Area Groups (F6) .................... 61
- Time/Download Limits (F7) ................ 62
- User Editor (F8) ......................... 64
- Menu Editor (F9) ......................... 73
- Matrix Addresses (F10) ................... 77
- Modem Parameters (Shift-F1) .............. 77
- SysOp Macros (Shift-F2) .................. 81
- Events (Shift-F3) ........................ 82
- Personal Files (Shift-F4) ................ 83
- Language Editor (Shift-F5) ............... 85
- Validate Template Editor (Shift-F6) ...... 90
- About ProCFG (Shift-F9) .................. 93
SECURITY ........................................ 94
- Levels & Flags ........................... 94
- Trashcan ................................. 94
- 3 -
MENUS ........................................... 95
- Setting up menus ......................... 95
- Menu Security ............................ 96
- Creating menus ........................... 97
- Hints .................................... 100
- Menu Function Summary .................... 101
- Menu Function Overview ................... 103
RIPscrip GRAPHICS ............................... 146
FILE TAGGING .................................... 148
QWK ............................................. 149
USERS ........................................... 150
- Loglevels ................................ 150
ECHOMAIL & NETMAIL .............................. 151
- Echomail ................................. 151
- Netmail .................................. 151
PBUTIL (The ProBoard Utility Program) ........... 153
- Daily Maintenance ........................ 154
- Fix BINLOG.PB ............................ 154
- File Counters ............................ 154
- File Indexer ............................. 155
- Hatch Personal File ...................... 155
- Message Indexer .......................... 157
- Message Linker ........................... 157
- Message Packer ........................... 157
- Music Player ............................. 158
- Nodelist Compiler ........................ 159
- UserFile Fixer ........................... 160
- UserFile Indexer ......................... 160
- UserFile Killer .......................... 161
- UserFile Packer .......................... 162
- UserFile Sorter .......................... 162
REFERENCE ....................................... 163
- Multi-user operation ..................... 163
- SysOp keys ............................... 164
- Command line options & errorlevels ....... 166
- AVATAR/0 and AVATAR/0+ ................... 168
- Hard-coded .A?? files .................... 169
- .A?? file control codes .................. 172
- Music Files .............................. 175
- Text Macros .............................. 176
- Example batch files ...................... 180
- Flag Cross-Reference Chart ............... 182
- FREE Files ............................... 183
- 4 -
USER'S GUIDE TO PROBOARD ........................ 185
- Navigating through menus ................. 185
- The More Prompt .......................... 186
- The [S] & [P] keys ....................... 186
- Standard Chatting Procedure .............. 186
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT ........................ 187
- 5 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── INTRODUCTION ────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Description │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard is a computer program that allows you to run a BBS.
A BBS is a computerized Bulletin Board System, where files,
messages and other useful items may be exchanged between users.
The operator of a BBS is called the System Operator, or SysOp.
The SysOp is responsible for setting up and maintaining the BBS,
therefore, this manual is primarily geared towards the SysOp,
or people who are interested in becoming SysOps.
ProBoard has everything you need to efficiently run a BBS, and
more! It's state of the art technology allows you to run a BBS
without consuming large amounts of your hard disk space.
ProBoard provides the ability to run a multi-node BBS, allowing
more than one user to be online at a time. It's small size and
lightning fast speed make it ideal for running under a
multi-tasker like DESQview, or on a network.
ProBoard also fully supports the ability to interface with mail
networks such as FidoNet, UseNet, EchoNet, and mail processors
such as SQUISH, FastEcho, GEcho, Fmail, and others.
The greatest asset of ProBoard, is it's ability to be enhanced by
you the user, through the use of programs written in C/C++ using
the provided ProBoard SDK (Software Development Kit). You can do
virtually anything with your BBS using the SDK and a C/C++
compiler. Programs written with the ProBoard SDK are called PEX
(ProBoard Executable) files. This built in "PEXability" assures
you that there's nothing ProBoard can't do!
You do not have to be a C/C++ programmer to enjoy the benefits of
ProBoard's SDK or these PEX files. There are many 3rd party PEX
files available for ProBoard right now with more being released
every day.
Through it's SDK, ProBoard offers the user with a desire to learn
C/C++, the ability to do so with a more gentle learning curve.
- 6 -
ProBoard has the ability to run most, if not all doors programs
and other utilities written for other BBS systems such as PCBoard,
QuickBBS (QBBS), SuperBBS, RemoteAccess (RA), etc.
When running an external program, ProBoard can swap itself to
disk/EMS, and stay resident in approximately 2KB of memory!!
ProBoard is highly configurable because it allows you to use
either the SQUISH, Fido Compatible *.MSG, JAM or the HUDSON
message base formats for the contents of your message base.
In addition to supporting all four of these formats for the message
base, ProBoard allows you to configure your BBS to use all
four at the same time. Name one other BBS that allows you this
flexibility!
Not flexible enough yet? Consider then that ProBoard allows you
to configure up to 10,000 message areas, and additionally 10,000
file areas. ProBoard also supports the use of CD-ROM drives.
Flexibility!!!
Most, if not all, known utilities for RemoteAccess (RA) v1.11 as
well as RemoteAccess v2.x, will work with this version of ProBoard.
ProBoard is remarkably easy to setup with the supplied PROCFG.EXE
file. Most users are up and running within a few short painless
(even enjoyable) hours.
We hope you will have as much fun running ProBoard as we did
developing it.
Thank you for choosing ProBoard, "The Choice of Professionals".
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Features │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This following is a list of the most important features found in
ProBoard.
- ProBoard is THE fastest QuickBBS-style BBS program around!!
It's completely written in highly optimized C++ and assembly
language.
- Full multi-line/multi-user support. Up to 255 nodes can share
the same user database, message base and file database. Each
node can have its own modem configuration, welcome screens,
menu structure, etc.
- 7 -
- Support for 4 message base types: Squish, Hudson JAM and *.MSG,
all at the same time.
- Support for up to 10,000 message areas and 10,000 file areas.
- Compatible with most, if not all, doors written for other BBS
software such as RemoteAccess, QuickBBS, PCBoard, etc.
- A software development kit is included with ProBoard! You can
write your own extensions to ProBoard using C or C++. Programs
written with the SDK run "inside" ProBoard, for maximum
flexibility and speed. The programmer doesn't have to worry
about modem communications, user files, etc. THIS IS TOTALLY
UNIQUE!! No other BBS software offers anything that even comes
close.
- Integrated, lightning-fast duplicate file checking on uploads.
- Hooks for external upload checking programs.
- Extremely fast indexed file system, while still using the
standard FILES.BBS-based file system.
- Full CD-ROM support. The CD-ROM drive is not accessed until a
file is actually downloaded. It is only accessed to copy files
to a local drive of your choice freeing up the CD-ROM for other
requests.
- Full alias (handle) support.
- Flexible protocol configuration. You can install any protocol
directly in ProBoard (even bi-directional protocols are
supported). Protocols that can be installed in ProBoard include
X/Y/Zmodem, MPT, Bimodem, HS/Link, etc.
- Local up/downloads
- Supports all types of modems. All known connect rates are
directly supported, and you can specify up to 6 user-defined
connect rates.
- Very flexible security system with over 65,000 security levels
and 32 security flags as well as "reverse" flags.
- TTY, ANSI, Avatar (0 and 0+) terminal emulation.
- Swaps itself to disk or EMS when shelling to an external program
(door), leaving only 2 (two) Kb resident!
- 8 -
- REAL-TIME multi-line chat built in. No stupid line-per-line
chat.
- Direct support for all high speed modems (up to 115,200 bps).
- Extremely user-friendly configuration/maintenance utilities.
- Full RIP support, and unlike other BBS packages that leave the
SysOp looking at cryptic RIP codes, we even display the menus
your non-RIP callers see, on your end so you can see what's
happening on your BBS.
- Built in file tagging system.
- Users (and the SysOp) can send "personal files" to other users.
ProBoard automatically deletes the files after they have been
downloaded.
- Automatic validation of users using a sophisticated "template"
system.
- Powerful User Editor including filter function, allows you to
easily find and work with only the users you specify.
- Ability to specify an external message editor either as door
or as a PEX file.
- Ability to specify an external chat program, either as a door
or as a PEX file.
- Fully "data driven" system usage graphs, even in RIP mode.
- Ability to limit menu selections by age, baud rate, gender of
user, time online, or time of day.
- Full Language support. Every prompt in the system can be
changed (including color) and saved in a language file, as well
as multi-language support for menus and textfiles. You can even
replace any prompt with ANSI files or PEX files.
- Internal QWK support, provided as a PEX file for seamless
integration into your BBS.
- User name can optionally be added to FILES.BBS when user
uploads files.
- Powerful "Free Files" functions, great if you're running a
support BBS, or a BBS to promote your company.
- Fully buffered I/O for optimum system performance.
- 9 -
- Fully definable paging hours for every day of the week.
- Support for OS/2 2.x time-slicing.
- "SysOp Next" function, with definable "alert" music, as well
as semaphore file support.
- Ability to call menu editor while user is online (or in local
mode) and edit the current menu. Great for testing, or in case
you see something that just HAS to be fixed while a user is
online.
- Built in file counters, shows which of your files are the most
popular.
- Built in "flag description" editor, helps you remember just
what all of those flags you have are for.
- Lots and lots more...
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Support │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
For problems, bug-reports, etc. please write to:
────────────────────────────────────────────────
ProBoard International ProBoard USA
────────────────────── ────────────
Philippe Leybaert David Silver
Groenplein 15 1412 Winterville Street
B-9060 Zelzate Deltona, FL 32725
BELGIUM USA
ProBoard Germany ProBoard UK
──────────────── ────────────
Constantin Spiess Sarah Pearson
Orchideenweg 15 7 Stopford Road
D-70736 Fellbach Plaistow E13 0LY
Germany United Kingdom
Or you can fax to the following numbers:
────────────────────────────────────────
USA/Canada : (904) 532-1221
Germany : +49-(0)711-95182-76
Rest of Europe : +32-9-343-0592
- 10 -
You can also reach the author and support team by sending E-mail:
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Philippe Leybaert : - FidoNet (2:291/1905)
- CompuServe (70314,2021)
- InterNet (phl@innet.be)
- David Silver : - FidoNet 1:3618/11
1:3618/22
- Constantin Spiess : - FidoNet (2:246/1013)
- PB-NET (246:6106/0)
- Internet (cns@mars.gp.schwaben.de)
- Sarah Pearson : - FidoNet (2:254/278)
- Internet
(Sarah.Pearson@crystal.dircon.co.uk)
- Peter Rideout : - FidoNet (3:713/320)
- Graeme Adamson : - InterNet (graeme@hnr.com)
If you have any questions or comments, or you need utilities for
ProBoard, call one of these support bulletin boards:
- ProBoard Support/Registration USA
SysOp: David Silver
Hours: 24/24
Speed: 1200-28800
BBS : (904) 532-1158
(904) 532-1177
FAX : (904) 532-1221
Fido : 1:3618/11
1:3618/22
- The Home of ProBoard - Worldwide ProBoard Support/Registration
SysOp : Philippe Leybaert
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-28800 (V34)
Phone # : +32-9-343-0592
FidoNet : 2:291/1905
(note: to receive a reply to FidoNet netmail, poll back 48
──── hours after you sent the message. I will only reply
to crashmail, NOT to routed netmail)
- 11 -
- HNR BBS, ProBoard Support/Registration South Africa
SysOp : Graeme Adamson
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 2400-28800 (V34)
Phone # : +27-11-444-3911
+27-11-444-3781
FidoNet : 2:270/24
- Base 999 - ProBoard Support Luxembourg
SysOp : Alain Fontaine
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 2400-16800 (V32b)
Phone # : +352-95273
FidoNet : 2:270/24
- The Dealer's BBS, ProBoard Support/Registration Germany
SysOp : Constantin Spiess
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-19200 (V34)
Phone # : +49-(0)711-95182-77 (ZyXEL 19200)
: +49-(0)711-95182-78 (V34/ISDN)
FidoNet : 2:246/1013
- Gemini Solutions BBS, ProBoard Support/Registration Australia
SysOp : Peter Rideout
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-14400 (V32b)
Phone # : +61-47-321417
FidoNet : 3:713/320
- G-Net BBS, ProBoard Support/Registration UK
SysOp : Sarah Pearson
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-28800 (V34)
BBS : +44-181-470-7398 (max. v32b)
+44-181-471-6928
FidoNet : 2:254/278
DqP-Net : 173:902/107
- 12 -
- PLAY BBS, ProBoard Support/Registration Taiwan
SysOp : Shyhchang Yu
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-28800 (V34)
Phone # : +886-35-590-526
FidoNet : 6:724/47
PB-Net : 246:80/80
- Multiline Paradise, ProBoard Support Holland
SysOp : Reinier De Groot
Hours : 24/24
Speed : 1200-28800 (V34)
BBS : +31-1749-48422
+31-1749-48384
FidoNet : 2:281/904
2:281/905
There is also an International FidoNet ProBoard Support echo
conference available. Be sure to ask your Net Coordinator about
it. The name of the support echo conference is "PROBOARD".
We do try very hard, but due to the volume of support requests that
we receive from registered users, we can only offer limited
support to non-registered users.
For the latest version of ProBoard and utilities, you can call one
of the support boards (above), or:
- The Happy House
SysOp: Alain Schellinck
Hours: 24/24
Speed: 1200-19200 (v32bis/ZyXEL)
BBS : +32-9-238-1610
Fido : 2:291/1900
ProBoard is also available on CompuServe (IBMBBS forum).
- 13 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Technical Info │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard is entirely written in C++ and Assembler. No third-party
libraries are used (except for the Squish MSGAPI), so we have
TOTAL control over the code!
For the development of ProBoard, we used the following tools:
Compiler......... Borland C++ v3.1
Linker........... TLink, part of Borland C++ v3.1
Assembler........ Turbo Assembler v3.1
Debugger......... Turbo Debugger v3.1
Editor........... Multi-Edit Professional 6.1
Version Control.. TLIB v4.12f
- 14 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Credits │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard and all the included utilities are written by:
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Philippe Leybaert
Portions of ProCFG are also written by:
───────────────────────────────────────
Alain Schellinck
The ProBoard documentation is written by:
─────────────────────────────────────────
Jim Biggs
Note from Jim:
──────────────
This version of the documentation is dedicated to my late Father,
Richard Merle Biggs. Dad, you will never ever be forgotten.
Beta-testing:
────────────
Not enough appreciation can be expressed to the following ProBoard
SysOps who have helped to make ProBoard v2.12 what it is today.
They risked their entire BBS systems to help test this version.
Many of their suggestions are contained in this release of
ProBoard and without them, this version would not be in your
hands today.
Thanks to the entire ProBoard v2.12 Beta Team!!!
- 15 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── ProBoard v2.12 Beta Sites ───────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
────────────────────── ──────────────────────────── ────────────
SysOp Name System Name Fido Address
────────────────────── ──────────────────────────── ────────────
Ken Givens The Chess Board 1:124/2213
Steve Quarrella Valencia 1:124/9005
Mark Hopkins Atlanta Information System 1:133/1
Kitt Brown <<(((KABOODLE)))>> 1:133/3003
Eddie Watson The Boll Weevils Hideaway 1:133/5
Brian Hertziger Mr. Homies' Neighborhood 1:154/645
Lucien Carrier Luca SBE! 1:167/820
John/Doris Bierrie Doc's Place BBS 1:232/39
John A. Maddox Mount Olympus 1:2320/340
Paula Pautler Candi Land BBS 1:2380/120
Perry Davis Kings Knights BBS 1:243/38
Brian McDermott Nightmare Cafe 1:247/103
Roland Clairvoyant Magog Online 1:257/90
Shawn Mazzuto The Prime Directive 1:259/136
Ron/Monica-Leeh Grayum The Abyss BBS 1:271/666
Brient Leslie The Dugout BBS 1:280/33
Jim Biggs The O-Zone BBS 1:282/30
Chris Ament Random Access BBS 1:282/3030
John Parlin City Terminal 1:282/4021
Robert Kemp The Wild West BBS 1:282/4058
Craig Peterson FlightLine BBS 1:282/47
Tom Krueger The Senate Chamber 1:282/56
Paul Tabara Rivendell BBS 1:282/90
Jeff Parr Lightning Heart BBS 1:291/8
Eric Chew The Kat's Den BBS 1:324/274
David Silver The Silverado 1:3618/11
Bill Wenzel Compu-Link 1:363/1571
James Padgett Logical Decisions BBS 1:363/308
Andy Smith The Business Connection 1:3645/10
Bob Pruett Penguin Lust BBS 1:3660/812
Mike Whatley Th' Swamp Ward BBS 1:3660/814
Greg Shaffer Route 66 BBS 1:370/510
John Struemph Kludger's Konnection BBS 1:383/22
Bill Brooks Bill's Try 1:395/3
Bill Brooks Come Consult with Us BBS 1:395/3
Hank Bragg The House of Golem 1:395/421
Hank Bragg The House of Golem 1:395/421
Steven Williams the River Styx 1:395/61
- 16 -
Bert Rose Stonebridge BBS 2:241/1017
Peter Hampf Granny's Inn, O/T-HQ 2:241/1090
Bernd Rothbrust Bernds Box 2:241/555
Henning Roll Camelot 2:2448/116
Reiner Worm Emil 2:2448/2431
Ralf Friedrich Unknown BBS 2:2448/311
Dieter Schauf DOENE 2:2452/165
Christian Raatz AIRPORT 2:246/1001
Constantin Spiess The Dealer's BBS 2:246/1013
Heiko Raff BASIS 2:246/1015
Thomas Holzwarth microTalk IV 2:246/1517
Michael Folz creative.box 2:246/8704
Andreas Klein Alpha's Node 2:2480/47
Felix Mueller FRISCO BBS Munich 2:2480/903
Oliver Weindl Programmer's Inn 2:2494/17
Andre Boogaards The Land of Confusion 2:281/545
Reinier De Groot MulitiLine Paradise BBS 2:281/904
Rob Van Hoeven DISP-HQ 2:281/9044.5
Eddie Van Loon Demolition BBS 2:284/407
Steven Debruyn Magic BBS 2:291/1200
Dimitri v/d Ville Zyllex BBS 2:291/1301
Tim De Meyer MultiNet Home Base 2:291/1400
Alain Schellinck The Happy House 2:291/1900
Peter Rideout Gemini Solutions BBS 3:713/320
Dean Hatwell Rellik BBS 3:800/404
Gary Hinrichs Zylink BBS n/a
- 17 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── REGISTRATION ────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard is SHAREWARE. This means that you are granted a 60-day
evaluation period, after which you must register.
After receiving your registration, you will receive a registration
key file through netmail or you will be able to download it from
the support BBS where you sent the registration to (please
indicate your preference on the registration form).
If none of this is possible, we will send you a disk with
the key file. This will cost a little more (see below) and
it will also take longer to receive your key (1-3 weeks). You can
indicate what size diskette you need on the registration form.
Registration fees for commercial and non-commercial use are as
follows:
┌──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────┐
│ Personal │ Personal │ Personal │Commercial│
│ │ w/manual │ (disk) │ w/manual │
┌────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ USA & Canada │ 60 US$ │ 80 US$ │ 70 US$ │ 249 US$ │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ Belgium │ 2000 BF │ 2500 BF │ 2200 BF │ 8995 BF │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ The Netherlands │ 110 FL │ 140 FL │ 120 FL │ 599 FL │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ Germany │ 110 DM │ 140 DM │ 120 DM │ 699 DM │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ United Kingdom │ 40 £ │ 50 £ │ 45 £ │ 200 £ │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ South Africa │ 200 R │ 280 R │ 220 R │ 1000 R │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ R.O.C. (Taiwan) │ 2100 NT │ 2700 NT │ 2300 NT │11400 NT │
├────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
│ Australia │ 75 AU$ │ 100 AU$ │ 85 AU$ │ 349 AU$ │
└────────────────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┘
One note about the difference between the commercial and
non-commercial (personal) registration: non-commercial (personal)
registrations are ONLY for individuals who run a BBS as a HOBBY.
Registrations for all other BBSs require a commercial
registration. Commercial registration prices are EXCLUDING local
taxes (VAT/TVA/BTW/...)
- 18 -
To register, print the registration form on the next page, fill it
out, and send it together with your payment to one of the
registration sites listed below. You can register directly in the
following countries (for other countries, see "other countries"):
- U.S.A.
- Canada
- Germany
- Taiwan (R.O.C.)
- Australia
- South Africa
- The Netherlands
- Belgium
If you want to register by transferring money to any of the
ProBoard accounts in Europe, be certain you don't forget to mail a
registration form to the address listed along with the account
number, or you can upload/FAX it to the registration site for your
area. We can not and will not be responsible for any money
received without a registration form.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For the U.S.A. and Canada:
ProBoard USA
c/o David Silver
1412 Winterville Street
Deltona, FL 32725
USA
Fax # : (904) 532-1221
BBS # : (904) 532-1158
(904) 532-1177
FidoNet : 1:3618/11
1:3618/22
We accept Visa, MasterCard, personal checks and money orders.
U.S. currency only please. Do not send cash!!
Please make checks and money orders payable to:
Silverado Computer Services
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 19 -
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For Germany :
ProBoard Germany
c/o Constantin Spiess
Orchideenweg 15
D-70736 Fellbach
GERMANY
Fax # : +49-(0)711-95182-76
BBS # : +49-(0)711-95182-77 (ZYX)
+49-(0)711-95182-78 (V34/ISDN)
FidoNet : 2:246/1013
PB-Net : 246:6106/1001
Internet: cns@mars.gp.schwaben.de
Bank Account Number:
KSK Fellbach , KtoNr: 2076692 , BLZ: 602 500 10
Send money order or check in German currency (DM) only please!
You can also transfer the money to our account number listed
above. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.
Note: The price for the commercial version is without VAT (Preis
ohne MWSt.)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For The U.K.:
ProBoard UK
c/o Sarah Pearson
7 Stopford Road
Plaistow E13 0LY
United Kingdom
BBS # : +44-181-470-7398 (max. v32b)
+44-181-471-6928
FidoNet : 2:254/278
Bank Account Number:
30-92-90 (Sort Code) 7207547 (Account Num.)
Send cash, cheque or postal order in UK currency (£) only please!
You can also transfer the money to our account number listed
above.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 20 -
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For Taiwan (R.O.C.) :
Shyhchang Yu
No. 2, Lane 140, Sec. 1, Kang Leh Rd.
Hsin Feng, Hsinchu, Taiwan 304
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
BBS # : +886-35-590-526
FidoNet : 6:246/1013
PB-Net : 246:80/80
Internet: Shyhchang.Yu@super.uuserv.net.tw
Bank Name and Account Number:
Bank Sinopac
14F, No. 207, Tun Hwa North Road
Taipei, Taiwan, Rep. of China
Account Number: 018-004-0001197-3
Account Name : SHYH-CHANG YU
Send money order or check in Taiwan currency (NT) only
please! You can also transfer the money to our account number
listed above.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For Australia:
Gemini Solutions BBS
c/o Peter Rideout
P.O. Box 160
Kingswood, NSW 2747
AUSTRALIA
BBS # : +61-47-32-1417
FidoNet : 3:713/320
Send money order or check in Australian Dollars only please!
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 21 -
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For South Africa:
Graeme Adamson
P.O. Box 3145
Cresta
2118
SOUTH AFRICA
Voice # : +27-11-444-0225 (Business Hours)
+27-11-678-6967 (After Hours)
BBS # : +27-11-444-3911
+27-11-444-3781
Internet: graeme@hnr.com
We accept checks and money orders in South African Rand only!
Cash is accepted if deliverd personally.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For The Netherlands :
Philippe Leybaert
Groenplein 15
B-9060 Zelzate
BELGIUM
Fax # : +32-9-343-0592
BBS # : +32-9-343-0592
FidoNet : 2:291/1905
Internet : phl@innet.be
CompuServe: 70314,2021
Bank Account Number: Rabobank 14.21.57.414
Giro : Postbank 6741753
Send money order or check in Belgian (BF) or Dutch (FL) currency
only please! You can also transfer the money to our account
numbers listed above.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 22 -
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For all other countries:
Philippe Leybaert
Groenplein 15
B-9060 Zelzate
BELGIUM
Fax # : +32-9-343-0592
BBS # : +32-9-343-0592
FidoNet : 2:291/1905
Internet : phl@innet.be
CompuServe: 70314,2021
Bank Account Number (BF) : Kredietbank 449-2761441-25
Bank Account Number (US$): Kredietbank 449-2761440-24
Send international money order or check (EuroCheque preferred) in
Belgian currency (BF) or US Dollars (US$) only please! (refer to
the registration fee table above). You can also transfer the
money to our account number listed above. We also accept Visa and
MasterCard/EuroCard.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 23 -
------------------------------------------------------------------
ProBoard version 2.12 ---- Registration Form
------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Name : ______________________________________ (required!)
Company : __________________________________________________
Sysop Name : ______________________________________ (required!)
BBS name : ______________________________________ (required!)
Address : __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Voice Phone# : __________________________________________________
BBS Phone# : __________________________________________________
Your FidoNet addresss (if applicable): __________________________
Type of registration: ( ) Personal ( ) With printed manual
( ) Commercial ( ) On disk
Payment method : ( ) Check/Cash ( ) VISA
( ) Bank Transfer ( ) Mastercard/Eurocard
Amount : ______________ (in registration site's currency!!)
Credit Card #: _______________________________ Expires: ___/___
Name on card : _______________________________
Signature : _______________________________
Your key file will be sent to you via FidoNet netmail or you can
download it from the registration site's BBS. We can also send it
to you on a diskette, but this will delay your registration
considerably (and it will cost you extra).
Please select how you would like to receive your key below:
( ) Netmail ( ) 3"1/2 Diskette (extra cost)
( ) Download from our BBS ( ) 5"1/4 Diskette (extra cost)
- 24 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── INSTALLATION ────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
See the file INSTALL.TXT for installation instructions.
If you currently operate a RemoteAccess bulletin board system,
read the next paragraph for specific instructions on how to
convert your existing system.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RemoteAccess 2.02 to ProBoard Conversion │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If you are operating a RemoteAccess 2.02 BBS system, you can
convert your existing userfile, message files, message areas,
file areas and menus to the format used by ProBoard. This is done
by running your RAFILE EXPORT in your RA system directory, and
then running CONVERT.EXE in the ProBoard system directory.
But, before you do ANYTHING, we highly recommend that you back up
at least your existing RA files, if not your entire system.
Here's the procedure to follow:
───────────────────────────────
- Backup your existing files.
- Install ProBoard as explained in the installation instructions.
- Change to the RA system directory
- Run RAFILE EXPORT
(Note: for areas where the FILES.BBS cannot be created in the
file area's directory, like for CD-ROM areas, you have
to run "RAFILE EXPORT" for each area separately. See
your RA documentation for details)
- Change to the ProBoard system directory (usually C:\PB).
- Copy the following files from your RA message base directory to
the ProBoard message base directory: USERS.BBS, USERSXI.BBS,
LASTREAD.BBS, MSGINFO.BBS, MSGHDR.BBS, MSGTXT.BBS, MSGIDX.BBS,
MSGTOIDX.BBS.
- Run CONVERT RA <ra-dir>
eg. CONVERT RA C:\RA
- Run PBUTIL with the UF parameter.
eg. PBUTIL UF
- Run PBUTIL with the UP parameter.
eg. PBUTIL UP
- 25 -
Things you will have to do manually:
- Enter all system parameters in ProCFG (like paths).
- Enter the user levels & download limits in ProCFG
- Enter any events you have in PROCFG.
- Copy any .Q-A files to the ProBoard directory.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RemoteAccess Compatible Files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard uses different files than RA to store the file area and
message area configurations. Therefore, to run any of your RA
utilities that use the files CONFIG.RA, FILES.RA or MESSAGES.RA
you must first run a conversion program to create compatible
versions of these files. Which conversion you need to run depends
on which version of RA the utility you want to run was written for.
Use the CONVERT utility (Supplied with PB_212.ZIP) to create the
following files from your ProBoard system files.
FILES.RA
MESSAGES.RA
CONFIG.RA
If the utility you want to run was written for RA v1.1x then you
need to run "CONVERT SIMUL1". If the utility you want to run was
written for RA v2.xx then you need to run "CONVERT SIMUL2".
The CONVERT SIMUL<x> routine will place these files in the
directory where you run CONVERT SIMUL<x> from. We strongly suggest
running it from your ProBoard system directory (usually C:\PB).
You must run this conversion before you attempt to use your
favorite RA utilities. Since it is possible for the wrong version
of the files CONVERT SIMUL<x> creates to be present from an earlier
conversion we suggest running CONVERT SIMUL<x> from a batch file
each time you call a utility that needs these files. An example
is as follows:
CONVERT SIMUL2
run RA 2.xx utility here...
later...
CONVERT SIMUL1
run RA 1.1x utility here...
- 26 -
You should run the correct "CONVERT SIMUL<x>" each time before you
run one of your RA utilities.
Option:
───────
When running CONVERT SIMUL<x>, you can specify the "-U"
parameter (CONVERT SIMUL<x> -U). This will allow CONVERT to
create up to 10,000 file areas in FILES.RA instead of the first
200 only.
- 27 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── STARTING PROBOARD ───────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard looks for its data files in the directory where
PROBOARD.EXE is located. You can, however, tell ProBoard to look
for the data files in another directory by setting the environment
variable PROBOARD (eg. SET PROBOARD=F:\PB). The environment
variable DSZLOG used by most protocols is not needed. ProBoard
will set this variable prior to starting the protocol.
You should start ProBoard with a batch file. ProBoard should
ALWAYS be run with a batch file, because it returns to DOS when a
user logs off.
Below is a basic batch file for stand-alone operation (without a
mailer). It is called P.BAT and is included in PB_212.ZIP
:again
PROBOARD -S
if errorlevel 99 goto out
if errorlevel 1 goto fatal
goto again
:fatal
echo A fatal error occurred.
goto x
:out
echo Normal exit.
:x
Note that errorlevels 2-4 generate a fatal error. These error-
levels are used for mail networking, and ProBoard should not
return one of these errorlevels in a standalone environment.
The PROBOARD.EXE command line options are discussed in the
"Reference" chapter later in this manual.
- 28 -
───────────────
** IMPORTANT **
───────────────
In order for PROBOARD.EXE to function properly, it's DOS file
attribute MUST be set to "read-only". This is done using the DOS
ATTRIB command.
Example:
────────
ATTRIB +R PROBOARD.EXE (this marks PROBOARD.EXE as "read only")
- 29 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── CONFIGURATION ───────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard is completely configured by PROCFG.EXE. This program can
be executed from any directory as long as PROCFG.EXE is in your
path. In most of the menus, just press <Ins> to add an item,
press <Del> to remove an item, and press <Enter> to select an
item.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Options (F1) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This is the first option to choose when running PROCFG.EXE. A
second menu will be displayed with the following items:
- Paths
- New Users
- Security
- Yelling
- System Options
- File Transfer
- Display Options
- Site Info
- QWK Options
- File List Format
A description of these fields follows.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Paths │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Text Files .................. Directory where ProBoard's textfiles
are stored (drive included!).
RIP Files ................... Directory where ProBoard's RIP files
are stored (drive included!).
RIP Icons ................... Directory where ProBoard's RIP icons
are stored (drive included!).
Menus ....................... Directory where ProBoard's menus are
stored (drive included!).
- 30 -
Message Base ................ Directory where the message base
will be stored (drive included!).
Uploads ..................... Directory where the users' uploads
will be stored (drive included!).
Private Uploads ............. Directory where personal files
are stored. (for file exchanges
between users).
Nodelist Directory .......... Directory where the nodelist is
located. For use by the nodelist
compiler. Leave this field blank
if you do not have a nodelist.
PEX Files ................... Directory where the PEX files will
be stored.
Editor Command .............. The external editor's filename and
path (eg. C:\GEDIT\GEDIT.EXE). You
can also specify a PEX file here by
using a "@"as the first character.
You can also use shell options here.
It appears that if you are using
GEdit v2.00 or v2.01 that you will
need to write an RA 1.1x style
EXITINFO.BBS file to make GEdit work
with ProBoard 2.12. This is done
with the Menu Function 7 "*E"
parameter. Refer to Menu Function 7
for more info.
Example: *SGEDIT\GEDIT.EXE -N*#*E
Example: @MYEDIT (for a PEX file).
If you are not using an external
editor, leave this field blank and
ProBoard will default to it's
internal editor.
- 31 -
External Chat ............... Path to your external chat program.
If one is defined here it will be
executed instead of ProBoard's
internal chat routine. You can
specify either a chat door (.EXE)
or a chat PEX (.PEX) file here.
If you want to specify an .EXE file,
enter the full path to the program.
(see example below).
If you want to specify a PEX file,
you must place a "@" character
before the command line.
(see example below).
You can also use the "Shell" (Menu
Function 7) parameters (like *X
etc.) or the text macros (@<...>@).
To use the built-in chat routine in
ProBoard, leave this line blank.
Examples:
─────────
*E*SGCHAT.EXE D E (.EXE chat door)
@TheChat (.PEX chat door)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ New Users │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
New User Level .............. The level a user will have upon his
or her first login.
New User Flags .............. The flags a user will have upon his
or her first login.
New User Loglevel ........... The loglevel a user will have upon
his or her first login. This
controls what information about the
users session will be written to the
system log (more info about this
in the chapter titled USERS).
- 32 -
Allow ANSI .................. Allows New Users to select ANSI
terminal emulation.
Allow AVATAR ................ Allow new users to select either
AVATAR/0 or AVATAR/0+ terminal
emulation.
Ask Voice Phone ............. Determines whether ProBoard should
ask for a user's voice phone number
at the time of their first login.
Ask Data Phone .............. Determines if ProBoard should ask
for a users data phone number at
the time of their first login.
Ask FAX Phone ............... Determines if ProBoard should ask
for a users FAX phone number at
the time of their first login.
Ask Birth Date .............. Determines if ProBoard should ask a
new user for their birth date.
If this is set to "Allow Blank" then
users can decide whether they want
to leave the birth date field empty
or provide it for their user record.
Ask State ................... Determines whether ProBoard should
ask the user for the State that they
live in.
Ask Country ................. Determines if ProBoard should ask
users for the Country they live in.
Ask Address ................. Determines if ProBoard will ask
users for their address. If this
is set to "Yes" ProBoard will
present the user with 3 lines to
enter their address.
Ask Sex ..................... If this is set to "Yes" ProBoard
will ask the user if they are male
or female.
Ask Date Format ............. If set to "Yes" ProBoard will
allow the user to select the date
format they prefer. Choices are:
MM/DD/YY
YY/MM/DD
DD/MM/YY
- 33 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Security │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Allow Quick Login ........... If this is enabled, the SysOp can
login locally by pressing [Enter] at
the login prompt without entering a
password. If you don't like this,
just turn it off.
Write Pwd-Failure Messages .. If a user fails to log in because
he/she exceeded the maximum number
of password retries, ProBoard can
write a security message to that
person and to the SysOp, telling
him/her what happened. This can be
turned on or off with this option.
Allow Login With Alias ...... Determines if ProBoard will allow
users to login with their alias
(handle). Users can also select or
change their alias using Menu
Function 59. If this option is set
to "No", ProBoard will not ask new
users to select an alias.
Log Local Calls ............. If this option is enabled, all local
logins will be logged in the file
PROBOARD.LOG (ProBoard's system log).
Hide SysOp Activity ......... If enabled, ProBoard will hide all
SysOp activity from the Last Callers
list (Function 51), Show Users Online
(Function 50), and from the display
of the User List (Function 13).
Max. Password Retries ....... Maximum number of incorrect password
attempts ProBoard will allow, before
logging the user off.
Min. Password Length ........ The minimum length of a password.
Should you change this option at a
later time to less than the length
of any existing users passwords,
ProBoard will not check for Minimum
Password Length when an existing
user logs on. ProBoard will
however enforce this setting again
when any existing users decide to
change their password.
- 34 -
Security Message Area ....... The message area number where
ProBoard's Security Manager should
write it's security related messages.
Level For Crashmail ......... Level needed to send crash mail.
Flags For Crashmail ......... Flags needed to send crash mail.
Level For Fileattach ........ Level needed to do a file attach
for Netmail.
Flags For Fileattach ........ Flags needed to do a file attach
for Netmail.
Use System Password ......... (Yes/No). If set to "Yes", ProBoard
will require all incoming callers to
know and enter a 'System Password'
before asking them for their user
name and user password. Great for
running a 'Private' BBS in a
corporation, etc. If set to "No"
users will not be prompted for a
'System Password'.
System Password ............ If the above option 'Use System
Password' is set to 'Yes', this is
the password users are required to
enter to gain access to the BBS.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Yelling │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Max. SysOp Pages ............ Number of times a user can page the
SysOp during one session.
PageBell Length ............. Number of seconds the SysOp paging
bell will ring.
Paging Hours ................ Pressing <ENTER> on this option
opens a window which allows you to
specify during what hours a user can
page you. Hours are selectable for
each day of the week, in half hour
increments.
- 35 -
Message Area # .............. When a user pages you and you don't
respond, they will be asked if they
want to leave you a message.
If they choose to do so, the message
area number you define here will be
where their message to you is
placed.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ System Options │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Check Mail At Login ......... Determines whether ProBoard should
check for new mail and files upon
login. If set to "Ask", ProBoard
will ask the user if they want to
check for waiting mail/personal
files.
Allow One-Word Names ........ Determines whether a user's name can
be a single word.
Date Format ................. Determines if ProBoard should display
all dates in European format
(DD/MM/YY) or American format
(MM/DD/YY).
Use File Sharing ............ Set this option to "Yes", if you
want to share the message base with
FrontDoor or any other utility that
uses the same locking scheme as
RemoteAccess/FrontDoor
Swap to Disk ................ Determines the default shelling
mode. If this option is set to ON,
ProBoard will be swapped to
disk/EMS, leaving only 2000 bytes
resident!
Fast Mode ................... When this option is enabled,
ProBoard will use about 10Kb more
memory (depending on the number
of file-areas), but the system
will run faster.
Kill Netmail When Sent ...... Controls whether netmail will be
killed after a message has been
exported from the message base.
- 36 -
Confirm Validate ............ If this is set to "Yes", ProBoard
will prompt you to confirm any
validation on a user record when
applying a validation template.
If set to "No", no confirmation
will be required once a validation
template is selected to be applied
to a user record.
Activity Log Size ........... ProBoard creates and maintains a
file called BINLOG.PB in your
ProBoard System Directory. This
file contains information for
generation of system graphs etc.
Set the number of days worth of
data the file BINLOG.PB should
contain. Entering a 0 (zero)
means the BINLOG.PB file will
grow forever.
Log Local Activity .......... If set to "Yes", ProBoard will add
your local login activity to the
BINLOG.PB file.
I/O Buffer Size ............. Specifies the amount (in bytes) that
ProBoard will use for it's internal
serial communication buffering.
Recommended buffer size is 32 for
single line systems. If you are
running a multi-node system under
a multi-tasker such as DESQview,
OS/2, or Windows, you probably will
want to increase this value. To
disable I/O buffering completely set
this field to the value of 1.
Inactivity Limit ............ Number of seconds a user is allowed
to remain idle. If the user hasn't
typed anything when this limit is
exceeded, they will be logged off.
Quote String ................ This string is used to when ProBoard
quotes a message for a reply.
A '@' character is replaced by the
initials of the user who wrote the
message quoted from.
- 37 -
Password Display ............ Enter the character that you want
ProBoard to display to users, as
they enter their password. The
character you enter here will also
be used in place of displaying the
password if you have "Hide
Password" (below) set to "Yes". You
may use any ASCII character (1-255)
as a Password Display character.
Hide Password ............... If this option is set to yes, when
you bring up user records in the
User Editor, the users password will
not be displayed. Instead, the
character you entered in "Password
Display" (above) will be shown.
If this option is set to "No" then
you will see each users password when
using the User Editor.
Screen Blanking ............. Enter the number of seconds that
should elapse before ProBoard's
built-in screen saver should blank
your screen.
Fuzzy Search Rate ........... Determines how extensive ProBoard's
fuzzy search feature should work.
The fuzzy search will help your
users locate other users from your
user file when posting messages and
a misspelled name is encountered.
It is also used in the User Editor
when you perform searches. The
higher the value you enter here, the
closer a user record must match the
search criteria before it is
considered a find by the fuzzy search
engine.
RIP Graphics ................ Determines if ProBoard will display
RIP Graphics (both internal and user
created) to the user or not. If set
to "Disabled" (use the space bar to
toggle the setting) RIP Graphics will
not be displayed to the user even if
RIP is detected when the user logs
in.
- 38 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ File Transfer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Minimum Upload Space ........ Space needed on the upload drive for
uploads to be allowed (in Kb).
Download Hours .............. Pressing <ENTER> on this option
opens a window which allows you to
specify during what hours a user can
download files from your system.
Hours are selectable for each day of
the week, in half hour increments.
The value of the "Ignore DL" flag in
the user's record will override any
hours you may have set here.
Check Duplicate Uploads ..... If this option is set to "Yes",
ProBoard's Menu Function 33
(Upload a File) will check upon
completion of any upload(s) for
duplicate files. ProBoard can not
check for duplicates prior to any
upload(s) due to any batch protocols
the user may choose to use.
Use this option along with
the next two options (below) to
decide how you want your system to
deal with any duplicate files your
users may upload.
- 39 -
Kill Duplicate Uploads ...... If set to "Yes", when a user uploads
a file that already exists on your
system (in the file index) then
ProBoard will delete the file from
your upload directory (as specified
in the data line of your upload menu
entry or in PROCFG). If you want to
save the duplicate files rather than
have them deleted, set this option
to "No". When does ProBoard delete
the file? Great question!!
ProBoard will delete any duplicate
files immediately after checking for
dupes, even before the user is
prompted to enter a file description,
so think twice before you set this
option to "Yes".
You can also create a text file to
be displayed to your users in the
event that they do upload duplicate
files. The file that ProBoard will
display must be named DUPESFND.A??
and be placed in your "Textfiles"
directory (usually C:\PB\TXTFILES).
Ignore File Extensions ...... If this option is set to "Yes", then
ProBoard's duplicate checking will
consider NEWFILE.ZIP and NEWFILE.ARJ
to be the same file. So if you have
NEWFILE.ZIP on your hard drive or
CD-ROM drive and a user uploads
NEWFILE.ARJ, ProBoard will consider
this to be a duplicate upload.
Be sure you understand this before
setting this option to "Yes".
- 40 -
Upload scanner .............. When uploads are received, ProBoard
will run the command line specified
here FOR EACH FILE. The macro
@<FILE>@ will be replaced by the
full name of the file to be scanned
(including drive and directory).
When the file is suspicious, the
upload scanner should do one of 2
things:
- Return with an errorlevel
different from 0.
- Create a semaphore file with a
name specified in "Semaphore".
If the file failed the virus scan (so
if a semaphore file was created or an
errorlevel was returned), ProBoard
will perform an action on the file
(defined in "action")
- None : No action (but upload is
not credited to the user's
account)
- Move : The file is moved to a
different area (specified
in "bad file area")
- Delete: The file is deleted
If you don't want to use the upload
scanner, just leave the command line
for the upload scanner blank.
Add Uploaders Name
to FILES.BBS ................ If set to "Yes" the uploaders name
will be added to the file name and
description in FILES.BBS.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Display Options │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Use 43/50 Line Mode ......... Enable local display of ProBoard in
43 or 50 line mode.
- 41 -
Show User Info Window ....... Should ProBoard display the User
Info Window, when users are online.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Site Info │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
System Name ................. The name of your BBS. Will be
written to EXITINFO.BBS. Be sure
this matches any "keys" you might
have for any door programs.
This information is also used for
your key file when you register,
so be sure whatever you put here
matches what you fill out on your
registration form EXACTLY!
Location .................... The City where your BBS is located.
This is used for the QWK packets
created by your BBS so it's a good
idea not to leave it blank when you
set up your BBS.
Phone Number ................ The primary phone number of your
BBS. Also used for QWK packets so
be sure to not leave this field
empty.
SysOp Name .................. The name of the SysOp. This also
will be written to EXITINFO.BBS
This information is also used for
your key file when you register,
so be sure whatever you put here
matches what you fill out on your
registration form EXACTLY!
Default Origin Line ......... Default origin line, used for
Echomail if none is specified
when setting up your echomail
areas. (more about this later).
Number of Nodes ............. Used for multi-line systems. Enter
the maximum number of users allowed
to log in at the same time (max. 255)
- 42 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ QWK Options │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
QWK File Name ............... This is the name that QWK packets
generated by ProBoard's QWK PEX
will be given.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ File List Format │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
It is here in PROCFG that you define how you want your file
listings displayed to your users. Pressing <ENTER> on any of the
following options (except for Hide/Show file counters which is an
on/off toggle) will invoke ProBoard's color editing window, which
will allow you to customize the colors of the items displayed in
your file listings. As you begin to define the colors for your
file listings, and whether or not to display file counters,
ProBoard shows you in the bottom window how your file listings
will appear to your users.
Hot Tip!
────────
Remember, you can change the colors, and then if you decide you
don't like the colors you have selected, you can return to the
previous color configuration by selecting "Cancel Changes" when
exiting from PROCFG. Just be aware that any other changes you
made while in PROCFG will also be lost if you select "Cancel
Changes".
A brief explanation of each field follows.
──────────────────────────────────────────
File Tag .................... The letter to the left of the file
name. This letter is what the user
will press to tag the file for
download.
File Name ................... The name of the file.
File Size ................... The size of the file.
File Date ................... The date of the file
- 43 -
File Counter ................ How many times the file has been
downloaded from your system. (Refer
to PBUTIL FC (File Counters) for
more information on how the file
counters are maintained).
File Description ............ The description of the file.
Extended Descriptions and
Separators .................. Any lines of text in your file
listings beginning with a space, are
considered to be extended
descriptions (or comments). This is
not to be confused with extended
file descriptions which begin with a
"+" character, and may actually span
several lines in your file listings.
Missing Files ............... A file name which is in your file
listing but the file does not
physically exist on the hard drive
or CD-ROM where you told ProBoard to
find it.
Hide/Show File Counter ...... Toggles the display of file counters
on/off by pressing <ENTER> on this
selection.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Protocol Configuration - (F2) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The second option in PROCFG.EXE is "Protocols". You may want to
skip this option when doing a first-time installation of ProBoard,
as many protocol configurations are included in the file
PROTOCOL.PRO (which can be found in the file EX_CFG.ZIP). You
should select each protocol listed and set 'Enabled' to 'No' (you
won't lose the protocol configuration) unless you have the actual
protocol file itself physically on your hard drive. The protocols
themselves are NOT included with ProBoard, but can be obtained
from any ProBoard Support BBS, as well as many others.
Downloading and uploading files has always been one of the most
important activities of BBS's. Most BBS programs have file
transfer protocols pre-installed and do not allow additional
protocols to be configured. ProBoard's philosophy is entirely
different: no protocols are actually embedded in the code, all
protocols are external and are being called by ProBoard.
- 44 -
As of yet, we don't know of any external protocol incompatible
with ProBoard, Bimodem included! If you happen to find one that
you think is an incompatible external file transfer protocol,
please let us know!
Upon selection of the 'Protocols' option, a submenu is displayed
containing the protocols already present. Add a protocol by
pressing <Ins>, remove a protocol by pressing <Del>.
A protocol is entirely defined by the following parameters:
Protocol Name ............... Protocol's name, to be displayed in
the down/upload menu. This can
include a short description if you
like.
Hotkey ...................... Key to be pressed by the user to
activate the protocol.
Batch ....................... Determines whether the protocol can
handle batch-mode (whether it can
handle multiple files). Xmodem for
example can handle only one file at
a time, while Zmodem can handle
multiple files.
Enabled ..................... ProBoard comes with several pre-
configured protocols for which you
may not have the necessary files.
It would be useless to have these
protocols displayed in the menu. You
can prevent this by setting Enable
to 'No', without having to lose the
configuration for this protocol.
Both-Way .................... Determines whether the protocol is a
full-duplex protocol, i.e.. whether
it can send and receive files at the
same time. (eg. Bimodem)
Bimodem ..................... The Bimodem protocol uses an odd
format for its control file. Setting
Bimodem to 'Yes' causes the control
file to be written to disk in
Bimodem-format.
- 45 -
Log File .................... Name of the log file created by the
protocol. After the file transfer,
the information needed to update the
user-records will be obtained from
this file by ProBoard. Most
protocols write a file specified
in the environment variable DSZLOG.
ProBoard will set this variable to
the right filename for you. ProBoard
checks for the logfile in the
directory where it was started from,
so if some external protocol writes
a different logfile than the one
specified in the DSZLOG-variable,
make sure it writes the file in the
startup-directory!
Control File ................ Protocols that can handle batch-mode
usually allow parameters to be
passed not only on the command line,
but also (should the command line
grow too long) by means of a control
file. ProBoard must know of this
file, to be able to pass the file-
names to the protocol.
Download Command ............ Command needed to start the protocol
in download-mode. You may want to
use the shell options of menu
function 7 here.
If the first character of this
command is a '@', the named pex-file
will be run. Note that no shell
parameters (*x) are supported when
calling a pex-file. You can use
string macros though.
IMPORTANT: The command should be in-
dependent of the path it
is called from.
Batch-mode protocols also require a
control file to be specified. Should
you, anywhere in this field, fill in
a '#', then this character will at
run-time be replaced by the filename
of the file to be sent (only for
non-batch protocols).
- 46 -
Upload Command .............. Command needed to start the protocol
in upload-mode. Here also, the
command should be independent of the
directory it is called from and a
'#' will be replaced by the filename
of the file to be received (for
non-batch protocols), or by the
directory where files should be
received into (for batch-protocols).
A '@' as the first character will
execute a pex-file (see DL Command).
Download String ............. Determines what should be written in
the control file when downloading.
A '#' character is replaced by the
path and filename of the file to
be sent to the user. Most often, a
single '#' is the only character in
this field. This works for most of
the protocols.
Example:
In case a user wants to download 3
files, entering 'Send #' in this
field causes the following to be
written in the control file:
Send C:\PB\FILES\COMM\TM.ZIP
Send C:\PB\FILES\COMM\TBILL.ZIP
Send C:\PB\FILES\UTIL\SHEZ55.ZIP
You can always take a look at the
pre-configured protocols, to lighten
things up for you.
Upload String ............... <reserved for future use>
Download Keyword ............ In order to allow ProBoard to update
the user-records from the protocol's
log file, a keyword must be
specified to indicate a file has
successfully been sent. If a protocol
writes 'Sent <filename>' in the
logfile, you should specify 'Sent'
as the keyword. This keyword is CASE
SENSITIVE!
Upload Keyword .............. Same as the previous field, for
uploads.
- 47 -
File Word Number............. This is the number of the sent file's
filename, counting from the keyword,
but NOT including the keyword. This
is used for both uploads and
downloads.
Eg. Sent 12/05/90 12334 PB_212.ZIP
In this case, you should enter '3'
as the word number, because
PB_212.ZIP is the third word counting
from, but not including, the keyword
('Sent').
Efficiency .................. A percentage that gives the
throughput efficiency for this
protocol. This value is used to
estimate the time needed to perform
a file transfer.
Local Only .................. If set to "Yes", this protocol will
only be available when logging in
locally.
CONCLUSION:
Correctly installing the protocols may seem somewhat difficult at
first, but you will soon get used to it. And don't forget that the
most commonly used protocols are already pre-configured in
ProBoard!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Local Protocol PEX │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Included with ProBoard is a PEX which allows you to perform local
file transfer (to/from your own hard disk). This PEX is called
LOC_PROT.PEX and should be located in your ProBoard PEX directory.
- 48 -
The protocol is already configured in the PROTOCOL.PRO file that
comes with ProBoard. If you have upgraded from an earlier version
of ProBoard, you can add the protocol manually. This is how you
should set it up:
==================================================================
Protocol Name: Local Download Protocol
Hotkey : L
Batch : Yes Efficiency: 100 %
Enabled : Yes
Both-way : No Local only: Yes
Bimodem : No
Log-file : DSZLOG.TXT
Control-file : DSZCTL.TXT
Download cmd : @LOC_PROT D @@<STARTDIR>@DSZCTL.TXT
Upload cmd : @LOC_PROT U #
Downl. string: #
Upload string:
Downl. keyw. : D
Upload keyw. : U
File word nr : 1
==================================================================
- 49 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Message Areas - (F3) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard is one of the only BBS packages that allows you to use
more than one message base format to hold your messages. You can
use Hudson, Squish, JAM, or Fido (.MSG) or a combination of these
at the same time!
ProBoard's message base limits are as follows:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Message Type Number of Message Areas Maximum File Size
──────────── ─────────────────────── ────────────────────────
Hudson 200 16 Mb / 15000 messages
(all areas combined)
Squish 10,000 5400 msgs. per area.
Fido *.MSG 10,000 Unlimited (disk space
available).
JAM 10,000 Unlimited (disk space
available).
Each message area in ProBoard has its own name and properties.
For example, you could have a message area for public messages
only, several message areas for Echomail, or an area where you
create "Announcement" messages for your users.
Selecting "Message Areas" from the Main Menu, gives you a list of
the available areas (which may initially be empty if you are
setting up your BBS for the first time.)
To edit a Message Area, press <Enter>. To add a Message Area,
press <Insert>, or enter a number for the area you want to create.
For example, entering the number 10000 will create message area
10000. Keep in mind that if you are using the HUDSON format for
any of your message areas, that any areas specified to use the
HUDSON format will have to be specified as areas 1 - 200. This
is a limit of the existing HUDSON message base format and is not
a limit of ProBoard.
A message area has the following fields:
────────────────────────────────────────
Name ........................ Name of this message area.
- 50 -
Path ........................ The path where this Message Area is
located. This is used for SQUISH,
JAM, and *.MSG, but NOT for Hudson.
Message Kind ................ The kind of message. You can have:
- Local .......... Local messages
- EchoMail ....... Echomail
- NetMail ........ Netmail
- Pvt EchoMail ... Private Echomail
One word about the difference
between the "Echo" type and the "Pvt
Echo" type: In "Echo" areas, it is
not allowed to delete messages that
have been exported by an echomail
processor (as specified by the FTSC,
the FidoNet Technical Standards
Committee). In a "Pvt Echo" area,
this restriction is not imposed.
- 51 -
Message Type ................ One of the following:
- Private only .. Only private
messages allowed.
- Pvt/Public .... Private or public
messages allowed.
- Public only ... Only public
messages allowed.
- To All ........ This message type
should be used in
a LOCAL message
area only.
The "To All" message type is
intended for a SysOp to leave
messages to all users. Any messages
entered in this area will considered
"To All" regardless of the whom the
"To" is addressed to. Messages
entered in this area will be shown
when ProBoard checks for waiting
mail. You may not want to allow
users to reply to these messages
since their replies will be sent to
all users. A better idea is to set
the "Reply Area" to a different
message area number if you decide to
let users reply to your announcement
messages.
- 52 -
Name Options ................ Determines which names can be used
to write messages in this area. This
can be:
- Real Names Only:
Obvious I guess
- Free Alias
The user can choose any alias
he likes, as long as it's not
used by another user.
- Fixed Alias (or real name)
The user can choose between his
real name and his alias
- Fixed Alias (enforced)
The user can only use his alias
to write a message
It is recommended that areas where
aliases are allowed, are made
"Public Only".
Message Base ................ The type of message base to use for
this message area. Valid choices
are Hudson, Squish, JAM, and Fido
(*.MSG).
Use the <SpaceBar> to toggle between
available choices. Remember, if you
select Hudson that this message
area's number (see top bar of the
window) should be message area 200
or lower since Hudson only supports
up to 200 message areas.
Read Level .................. Security Level needed to read
messages in this area.
Read Flags .................. Flags needed to read messages in
this area. You can now specify
flags that a user MUST NOT have in
order to READ from this message area.
These flags are shown in reverse.
To set a reverse flag, press the
flag letter twice (it will appear
reversed). To clear a reversed flag
type the flag letter one more time.
- 53 -
Write Level ................. Security Level needed to write
messages in this area.
Write Flags ................. Flags needed to write messages in
this area. You can now specify
flags that a user MUST NOT have in
order to WRITE to this message area.
These flags are shown in reverse.
To set a reverse flag, press the
flag letter twice (it will appear
reversed). To clear a reversed flag
type the flag letter one more time.
SysOp Level ................. Security Level needed to be allowed
access to all functions in this
message area.
SysOp Flags ................. Flags needed to be allowed access
to all functions in this message
area. You can now specify flags that
the SysOp MUST NOT have in order to
be allowed access to all functions
in this this message area.
These flags are shown in reverse.
To set a reverse flag, press the
flag letter twice (it will appear
reversed). To clear a reversed flag
type the flag letter one more time.
Origin Line ................. Only for Echomail: if you do not
specify this, the default origin
line will be used (refer to F1,
Site Options, to specify your
default origin line).
Use AKA ..................... The network address for this area
(for Echomail & Netmail only).
- 54 -
EchoMail Tag ................ This field is used by ProBoard to
create a file called ECHOTOSS.LOG
You should enter the Echomail Tag
name for this message area (if this
message area has the "Message Kind"
field set to "EchoMail").
When a user enters a message into
this area the tag name you specify
here will be written to the file
ECHOTOSS.LOG in the ProBoard system
directory, causing your mail tosser
to scan for outbound mail in this
message area upon the callers
logoff.
QWK Area Name ............... (Optional) You can enter the name
of this area for QWK mail packers.
QWK only supports up to 12
characters for area names.
Reply Area .................. The area where replies to messages
in this area should be posted.
Useful for allowing users to reply
to "To-All" messages. Set this to
"0" (zero) if you want replies to go
to the current message area.
SysOp ....................... The user name for an "Area SysOp".
A user with this name will have full
SysOp access to this message area.
When users write messages to "SysOp"
in this area, the messages will be
sent to the user name specified here.
Group #1 .................... The first group number this message
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
Group #2 .................... The second group number this message
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
Group #3 .................... The third group number this message
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
Group #4 .................... The fourth group number this message
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
All Groups .................. Does this message area belong to all
message groups? Press the <SpaceBar>
to toggle between Yes/No.
- 55 -
Kill after <xx> days ........ When running the PBUTIL message
packer with the -D parameter, all
messages that have been in the
message base for <xx> days will be
deleted. This is for both HUDSON
and JAM message base formats.
Kill rcvd after <xx> days ... When running the PBUTIL message
packer with the -D parameter, all
messages that have been received
for <xx> days will be deleted.
This is only for HUDSON or JAM
message base formats.
Max # messages .............. The maximum number of messages
allowed in this area. When this
number is exceeded, PBUTIL MP -D
(message pack & delete) will delete
the oldest messages from the
message base (Hudson and Squish).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Message Area Groups - (F4) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard allows you to configure up to 255 Message Area Groups
for your system. Message groups can be used to place message
areas of similar interest into a group users can select from.
If you run a BBS that caters to programmers, and also to people
who enjoy gardening, you may want to create two separate message
area groups so programmers aren't reading about pruning roses,
and gardeners aren't reading about array elements :-)
When you select "Message Area Groups" a window is displayed
showing any installed message groups (if any). To add a message
area group press <Ins>. To delete a message area group, press
<DEL>. To edit a message area group that already exists, press
<Enter> with the highlight bar on the group you want to edit.
When you press <Ins> to add a new message group, a dialog will
be displayed asking for the group number. Press <ENTER> to
accept the next available area, or type a number (between 1 and
255) for the message area group you want to create.
- 56 -
The fields that make up a message group are as follows:
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Area Name ................... The area name that will be
displayed to users when selecting
from your message area groups.
Access Level ................ The minimum security level needed
for a user to be able to see/select
this message area group.
Access Flags ................ The access flags needed (or not
needed) to access this message area
group.
Once a message area group has been defined, refer to Menu
Function 49 (Select Message Area) for the options needed to
allow your users access to it.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ File Areas - (F5) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
File areas are used to setup and categorize your downloadable
files. You can prevent groups of users from accessing certain
file areas with the use of Access Levels and/or Access Flags.
ProBoard uses an advanced file index to locate files as
defined here in your file areas. Once you have configured your
file areas, you MUST run PBUTIL FI (file index) to create the
index in order for ProBoard to find the files for users to
download.
A file area has the following fields:
─────────────────────────────────────
Area Name ................... Name of this file area. Displayed
to users on the BBS on the file
selection list.
- 57 -
File Location ............... Directory where the files for this
area are physically located. It is
also possible to specify multiple
directories per file area. To do
this, enter the first file directory
here, then create a file in your
ProBoard system directory (usually
C:\PB) called FA_<area>.CTL. Place
each additional file directory (one
directory per line) in this file to
tell ProBoard where to find the
additional directories for this file
area.
Example: for file area #10 (Games),
which has a total of 4 directories,
place the first directory in the
"File Location" slot in PROCFG, then
create a file called FA_10.CTL. In
this file, place the additional
directories one per line like this:
D:\DLOAD\GAMES2
D:\DLOAD\GAMES3
D:\DLOAD\GAMES4
Use an ascii editor like QEDIT, or
the DOS editor to create this file.
Listing File ................ Full path & filename of the file in
which the downloadable files are
described. This files is often
called FILES.BBS. Refer to Menu
Function 31, in the chapter on
Menus.
Sample: C:\PB\DLOAD\FILES.BBS)
Access Flags ................ Flags needed to download files in
this area. You can now specify
flags that a user MUST NOT have to
access this file area. These flags
are displayed in reverse. To set a
reverse flag - type the flag letter
twice until you see it display in
reverse. To clear a reverse flag
type the flag letter again.
Access Level ................ Level needed to download files in
this area.
- 58 -
Copy Local .................. Setting this option to "Yes" (use
the <SPACEBAR> to toggle), tells
ProBoard whether or not to use
it's CD-ROM specific file listing
formats. In addition, it tells
ProBoard to copy the files in this
file area to a different location,
usually a local drive before a
download of the file begins. This
is ideal for CD-ROM or Network
drives since it frees up these
resources for other users to access
them.
It's important to understand that ProBoard now determines the
format of "FILES.BBS" itself. This will assist you in using
CD-ROM's on your BBS that have different "FILES.BBS" formats.
The "FILES.BBS" can have any of the following formats:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
<filename> <description>
<filename> <size> <date> <description>
<filename> <date> <size> <description>
<filename> <size> <description>
<filename> <date> <description>
Any missing information ( <date> or <size> ) will be retrieved
from the CD-ROM or Network drive by ProBoard. If only the <date>
is specified in your "FILES.BBS", ProBoard will need to retrieve
the <size> of the file from the disk in order to display your file
listing for this area to your users. If both the <date> and
<size> are specified, (the preferred format for your "FILES.BBS")
ProBoard will not need to check the CD-ROM or Network drive for
this information.
- 59 -
Hot Tip!
────────
Use "FILES.BBS" listings that include <date> -and- <size> whenever
possible, to prevent ProBoard from accessing your CD-ROM or
Network drives. This will give your BBS optimum performance when
users choose to list your files.
ProBoard will also copy files from CD-ROM or Network drives to a
local drive when the "Copy Local" flag is set to "Yes". Files
will be copied to a directory called "CD_TEMP", which will
be created by ProBoard, off of the directory from which ProBoard
was started from. You can specify your own directory by creating
a DOS environment variable called CDTEMP containing the name of
the drive -and- directory.
How to create your own "Copy Local" directory:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
1.) Decide on and create the directory where you want the
files from the CD-ROM or Network to be copied into. For
example, C:\MYDIR\CDFILES
2.) Add the following line to your "AUTOEXEC.BAT" file:
SET CDTEMP=C:\MYDIR\CDFILES
If ProBoard can not find the directory as specified it will
attempt to create it, and if it can't will revert to using the
CD_TEMP directory off of the directory the ProBoard was started
from.
In TOPFILES.................. Determines whether or not this file
area is included when TOPFILES.A??
is created. Refer to PBUTIL FC for
more information.
Free Area ................... Specifies whether or not ALL files
in this file area are FREE files.
If this is set to 'Yes', any files
a user downloads from this area will
not be deducted from their download
limits.
Group #1 .................... The first group number this file
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
Group #2 .................... The second group number this file
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
- 60 -
Group #3 .................... The third group number this file
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
Group #4 .................... The fourth group number this file
area belongs to (1-255) if any.
All Groups .................. Does this file area belong to all
file groups? Press the <SpaceBar>
to toggle between Yes/No.
Max. files................... Maximum number of files that can be
downloaded from this area per
user per day (0 means unlimited).
Max. Kb...................... Maximum number of Kbytes that can be
downloaded from this area per
user per day (0 means unlimited).
FILES.BBS Date Format ....... The date format that is used in
this area's FILES.BBS file. You
have to change this if FILES.BBS
contains dates in a different format
than "MM/DD/YY" of "MM-DD-YY"
(CD-ROMs from Europe for example).
If you don't set this so it matches
the date format in FILES.BBS,
ProBoard will not be able to
correctly read the dates listed in
your file list.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ File Area Groups - F6 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard allows you to configure up to 255 File Area Groups
for your system. File groups can be used to place files of
similar interest into a group users can select from.
If you run a BBS that caters to programmers, and also to people
who enjoy gardening, you may want to create two separate file
area groups so programmers aren't downloading files about pruning
roses, and gardeners aren't downloading files about array
elements :-)
- 61 -
When you select "File Area Groups" a window is displayed showing
any installed file groups (if any). To add a file area group
press <Ins>. To delete a file area group, press <DEL>. To edit
a file area group that already exists, press <Enter> with the
highlight bar on the group you want to edit.
When you press <Ins> to add a new file group, a dialog will
be displayed asking for the group number. Press <ENTER> to
accept the next available area, or type a number (between 1 and
255) for the file area group you want to create.
The fields that make up a file group are as follows:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Area Name ................... The area name that will be
displayed to users when selecting
from your file area groups.
Access Level ................ The minimum security level needed
for a user to be able to see/select
this file area group.
Access Flags ................ The access flags needed (or not
needed) to access this file area
group.
Once a file area group has been defined, refer to Menu Function
54 (Select New File Area) for the options needed to allow your
users access to it.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Time/Download Limits - (F7) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
In ProBoard you can grant different groups of users different
rights concerning download limits and maximum online time per day.
Additionally, you can limit downloading in a very powerful and
flexible way. This is done by defining user levels.
- 62 -
Editing user levels is done in by pressing <Ins> to add a
security level, <Del> to delete a security level, and <Enter> to
edit an existing security level.
These are the fields to be specified for each level:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Security Level .............. The user level you are editing.
Time Per Day ................ Time a user with this level can
spend on your system each day.
Kb Download Per Day ......... Daily download-limit associated with
this user level (in Kbytes/day).
Download Delay .............. Time a user must spend online each
call before a download can be made.
(Great to calm down excessive
downloaders).
Usergroup ID ................ String of max. 5 characters that
identifies this level, eg. NEW,
REG, VIP, etc. This is optional.
These ID's will be shown when the
userlist is displayed (Refer to
Menu Function 13).
Free Download ............... The amount that can be downloaded
by users with this level, without
having to upload or write messages.
Upload Needed ............... The percentage of total downloads
the user has to upload.
Eg. if the upload factor is 15%, and
a user has downloaded 1000Kb, he
will have to upload 150Kb.
Setting this to 0 allows the users
to download as much as they want,
until the download limit (see below)
is reached. Of course, it is
impossible to download more than the
daily maximum each day.
- 63 -
Free Download/Msg ........... The amount of Kilobytes that can be
downloaded free for each message
written. This rewards busy message-
writers by increasing their download-
limit. The amount of kilobytes is
added to the free download number
(see above)
Maximum Download ............ When this limit is set to a positive
non-zero value, and a user reaches
this limit, his/her level will be
changed to the "Fall To" level. Be
careful when changing this to a
value other than 0 (zero). Doing so
may lock out a user if the "Fall To
Level" (below) is set to zero. Your
user may not be too happy with your
BBS should this happen.
Fall To Level ............... Security Level which user should be
assigned when they reach the (above)
"Maximum Download" setting.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ User Editor (F8) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Working with your users records using the User Editor is easy.
You can use the user editor to locate/view/change information in a
users record. You can also edit a users record while they are
on-line by pressing <Alt-E>.
Both ways of editing a users record in ProBoard are virtually
identical. ProBoard keeps a user's record in memory while they
are online and then writes it back to the user file once they
log off. If you want to make changes to a user's record who is
online, it is important to use the <Alt-E> method since you will
be editing their record in memory. If you use the user editor in
PROCFG.EXE to edit the record of a user who is online, any changes
you make will be written over by the user record in memory when
they log off.
- 64 -
You can use the following keys in the user editor:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
<PgUp> ...................... Go to the previous user-record.
<PgDn> ...................... Go to the next user-record.
<Ctrl-PgUp> ................. Go to the first user-record.
<Ctrl-PgDn> ................. Go to the last user-record.
<ESC> ....................... Exits the User Editor.
<Alt-A> ..................... Add a new user record.
<Alt-D> ..................... Toggle the 'deleted' flag of the
current user.
<Alt-F> ..................... Shows flag descriptions for flags
you have defined on your BBS. After
pressing <Alt-F> another window will
appear showing the flags and any
descriptions you have defined for
them. You can add/edit descriptions
for your flags by pressing <Alt-E>
in this window, then using the Up
and Down arrows to position on the
flag. Then simply type the
description you want and press <ESC>
to exit that field, and <ESC> once
again to exit the flag description
window.
<Alt-L> ..................... Opens a secondary window listing
your user records. Several powerful
functions are available here to make
finding and editing your users much
easier. Press the <F1> key, and
ProBoard will display a help screen
containing information on the
following items.
<PgUp> ..... Moves to the previous screen page of
user records.
<PgDn> ..... Moves to the next screen page of
user records.
- 65 -
<Home> ..... Moves to the first record in the
user file.
<End> ..... Moves to the last record in the user
user file.
<Esc> ..... Closes the user list window and
returns to the user editor,
positioned on the first record in
the user file.
<Enter> ..... Closes the user list window and
returns to the user editor,
positioned on the user record you
were on in the user list window.
<1...9> ..... Begin typing the record number you
want to go to in the user file. A
window will appear showing you the
number as you type it. Press
<ENTER> to jump to the record you
have entered, or <ESC> to return to
the user list.
<A...Z> ..... Begin typing a name or part of a
name to search for in the user
file. This activates the search
dialog window. Once you have entered
the name you want to search for,
press <ENTER> to begin the search.
You can press <ESC> at any point
during the search, to abort the
search and return to the user list.
If the search finds a record
matching what you entered, you can
press <ENTER> to edit that record,
or press <Alt-N> to find the next
occurrence of your search criteria.
- 66 -
<Alt-F> ..... Activates a window asking if you
want to enable the user list
filter. If you select "No", you are
returned to the user list. If you
select "Yes", the user list filter
dialog window is activated. By
filling in various items in the
filter dialog, you can limit the
scope of the user records displayed
in the user list. Once a filter is
in effect, only the user records
matching the filter condition are
displayed in the user list. You
can then move thru the records
displayed, editing them and using
any other user list keys as you
normally would. To disable a
filter, press <Alt-F> and select
"No" when asked "Enable filter?".
Closing the user editor also
cancels any filter in effect.
<Alt-G> ..... Activates a window asking what user
record you want to go to in the user
list. Either enter a number and
press <ENTER> to go to that user
record, or press <ESC> to return to
the user list.
<Alt-S> ..... Activates the search dialog window.
Once you have entered the name you
want to search for press <ENTER> to
begin the search. You can press
<ESC> at any point during the
search, to abort the search and
return to the user list. If the
search finds a record matching what
you entered, you can press <ENTER>
to edit that record or press <Alt-N>
to find the next occurrence of your
search criteria.
<Alt-N> ..... Finds the next occurrence (if any) of
search criteria specified with the
<Alt-S> (search) option (above).
<Alt-N> ..................... Searches for the next user-record
matching the search criteria
specified with <Alt-S>.
- 67 -
<Alt-P> ..................... Toggles the Password Hide/UnHide
option when viewing user records.
The character that is displayed when
passwords are hidden is defined in
PROCFG, [F1] Options, System
Options, in the "Password Display"
field. When viewing a user record
where the password is hidden, simply
press <ENTER> when positioned on the
hidden password, and ProBoard will
display the user's password in a
window.
<ALT-R> .................... Restore User Record. If you are
editing a user's record and change
your mind, you can use this option
to restore the user record to it's
original values.
<Alt-S> .................... Searches for a user-record. You may
optionally specify either part of,
or the full name of the user you are
searching for. The search uses
"fuzzy" logic, meaning that it will
find user names containing strings
that are close to what you type.
How accurate the fuzzy search is
depends on the setting in PROCFG,
[F1] Options, System Options, in the
"FuzzySearch Rate" field.
<ALT-V> ..................... Validate User. Opens a window
containing any validation templates
defined in the PROCFG, [Shift-F6]
Validate Template Editor. (Refer to
the "Configuration" section of this
manual under "Validate Template
Editor" for more information on
setting up your templates.) Select
one of the templates, and ProBoard
will update the user record with the
values defined in the template,
asking you for confirmation first.
Press <ESC> at any point during the
validation to abort the validation.
- 68 -
<F10> ....................... Opens a secondary window containing
additional information about the
current user. Once this window is
displayed, you may display/edit the
following items.
- Times Called.
- Total Number of Downloads.
- Total KB of Downloads.
- Total Number of Uploads.
- Total KB of Uploads.
- Number of Messages User has posted.
- Total Time user has spent online to date.
- Amount of Time user has spent online today. If the user
has not been online today, there may still be a value in
this field. This field is cleared by ProBoard upon a
users first call of each day.
- Total KB downloaded today.
- Time Balance in the users bank account.
- Time Withdrawn from users bank account.
- Time Deposited in users bank account.
- Time user has borrowed from TheBank.
- Payback date for time user borrowed from TheBank.
- Kbyte Balance user has banked.
- Kbytes user has withdrawn from TheBank.
- Kbytes user has deposited.
- Kbytes user has borrowed.
- Payback date for Kbytes borrowed.
- Date last used the time bank.
When you have found the user-record you are looking for, move
between the fields by using the arrow keys. To edit a field, just
move the selector to that field and begin typing.
A user record has the following fields:
───────────────────────────────────────
User Name ................... User's name.
Alias ....................... Each user can have a unique 'alias'
(nickname). In selected message
areas, the user can use this alias
to write messages or (if enabled)
can login using this alias.
Password .................... User's password.
- 69 -
City ........................ City the user lives in.
State ....................... State the user lives in.
Country ..................... Country the user lives in.
Address 1 ................... Users address, line 1 of 3
Address 2 ................... Users address, line 2 of 3
Address 3 ................... Users address, line 3 of 3
Forward To .................. (not implemented yet)
Level ....................... User's security level (ranging from
0 to 64000). A 0 (zero) means that
the user has NO access to the BBS.
Flags ....................... User's flags. Edit them by pressing
<Enter>, and then pressing any
character ranging from A thru Z and
1 thru 6 to toggle that flag. Press
the <F1> key to view/edit any flag
definitions for your BBS.
Expiration Date ............. When this date is specified
(non-zero), the user's security
level will drop to the level
specified in the "Expiration
Level" field (below).
Expiration Level ............ The new security level assigned to a
user when the "Expiration Date" (if
other than 0) is reached.
Expiration Flags On ......... User flags to turn on when
expiration date is reached.
Expiration Flags Off ........ User flags to turn off when
expiration date is reached.
Comment ..................... This field allows you to enter
comments about this particular user.
Voice Phone ................. User's voice phone number (not
restricted to a certain layout).
Data Phone .................. User's data number (if any).
FAX Phone ................... User's FAX number (if any).
- 70 -
Birth Date .................. The date of birth of this user.
This will be recorded if you turn on
the option to ask new users for
their birth date upon initial login.
Directly to the right of the birth
date field is a number in brackets.
This number is the users age, as
calculated by ProBoard based on the
date entered into the birth date
field. If you change the users
birth date, you must save the record
in order for the calculation of the
users age to take place.
Sex ......................... User's sex. Toggle options with the
space bar.
Date Format ................. The date format this user prefers to
use. Toggle through the allowable
formats by pressing the right-arrow
and left-arrow while positioned on
this field.
Screen Height ............... Number of screen lines for this user.
Default Protocol ............ The default file transfer protocol
this user has selected.
Language .................... The language file the user selected
from the list of available languages
on your BBS. If no languages are
available or the user pressed
<ENTER> when asked to select a
language then ENGLISH is used as the
default. You can edit the users
language selection but you must type
the language name.
Log Level ................... The way in which entries about this
users calls will be written to
PROBOARD.LOG Use the Space Bar to
toggle between "Normal",
"Suspicious","Extensive", and
"Friend".
Terminal .................... Users Terminal Setting. Press the
<Spacebar> to toggle between "ANSI",
"Avatar", "Avt/0+", and "TTY".
- 71 -
NetMail Credit .............. Number of credits the user has left
to write Netmail messages.
First Call .................. The date of the user's first call to
your system. This field is display
only.
Last Call ................... The date of this users last call to
your system. This field is display
only.
Deleted ..................... If this is set to "Yes", this users
record will be removed from your
user file the next time you run
PBUTIL UP (User Packer) to pack the
user file.
More Prompt ................. Pause after each screen page?
Clear Screen ................ Send screen clearing codes to the
user?
Hot Keys .................... Hot Keys enabled? If set to "Yes"
user can hot key thru your menus.
If set to "No" then command-stacking
will be used instead.
IBM ......................... If set to "Yes" all IBM-specific
characters will be filtered out and
converted to standard ASCII. If set
to "No" then IBM characters will be
sent.
Full Screen Editor .......... If set to "Yes", then the fullscreen
message editor (defined in PROCFG,
F1, Paths, Editor Command) will be
used when this user enters messages.
If set to "No" then ProBoard will
use it's internal line editor
instead.
NoKill ...................... If set to "Yes" the user's record
CAN NOT be removed from the userfile
when using PBUTIL UK (User Killer)
or PBUTIL UP (User Packer).
Ignore Download ............. Does this user have UNLIMITED
downloadⁿaccess? If set to "Yes",
ProBoard will ignore download limits
for this user.
- 72 -
Attention ................... If set to "Yes", ProBoard will play
the file "ATTEN.MUS" when this user
logs on. The file "ATTEN.MUS" must
be located in your ProBoard System
Directory (usually C:\PB).
No Tops ..................... If set to "Yes", then this user will
be excluded from any of the "tops"
lists that ProBoard creates. (Refer
to Menu Function 48 for more info).
Hidden ...................... If enabled, ProBoard will hide this
users activity from the "Last
Callers List" (Menu Function 51),
"Show Users Online" (Menu Function
50), and from the "User List (Menu
Function 13).
Guest ....................... Allows this user to have "guest
account" status. This means their
daily totals for minutes online,
files downloaded, etc., will be
reset on each call of the day, and
not just on their first call of each
day.
Free Chat ................... If set to "Yes", ProBoard will
freeze the system timer when you and
this user are chatting. This means
no time will be deducted from a
users online time when chatting.
Local Only .................. If enabled, this user is not allowed
to log in remotely, they can only
use the local console to login.
RIP ......................... If set to "Yes" then RIP graphics
will be sent to this user. If set
to "No" RIP graphics will not be
sent to the user even if RIP is
detected.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Editor (F9) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Creating menus for ProBoard is extremely easy using the built-in
Menu Editor.
- 73 -
When you select the "Menu Editor" option in PROCFG's main menu, a
new window is opened containing the defined languages. ProBoard
allows you to have a language specific set of menus for each
language you define. Refer to the "Language Editor" portion of
the manual for more information on specifying paths for your
language specific menus. If no path is given, the default menu
path defined in PROCFG, (F1) Options, Paths, Menus is used.
Once you have selected the language whose menus you want to edit,
a second window is opened displaying the menu names that are
available to edit. A menu must already exist to be displayed in
this window.
You can type the first few letters of a menu name to jump to that
menu in the choice list, or use the cursor keys to position on the
menu that you want to edit. Then press <ENTER> to invoke the menu
editor.
In this window, you can use the following keys:
───────────────────────────────────────────────
- Up/Down Scroll up/down through existing menus.
- Enter Select an existing menu to edit.
- Insert Add a new menu.
Once you have selected a menu, you will notice the name of the menu
you are editing is displayed on the top line of the Menu Editor and
a line-by-line list of the items on the selected menu is displayed.
To add a menu item, press <Ins>, to remove a menu item, press
<Del>. Your menus can contain up to 255 menu items for each menu.
To edit a menu item, move the selector to that item and
press <Enter>. You can change the menu prompt and highlight
colors, or specify a RIP menu to be displayed to your users by
pressing <Alt-P>. If you want to see how a menu will look to
your users (ASCII/ANSI), press <Alt-S>. You can also copy
and paste menu items. To copy an item, move to the item you want
to copy, and press <Alt-C>. To insert the copied item somewhere
else, move to the place where you want the menu item, and press
<Ctrl-P>. You can even copy and paste items across different
menus.
- 74 -
Hot Tip!
────────
You can press <Alt-M> while logged on locally and a menu is
displayed, or when a user is logged on and sitting on a menu.
This launches the menu editor with the current menu loaded so you
can edit it. You will need to tell ProBoard which language
you want the menu loaded for. This makes it very easy to
correct/add items to a menu you are viewing on the screen, while
it is still fresh in your mind.
Basically, each line of your menus that your users will see
contains the following attributes.
Text Line ................... Text line to be displayed to the
user.
Color ....................... Color of this menu item. Press
<ENTER> to edit the color for
this menu item.
HotKey ...................... The key the user is to press to
activate this menu option.
Function .................... Menu Function to be executed. Press
<ENTER> to display and select from a
list of all ProBoard Menu Functions.
Data ........................ Data associated with this menu item.
Refer to the "Menu Functions"
section of this chapter for more info
on Data Items that you can use or
that may be needed with some Menu
Functions.
Minimum Level ............... Minimum security level a user needs
to access this menu item.
Maximum Level ............... Maximum security level a user can
have to access this menu item.
- 75 -
Flags ....................... The flags that the user needs in
their user record to access this
menu item. Press <Enter> when on
this field to invoke the menu flag
editor. Simply press the character
(A-Z or 1-6) to toggle the flags.
While you are in the menu flag
editor you can press <F1> to
view/modify notes about what
your flags are used for. You can
also specify flags that a user MUST
NOT have in order to access this
menu item. These flags are shown
in reverse. To set a reverse flag,
press the flag letter twice (it will
appear reversed). To clear a
reversed flag type the flag letter
one more time.
Minimum Age ................. The minimum age a user has to be in
order to access this menu item. Set
this to "0" to disable age checking.
Maximum Age ................. The oldest age that a user can be to
access this menu option.
Sex ......................... The sex the user must be to access
this menu function. Set this to
"Don't Care" to allow users of
either sex to use this menu option.
Time Left ................... The minimum amount of time a user
must have in order to use this menu
function. Great for doors that don't
check a users remaining time, etc.
Time Online ................. The amount of time a user must be
online before they are allowed to
select this menu option.
Time Frame .................. The hours during which users can
select this menu item. Default is
"fully enabled" meaning that this
menu item is available at all times
during a 24 hour period. Press
<Enter> to bring froward a window
that will allow you to select times
for this menu item to be accessed.
Times are in 1/2 hour increments,
based on a 24 hour format.
- 76 -
Minimum Speed ............... Minimum baud rate at which user must
be connected in order to see this menu
item.
Maximum Speed ............... Maximum baud rate at which this menu
item will be displayed. Great for
suggesting users with 300 baud modems
buy a faster modem :-)
RIP Options
───────────
Show Remote ................. If set to "Yes" then menu item or A??
file will be sent to remote. The
default value for this setting is
"No".
Show Local .................. If set to "Yes", when the RIP
sequence is sent to the user, the
SysOp will see this as a normal ANSI
menu-line or ANSI file. The default
value for this setting is "Yes"
Reset Screen ................ If set to "Yes", ProBoard will reset
(clear) the RIP windows before
executing this menu function.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Matrix Addresses (F10) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This is where you enter your net address. If you have more than
one net address, enter them here also.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Modem Parameters - (Shift-F1) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
When selecting "Modem Parameters", you get a choice between the
default configuration or a node-specific configuration. The
default configuration is used whenever there is no node-specific
configuration defined.
You do not need to change these parameters when using ProBoard
with a front-end mailer, since it is in the mailer's setup where
you would define your modem(s) parameters.
- 77 -
Hardware Setup
──────────────
COM port .................... Enter the port that your modem is
configured to use. For example,
enter a 1 here to specify COM1, etc.
Locked Speed ................ Set to "Yes" if your modem's bps
rate is fixed (see below)
Max. Bps Rate ............... Maximum baud rate your modem can
handle. If you are locking your
COM port with the fossil driver,
this setting is ignored.
Modem Delay ................. Number of 1/10 seconds to pause
between each character that is sent
to the modem (some modems can't
handle fast input).
Answer Delay ................ Number of 1/10 seconds to wait
before the answer command (see
below) is sent to the modem after a
ring is detected (only when "Manual
Answer" is enabled)
Command Strings
───────────────
You can insert special codes in the modem command strings:
^ Set DTR high.
` or v Set DTR low.
| Sends a <CR> to the modem.
$ Sends a break to the modem.
~ Pauses for 1/2 second.
Make sure you add a '|' to send a return for all modem commands.
The modem result messages also need a '|' if the modem sends a
CR/LF after the message. (i.e. "ATA|" or "RING|")
- 78 -
Init Command 1-3 ............ Modem initialization commmands.
These are strings that have to be
sent to the modem to initialize it
and to have it ready to answer the
phone. It is possible to have up
to 3 init commands. The second one
won't be sent until the first one
results in "OK", and the third one
won't be sent until the second one
returns "OK". Every 5 minutes, the
modem will be re-initialized (some
modems fall asleep after a while)
Ok Message .................. What the modem sends back when a
command was accepted ("OK")
Off Hook Command ............ Command to be sent to the modem when
the SysOp is logging in locally.
Down Command ................ Command to be sent to the modem when
the SysOp presses <Esc>
Manual Answer ............... Set to "Yes" if ProBoard should send
the answer command when a ring is
received. Do NOT set your modem in
auto-answer mode when using this
option.
Ring Message ................ What the modem sends when the phone
rings.
Answer Command .............. What ProBoard should send to answer
the phone.
External/Fax Msg ............ ProBoard will exit immediately when
this message is received from the
modem. This can be used to receive
faxes when running ProBoard in a
standalone environment (for some
modems this string should be set to
"CONNECT FAX"). ProBoard will then
IMMEDIATELY exit with the given
errorlevel.
External Errorlevel ......... The errorlevel ProBoard will exit
with when the above message is
received from the modem.
- 79 -
Connect Strings
───────────────
<xxx> Bps Call .............. String returned by the modem upon an
<xxx> bps call. This is a 'partial'
string. So if the modem sends
'CONNECT 2400/ARQ', the string
'CONNECT 2400' will match. A '|'
can be used to specify a CR/LF. It
HAS to be used for the 300 bps
connect string, because "CONNECT"
without a '|' would match "CONNECT
2400" or "CONNECT 9600". So the
correct string is: "CONNECT|".
You can define up to 6 user-defined connect strings. For each one
you can specify the bps rate and the connect message that goes
with it.
LOCKING BAUD RATES
──────────────────
Note: If you use an error-correcting modem (MNP/V42), you may have
to lock your serial port speed using the fossil driver.
A "locked" baud rate refers to the transfer rate between the
computer and modem. When locked, the baud rate will remain
constant regardless of what the application program, such as
ProBoard, requests the baud rate to be. The modem MUST support
a constant computer to modem speed, otherwise any baud rate change
requested by an application will be ignored, resulting in an
incorrect setting between your system and your users. The result
will be garbled input and output.
Most high speed modems do support a fixed baud rate, and by
locking the baud rate you will obtain higher throughput. A fossil
program like X00 or BNU will handle this for you and is HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED (see the respective fossil doc file for command
syntax).
- 80 -
Note: Experience shows that a faster locking baud rate than actual
phone line baud rate will yield the best results.
Examples: X00 B,0,9600
BNU /L0=9600
See your FOSSIL documentation for details. If possible, install
your fossil for "quiet" or "no commercial" mode so the screen
display from the fossil does not bleed onto the ProBoard main
screen (stand-alone systems with no mailers in particular).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SysOp Macros (Shift-F2) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
There are 2 kinds of SysOp macros:
- Key macros : With this type of macro, it is possible to
assign many keystrokes to a single key.
When the macro key is pressed, all keys
specified will be passed to ProBoard, as if
you typed them yourself.
Special chars: '|' is replaced by <Enter>
'^' is replaced by <Esc>
- Shell macros : You can link any DOS command to a macro's hot-
key. A shell-definition MUST start with a '@'.
The string following the '@' should contain
the DOS command to be executed. You can,
of course, use the special shell options from
menu function 7.
Take this for an example:
Suppose you have set 'Swapping' to 'No' in
ProCFG. Should you, however, need ALL your
system memory in the shell, you could define
the following macro: @*C*N*Q*X (COMMAND.COM,
NoLog, NoMsg, Swapping).
- String macros: You can display a line of text to the user
with a hotkey. A string macro should start
with a back quote (`) character. When the
hotkey is pressed, the line of text will be
sent to the user and displayed on your local
screen.
- 81 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Events - (Shift-F3) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
It is possible to instruct ProBoard to perform some action at a
set time and day (an "Event"). This action can be: exiting with
a specific errorlevel (for a batch file) or executing a DOS
command. This is useful for example, to pack the user file, or to
pack the message base at a specified time each day.
You can define up to 30 events.
An event is described by the following fields:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Enabled...................... If this is set to 'No', the event
will be ignored.
Active Days.................. Determines on what days of the week
this event will run. To edit this
field, press <Enter> and toggle
the 'Yes/No' fields displayed next
to each day.
Event Time................... The time at which the event has to
run on the selected days (in 24h
format).
Duration..................... How long this event has to stay
active. During the event, no users
are allowed to log in on ANY node.
Event type................... 'Command' : A DOS-command will be
executed when the event
is activated. You can
use any of the shell
options from menu type
7. Remember to use the
*Z option to run a batch
file.
'Errlevel': When the event
is activated, ProBoard
will exit with an
errorlevel, specified in
the next field.
Errorlevel................... The errorlevel to use for this event
if the event type is set to
'Errorlevel'.
- 82 -
DOS-command.................. The DOS-command to execute for this
event if the event type is set to
'Command'.
Node number.................. An event will run on ONE node. You
can specify the node here.
When using a frontend-mailer, you only have to specify the time,
days and duration, because the events have to be executed by the
mailer.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Personal Files - (Shift-F4) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard allows you and other users to send "Personal Files" to
each other on the BBS. ProBoard keeps track of each uploaded
file. You can add/edit/delete Personal Files with this option in
ProCFG. In the list of files, a [+] means that the file
physically exists. This assures you that a file you define as a
Personal File for another user actually is in the directory
waiting for them upon their next call to your BBS. When the
file name is shown between parentheses, it means that the file
is not located in the personal files directory (as setup in
ProCFG), but in another directory.
- 83 -
To edit an entry, press <Enter>, to Delete an entry, press <Del>,
and to add an entry, press <Ins>.
Filename..................... Name of the uploaded file. Press
<Alt-L> to select any file which is
in your personal files directory.
You can also enter a complete path
and file name if the file you want
to send is not located in the
personal files directory. Keep in
mind that when the "Delete" flag is
set (see below), the file will be
physically removed from your hard
drive after the user has downloaded
the file.
From User.................... The user who sent this file. Press
<Alt-L> to select a name from your
user file, or type the name in
yourself.
To user...................... The destination user for this file.
Press <Alt-L> to select a user from
your user file, or type one in.
Delete....................... If this flag is set to "Yes", the
file will be physically deleted
after the user has downloaded it.
If set to "No", only the entry in
the personal files list will be
removed, not the file itself.
It is possible to add files to this list. This way you can send a
file to a specific user. ProBoard will handle deleting files after
a user transfers "personal files" that are waiting for them (if
the "Delete" flag is set). You can also manually delete files in
the "personal file" editor by positioning the highlight bar on the
filename and pressing the <DEL> key. You will be asked to confirm
the deletion of the file before it is deleted from the "personal
file" list as well as from your hard drive.
For more information on how to implement this option on your BBS,
refer to Menu Function(s) 22, 33, 32 explained in detail in the
section on menus.
- 84 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Language Editor - (Shift-F5) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard allows you to change the text and the color for every
prompt in the system to create a custom "look and feel" for your
BBS. ProBoard also allows you to display your system prompts to
users in several different languages.
Language files end with the file extension ".PBL" and are stored
in your ProBoard system directory (usually C:\PB). You can create
and install up to 30 different language files at any one time.
To create a different language file, first you must select one to
work with as a model. You then copy the model to a language file
with a new name. Refer to the following example:
COPY ENGLISH.PBL STARTREK.PBL
This would create a new language file called "STARTREK.PBL" from
the "ENGLISH.PBL" file (supplied with ProBoard). All of the
system prompts in "STARTREK.PBL" would at this point be exactly the
same as the ones in ENGLISH.PBL.
You should then start up PROCFG.EXE and select "Language Editor"
(Shift+F5). A window will be displayed showing the currently
installed languages. Position the highlight on STARTREK (notice
that the name in the right column still says "English") and press
<ENTER> to begin working with it.
You will now see a full screen window with all of the prompts for
your new STARTREK language file. Note on the top line the
following options:
Alt-D ....................... Restores the default prompt for the
system prompt you are currently
positioned on. So if you change the
"Please enter your first and last
name" prompt to read "Enter your
name", and then decide you liked the
default prompt better, press Alt-D
while positioned on the "Enter your
name" prompt and the default prompt
will be restored. The default prompt
is always displayed on the bottom
line of the Language Editor.
- 85 -
Alt-P ....................... Opens the "Language Properties"
dialog. This is where you define
the properties for this language
file. You'll notice the description
for the STARTREK language file still
says ENGLISH in the description.
This needs to be changed to STARTREK
so your users can select the new
language, otherwise they will have
two ENGLISH languages to choose from.
Alt-S ....................... Opens the "Search" dialog. Enter a
text string to search for in the
language and ProBoard will move to
the first prompt in the language file
that matches. To repeat the search,
in the prompts for the next
occurrence of the text string you
entered, press <Alt-N>. This allows
you to easily search your entire
language file for specified text,
making changes to the prompts as the
text is found.
A description of the fields in the "Language Properties" dialog is
as follows:
Description ................. This is the name your users will see
when choosing from language files
they have access to.
Available ................... Whether this language is available
to callers with the proper security
level.
Level ....................... The minimum security level required
to select this language file.
Flags ....................... The security flags needed in a users
record to be able to select this
language file.
Menu Path ................... The full path to your language
specific menus. If specified
ProBoard will look for language
specific menus in this path when
users select this language. If left
blank, ProBoard will display the
menus in the path specified in
PROCFG, Options, Paths, Menus.
- 86 -
Text Path ................... The full path to your language
specific text files. If specified
ProBoard will display language
specific versions of your A?? text
files if you create them. RIP files
need to be in one common directory
(in other words, ProBoard does not
support RIP language specific text
files at this time. If left blank,
ProBoard will display the textfiles
in the path specified in PROCFG,
Options, Paths, Textfiles.
Questionnaire Path .......... The full path to your language
specific questionnaire files. If
specified ProBoard will use language
specific versions of your
questionnaires if you create them.
If left blank, ProBoard will look for
questionnaire files (files with the
.Q-A file extension) in the ProBoard
System Directory.
Once you are positioned on a prompt that you want to change, press
<ENTER> to invoke the "Edit Language String" dialog. Each language
string can be up to eight lines long. The color for each string is
fully configurable (just like in the menu editor). You can insert
the following control codes in your language string.
@a<file>@ ................... Shows <file>.ANS/ASC/AVT (depending
on the user's terminal setting).
You can put this code anywhere in
the prompt. (Example: "@aP_ENTER@"
displays P_ENTER.A??)
@p<file>@ ................... Runs <file>.PEX when this prompt
is displayed. Parameters are
allowed (seperated by spaces). You
can put this control code anywhere
in the prompt.
(Example: "@pTEST 2@" will run
TEST.PEX with the parameter 2)
^ ........................... Toggles the highlight color on/off.
The actual highlight color can be
changed by selecting the "Highlight"
option in the Language String
editor.
- 87 -
\\ .......................... Single Backspace.
\^ .......................... Generates a caret (the ^
character).
\<B><F> .................... Set background color to <B> and
foreground color to <F>. The color
has to be entered as one hex
character (0-9,A-F).
The colors are:
───────────────
0 - Black 8 - Bright Black
1 - Blue 9 - Bright Blue
2 - Green A - Bright Green
3 - Cyan B - Bright Cyan
4 - Red C - Bright Red
5 - Magenta D - Bright Magenta
6 - Yellow E - Bright Yellow
7 - White (Grey) F - Bright White (Grey)
For the background color, bright colors are not available. When
you use 8-F for the background color, the color will have the
blinking attribute.
Other color codes you can use are:
──────────────────────────────────
\HR -> Bright red \LR -> Dark red
\HG -> Bright green \LG -> Dark green
\HY -> Bright yellow \LY -> Dark yellow
\HB -> Bright blue \LB -> Dark blue
\HP -> Bright purple \LP -> Dark purple
\HC -> Bright cyan \LC -> Dark cyan
\HW -> Bright white \LW -> Dark white
Some examples:
──────────────
\0F Bright white on black
\1B Bright cyan on blue
\8E Bright yellow (blinking)
\70 Reverse (black on grey)
\LC Dark cyan on black
- 88 -
A description of the fields in the Language String dialog is as
follows:
String #1 - String #8 ...... The actual text that will be
displayed to your users. Some
prompts can be quite simple to
understand (refer to Prompt #7)
and some can seem quite difficult at
first (refer to Prompt #207) with
many options needing to be passed to
the prompt, as well as hotkey values.
A careful study of the default
prompts, and how they display will
help you to gain a better idea of how
they work.
Hotkeys ..................... The hotkeys needed for the prompt.
If you study Prompt #207 you will see
the hotkeys defined are "SCRDILAE".
If you look at the text strings for
this same prompt, you will see why
these hotkeys are needed. Be sure to
specify the correct number and order
of hotkeys for each prompt (if
applicable). Any prompt which does
not use hotkeys will have "n/a"
displayed in the hotkey field and
you will not be able to enter
anything into the hotkey field.
Color ....................... Allows you to define a color for the
prompt text displayed to your users.
Press <ENTER> to select the color you
want to use for your prompt text.
Highlight ................... Allows you to define a color for the
highlight. Remember, highlight is
toggled on/off with the ^ character.
Prompt Color ................ Allows you to select a color for the
users reply to this prompt. For
example, if your prompt reads "Enter
your first AND last name" and this
color is set to cyan, when a user
types their name, what they type will
be displayed in cyan (or whatever
color you select here).
- 89 -
The Language Editor will allow you to see what your prompts will
look like when a user sees them without showing you the control
codes. Move the highlight thru the language editor until you are
close to, but not on, Prompt #191. You will notice it displays
"(DUPLICATE- DELETED") and the word "DELETED" is flashing. Now
move the highlight selector to prompt #191 and press <ENTER>. You
will now see the prompt with the control codes that make it flash,
etc.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Validate Template Editor - (Shift-F6) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard allows you to easily validate users on your BBS using the
values defined here in the Validate Template Editor.
The Validate Template Editor makes validation of your new users
with any desired security level, loglevel, or combination of flag
settings, and complete subscription support very easy.
Once your templates have been defined, all you need to do to
validate a user using the templates, is to press <ALT-V> while
positioned on their record in the User Editor. Then, simply
select which validation template you want to apply.
Before you can use your validation templates, you must first
define them. This is done here, in the Validate Template Editor.
To add a validation template, press <Alt-A>. You can also press
<F1> for help at any time while in the Validate Template Editor.
The following keys can be used while in the Validate Template
Editor.
Page Up ..................... Go to the previous record in the
template editor.
Page Down ................... Go to the next record in the
template editor.
CTRL+PgUp.................... Go to first template record.
CTRL+PgDn.................... Go to last template record.
ESC ......................... Leave the template editor.
Alt-A ....................... Add a template record.
- 90 -
Alt-D ....................... Toggles the current template record
for deletion.
Alt-F ....................... Show/Edit your flag descriptions.
Alt-L ....................... Shows a list of all currently
defined templates.
Alt-S ....................... Searches currently defined templates
by descriptions.
Alt-N ....................... Searches for next record containing
matching description as in previous
search.
The following fields make up a template "record" in ProBoard's
Validate Template Editor.
Description ................. This is the description for this
template. Be sure to describe your
templates so you remember what
security level they assign to a user
at a later time when you validate
them using the templates.
Security Level .............. This is the security level you want
assigned to a user when validating
them using this template.
Subscribe ................... How many days of "subscription"
access a user will receive when
validated using this template.
ProBoard will use this value to
calculate the Expiration Date in
the users record.
Expiration Level ............ The security level you want to assign
when the users subscription level
reaches the Expiration Date.
Timebank Time ............... How many minutes of time you want to
place into the users time bank account.
Timebank Kbyte .............. How many KBytes of file credit you
want to place into the users time
bank account.
- 91 -
Netmail Credit .............. How many netmail credits the user
should receive when validated.
Validation Flags On ......... The flags to enable in a users record
when validating them using this
template.
Validation Flags Off ........ The flags to disable in a users
record when validating them using
this template.
Expiration Flags On ......... The flags to enable when a user
reaches their expiration level.
Expiration Flags Off ........ The flags to disable when a user
reaches their expiration level.
Comment ..................... A comment to place in the users
record when validating them using
this template.
Loglevel .................... What loglevel to assign a user when
validating them using this template.
Use the <Space Bar> to cycle through
the choices.
Hidden ...................... If enabled, ProBoard will hide this
users activity from the Last Callers
list (Function 51), Show Users
Online (Function 50), and from the
display of the User List (Function
13).
No Tops ..................... If set to "Yes", then this user will
be excluded from any of the "Tops"
lists that ProBoard creates. Refer
to Menu Function 48 for more info.
Attention ................... If set to "Yes", ProBoard will play
the file ATTEN.MUS when this user
logs on. The file ATTEN.MUS must be
in your ProBoard System Directory
(usually C:\PB).
NoKill ...................... If set to "Yes" the user's record
CAN NOT be removed from the userfile
when using PBUTIL UK (User Killer)
or PBUTIL UP (User Packer).
- 92 -
Ignore Download ............. Does this user have UNLIMITED
download access? If set to "Yes",
ProBoard will ignore download limits
for this user.
Deleted ..................... If this is set to "Yes", this means
this Template Record is marked for
deletion and will be cleared from
your list of templates as soon as
you leave the Validate Template
Editor.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ About ProCFG - (Shift-F9) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Displays a window which contains copyright information about
ProCFG.
- 93 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── SECURITY ────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Levels & Flags │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
All security procedures toward a user are being done through the
user's LEVEL and FLAGS. ProBoard can have levels ranging from 0 to
64000, and provides 32 flags (A-Z, and 1-6) that can be ON or OFF.
If a menu needs a certain level and flags, then only the users with
a level equal to or higher than that level and with all the needed
flags will be able to SEE and CHOOSE this menu option. It will
remain invisible to all the other users.
An example will be given in the next chapter.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Trashcan │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
It is possible to specify names that cannot be used to log on to
your system. Often used fake names are: "SysOp", "BBS", etc...
You can specify these names in a textfile called TRASHCAN.CTL.
Each line in this file specifies an unwanted or illegal name.
An example file is included.
- 94 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── MENUS ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Menus are one of the most important parts of a BBS. Menus are the
direct interface between a user and your BBS. They are used to
execute all the BBS functions, and they can have their own
submenus. They take care of security, by disabling or hiding
certain functions from certain users or groups of users.
ProBoard allows your BBS to have a very personal look, as your
menus can be built and displayed in a VERY flexible way.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Setting Up Menus │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
A menu is basically line-oriented. Every line is linked to a
function to be executed and to a textline to be shown to the user.
Every line/function has its own level and flags, to make sure that
not all of the menu items are available to every user.
A menu line has the following fields:
─────────────────────────────────────
Textline..................... Textline to be displayed to the user.
Hotkey....................... Key to be pressed by the user to
activate this menu item.
Function..................... Function to be executed.
Data......................... Data associated with this menu item.
Level........................ Level needed to access this menu
item.
Flags........................ Flags needed to access this menu
item.
Color........................ Color of the menu line.
- 95 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Security │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
To clarify menu security, here's a simple example:
Suppose we have 4 users with the following levels and flags:
┌──────────────────────┬───────┬─────────┐
│ Name │ Level │ Flags │
│----------------------│-------│---------│
│ Pete │ 10 │ Z │
│ Jerry │ 100 │ P │
│ Al │ 100 │ R │
│ Charlie │ 200 │ P & R │
└──────────────────────┴───────┴─────────┘
Let's define a menu with textlines only:
┌───────────────────────┬───────┬────────┐
│ Text │ Level │ Flags │
│-----------------------│-------│--------│
│ Good morning; │ 10 │ │
│ ,; │ 50 │ │
│ Jerry │ 100 │ P │
│ and; │ 150 │ │
│ Al; │ 100 │ R │
│ send their best wishes│ 200 │ P & R │
│ . │ 300 │ │
│ :-) │ 10 │ X │
└───────────────────────┴───────┴────────┘
This would give the following result when the menu is displayed:
┌─────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Pete │ Good morning │
╞═════════════════╪═════════════════════════════════╡
│ Jerry │ Good morning,Jerry │
╞═════════════════╪═════════════════════════════════╡
│ Al │ Good morning,Al │
╞═════════════════╪═════════════════════════════════╡
│ Charlie │ Good morning, Jerry │
│ │ and Al send their best wishes │
└─────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┘
The last 2 lines of the menu will NEVER be displayed, because none
of the 4 users have the required level AND flags.
- 96 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Creating Menus │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Your BBS's main menu MUST! be stored in a file called TOP.PBM.
All the other menus can have any file name you want to give them.
When you select the 'Menu Editor' option in PROCFG's main menu, a
new window will be opened containing the menus already available
(if any).
In this window, you can use the following keys:
- Up/Down Scroll up/down.
- Enter Select a menu.
- Ins Add a menu.
When you have selected a menu, a list of all the menu items will
be displayed. To add a menu item, just move past the last item and
press <Enter>. To insert an item, press <Ins>, to remove one,
press <Del>. To edit a menu item, move the selector to that item
and press <Enter>. You can change the menu prompt and highlight
colors by pressing <Alt-P>. If you want to see how a menu will
look, press <Alt-S> to simulate what your users will see when they
view this menu.
You can also copy and paste menu items.
To copy an item, move to the item you want to copy, and press
<Alt-C>. To insert the copied item somewhere else, move to the
place where you want the menu item inserted, and press <Ctrl-P>.
You can even copy and paste items across different menus.
- 97 -
A menu item has the following fields:
─────────────────────────────────────
Textline..................... This is the string to be displayed.
Leaving this field blank causes a
blank line to be displayed to the
user. A CR/LF will be sent after
the menu line. To avoid this, just
enter a ';' as the last character.
This will cause the next textline
of the menu to be appended to this
one.
Special textline characters:
^ : Switches between normal and
highlighted color.
~ : Replaced by the number of
minutes the user has left in
this session.
` : Replaced by the name of the
current message area (more
about this later).
@ : Replaced by the name of the
current file area (more about
this later).
This textline can also contain text
macros like @<NAME>@ or @<NODE>@.
More about this in the "Text macros"
section.
You are not limited to two colors in
menu lines. You can use the codes
\1 to \7 to change colors, or \0 to
return to the original color.
- 98 -
Hotkey....................... Most of the menu functions must be
chosen by the user, so ProBoard must
react to certain key-presses from
the user. Receiving the hotkey for a
certain menu item will cause
ProBoard to execute the function
associated with this item.
The hotkey can be any ASCII
character or digit,but one character
has a special meaning to ProBoard:
<Ctrl-A> will make this function
AUTOEXEC, which means that
this function will be executed as
soon as this menu item is displayed
(without really selecting this
option).
Function..................... The function associated with this
menu item. Pressing the <Enter> key
will cause a complete list of all
the menu functions to be displayed
in a separate window.
Data......................... This field is optional with some of
the functions. Basically, in this
field you enter the parameters of a
menu function. Eg. function 40
(Display ASC/ANS file) needs a file-
name as data (parameter). Function 1
(Goto menu) needs the name of the
menu to be jumped to. Text macros
can be inserted (see "Text macros"
section).
Level........................ Level needed to access this menu
item.
Flags........................ Flags needed to access this menu
item.
Color........................ Color for the menu's textline to be
displayed in.
- 99 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Hints │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can create a menu by using textlines, but you can also create
menus that display a file to the user, in which all the options
are shown. This technique works as follows:
The first item in the menu should have ';' as textline and
<Ctrl-A> (autoexec) as hotkey. The function to be executed should
be function 40 (Display file with hotkeys).
When the user accesses this menu, the specified file will
immediately be sent. Setting all the remaining textlines of the
menu to ';' will cause NOTHING BUT this file to be displayed.
Combined with the use of text macros, this allows you to show
different looking menus for each node you are running. For
example, if you use function 40, and enter "MAIN@<NODE>@" in the
data field, node 1 will see file MAIN1 , node 2 will see MAIN2,
etc.
This feature can be used to create a completely different set of
menus for each node on your board!
Another powerful feature is the ability to create a special menu
called GLOBAL.PBM This is the same as any other ProBoard menu
except that all items defined in this menu will be appended to
the bottom of each and every menu on your BBS. This can help
convey a standard look and feel for each of your menus to your
users. The prompt from the original menu and not from the
GLOBAL.PBM is the prompt that will be displayed to your users.
Be careful when using GLOBAL.PBM that you do not append hot-keys
that are already in use on existing menus.
If you need more information about all the possibilities, take a
look at the example menus supplied with ProBoard.
- 100 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Function Summary │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The following is a summary list of the ProBoard Menu Functions.
Each Menu Function is explained in detail in the following section
titled "Menu Functions Overview".
Function Action Performed Page
─────────── ────────────────────────────────────────── ────
Function 1 .... GOTO Menu ................................ 103
Function 2 .... GOSUB Menu ............................... 104
Function 3 .... GOTO Previous Menu ....................... 105
Function 4 .... GOTO Menu and Clear Menu Stack ........... 105
Function 5 .... Show ANS/ASC File......................... 106
Function 6 .... Change State ............................. 106
Function 7 .... Shell .................................... 107
Function 8 .... Show Version Information ................. 110
Function 9 .... Log Off .................................. 110
Function 10 ... Show System Usage Per Hour (Graph) ....... 110
Function 11 ... Chat Request ............................. 111
Function 12 ... Execute Questionnaire Script ............. 111
Function 13 ... Display User List ........................ 115
Function 14 ... Display Time Info ........................ 115
Function 15 ... Show A?? File and Wait ................... 115
Function 16 ... Change City .............................. 115
Function 17 ... Change Password .......................... 116
Function 18 ... Change Screen Length ..................... 116
Function 19 ... Toggle Screen Clearing Codes ............. 116
Function 20 ... Toggle More Prompt ....................... 117
Function 21 ... Toggle ANSI Codes ........................ 118
Function 22 ... Check for Personal Mail / Files .......... 119
Function 23 ... Read Messages ............................ 119
Function 24 ... Scan Messages ............................ 121
Function 25 ... Quick Scan Messages ...................... 121
Function 26 ... Show System Usage by Day (Graph) ......... 121
Function 27 ... Write a Message .......................... 121
Function 28 ... Combined Boards Select ................... 123
Function 29 ... Display System Usage Per Week (Graph)..... 123
Function 30 ... Show Directory ........................... 123
Function 31 ... List Files ............................... 124
Function 32 ... Download a File .......................... 126
Function 33 ... Upload a File ............................ 129
Function 34 ... View an Archive .......................... 130
Function 35 ... File Search by Keyword ................... 130
- 101 -
Function Action Performed Page
─────────── ────────────────────────────────────────── ────
Function 36 ... File Search by File Name ................. 131
Function 37 ... Show New Files ........................... 131
Function 38 ... View a File .............................. 131
Function 39 ... Display Named File ....................... 131
Function 40 ... Display A?? File with Menu Hotkeys ....... 132
Function 41 ... Toggle the Full Screen Editor ............ 132
Function 42 ... Toggle Command Stacking/Hotkeys .......... 133
Function 43 ... Clear Marked Messages .................... 133
Function 44 ... Global Combined Boards Selection ......... 133
Function 45 ... Display Text File and Wait ............... 134
Function 46 ... Change User Level and/or Flags ........... 134
Function 47 ... Make a Log Entry ......................... 134
Function 48 ... Show Hit Parade .......................... 135
Function 49 ... Select Message Area ...................... 135
Function 50 ... Show Users Online ........................ 136
Function 51 ... List Last Callers ........................ 137
Function 52 ... Remote User Editor ....................... 137
Function 53 ... Multi-Line (Internode) Chat .............. 138
Function 54 ... Select File Area ......................... 138
Function 55 ... Show .GIF File Information ............... 139
Function 56 ... Toggle IBM Characters .................... 139
Function 57 ... Change Phone Number ...................... 139
Function 58 ... Change Data/Fax Phone Number ............. 140
Function 59 ... Change User Alias (Handle) ............... 140
Function 60 ... Run ProBoard SDK File .................... 140
Function 61 ... Bulletin Menu ............................ 141
Function 62 ... Toggle AVATAR/0 .......................... 141
Function 63 ... Toggle AVATAR/0+ ......................... 142
Function 64 ... Show Graph (General) ..................... 142
Function 65 ... Display A??/RIP file with Hotkeys ........ 143
Function 66 ... Change RIPscrip Font ..................... 143
Function 67 ... Toggle RIPscrip Graphics ................. 144
Function 68 ... Edit Tagged Files ........................ 144
Function 69 ... Select a new Language .................... 144
Function 70 ... Change Date Format ....................... 145
Function 71 ... Change Mailing Address ................... 145
Function 72 ... Change FAX Number ........................ 145
Function 73 ... Change Country ........................... 145
- 102 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Functions Overview │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
In this function overview, parameters between <> are REQUIRED,
and parameters between [] are optional.
For example: <blank> is a required parameter.
[/M] is an option you might specify in addition.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 1: GOTO MENU │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <menu name> [/M=<nr msgarea>] [/F=<nr filearea>] [/P=<pwd>]
This function makes ProBoard jump to menu <menu name>.
Option /M can be used to define one single menu for several
message areas. You could jump to a 'general' message area menu and
pass option /M=3, to make message area 3 active for the selected
menu. Please refer to function 23 (Read messages) for more
information about this option.
Option /F works exactly the same, but applies to file areas.
It is possible to protect a menu with a password by using the /P=
option. For example: "SysOp /P=Test" would protect menu "SysOp"
with the password "Test". The user will have to enter this
password to be allowed to move to the menu.
It is also possible to select the next available message or file
areas with the use of the following parameters.
/M=+ (set next accessible Message Area)
/M=- (set previous accessible Message Area)
/F=+ (set next available File Area)
/F=- (set previous accessible File Area)
Data examples:
MSG /M=5
────────
This makes ProBoard GOTO the menu named "MSG" and sets the
Message Area to Area #5.
- 103 -
FILE /F=10
──────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and sets the
File Area to Area #10
MSG /M=+
────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "MSG" and selects the
next Message Area that is available to this caller.
FILE /F=-
─────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and selects the
previous File Area that is available to this caller.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 2: GOSUB MENU │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <menu name> [/M=<nr msgarea>] [/F=<nr filearea>] [/P=pwd]
This function is largely the same as the Menu Function 1 (it
even has the same parameters), but the menu this function is
called from is pushed onto an internal stack. ProBoard will jump
back to this menu when returning from menu <menu name> (by
executing Menu Function 3).
Data examples: (see Menu Function 1 for complete parameters)
MSG /M=5
────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "MSG" and sets the
Message Area to Area #5. It also places the previous menu on
a stack. The previous menu can be returned to by using Menu
Function 3.
FILE /F=10
──────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and sets the
File Area to Area #10. It also places the previous menu on
a stack. The previous menu can be returned to by using Menu
Function 3.
- 104 -
MSG /M=+
────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "MSG" and selects the
next Message Area that is available to this caller. It also
places the previous menu on a stack. The previous menu can be
returned to by using Menu Function 3.
FILE /F=-
─────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and selects
the previous File Area that is available to this caller. It
also places the previous menu on a stack. The previous menu
can be returned to by using Menu Function 3.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 3: GOTO PREVIOUS MENU │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
This function makes ProBoard go back to the previous menu if you
used Menu Function 2.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 4: GOTO MENU & CLEAR STACK │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <menu name> [/M=<nr msgarea>] [/F=<nr filearea>] [/P=pwd]
This function performs the same tasks as Menu Function 1, but will
clear the existing menu stack, thus preventing the user from
returning to the previous menu.
Data examples: (see Menu Function 1 for complete parameters)
MSG /M=5
────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "MSG" and sets the
Message Area to Area #5. The menu stack will be cleared
preventing return to any previous menus already on the stack.
- 105 -
FILE /F=10
──────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and sets the
File Area to Area #10. The menu stack will be cleared
preventing return to any previous menus already on the stack.
MSG /M=+
────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "MSG" and selects the
next Message Area that is available to this caller. The menu
stack will be cleared preventing return to any previous menus
already on the stack.
FILE /F=-
─────────
This makes ProBoard display the menu named "FILE" and selects
the previous File Area that is available to this caller. The
stack will be cleared preventing return to any previous menus
already on the stack.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 5: SHOW ANS/ASC FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <filename>
This function displays a file to the user with the extension .ANS
or .ASC, depending on the user's ANSI-setting. The file must be
stored in ProBoard's textfiles directory; <filename> should NOT
contain an extension (max. eight characters). If ProBoard doesn't
find the .ANS file, it will look for the .ASC file.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 6: CHANGE STATE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows a user to change the state in their user-record.
- 106 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 7: SHELL │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <command line>
With this function, you can instruct ProBoard to execute an
external program. This program has to do its own serial I/O, so
ordinary programs will only work if run locally.
Parameter <command line> needs full path and filename (.COM or
.EXE extension included), and may contain some special codes.
These codes will (at run-time) be replaced by a value or a string.
Special codes:
** Replaced by an asterisk ('*')
*# Replaced by the node number.
*\ Sends the message "SysOp is shelling..." to the user
before the shell is executed, and the message "SysOp
has returned..." afterwards.
*! Freezes ProBoard's system timer when shelling.
*= Do not call any fossil functions when shelling. Great
for use in INIT.PEX files.
*A Writes a user's handle (alias) to DORINFOx.DEF instead
of his/her real name.
*B Current baud rate.
*C Replaced by the full name & path of the command
interpreter. It is the contents of the environment
variable "COMSPEC". This usually is C:\COMMAND.COM.
*D Writes a full 52-line DOOR.SYS drop file to the current
directory before shelling.
*E Writes an RA 1.1x EXITINFO.BBS to the current directory
before shelling and reads it back afterwards. ProBoard
creates an RA 2.xx by default so if you need the older
EXITINFO.BBS format be sure to specify the *E
parameter.
*F User's first name.
- 107 -
*G Indicates whether user has ANSI (1) or ASCII (0) set.
*H Tells ProBoard not to disable the fossil driver when
shelling.
*I Maximum user-inactivity (seconds).
*L User's last name.
*M ProBoard's start-up directory (including trailing '\')
*N Shell will NOT be logged in PROBOARD.LOG.
*O (not zero!) is replaced by the path of the current
file area.
*P Com-port used by ProBoard (1-8).
*Q Don't let user know that ProBoard is shelling (!).
*R User's record number in USERS.BBS.
*S ProBoard's system directory (incl. trailing '\')
*T Time left for the user today (minutes).
*V Disables adding 2 to the graphics capability line in
DORINFOx.DEF when the user has AVATAR enabled.
*W Runs the shell in a window , so the status on the last
line will not be cleared. This option only works with
programs that send their output to the standard output
device (no direct screen writes).
*X ALWAYS SWAP to disk/EMS, even if swapping is disabled
in ProCFG.
*Y DO NOT SWAP to disk/EMS.
*Z Execute the command as if you typed it from the
command line. The main use for this option is to
execute DOS batch files. It is exactly the same as
entering "*C /C <command>". It can also be useful to
execute programs that are located in your path,
without having to specify the exact directory name.
- 108 -
*_ (asterisk underscore) Tells ProBoard not to write
underscores instead of spaces when writing a user's
last name in DORINFOx.DEF. For example, users name is
Harvey Van Hooten. Without this parameter, users name
will be written to DORINFOx.DEF as follows:
HARVEY VAN_HOOTEN
By using the *_ (asterisk underscore) the users name
will be written to DORINFOx.DEF as follows:
HARVEY VAN HOOTEN (with no underscore in last name)
*0 (zero) ProBoard will write a DORINFO1.DEF instead of a
DORINFO<node>.DEF - great for running doors which
require a DORINFO1.DEF file on a multi node ProBoard
system.
*1 Installs a timer-function when shelling, which
continuously redisplays the user's status line on the
first screenline. This can be used with ALL programs.
(Works great most full-screen protocols!)
*2 Same as *1, but uses the bottom screenline (try this
with QuickEd or GEdit!)
Suppose ProBoard is in directory D:\PB.
Data example: *Q*STEST.EXE *B
ProBoard will execute D:\PB\TEST.EXE 2400 and the user won't see
this happening.
To execute a batch file, you have to use the following syntax:
"*Z<filename>.BAT <parameters>". This is expanded to:
"*C /C <filename>.BAT <parameters>".
When shelling, ProBoard writes a standard DORINFOx.DEF file, where
x stands for the node-number. An RA-compatible EXITINFO.BBS file
and a DOORWAY-compatible DOOR.SYS can also be created by
specifying the *E and/or *D options. All these files are created
in the directory where ProBoard is started from.
- 109 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 8: SHOW VERSION INFORMATION │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
This function shows information about ProBoard's version number.
If you have a registered copy of ProBoard, the SysOp's name and
BBS-name will be shown. With this function, you can show off to
your users that you're a nice SysOp: one that registered!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 9: LOGOFF │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Shows the file GOODBYE.ANS/ASC and hangs up the phone.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 10: SHOW SYSTEM USAGE PER HOUR (GRAPH) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Shows a bar graph of the average system usage per hour. From the
day you install ProBoard, it will keep track of a usage rate per
hour and per day. If you want to change the usage values, just
edit the values using ProCFG.
- 110 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 11: CHAT REQUEST │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
This function allows the user to make a request to chat with the
SysOp. The user will be prompted for a reason why he wants to
chat. The minimal length of this reason must be 5 characters.
ProBoard will not allow the user to enter 5 spaces as a reason for
chatting. If the SysOp does not answer, the status line will start
flashing, indicating that the users wants to chat. You can view the
reason for the chat by pressing <F8>.
You can define your own page-tune by creating a RemoteAccess-
compatible description file. The format of this file is described
in the reference section.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 12: EXECUTE QUESTIONNAIRE SCRIPT │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <scriptname>
This function executes a questionnaire. A questionnaire is a
common ASCII-file containing several commands to be executed by
ProBoard. A questionnaire scriptfile has an extension .Q-A, and
the user's answers will be stored in a file with the same
filename, but with extension .ASW.
Starting from version 1.15, you can write very powerful
questionnaires by using the ProBoard SDK.
You can use the following commands in a scriptfile:
ASK <length> <number of variable>
eg: Ask 10 1
Asks the user something. The user has <length> characters to
answer, and the answer will be stored in the variable <number
of variable>. The maximum number of variables in ProBoard is 20.
- 111 -
CHANGECOLOR <color>
eg: ChangeColor 3
Changes the color in which the following text will be displayed.
The number <color> is the ANSI color code, which means that this
function works only for users who use ANSI.
CLEARSCREEN
Well, what do you think?
DISPLAY "<string>"
eg: Display "Hi there!"
Displays a string <string>. The string must be contained in double
quotes; a '|' in a string will be replaced by CR/LF (new line).
IF <number of variable> = "<string>"
eg. If 1 = "Y"
Directs the .Q-A file according to the user's answers.
If the condition is met, all commands after the IF-statement will
be executed, until an ENDIF is encountered.
ENDIF
Ends an IF-statement.
eg: Display "Do you have a hard disk?"
GetChoice YN 1
If 1 = "Y"
Display "Storage space in Mb?"
Ask 2
EndIf
Display "..."
- 112 -
GETCHOICE <options> <number of variable>
eg: GetChoice YN 1
Forces the user to give a proper answer, chosen from <options>.
OUTPUTANSWER ["<description>"] <number of variable>
eg: OutputAnswer "Name: " 1
Writes ["<description>"] and the value in <number of variable> to
the .ASW-file. <description> is optional.
POSTINFO
Writes a header to the .ASW-file. The header contains some general
information about the user ("Peter Piper answered on ...").
QUIT
Ends execution of the questionnaire script.
SETFLAG <flag> <ON/OFF>
eg: SetFlag C ON
Sets/clears user flag <flag>. For compatibility with RA, it is
also possible to use the QuickBBS/RA flags (A1-D8)
SETSECURITY <level>
eg: SetSecurity 20
Changes the user's security level.
- 113 -
CAPITALISE [On|Off]
eg: Capitalise On
Changes the way input from the user is displayed. When ON, all
characters typed will be converted to uppercase.
DISPLAYFILE <filename>
eg: DisplayFile TEST
Displays <filename>.ANS/ASC. It is identical to menu function 5.
EXEC <command>
eg: Exec "*ZECHO TEST"
Execute a shell. It is identical to function 7. Note that you MUST
use quotes (") if the command contains any spaces.
LISTANSWER <var-num>
eg: ListAnswer 4
Displays variable <var-num>, with a CR/LF at the end.
MENUCMND <num> [data]
eg: MenuCmnd 11 "Yelling SysOp..."
Execute any menu command. If the data field contains spaces, you
MUST use quotes (").
WAITENTER
eg: WaitEnter
Waits for the <Enter> key.
- 114 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 13: DISPLAY USERLIST │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Prompts the user for a name (or part of a name) and goes looking
for it in the name fields of USERS.BBS. If the user doesn't
specify a string (if he presses <Enter>), the entire userlist
will be displayed. ProBoard uses a built-in "fuzzy search"
algorithm, which will locate specific users even if you misspell
their name.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 14: DISPLAY TIME INFO │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Displays information about the current time, time online,
remaining time, etc.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 15: SHOW ANS/ASC FILE & WAIT │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <filename>
Displays an ANS/ASC-file (like function 5) and waits for the user
to press <Enter>.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 16: CHANGE CITY │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change the city in his user-record.
- 115 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 17: CHANGE PASSWORD │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change his password.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 18: CHANGE SCREEN LENGTH │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change his screen's length (# lines).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 19: TOGGLE CLEAR SCREEN CODES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to decide whether he wants clear screen-codes sent
or not.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable screen
clearing and ProBoard will not display: "Screen Clearing is now
enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
- 116 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 20: TOGGLE MORE PROMPT │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to decide whether scrolling should pause when the
screen is full.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable the
More? prompt, and ProBoard will not display: "Page Pausing is now
enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
- 117 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 21: TOGGLE ANSI CODES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to choose ANSI graphics/colors or not.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable ANSI,
and ProBoard will not display: "ANSI codes enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
- 118 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 22: CHECK FOR PERSONAL MAIL & FILES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or [/F] or [/M] or both.
Searches all the message areas for messages addressed to the user
that have not yet been received by him/her. If ProBoard finds an
area with new mail, which the user does not have read access to,
it will inform the user, and the SysOp.
This function also checks for personal files addressed to the
user.
Specifying the [/F] option will force ProBoard to check only
for new personal files.
Specifying the [/M] option will force ProBoard to check only
for new personal mail.
ProBoard will also find mail addressed to a users alias.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 23: READ MESSAGES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area> or <*> or <0>
Allows the user to read a message. If <area> is specified (a
number ranging from 1 to 10,00), then only messages from message
area <area> can be read. If <*> is specified, only messages from
the active area can be read (refer to the goto/gosub menu
functions and to function 49). If <0> is specified, only messages
from areas selected in the combined boards can be read. When
reading messages in combined message areas, messages are read "per
area", not in the order of the message number.
The user has several options when reading messages:
Forward : First to last.
Reverse : Last to first.
- 119 -
New : New messages not read by the user. Messages
are read per area. If you have new messages
in Area 1 and 5, ProBoard will first show all
new messages in Area 1, then all new messages
in Area 5.
Selected : Messages selected by name or subject.
Marked : Marked messages only.
When a message is read, the user has the following options:
Next : Next message.
Previous : Previous Message
Again : Show this message again.
Stop : Stop reading messages.
Mark : Mark this message for later use.
Reply : Reply to this message. The entire message will
be passed to the external fullscreen editor,
thus making it possible to quote text from the
original message in your reply.
Unread : Set this messages status to 'Not received'.
Moves to the next message (if any).
Delete : Delete this message from the message base.
Forward : Copy the message and address it to somebody
else. This will only work in a LOCAL message
area.
Move : Move this message to another message area.
Private : Toggles the private/public status of the
message.
Export : Export this message to any file.
+ / - : Show the next/previous message in the
reply-chain.
Original : Go back to the message where you first used
+/- to follow replies.
- 120 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 24: SCAN MESSAGES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area> or <*> or <0>
Gives an overview of the messages. Only the message-header will
be displayed, and the user has the possibility to mark messages
for later retrieval. The options follow the same rules as in
function 23 (Read messages).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 25: QUICKSCAN MESSAGES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area>/<*>/<0>
Same as the previous function, but only an overview in short form
is displayed. The user does not have the possibility to mark
messages. The options follow the same rules as in function 23
(Read messages).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 26: USAGE GRAPH BY DAY (GRAPH) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Displays a graph of your system's use for the last <xx> days.
The parameter <xx> is determined by the setting in PROCFG, under
Options (F1), System Options, # Usage Graph Days.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 27: WRITE A MESSAGE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area> or <*> [/L] [/N=Netmail address] [/T="Name"]
[/S="Subject"]
- 121 -
Allows the user to write a message. The area <area> (a number
ranging from 1 to 10,000) can be replaced by <*> (refer to
function 23). ProBoard's "fuzzy search" will assist users who
enter another users name improperly when they are writing messages
in local areas. ProBoard will search the user file, and give the
user a choice of all users whose names are close to what they
typed.
Optional parameters:
────────────────────
/L The user will be logged off after writing this message.
/N Writes a netmail message to the destination address
specified. This could also be used to send netmail
to a UUCP gateway.
/T The "To" (the addressee's name) is automatically
specified. It is not necessary to use quotes (")
when the username does not contain spaces.
/S The subject of the message is automatically specified.
It is not necessary to us quotes (") when the subject
does not contain spaces.
Examples:
─────────
/N=1:282/30 This would address a netmail message
to Fidonet node number 1:282/30
(ProBoard Support USA).
/T=SysOp Writes a message to the SysOp.
/T="Peter Piper" Writes a message to Peter Piper.
/S="ProBoard" Writes a message with the subject line
already filled in. The user will not
be able to change the subject.
- 122 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 28: COMBINED BOARDS SELECT │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or [/M]
Allows the user to select multiple message areas when using the
'combined boards read/scan' function. This is useful when a user
is not interested in certain message areas.
Also allows users to select which areas ProBoard will check [/M]
for new mail. This is very useful for visiting SysOps who don't
want to be forced to read echomail they already received on their
own system.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 29: SYSTEM USAGE PER WEEK (GRAPH) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Displays a graph of the system-usage in percent for the last 24
weeks.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 30: SHOW DIRECTORY │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: [directory name]
Shows a list of all the files stored in the specified directory.
If no directory is given, the user will be prompted for one.
- 123 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 31: LIST FILES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area> or <X>
Lists the files in the specified file area. If <X> was specified,
the files in the active file area will be shown. The list of these
files must be stored in a textfile created by the SysOp (refer to
file area configuration). This textfile should contain the names
and descriptions of the files. The description can be of any form
you like.
A line in the textfile should look like this:
a) <filename> <blanks> <description>
Filename + date + size + description will be displayed in the
appropriate colors.
b) <+> <description>
The <+> will cause the description to be placed at the same
horizontal cursor position and in the same color as the
description from (a). This line will be displayed when
searching for files.
c) <!> <description>
The description will be placed at the left of the screen, in
the same color as the descriptions above. This line will be
displayed when searching for files.
d) <;> <description>
Same as in (c), but the color is white.
e) <description>
Same as in (d), but this line will NOT be displayed when
searching for files.
- 124 -
Example:
=============================================================
PB_212.ZIP ProBoard version 2.12
+Best BBS program in the world
!Original Belgian Product
;(made possible by Burger King in the USA)
=============================================================
This will be output as:
============================================================= [c2]
PB_212.ZIP 07/08/93 600583 ProBoard version 2.12 [c1]
Best BBS program in the world [c1]
Original Belgian Product [c1]
(made possible by Burger King in the USA) [c2]
============================================================= [c2]
[c1] stands for color 1, [c2] stands for color 2.
If a file area is configured as being CD-ROM, the file listing
should look slightly different. Option (a) will become:
a) <filename><blanks><date><blanks><filesize><blanks><description>
There is one more thing you can do to make your file listings more
colorful (previously undocumented) : Inserting Ctrl-A to Ctrl-G
characters in your file listing will change the color to:
Ctrl-A Red
Ctrl-B Green
Ctrl-C Yellow
Ctrl-D Magenta
Ctrl-E Blue
Ctrl-F Cyan
Ctrl-G White
- 125 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 32: DOWNLOAD A FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection> and/or </parameter>
Allows the user to download a file. The file areas a user can
download from are defined by the area selection. This is a list
of area-specifications, separated by blanks. Each specification
has the form:
[+]<area>
<-><area>
'+' stands for 'Include this area in the area-list', and is
optional.
'-' stands for 'Exclude this area from the area-list'.
The parameter <area> should be one of the following:
* All areas.
C CD-ROM areas only.
X Currently active area.
<n> Area number <n>.
<n1-n2> Areas <n1> to <n2>.
Examples:
* All areas
* -C All non-CD-ROM areas.
* -3-9 +5 Areas 1,2,5,10,11,...
X +2 Active area + area 2.
C -2 All CD-ROM areas, except area 2
Of course, a user must have the necessary download security in an
area to be allowed to download files from it.
You can also specify several other parameters:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
/A .......................... Allows the user to download ANY file
accessible by DOS. When using this
option, the full path and filename
must be specified. This option is
intended for remote SysOps.
- 126 -
/F=<file> ................... The user will not be prompted for a
file, but the file <file> will
immediately be sent to the user
(useful for textfiles describing all
the files on the BBS). Parameter
<file> should contain the full
path name. (eg. /F=C:\PB\PB.DOC).
Can also be combined with the </T>
option (see below).
/F=[<area>]<file> ........... Download the <file> from [<area>]
directly. The following example
would download the file PB_212.ZIP
directly from file area #13.
e.g. /F=[13]PB_212.ZIP
/F=@<filelist> .............. Download the files listed in the
textfile <filelist>.
e.g. /F=@C:\PB\ALLFILES.RSP
/I .......................... Ignore DL kbytes.
/K=<key> .................... Use the protocol key <key>.
/L=<log> .................... Write to an additional log file
<log>. The format for each line is:
<D/U> <area> <file> <size>
<free YES/NO>.
/N .......................... No log. Don't log anything.
/P .......................... Download all personal files for the
user.
/Q .......................... Start download right away without
prompting the user. You must use the
/F= and the /K= parameters so
ProBoard knows what file to send,
using what protocol when using this
option.
- 127 -
/T .......................... Allow the user to download the
specified file without checking
the users remaining time left.
Refer to "Free Files" for more
details. Let's say you want to
let users download the latest
version of ProBoard and you don't
care about the time it takes or how
much time they have left. In the
data line put the path and file name
followed by the </T> parameter.
An example of doing this is as
follows:
C:\FREEFILE\PB_212.ZIP /T
A Small hint regarding free files: if you want one particular area
to be completely free (time and Kb), you can make a menu choice
like this:
Function: 32
Data : 41 /T
This will allow the user to download anything from area 41, regardless
of their time remaining.
ProBoard will now also copy files from CD-ROM to a local drive when
the "Copy Local" flag is set to "Yes". It will copy files to a
directory called CD_TEMP, created in the directory where ProBoard
was started from. You can specify your own directory by creating
an environment variable called CDTEMP containing the name of the
directory (+drive!!) If ProBoard can not find the directory as
specified it will attempt to create it. Refer to the chapter
"CONFIGURATION" under File Areas, for more information on the
"Copy Local" and CDTEMP environment variable options in ProBoard.
** Important **
───────────────
ProBoard uses a highly optimized index to find your files when
users want to download them. Be sure to run PBUTIL FI (File
Index) at least once a day to create the index, or ProBoard will
not be able to find the files. You may want to run it more often
than once a day if you add new files to your system.
- 128 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 33: UPLOAD A FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <uploadpath> or </parameter>
Allows the user to upload a file to the BBS. If <uploadpath> is
specified, the upload will be placed in that directory. If not,
it will be placed in the default upload-directory specified in
PROCFG. (Unregistered versions of ProBoard will always use the
default upload directory).
Upon successful reception of the file, the user will be prompted
for a description of that file. The description can be several
lines. If it begins with a '/', this description will be written
to the file FILES.PVT in the upload-directory, else it will be
written to the file FILES.BBS.
All uploads are now logged to a file in the ProBoard System
Directory called UPLOAD.LOG. The log file is in the following
format:
01-Feb-94 14:52:38 Upload of PB_212.ZIP by Jim Biggs
01-Feb-94 14:56:01 Upload of PROCFG.EXE by Philippe Leybaert
The parameters you can specify are:
───────────────────────────────────
/D .......................... Do not ask user for upload
descriptions.
/F=<file> ................... Upload <file> (for non-batch
protocols).
/K=<key> .................... Use protocol key <key>.
/L=<log> .................... Write to an additional log file
<log>. The format for each line is:
U O <file> <size> NO.
/N .......................... No log. Do not log anything.
/P .......................... Upload private files. If the data
field contains "/P", the user can
upload a personal file to another
user. In this case the upload will
be placed in the private upload
directory (specified in ProCFG).
- 129 -
/Q .......................... Start upload right away, without
prompting the user. You must specify
a /K=<key> for this to work.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 34: VIEW ARCHIVE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection>
View the contents of a ZIP/LZH/ZOO/ARC/ARJ/RAR-file. The file
specification input by the user will be looked for in the areas
specified in <area selection>. ProBoard's Archive Viewer looks
at the contents or "header" of the file the user selects to view
to determine it's archive type rather than the file's extension
(.ZIP/.ARJ etc...) This function now uses the file index to locate
the archive to view so it is much faster than in previous releases
of ProBoard. Please refer to Menu Function 32 (Download) for more
information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 35: KEYWORD SEARCH │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection>
Looks for a character string in the file descriptions. If the
string is found, the related file and its description will be
displayed. The character string will be looked for in the areas
specified in <area selection>. ProBoard now supports keyword
searches in lines starting with | (PCBoard CD-ROM lists) such as
the popular Night Owl CD-ROM's. This means a keyword will be
found in these extended descriptions as well. Please refer to
Menu Function 32 (Download) for more information.
- 130 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 36: FILENAME SEARCH │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection>
Looks for a filename in the file listings (wildcards allowed).
The filename will be looked for in the areas specified in
<area selection>. Refer to function 32 (Download) for more
information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 37: SHOW NEW FILES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection>
Shows a list of files more recent than a date specified by the
user. If the user does not specify a date, then that date will be
the last time this user logged in. The files will be looked for
in the areas specified in <area selection>. Please refer to
function 32 (Download) for more information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 38: VIEW A FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <directory>
This functions asks for a filename, and then looks for (and shows)
the file stored in <directory>.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 39: DISPLAY NAMED FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <full filename>
Displays a file to the user. The data field <full filename> must
contain path, name and extension.
- 131 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 40: DISPLAY ANS/ASC FILE WITH MENU HOTKEYS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <filename without extension>
This function is the same as function 5, but can only be used in
'autoexec-menus', because it shows an ANS/ASC-file AND checks for
menu hotkeys at the same time. Please refer to the section about
menus for more information about the autoexec-concept.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 41: TOGGLE FULLSCREEN EDITOR │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Lets the user decide whether they want to use ProBoard's line
editor or an (external) fullscreen editor.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable the
full screen (external) editor, and ProBoard will not display:
"Full Screen editor is now enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
- 132 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 42: TOGGLE COMMAND STACKING │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Lets the user decide whether he will work with hotkeys or with
combinations of hotkeys and command stacking (à la Opus). The
command stack execution is initiated by pressing <Enter>.
A ';' in the command stack will be replaced by <Enter>.
Eg. M1WSysOp;Subject;Y
This would write a private message in message area 1 to the SysOp,
with subject "Subject".
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 43: CLEAR MARKED MESSAGES │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Clears all marked messages.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 44: GLOBAL COMBINED BOARDS SELECTION │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to select or deselect all areas in his combined
boards selection.
- 133 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 45: DISPLAY TEXTFILE & WAIT │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <full filename>
Displays a textfile to the user, then waits for the user to press
<Enter>. The filename requires full path, name and extension.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 46: CHANGE USER LEVEL AND/OR FLAGS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: [level] [flag +/-] [flag +/-] ...
Changes a user's level and/or flags. [level] can occur only once
in the parameter array, flags can be toggled on/off by specifying
the flag, followed by +/-.
Data example: 10 A+ 3-
This would set the user's level to 10, set flag A and clear flag 3.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 47: MAKE A LOG ENTRY │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <log entry>
Writes <log entry> to PROBOARD.LOG, thus allowing the SysOp to
customize his log.
- 134 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 48: SHOW HITPARADE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <Mn>/<Kn>/<Tn>/<Un>/<Fn>/<Cn>/<On>
This functions returns an overview of the most active users in
several fields.
The 'n' with the parameters stands for the number of users to be
displayed in the hitparade. (unregistered versions default to 5)
M Best message-writers
K Best downloaders (Kb)
T Best downloaders (# downloads)
U Best uploaders (Kb)
F Best uploaders (# uploads)
C Best callers (# times called)
O Total time online
Data example: U15
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 49: SELECT MESSAGE AREA │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection> or </parameter>
Lets the user select a new message area. This function is to be
used in cooperation with other message-related functions.
Valid area selection parameters are:
────────────────────────────────────
X Current Area
E All Echo Areas
N All NetMail Areas
L All Local Areas
* All Areas
<n> Area #<n>
<n1>-<n2> Areas #<n1> to #<n2>
Other valid parameters are:
───────────────────────────
/MG ......................... Makes the user select a message group
if they haven't done so already.
- 135 -
/MG=<num> ................... Only allows user to select from
message areas belonging to message
group <num>.
/N .......................... ProBoard will run even faster since
it will not check for waiting mail
(no "*" will be displayed indicating
new mail) if you specify this
parameter. This can be useful if
your BBS has many large message
areas, in particular, Squish or JAM.
Remember, ProBoard can be configured
for 10,000 message areas so a full
"new" mail check in each area can
be time consuming.
Examples:
─────────
* -E All non-echomail areas
1-20 50-60 Areas 1..20 and 50..60
N 10-20 -15 All netmail areas, plus areas 10..20, except
area #15
/N Do not have ProBoard perform the new mail check
in each message area. Great for Squish and JAM.
Note:
─────
Since ProBoard parses only the first letter of an alpha area
selection, the keywords from prior versions, [Local / Net / Echo]
can still be used and will still work. It is recommended however,
that you change to the new 2.12 parameter(s) since the keywords
[Local / Net / Echo] may not be supported in upcoming versions.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 50: SHOW USERS ONLINE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or /H
Displays users who are logged in on other nodes. Of course, this
function is only useful on multi-user systems. To protect the
SysOp's health, it is possible not to display the SysOp's
name here (Refer to the ProCFG section).
- 136 -
Valid parameters are:
─────────────────────
/H .......................... Show the user's handle (alias)
instead of their real name.
<blank> ..................... Will display the user's real name.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 51: LIST LAST CALLERS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <number of users to be displayed> [/H]
Gives an overview of the users that have most recently logged in
(for ALL the nodes). In the non-registered version, the number
of users shown is forced to 5. Specifying the parameter /H will
show the user's aliases instead of their real names.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 52: REMOTE USER EDITOR │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows you to adjust a user's level (or even delete him), without
you having to be at the computer (VERY handy for co-SysOps!).
- 137 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 53: MULTILINE CHAT (INTERNODE CHAT) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: - <blank> or /H
This is certainly one of the nicest Menu Functions in ProBoard!
This function allows two users on different nodes to chat with
each other IN REAL TIME!!! You will actually see the other user
type (mistakes?), as if you were in chat-mode with the SysOp. This
is UNlike other systems, where entire LINES are sent to the other
node.
User A on node X will have to specify the node he wants to chat
with, then user B on node Y will be prompted if he wants
to chat.
It is VERY (!VERY!) important that your system supports full file
& record locking to use this option. When you are not running a
LAN, you MUST install SHARE.EXE! ProBoard will definitely lock up
when SHARE.EXE is not installed on a stand-alone system.
Valid parameters are:
─────────────────────
/H .......................... Will show the users handle (alias)
instead of their real name to
the users on other nodes, when
prompting them to engage in a chat.
<blank> ..................... Will display the users real name
instead of their alias when
prompting users on other nodes to
engage in a chat.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 54: SELECT FILE AREA │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection> or </parameter>
Lets the user select a new file area. This function is to be used
in cooperation with other file-related functions. Refer to
functions 1 and 32 for more information.
- 138 -
Valid parameters are:
─────────────────────
/FG ......................... Makes a user select a file group if
they haven't done so already.
/FG=0 ....................... Makes the user always have to select
a file group.
/FG=<num> ................... Only display file areas belonging to
file group number <num>.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 55: SHOW .GIF FILE INFO │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <area selection>
Prompts the user for a .GIF-filename (wildcards allowed) and
displays resolution and number of colors for the file(s). The
files will be looked for in <area selection>. Refer to function 32
(Download) for more information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 56: TOGGLE IBM CHARACTERS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to disable/enable extended IBM characters. When
disabled, all IBM-specific characters are converted to standard
ASCII characters ("+-|")
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 57: CHANGE PHONE NUMBER │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change his phone number stored in his user
record.
- 139 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 58: CHANGE DATA/FAX PHONE NUMBER │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change his data/fax phone number stored in his
user record.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 59: CHANGE USER ALIAS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change his alias. It is not allowed to use an
alias that is being used by another user.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 60: RUN PROBOARD SDK FILE │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <program> [data]
Loads & executes a ProBoard Executable (PEX file) created using
the ProBoard Software Development Kit (SDK). The PEX file can be
run from any directory. It is the responsibility of the PEX
programmer to search for the appropriate data files when their
PEX is run. If you are not sure if the PEX you are running does
this then it's a good idea to place the PEX file directory
(Specified in PROCFG, F1-Options, Paths, PEX Files).
Important
─────────
Any PEX files that were written for versions of ProBoard prior to
2.00 will have to be recompiled with the new 2.12 SDK before they
can run under ProBoard 2.12
- 140 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 61: BULLETIN MENU │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <filename> [prompt]
Displays <filename>.ANS/ASC (like function 5), and prompts the
user for a file suffix. This suffix is appended to <filename>, and
the file with the resulting filename is displayed. Obviously,
<filename> should not be longer than 7 characters.
The optional [prompt] parameters defines a prompt to be shown to
the user. For example: Enter a bulletin.
Data example: BULLET Enter a bulletin:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 62: TOGGLE AVATAR/0 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to toggle AVATAR/0 on/off in their user record.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable AVATAR/0
screen display codes, and ProBoard will not display: "Avatar
codes are now enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
- 141 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 63: TOGGLE AVATAR/0+ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to toggle AVATAR/0+ on/off in their user record.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable
AVATAR/0+ screen display codes, and ProBoard will not
display: "AVT/0+ codes are now enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 64: Show Graph (General) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: <graph type> [/N=<days>] [/T="text"]
This menu function is a direct system hook to the _GRAPH.PEX file
supplied in PB_212.ZIP
<graph type> "Hourly", "Weekly", "LastDays" or "Speed".
/N=<days> Number of days to read from BINLOG.PB (Optional)
/T="text" Text to display on the top bar of your graph.
A "%d" (no quotes) is replaced by the number of
days/weeks
- 142 -
Example:
────────
Hourly /N=14 /T="Usage graph for the last 2 weeks"
Speed /N=60 /T="Cool baud rate statistics for the last %d days"
The C++ source code for _GRAPH.PEX is included with ProBoard.
You can add your own <graph type> by editing and compiling the
_GRAPH.CPP file.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 65: Display A??/RIP File with Hotkeys │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows you to display an A??/RIP file to users. Very similar to
Menu Function 40 except that RIP files are supported.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 66: Change RIPscrip Font │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to select either the large RIP font (80x24) or
the small RIP font (80x43) for displaying system prompts etc.
- 143 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 67: Toggle RIPscrip Graphics │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: - <blank> or <parameter>
Allows the user to toggle RIP graphics on/off.
In the data field, you can enter these parameters:
Ask Will ask for new status
On Toggles option on
Off Toggles option off
Toggle Toggles option (reverse of current condition)
Save Save current status for this option
Restore Restore status saved by "Save"
/Q Quiet. Do not display "xxxx is now enabled/disabled"
Example: "Ask /Q"
This will ask the user if they want to enable or disable
RIP graphics, and ProBoard will not display: "RIPscrip graphics
are now enabled/disabled".
"Toggle" parameter.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 68: Edit Tagged Files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows users to edit the list of tagged files.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 69: Select a New Language │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows users to select a new language file for the system prompts.
- 144 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 70: Change Date Format │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to select a new date format for system date
displays. Valid choices are: MM/DD/YY, YY/MM/DD, and DD/MM/YY.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 71: Change Mailing Address │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change their mailing address. Displays users
current mailing address (if any) and presents a new line for them
to begin typing. If nothing is typed on this first line by the
user, the change mailing address function is terminated.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 72: Change FAX Number │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change the FAX Number in their user record.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Function 73: Change Country │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
DATA: -
Allows the user to change the country in their user record.
- 145 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── RIPscrip GRAPHICS (RIP) ─────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard auto-detects and supports RIPscrip (referred to as RIP)
Graphics.
A flashing "R" on the right side of the status bar indicates the
RIP was detected. ProBoard will display the file INTRO?.RIP
(if it exists) instead of INTRO?.ANS/ASC (only if RIP is detected).
Missing Icons are automatically sent to the caller. You must have
a Zmodem protocol installed with a hotkey of "Z" for this to work.
To add your own RIP menus to ProBoard, do the following:
Once you have designed a RIP screen for your menu, you can add it
to a menu by pressing Alt-P (Prompt) in the menu editor. You will
be able to set "RIP menu" to "Yes", and enter a file name for a RIP
screen. Enter the name of your RIP screen here. That's all there
is to it!
There are some additional settings you can change for each menu
item, which makes the RIP support in ProBoard extremely flexible:
- Show remote
* Send menu-line/ANSI-file to remote when RIP enabled
(Default No).
- Show local
* Send menu-line/ANSI-file to local screen when RIP
enabled (Default Yes).
- Reset screen
* Reset RIP windows before executing this function.
(Default Yes).
- 146 -
These options are very powerful. When the user has RIP enabled,
the SysOp will still see the "normal" ANSI screens. Don't touch
the defaults if you want it like that. You will see that the RIP
support in ProBoard is a lot friendlier towards to SysOp than in
other BBS software. On the local end, the SysOp will see
everything as if the user had no RIP enabled. This allows the
SysOp to follow what the user is doing. (Other software like RA
and Wildcat show the RIP "bang" commands, which are totally
unreadable for the SysOp).
Two new menu functions have also been added to support RIP.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Function 66: Change RIP text font (large or small) for non-RIP
screens.
Function 67: Enable/Disable RIP. Allows the user to disable RIP
even it was detected.
- 147 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── FILE TAGGING ────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard supports file tagging when users are browsing the file
list, performing a keyword or file search, or performing a new
file search. File tagging allows your users to easily select
files they want to download as they browse your available files.
- 148 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── QWK ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Internal ProBoard QWK support has been added! It is provided
as a PEX file called QWK.PEX. The only things necessary to
configure are the following:
- The packet file name your BBS will create (ProCFG/Options/QWK).
- The QWK area name in each message area configuration.
Call the QWK PEX as any you would any other PEX file. No
configuration files are necessary. One parameter can be given:
"D" (ie "QWK D"). This will pack all mail and start the download
right away.
- 149 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── USERS ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The file USERS.BBS contains all the data about the users, such as
level, number of times called, combined boards access, messages
last read, etc. Use ProBoard's User Editor to add/edit/delete
users in the USERS.BBS file. If you delete users you must
run PBUTIL [UK]. More info on this in the section on PBUTIL.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Log Levels │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Each user has a certain loglevel, to determine how information
about that user will be written to ProBoard's log (PROBOARD.LOG).
This can be useful if you suspect a user of logging in using 2
different names. If you give those users a higher log level, you
can track their behavior.
The following levels are possible:
──────────────────────────────────
Friend * NOTHING BUT login, logoff and errors
will be logged.
Normal * Login
* Logoff
* Errors
* Writing SysOp messages
* SysOp paging
* Downloads
* Uploads
* Questionnaires
Suspicious * Everything from 'Normal'
* Reading messages
* Hitparades
* Last callers
* Graphics
Extensive * Everything from 'Suspicious'
* ALL the movements between menus (this can
make the logfile HUGE)
- 150 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── ECHOMAIL AND NETMAIL ────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ProBoard fully supports Echomail and Netmail, according to the
FTSC (FidoNet Technical Standards Committee) specifications.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Echomail │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
When a user enters a message in a message area configured as an
Echomail area, an origin line will be added to that message. This
origin line is obtained from the message area's configuration. If
there is no origin line specified for this message area, the
default origin line will be used. The default origin line is
specified in PROCFG under Options (F1) - Site Info, in the field
"Default Origin Line".
To import/export Echomail, you need an Echomail processor. No
such program is included, but since ProBoard uses the .MSG
(Fido), Squish, or Hudson message-base structures, a large number
of Echomail processors are available that will work with ProBoard.
Some of the echomail-processors compatible with ProBoard are:
- Squish - FastEcho - IMail
- GEcho - FMail - FreeMail
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Netmail │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
A Netmail message (in short: Netmail) is a message that has a
fixed destination within the network. This destination is
defined by a node-number of the form "Zone:Net/Node.Point".
ProBoard will first find out whether this address exists, and
will then (if it exists) tell you the name of the node where
the Netmail is to be sent to.
- 151 -
When entering a node number in ProBoard, it is possible to look
up the nodes you want by entering a '?'.
eg: ? Shows a list of all zones.
2:? Shows a list of all nets and regions in zone 2.
2:292/? Shows a list of all nodes in net 2:292/
ProBoard needs a nodelist to use Netmail. This nodelist is
usually available on every node in the network. ProBoard
generates an index file for its own use (NODE_IDX.PRO) by running
PBUTIL NC.
For more information about PBUTIL's NC-option, please refer to the
section on PBUTIL.
To import and export Netmail, you need an external utility like
MAILSCAN ,MBUTIL or ZmailH.
- 152 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── PBUTIL (The ProBoard Utility Program) ───────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
PBUTIL is an extra utility provided with the ProBoard package.
It performs all of the maintenance your ProBoard BBS system needs.
Some PBUTIL Operations have Options and/or Parameters that can be
specified on the command line when running them. Operations
which have command line Options and/or Parameters are identified
in the list below with a "(+)" after their "Operation Identifier",
(the two letters necessary to begin each PBUTIL operation).
PBUTIL is called along with an "Operation Identifier" (a two
letter sequence specifying the operation to be executed (along
with any options):
PBUTIL <operation> [option]
PBUTIL Operation Description Options/Parameters
──────────────── ─────────────────────── ────────────────────────
DM (+) ......... Daily Maintenance -H
FB ............. Fix BINLOG.PB
FC (+) ......... File Counters -N<x> -F -R
FI ............. FILES.BBS (re)-Indexer
HF (+) ......... Hatch Personal File <files> -T= -F= -D -C
MI ............. Message (re)-Indexer
ML ............. Message Linker
MP (+) ......... Message Packer -R -D -F -K -H -J
MU ............. Music Player
NC ............. Nodelist Compiler
UF ............. Userfile Fixer
UI ............. Userfile (re)-Indexer
UK (+) ......... Userfile Killer -C<n> -D<n> -L<evel>
UP (+) ......... Userfile Packer -R -K
US ............. Userfile Sorter
PBUTIL can be run from any directory provided that it (PBUTIL.EXE)
is found in your DOS path. Refer to your DOS manual for more
information on the PATH statement.
- 153 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [DM] Daily Maintenance │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
At this time, the DM function of PBUTIL has only one function: it
re(creates) TOPS.PRO. You should run it as part of your daily
maintenace.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [FB] Fix BINLOG.PB │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You should run PBUTIL FB if you ever receive the message that your
BINLOG.PB file is corrupt. This "fix" routine will remove any and
all unreadable data from the BINLOG.PB file. For more information
on BINLOG.PB, refer to Menu Functions 10, 26, 29 and 64.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [FC] File Counters │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
After each download, ProBoard adds a line to the file DOWNLOAD.LOG.
This file's only purpose is to be used by the FC module of PBUtil.
FC reads the file DOWNLOAD.LOG and updates file counters in every
file listing, to keep up with the number of times every file
has been downloaded.
Specifying option -N<xx> instructs PBUtil to create a list of the
top-xx downloaded files. This list is named TOPFILES.A?? and
is stored in the textfiles-subdirectory. The number of files to be
written in this list is <xx>, (eg. -N15).
Specifying option -F instructs PBUtil to ALWAYS create
TOPFILES.ASC/ANS/AVT/AVP, even if DOWNLOAD.LOG is empty or
doesn't exist.
Option -R rewrites all file listings with the appropriate file
count added to each file. This is useful when you have added some
new files.
- 154 -
The file counters will be placed before the description of the
files.
Eg. PB_212.ZIP [809] Superb BBS program from Belgium !!!!
^^^^^
File Counter - shows how many times file has been
downloaded.
You can create a file called NOTOPS.CTL to exclude files from being
included when the TOPFILES.A?? is created. The format of this file
is just <filename>.<extension> Example as follows:
BLACK.ZIP
NOWAY.EXE
RA_111.ARJ
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [FI] File Indexer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
When you run PBUTIL FI, ProBoard reads each of your file listings
defined in your file areas and creates an index (FILESIDX.PB).
ProBoard now only supports indexed FILES.BBS. ProBoard will use
the index to find files users specify they want to download.
This dramatically speeds up locating files on systems with many
different file areas, especially those on CD-ROM drives. Since
files that are not in your file index will not be found for users
to download, be sure to run PBUTIL FI at lease once each day.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [HF] Hatch Personal File │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Personal files can be setup to be sent to users (hatched) from the
command line (instead of using the PROCFG/Personal Files menu
interface) using PBUTIL's "Hatch File" (HF) function.
Any personal files you setup (hatch) using the PBUTIL HF method
will appear in the PROCFG/Personal File menu interface for later
review and administration.
The syntax for PBUTIL HF is:
────────────────────────────
PBUTIL HF files [files...] /T=ToName /F=FromName /D /C
- 155 -
The following are valid options for PBUTIL HF:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
<files> A list of the file(s) to be sent as personal file(s).
Wildcards and paths are allowed. If the /C option is
not used, the files will NOT be copied to the
personal files directory specified in PROCFG
Options/Paths. If no path is given, PBUTIL will
search in the current directory first. If no files
could be found in the current directory, the personal
files directory will be searched.
/T=ToName The name of the user to send the files to.
Underscores must be used for spaces in names.
ProBoard does not check the user file for valid
user names to be entered here so be careful when
typing user names that you spell them correctly.
/F=FromName The name of the sender of the files. If not
specified, the name of the SysOp is used. Again,
underscores must be used for spaces. ProBoard does
not check the user file for valid user names to be
entered here so be careful when typing user names
that you spell them correctly.
/D Sets the "KILL" (delete) flag for the hatched
file(s). This means that the files will be deleted
after they have been downloaded by the user if this
is specified on the command line.
/C Copy the specified file(s) to the Personal Files
Directory (specified in PROCFG/Options/Paths). Make
sure if you use this option, that you also use the /D
option in addition, otherwise the files won't be
deleted after download from your Personal Files
Directory.
Examples:
─────────
PBUTIL HF C:\PB\PB_212.ZIP /T=Philippe_Leybaert /C /D
PBUTIL HF *.TXT /T=John_Doe /F=Joe_Sysop
- 156 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [MI] Message Indexer (Hudson and JAM Only) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Recreates the message base index files (MSGIDX.BBS,MSGTOIDX.BBS
and MSGINFO.BBS) for Hudson and (*.JDX) files for JAM areas.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [ML] Message Linker (Hudson Only) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Completely rebuilds reply chains in all areas. This operation has
to be performed when echomail is imported into the message base
and after using the message packer with the -D parameter.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [MP] Message Packer (Hudson and JAM Only) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Packs the message base. This means that the deleted messages are
effectively removed from the message base.
- 157 -
The following are valid options for PBUTIL MP:
──────────────────────────────────────────────
-D .......................... Removes old messages. Check the
section of the manual about the
message areas for more information.
-F .......................... Forces the pack to be executed, even
if there are no deleted messages
(Hudson Only!)
-H .......................... Instructs the message packer to pack
the Hudson areas only.
-J .......................... Instructs the message packer to pack
the JAM areas only.
-K .......................... Deletes the .BAK files created when
packing the message base. (Hudson
Only!)
-R .......................... Instructs the message packer to
renumber the message base.
Renumbering the message base is
done automatically when the highest
message number exceeds 25000.
Lastread-pointers in the userfile
will be adjusted when renumbering.
Do NOT pack the message base when a user is online!!
───────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [MU] Music Player │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Use this to play/test any music files you create for ProBoard.
Music files MUST have .MUS as the file extension. The file played
when a user "Yells" for the SysOp (paging) is called PAGE.MUS and
the "Attention" music file is called ATTEN.MUS
Examples: PBUTIL MU PAGE (plays the paging music file)
PBUTIL MU ATTEN (plays the attention music file)
Note: It is not necessary to include the file extension when
using PBUTIL MU to play a music file.
- 158 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [NC] Nodelist Compiler │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Reads a FidoNet-compatible nodelist and creates a ProBoard index-
file (NODE_IDX.PRO) in the system directory. This file will be
less than 10K in size, but your original nodelist has to stay in
the nodelist directory.
The compiler will look for the latest standard nodelist
(NODELIST.xxx) in your nodelist directory.
Specifying extra files as parameters instructs the nodelist
compiler to compile extra nodelists. Several extra nodelists can
be given as parameters. If you don't specify an extension, ProBoard
will look for the latest file with extension .nnn (nnn=day number).
If you want to compile a file without an extension, use <FILE>.
Eg. PBUTIL NC MYNL MYLIST. FDNET.PVT
This would compile the latest NODELIST.nnn, the latest MYNL.nnn,
MYLIST and FDNET.PVT in the standard nodelist directory.
To determine the costs of sending Netmail, a textfile will be read
that you will have to create. This textfile is called COST.PRO and
should be in ProBoard's system directory. The lines in this file
have the following format:
<Command> <Param1> [Param2]
Commands:
MYZONE <zone> All commands after this command act
on zone <zone>. You need at least
1 MYZONE command. If not, ProBoard
will assume you are in zone 2. This
is used to specify your own zone.
DEFAULT <cost> Defines the default Netmail cost.
ZONE <zone> <cost> Defines the Netmail cost for zone
<zone>.
REGION <region> <cost> Defines the Netmail cost for region
<region> within your own zone.
NET <net> <cost> Defines the Netmail cost for net
<net> within your own zone.
- 159 -
A simple example for a node in Belgium, where the BBS is part
of only ONE network.
MYZONE 2 I'm in zone 2
DEFAULT 100 Default = 100 credits
ZONE 3 50 Zone 3 = 50 credits (Australia)
ZONE 1 40 Zone 1 = 40 credits (North-America)
REGION 28 10 Region 28 = 10 credits (Netherlands)
REGION 29 0 Region 29 = FREE (Belgium)
NET 512 5 Net 512 = 5 (HCC Netherlands)
We give another example for a node which is part of 2 networks,
so this node has nodenumbers 2:292/1900 and 89:120/40
DEFAULT 100 Default = 100 credits
ZONE 1 50 Zone 1 = 50 credits
ZONE 2 20 Zone 2 = 20 credits
ZONE 3 70 Zone 4 = 70 credits
ZONE 89 10 My private network = 10 credits
MYZONE 2 Following definitions are for zone 2
REGION 29 1 Region 29 in zone 2 = 1 credit
NET 292 0 Net 292 in zone 2 = 0 credits
NET 512 5 Net 512 in zone 2 = 5 credits
MYZONE 89 Following definitions are for zone 89
REGION 12 2 Region 12 in zone 89 = 2 credits
NET 120 0 Net 120 in zone 89 = 0 credits
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [UF] UserFile Fixer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Run this after you use a user file packer/sorter from another
source (like RAUSER or RACE). It assures that the extensions in
ProBoard's user file are updated properly.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [UI] UserFile Indexer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Creates an index for the user file. ProBoard uses this index
file to search in the user file. This greatly reduces the time
needed to locate a user at login.
- 160 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [UK] UserFile Killer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Deletes (kills) certain users from your user file. The criteria
are: not having called for a certain number of days, less than a
certain number of times called, a certain security level or a
combination of these three.
Parameters to use:
──────────────────
-D<# of days> Removes all users that haven't called for
<# of days>.
-C<calls> Removes all users that have called
less than <calls> times.
-L<evel> Specifies a specific security level for
the User Killer to work on.
Combining these three parameters, will remove all users that
have called less than <calls> times and haven't called for
<# of days>, and that only have the specified <level>. This
option comes in handy to remove all users that have called just
once, but without removing your new users or users with another
security level.
Examples:
─────────
PBUTIL UK -C3 Removes all users that have called only
1 or 2 times.
PBUTIL UK -D365 Removes all users that haven't called
for the last 365 days.
PBUTIL UK -C2 -D100 Removes all users that have called
less than 2 times, and removes users
that haven't called in the last 100
days. "No-Kill" flags in User Records
will be honored.
PBUTIL UK -C3 -D5 -L40 Removes all users that have called less
than 3 times, and users that have not
called in 5 days, but only those with a
security level of 40.
- 161 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [UP] UserFile Packer │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Removes all deleted users from USERS.BBS, except the users with
the NoKill flag set. Corrupted user records are also removed.
Specifying option -R instructs the user packer to reset all
Last Read pointers to zero.
Specifying option -K will delete the .BAK file created when packing
the user file.
Do NOT pack the userfile when a user is online!!
────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [US] UserFile Sorter │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Sorts the user file by security level and by first name. Also
updates the lastread pointers for the new sorted user file as well
as reindexing the user file.
- 162 -
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── REFERENCE ───────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Multi-user Operation │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Since ProBoard is a multi-line BBS package, it allows you the
ability to have more than one user use the userfile and the
message base at the same time. ProBoard doesn't do any internal
multi-tasking to make the program act as flexible as possible.
This makes sure that you can set up a multi-line BBS via a network
and multiple computers, or by running ProBoard under a multitasking
system. ProBoard is also DESQview aware.
ProBoard can handle up to 255 nodes. Each node needs its own
directory, because ProBoard supports the use of many different
external message editors and most of these editors are designed
to be used on single-node systems. One editor that does not need
such a configuration is GEDIT. With GEDIT, you simply place one
copy of it in your ProBoard startup directory (or any other
directory of your choice) and then specify where the editor is
located in PROCFG, [F1], Paths, under the "Editor Command" option.
A few other newer style editors also support multi-line use
without needing a copy in each nodes directory. To find out more,
ask one of the support BBS's.
Each node MUST be started from its own private directory.
────────────────────────────
No ProBoard-related files have to be placed in this directory
but certain doors and certain message editors may need this
directory for their own use.
If you want to install 3 nodes in a network, you could create
the following structure:
C:\PB\MSGBASE Message base directory
C:\PB\TXTFILES Textfiles directory
C:\PB\MENUS Menus directory
C:\PB\PEX PEX files directory
C:\PB\NODE1 Start-up directory for node 1
C:\PB\NODE2 Start-up directory for node 2
C:\PB\NODE3 Start-up directory for node 3
- 163 -
ProBoard should be started from C:\PB\NODE1 for node 1, from
C:\PB\NODE2 for node 2, etc. These directories may require the
files for the external editor. All the other files that ProBoard
uses, should be stored in ProBoard's system directory (usually
C:\PB).
If you run ProBoard under a multitasker like DESQview, the
different nodes MUST be run on different com-ports. It should
be noted that the new DESQview v2.6 supports networks like Novell
Lite and Lantastic directly, making it possible to run the BBS
on a machine that is also a server. Refer to your DESQview v.26
manual/setup program for more details.
┌───────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ IMPORTANT │ If you are running ProBoard multi-line using a │
├───────────┘ multitasker, the DOS program SHARE.EXE MUST! be │
│ installed. ──── │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SysOp Keys │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
While the user is on-line, the SysOp can perform several actions,
by using the SysOp keys:
<Ctrl-Left-Arrow> Lower or Raise the security level of
<Ctrl-Right-Arrow> the user who is currently online.
Only the levels you previously
configured in PROCFG can be
selected.
Up/Down Raise/Lower the current user's time
left. The time subtracted/added is
not restricted to this session!
Alt-C [Chat] Start a chat with the user. The chat
may be ended by pressing <Esc>.
Alt-J [Jump] Jump to DOS. If 'Swapping' was set to
'Yes' in PROCFG, the ProBoard session
will be swapped to disk or EMS, thus
making all memory available to the
DOS commands you want to execute.
You can return from the shell by
entering EXIT at the DOS prompt.
- 164 -
Alt-H [HangUp] Hangs up the phone, throwing the
user off-line immediately
(very unfriendly)!
Alt-L [LockOut] Hangs up the phone AND sets the
user's level to 0, thus making sure
he/she cannot log in any more
(very very unfriendly)!
Alt-N [SysOp Next] Creates a semaphore file called
SysOpNXT.SEM in the ProBoard system
directory. Also will play the music
file SysOpNXT.MUS when user logs off
so you are aware your BBS is free.
Alt-E [Edit] Allows you to edit the user
online. The editor is similar to
the editor in ProCFG.
Alt-I [Image] Appends an image of the screen to
the file IMAGE.TXT in the ProBoard
system directory.
Alt-R [Reset] Resets the chat request status. This
will stop the flashing of the status
line.
Alt-S [Static] What can I say. Useful in
combination with the ALT-H to help
you, the friendly SysOp, free up
your board when needed. (somewhat
friendlier) ;-)
Alt-Y [No Chat] Makes ProBoard not sound the page
music if the user online when you
press this, pages you. Comes in
very handy when you see that user
who ALWAYS wants to chat is logging
on to your BBS.
Shift-F1 Shows a help-screen with all the
SysOp macros available. (registered
version only)
F1 Shows a help-screen with all the
SysOp keys available.
- 165 -
PgUp/PgDn Shows additional information about
the current user on the status line.
You can also display a particular
status by pressing F2-F10.
Home Shows the normal status line after
using PgUp/PgDn.
F2 Shows the user's name, level, time
left and time online.
F3 Shows the user's handle and flags.
F4 Shows the user's city and phone
numbers.
F5 Shows statistics about the
current user.
F6 Shows the user's comment line.
F7 Shows system information.
F8 Shows the chat reason if the user
tried to page the SysOp earlier.
F9 Shows the name and login time of the
last caller.
F10 Shows the time used and Kbytes
downloaded today. It also displays
the date of birth of the current user.
Furthermore, there are 10 programmable hotkeys (SysOp macros).
They can be configured in ProCFG using the F10 option.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Command line parameters & Errorlevels │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
PROBOARD.EXE accepts following command line parameters:
PROBOARD [-B<baud>] [-P<port>] [-N<node>] [-L<level]
[-T<time>] [-S] [-Q] [-X] [-V<mode>]
- 166 -
These parameters have the following meaning:
-B<baud> Specifies the baud rate. You can specify the
following baud rates: 300, 1200/75 2400, 4800, 7200,
9600, 12000, 14400, 16800, 19200, 21600, 24000,
26400, 28800, 38400, 57600, 64000, and 115200.
-P<port> Specifies the com-port (1-8).
-N<node> This node's node number (1-255).
-L<level> Prevents people with a security level lower than this
level to access this node. Great for only allowing
subscribing user access to one or more nodes.
-T<time> <time> is the time until the next event in minutes.
Useful with FrontDoor's DOBBS batch file.
-S Start ProBoard in stand alone mode. ProBoard will
use as a default the PORT and the BAUD specified
in your configuration, but you can override them
by using the -P<port> and the -B<baud> command line
parameters along with the -S parameter.
-Q Quiet mode. Great if your BBS is in a location such
as your bedroom etc. The only noise ProBoard will
make is playing the ATTEN.MUS file (if a user who
has this set in their user record logs on), and
playing the PAGE tune when a user pages during valid
paging hours.
-X Tells ProBoard not to use EMS.
-V<mode> Runs ProBoard in video mode <mode>. This can be
useful if you have a monitor capable of displaying
132 columns, and you would like to run ProBoard in
such a mode (you will see an extra information
window on your screen if ProBoard is run in
132 cols mode). The <mode> parameter is a decimal
number specifying the video mode, as it is used with
INT 10H, function 00. (only programmers will
understand this though :-). This is different for
every video card.
When no '-B<x>' and no '-S' parameter is given, ProBoard will be
started in local mode.
- 167 -
ProBoard returns an errorlevel when a user has logged off.
The errorlevels of PROBOARD.EXE are:
────────────────────────────────────
0 Everything OK, normal logoff.
1 FATAL error, something 'terrible' happened, or the
modem could not be initialized.
2 Not used.
3 Netmail entered by the user.
4 Echomail entered by the user.
5 Echomail AND Netmail entered by the user.
99 SysOp pressed <Esc> at the "Waiting for call" screen.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AVATAR/0 and AVATAR/0+ Terminal Emulation │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard now supports AVATAR terminal emulation. It allows users
to select either AVATAR/0 or AVATAR/0+, providing that the terminal
package they use to call your BBS is compatible with either
AVATAR/0 and/or AVATAR/0+. Examples of terminal software packages
that support AVATAR/0+ are, FrontDoor 2.02 and TinyTerm.
QModem and Telix also support AVATAR, but only in the AVATAR/0
mode. AVATAR has the advantage over ANSI of being much faster.
A word about the files extensions (.A??) that are used for AVATAR
screens. There are two file extensions that are associated with
AVATAR text files that you will display to your users. They are
.AVT and .AVP. When displaying (.A??) textfiles to your users,
ProBoard looks for them in the following order.
1.) .AVP
2.) .AVT
3.) .ANS
4.) .ASC
Refer to the following section on "Hard Coded .A?? files" for more
information on the default .A?? files that ProBoard will display to
your users.
- 168 -
To create files with the .AVT and .AVP file extensions you will
need a file utility called AVTCONV.EXE. This file was distributed
with RemoteAccess, and is also available from most of the ProBoard
beta sites, as well as any of the ProBoard Support BBS's. It is
very simple to use this utility. Just copy it to your ProBoard
TEXTFILE directory and run the following commands:
AVTCONV *.ANS AVT -- this will create a copy of all of your
ANSI (.ANS) screens with the extension .AVT
These are the textfiles for displaying to
users that have AVATAR/0 terminal emulation
selected.
AVTCONV /C+ *.ANS AVP -- this will create a copy of all of your
ANSI (.ANS) screens with the extension .AVP
These are the textfiles for displaying to
users that have AVATAR/0+ terminal emulation
selected.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Hard-coded .A?? files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
In certain situations, ProBoard will display default .A?? files.
Just what is an A?? file?
All .A?? files are files that have the file extensions of .AVT,
.AVP, .ANS, or .ASC. If the .ANS/AVT/AVP file cannot be found,
the .ASC file will be displayed (if it exists).
Note: You have to insert your own "Press [Enter] to continue"
prompt if necessary!
AFTERPW.A?? Displayed to a user after they have entered their
password.
BEFOREPW.A?? Displayed to a user right before ProBoard asks
them for their password.
BIRTHDAY.A?? If a user logs in on his/her birthday, this
file will be shown after the news file.
Note: you can run a pex-file to congratulate a
user on his/her birthday.
- 169 -
DLDELAY.A?? Displayed to a user who has to wait <n> minutes
before downloading. Refer to Configuration -
Time/DownLoad Limits (F5) for more information on
setting the number of minutes for the DownLoad
Delay.
DLHANGUP.A?? Displayed to a user who has selected [G]oodbye
after download, after the 10 second timer to
abort the hangup, has expired.
DUPESFND.A?? Displayed to a user who uploads one or more
duplicate files to your BBS if "Check Duplicate
Uploads" is set to "Yes" in PROCFG's File Transfer
Options. The file will be displayed to the user
once the duplicate check is completed if any
duplicate files are found.
EVENTDUE.A?? Shown if a user can't login because of an event
that has to run soon.
EXPIRED.A?? When a user's level has expired, this file is
shown.
EXP_WARN.A?? Displayed when the user's level expires within
less than 30 days.
GOODBYE.A?? Displayed when the user is logging off, just
before the carrier is dropped.
INTRO.A?? Displayed when a user logs in, BEFORE asking a
user's name and password.
INTRO<n>.A?? This is the same as INTRO.ASC/ANS except that
this file that can be displayed to the specified
node number. For Example: to display it to node 2
you would create a file called INTRO2.A??. If
no INTRO<n>.A?? exists, ProBoard will then show the
file INTRO.A?? or LOGO.A??
MAXPAGE.A?? Displayed when the user has tried to page the
SysOp too many times.
MSGHELP.A?? Replaces the built-in message reading help if
this file exists.
NEWS.A?? Displayed AFTER the user has read his/her
new mail.
- 170 -
NEWUSER.A?? Displayed to user before ProBoard asks "Are you
a New User?". When the user enters their name
and ProBoard does not find their name in the
user file, ProBoard asks "Did you enter your name
correctly?" If the user indicates they did, this
file (if you create it) will display to the user.
NEWUSER1.A?? Displayed when a new user is logging in,
BEFORE he/she has started the questionnaire.
NEWUSER2.A?? Displayed when a new user is logging in, AFTER
he/she has completed the questionnaire.
NOACCESS.A?? Displayed when user is not allowed to log onto
one or more lines because their access level is
lower than the one specified in the command line
PROBOARD -L<level> (used to start ProBoard on that
node). Read the "Reference Section" of this
manual, under "Command Line Options & Errorlevels"
for more information on this command line.
NOTAVAIL.A?? Displayed when the user tries to page outside
paging hours.
PAGED.A?? Displayed when the SysOp does not respond when
the user tries to page.
PRIVATE.A?? Is displayed when your system is configured as a
private system, and a new user tries to log in.
SECxx.A?? 'xx' stands for a userlevel. If a user with
level xx logs in, this file will be displayed
(eg. SEC25.ANS). The file is shown after all
WELCOME<x> files and before the mailcheck.
TRASHCAN.A?? Shown when a user tries to use a name listed
in TRASHCAN.CTL file.
WELCOMEx.A?? Displayed at login, after the user entered
his/her name. The 'x' stands for a digit
ranging from 1 to 9; these files (if they
exist) will be displayed in ascending order,
1-2-...-9, BEFORE a mailcheck is done.
- 171 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ .A?? File Control Codes │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can use several codes in ProBoard's textfiles. These codes
will be replaced by internal variables, or will perform special
actions.
In the code list, you will see a code's ASCII value, the control
code and a description of the code.
A '^' means Ctrl, so ^D means Ctrl-D.
┌───────┬──────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ASCII │ CODE │ DESCRIPTION │
└───────┴──────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 65 ^A
Waits for the user to press <Enter>.
66 ^B Disables interruption by pressing <S>.
67 ^C Enables interruption by pressing <S>.
68 ^D Enables 'More'-prompt.
69 ^E Disables 'More'-prompt.
71 ^G Rings a bell on the user's computer.
76 ^L Clearscreen.
87 ^W Pauses for 1 second.
- 172 -
┌───────┬──────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ASCII │ CODE │ DESCRIPTION │
└───────┴──────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
06-65 ^FA User's full name.
06-66 ^FB User's City.
06-67 ^FC User's password.
06-68 ^FD User's data/fax phone number.
06-69 ^FE User's phone number.
06-71 ^FG Time of last login.
06-76 ^FL Netmail credit left.
06-77 ^FM Number of messages written.
06-78 ^FN Message last read.
06-79 ^FO User's level.
06-80 ^FP Number of calls by user.
06-81 ^FQ Number of uploads by user.
06-82 ^FR Kbytes uploaded by user.
06-83 ^FS Number of downloads by user.
06-84 ^FT Kbytes downloaded by user.
06-85 ^FU Number of minutes online today.
06-86 ^FV User's screen length.
06-87 ^FW User's first name.
06-88 ^FX ANSI codes ON/OFF.
06-89 ^FY Screen pausing ON/OFF.
06-90 ^FZ Clearscreen codes ON/OFF.
06-48 ^F0 Fullscreen editor ON/OFF.
06-49 ^F1 User's Alias.
06-50 ^F2 Command stacking ON/OFF.
06-51 ^F3 IBM Characters ON/OFF.
06-52 ^F4 User's State.
06-53 ^F5 User's birth date.
06-54 ^F6 User's expiration date (if any)
06-55 ^F7 Day's until expiration date.
06-56 ^F8 AVATAR/0 - on/off.
06-57 ^F9 AVATAR/0+ - on/off.
06-40 ^F" User's Country.
06-58 ^F: User's first call (date).
06-36 ^F$ User's address (line 1).
06-37 ^F' User's address (line 2).
06-38 ^F& User's address (line 3).
06-60 ^F` User's sex.
06-91 ^F[ Download Kb left today.
06-126 ^F~ Download delay in minutes.
06-33 ^F! # Minutes remaining until allowed to download.
06-40 ^F( Current file group name.
06-41 ^F) Current message group name.
06-42 ^F* Current file group number.
06-43 ^F+ Current message group number.
- 173 -
┌───────┬──────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ASCII │ CODE │ DESCRIPTION │
└───────┴──────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
11-65 ^KA Total number of calls to the BBS.
11-66 ^KB Name of the last user on the BBS.
11-67 ^KC Number of active Hudson message base messages.
11-68 ^KD Number of first message.
11-69 ^KE Number of last message.
11-70 ^KF Number of times user has paged the SysOp.
11-71 ^KG Day of the week (full).
11-72 ^KH Number of users on the BBS.
11-73 ^KI Current time.
11-74 ^KJ Today's date.
11-75 ^KK Minutes online during this session.
11-77 ^KM Minutes online today.
11-79 ^KO Minutes online left today.
11-80 ^KP Version number of ProBoard (x.xx)
11-81 ^KQ Daily online limit.
11-82 ^KR Baud rate.
11-83 ^KS Day of the week (short).
11-84 ^KT Daily download limit (Kbytes).
11-87 ^KW Node number.
11-88 ^KX Hang up phone.
11-89 ^KY Active message area name.
11-90 ^KZ Active file area name.
11-48 ^K0 # Messages in active message area
11-49 ^K1 Current message area #
11-50 ^K2 Current file area #
You can also inform ProBoard about the length of a string to be
placed in a textfile. This is done is the following way:
Between the first and last code, you can place '@' or '#' or
'%' codes. The field's length will be defined by the number of
characters, first and last control code included.
Use '@' to align (justify) a field to the left, use '#' to align
to the right and use '%' to center a field.
Eg. ^K@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@B
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
23 X '@'
Thus, the total amount of characters equals 25, the user's name
(^KB) will be placed in a 25-character field, left justified. You
now can easily draw 'boxes' around this field, without having to
worry about the actual length of the user's name.
- 174 -
An example of a textfile using the control codes: (the '^' stands
for '^F') :
┌───────────┐
│ Some Info │
└───┬───────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Your full name..... ^@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@A │
│ Calling from....... ^@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@B │
│ Last called........ ^@@@@@@@@@F at ^@@@@@@G │
│ Level.............. ^####O │
│ Number of calls.... ^####P │
├──────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤
│ Kb downloaded...... ^@@@@TK │ Kb uploaded....... ^####RK │
│ # downloads........ ^####S │ # uploads......... ^####Q │
├──────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┤
│ Messages posted.... ^####M │
│ Your flags......... ^@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@H │
├─────────────────┐ │
│ ANSI ^#X ├─────────────────────────────────────────┘
│ Clearscreen ^#Z │
│ More prompt ^#Y │
│ Editor ^#O │
└─────────────────┘ Press <Enter> to continue.^A
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Music Files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can make your paging-sound and attention-sound more attractive
by defining your own music file. A music file is a text file in
which you can use 2 keywords:
TONE [hz] [1/100's sec] Sounds a tone of [hz] Hz during
the specified period.
WAIT [1/100's sec] Waits for the specified period.
The format of this textfile is compatible with the RemoteAccess
musicfiles.
The paging-musicfile is named PAGE.MUS, and the attention-music-
file is named ATTEN.MUS.
- 175 -
You can use this frequency-table to write your own masterpiece:
┌──────┬─────┬─────┬──────┬──────┬──────┐
│ O.1 │ O.2 │ O.3 │ O.4 │ O.5 │ O.6 │
┌────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼──────┼──────┼──────┤
│ C │ 45 │ 134 │ 268 │ 536 │ 1071 │ 2145 │
│ C# │ 71 │ 142 │ 284 │ 568 │ 1136 │ 2273 │
│ D │ 75 │ 150 │ 301 │ 602 │ 1204 │ 2408 │
│ D# │ 80 │ 159 │ 319 │ 638 │ 1275 │ 2551 │
│ E │ 84 │ 169 │ 338 │ 676 │ 1351 │ 2703 │
│ F │ 90 │ 179 │ 358 │ 716 │ 1432 │ 2864 │
│ F# │ 95 │ 190 │ 379 │ 758 │ 1517 │ 3034 │
│ G │ 100 │ 201 │ 402 │ 804 │ 1607 │ 3215 │
│ G# │ 106 │ 213 │ 426 │ 851 │ 1703 │ 3406 │
│ A │ 113 │ 225 │ 451 │ 902 │ 1804 │ 3608 │
│ A# │ 119 │ 239 │ 478 │ 956 │ 1991 │ 3823 │
│ B │ 127 │ 253 │ 506 │ 1012 │ 2025 │ 4050 │
└────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴──────┴──────┴──────┘
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Text Macros │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can enter text macros in any user-definable string. Text
macros are defined as "@<NAME:n>@", and are replaced by internal
ProBoard variables at runtime.
You can insert these macros in the following strings:
- Textlines in menu items
- Data fields in menu items
- Menu prompts
- "Yelling" message for Menu Function 11
- "Shelling" message for Menu Function 7
- Modem initialization string
'NAME' is the name of the macro. A list of available macros will
follow.
You can also specify the field width for the resulting string.
This is done by appending the macro name with a ':' and a number.
A positive number will result in a left aligned string, while a
negative number will result in a right aligned string.
For example: @<NAME:30>@ will display the user's name in a left
aligned field of 30 characters wide.
Note that the field width specifier is optional.
- 176 -
Here is a list of the available macros:
BAUD Current baud rate
CITY The city of the current user
COUNTRY User's country/state
CURFILEAREA Current file area name
CURFILEAREA# Current file area number
CURFILEAREADIR Current file area path
CURFILEGROUP Current file group name
CURFILEGROUP# Current file group number
CURMENU Current menu name
CURMSGAREA Current message area name
CURMSGAREA# Current message area number
CURMSGGROUP Current message group name
CURMSGGROUP# Current message group number
DATAPHONE User's data phone number
DATE Current date (xx-xxx-xx)
FIRSTNAME The first name of the current user
HANDLE The user's handle (fixed alias)
HIGHMSG Highest message number in message base
ID The user level ID for this user
LANGUAGE The language of the user (base file name)
- 177 -
LASTDATE Date of user's last call
LASTTIME Time of user's last call
LEVEL The level of the current user
LOWMSG Lowest message number in message base (Hudson)
MNUDIR Menu directory
MSGDIR Message base directory
NAME The name of the current user
NLDIR Nodelist directory
NODE Current node number
NUMMSG Number of messages in current area
NUMUSERS Total number of users in userfile
NUMYELLS The number of times the user yelled
PASSWORD The user's password
PEXDIR PEX-files directory
PORT Current com-port nr (1-8)
PVTDIR Private uploads directory
STARTDIR Startup-directory
SYSDIR ProBoard system directory
SYSOPNAME Name of the SysOp
TIME Current time (xx:xx)
TMLEFT Number of minutes left
TMONLINE Number of minutes online
TOTALCALLS Total # of calls to the system
TOTALMSG Total # of messages in message base (Hudson)
TXTDIR Textfiles directory
UPDIR Upload directory
USERREC Record number of this user's user record
VERSION ProBoard version number (eg. 2.12)
VOICEPHONE User's voice phone number
%NAME Will be replaced by the contents of DOS
environment variable 'NAME'.
Example: in DOS or a .BAT file you would put
SET INITSTR=ATDT5551212. Then when
you use a text macro like this:
@<%INITSTR>@ it would be replaced
with "ATDT5551212". Note
the "%" symbol in the macro.
- 178 -
Other special characters are:
#1 - #7 Change color (only valid for displayable
#B1 - #B7 strings). If a 'B' is in front of the color
number, the "blink" attribute will be turned
on.
1 = Red
2 = Green
3 = Yellow
4 = Blue
5 = Magenta
6 = Cyan
7 = White
Example: Hi @<#3>@@<FIRSTNAME>@@<#7>@, how is the weather
in @<CITY>@?
Other single examples: @<NAME:35>@
@<TMONLINE:-5>@
@<CITY>@
- 179 -
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Example Batch Files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This is an example for standalone-operation with 2 errorlevel
events defined. Event 1 returns level 10, event 2 returns level
20. No echomail and netmail is used.
------------------------------------------------------------------
:Loop
PROBOARD -S
if errorlevel 99 goto End
if errorlevel 20 goto Event2
if errorlevel 10 goto Event1
if errorlevel 1 goto FatalError
goto Loop
:Event1
echo Perform some actions
echo --------------------
goto Loop
:Event2
echo Perform some more actions
echo -------------------------
goto Loop
:FatalError
echo FATAL ERROR - ProBoard Down
:End
------------------------------------------------------------------
Using ProBoard with a frontend-mailer is a little more
complicated. This is an example for use with FrontDoor.
In this example FrontDoor uses the following errorlevels:
300 bps call : 50
1200 bps call : 51
2400 bps call : 52
Local call : 60
Mail received : 100
Exit : 150
- 180 -
------------------------------------------------------------------
SET FD=C:\FD
:Loop
cd \fd
fd
if errorlevel 150 goto End
if errorlevel 100 goto MailRcv
cd\pb
if errorlevel 60 goto Local
if errorlevel 52 goto Call2400
if errorlevel 51 goto Call1200
if errorlevel 50 goto Call300
:FatalErr
echo FATAL ERROR
goto End
:Call300
proboard -b300 -p1
goto CheckPBErr
:Call1200
proboard -b1200 -p1
goto CheckPBErr
:Call2400
proboard -b2400 -p1
goto CheckPBErr
:Local
proboard
:CheckPBErr
if errorlevel 5 goto NetEcho
if errorlevel 4 goto EchoEntered
if errorlevel 3 goto NetEntered
if errorlevel 1 goto FatalErr
goto Loop
:NetEcho
REM ************************************
REM ** Export netmail & echomail here **
REM ************************************
Goto Loop
- 181 -
:NetEntered
REM ************************************
REM ** Export netmail here **
REM ************************************
Goto Loop
:EchoEntered
REM ************************************
REM ** Export echomail here **
REM ************************************
Goto Loop
:MailRcv
REM ************************************
REM ** Unpack and Import mail here **
REM ************************************
Goto Loop
:End
------------------------------------------------------------------
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Flag Cross-Reference Chart │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The following cross-reference chart will help you to easily
determine which flags to use for your user records and menus
using the ProBoard style (A-Z and 1-6) of flags.
Note: The flag structures in ProBoard are actually no different
than those in QuickBBS or RA, they are just expressed in a more
"user friendly" format.
╔═══╦═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╤═══╕
║ ║ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │ 4 │ 5 │ 6 │ 7 │ 8 │
╠═══╬═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╛
║ A ║ A B C D E F G H
╟───╢
║ B ║ I J K L M N O P
╟───╢
║ C ║ Q R S T U V W X
╟───╢
║ D ║ Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6
╙───╜
- 182 -
A few flag examples follow:
QuickBBS/RA ProBoard
─────────── ────────
A1 A
C3 S
D7 5
C8 X
well.... you get the idea.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FREE Files │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Many SysOps have a master file list containing all the files
available on their BBS for users to download, or perhaps some
virus detection software that they would like to make available to
their users without affecting their users download ratio. Other
SysOps may run a support BBS and have certain files they want to
make available to callers without regards to how long it takes to
download. ProBoard's powerful "Free File" option(s) can easily
accommodate both of these things.
It is possible (in addition to marking entire file areas) to
specify a list of files that users can download without ProBoard
deducting the kilobyte amount of the download from their daily
limit. This would allow you to make one or two (or several) files
in a file area as "Free" without making the entire area "Free" to
your users. To accomplish this, create a file called FREEFILE.CTL
in the ProBoard system directory (usually C:\PB). Create this
file with an ascii editor such as QEDIT or DOS editor. Each line
in the file should contain the name (do not include the drive and
path to the file) and extension of any files you want to make
available for FREE. Wildcards are allowed.
An example follows:
───────────────────
PB_212.ZIP
FILELIST.ZIP
*.TXT
SCANV86.ZIP
PB_STRUC.*
LIST.LZH
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It is also possible to specify individual files that you want to
make available to your callers with no regard for the time it
takes a user to download them. This means that if you have a file
that is 1024k, and the user has 1 minute left, the user would still
be able to download the file. This is a valuable feature for
SysOps who run a support BBS and want to make individual files
available to users without getting hate mail from those users who
call long distance and then don't have enough time left or a high
enough security level to download support files. Refer to Menu
Function 32 for more details.
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╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── USER'S GUIDE TO PROBOARD ────────────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
This chapter explains the use of ProBoard from the caller's
perspective.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Navigating Through Menus │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ProBoard has been created for the novice and experienced user. It
supports Opus-like commands and RA/QBBS style hotkeys. Using
hotkeys is the easiest way to navigate through the menus. While a
menu is being displayed, you can enter any menu command. The
displaying of the menu will be stopped, and the corresponding menu
function will be executed immediately.
The other way to enter menu options is command stacking. This way
you can enter several menu commands at a prompt, and execute them
all at once by pressing [Enter]. You are not limited to menu
commands only. You can enter any key that should be "stacked". A
';' stands for <Enter>.
This asks for an example I guess. Suppose you are in a menu where
option [E] selects the "Enter Message" function. Now, if you
want to write a private message to the SysOp, using "Test" as a
subject, you could enter:
ESysOp;Test;Y
E "Enter Message"
SysOp "Write message to" prompt
; Enter
Test "Subject" prompt
; Enter
Y Answer to "Private [Y/N]" prompt
If you don't like to use command stacking all the time, but want
to use it occasionally, you can enter a ';' at any menu prompt,
and you will be able to enter a "command stack".
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┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The MORE prompt │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If text is about to scroll off the screen, ProBoard asks the user
if he/she would like to continue (if enabled). The user can enter
3 keys: [Y] to continue reading, [N] to stop reading or [C] to
continue reading without further prompting.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The [S] & [P] key │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You can stop almost any incoming text with the [S] key, and pause
with [P] key. To resume a paused text, press [P] again or press
the <Enter> key. The SysOp can disable this though.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Standard Chatting Procedure │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
New SysOps may not be familiar with online "chatting". There is
one important thing you should know. It makes life much easier for
you and the person you're chatting with.
If you expect a response from the other side after you typed
something, you should hit <Enter> twice to insert a blank line.
This way the person on the other side knows you are done.
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╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
╟─── SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT (SDK) ──────────────────────────────╢
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Included with ProBoard is the ProBoard Software Development Kit
(SDK). It consists of the files PB_SDK.H, PB_SDK.OBJ and
PB_SDK.LIB.
The SDK allows C and C++ programmers to write extensions to
ProBoard. The ProBoard Software Development Kit is bundled with
ProBoard as free software. This means that you may use it to write
extensions for ProBoard without having to register ProBoard. The
only exception of course, is if you are using ProBoard to run a BBS
on a regular basis.
The extensions you can write for ProBoard are called "PEX"
(ProBoard Executable) files. You may distribute any ProBoard PEX
files you write royalty free.
Any PEX files you create with the SDK are run from within ProBoard
using Menu Function 60 (Run ProBoard SDK file).
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