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Host+
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Program Reference Manual
Copyright (C) 1986-96 deltaComm Development
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
deltaComm Development
P.O. Box 1185, Cary, NC 27512 USA
(919)-460-4556 / (919)-460-4531 fax / (919)-481-9399 BBS
Telix v3.5x - Host+ COPYRIGHT ii
Copyright Notice
Telix is Copyright (c) 1986-1996 by deltaComm Development.
Host+ is Copyright (c) 1989-1996 by deltaComm Development.
This document is Copyright (c) 1988-1996 by deltaComm Development.
No parts of Telix or this document may be copied in part or in whole,
except as provided in the License in the following pages.
Disclaimer
deltaComm Development makes no warranty of any kind, either express or
implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to
this software and accompanying documentation.
IN NO EVENT SHALL DELTACOMM DEVELOPMENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS)
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PROGRAM, EVEN IF
DELTACOMM DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
Trademarks
Telix is a trademark of deltaComm Development.
Many product names found throughout this manual are trademarks of var-
ious companies.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ COPYRIGHT iii
C O N T E N T S
1. INTRODUCTION....................................................1
1.1 Host+ Description...........................................1
1.2 Machine Requirements........................................2
1.3 Host+ Files.................................................2
2. Getting Started.................................................7
2.1 Installing Host+............................................7
2.2 First Time Configuration....................................8
2.3 First Time Logon............................................9
3. Program Features - Sysop Online................................11
3.1 Fast Logon.................................................11
3.2 Status Box Toggle..........................................11
3.3 Help Screen Toggle.........................................11
3.4 Chat Mode Toggle...........................................11
3.5 User Control...............................................12
3.6 Local shell to DOS.........................................12
3.7 Screen Image...............................................12
3.8 Capture Log................................................13
3.9 Hangup.....................................................13
4. Program Features - Sysop Offline...............................15
4.1 Local Mode.................................................15
4.2 Configure Host+............................................15
4.3 User Editor................................................15
4.4 File Compressor............................................15
4.5 Text Editor................................................15
4.6 Exit.......................................................15
5. User Commands..................................................17
5.1 Access Levels..............................................17
5.2 Message System.............................................17
5.3 File System................................................19
5.4 Page the Sysop.............................................21
5.5 Bulletin Listings..........................................21
5.6 Your Settings..............................................22
5.7 Comment to Sysop...........................................22
5.8 Expert Mode................................................22
5.9 Run a Door.................................................22
5.10 Goodbye....................................................22
5.11 System Log.................................................22
5.12 Shell to DOS...............................................23
5.13 Shut down Host+............................................23
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Contents iv
6. Customizing Host+..............................................25
6.1 Configuring the Modem......................................25
6.2 Configuring the Colors.....................................26
6.3 Configuring Bulletins......................................26
6.4 Configuring Doors..........................................27
6.5 Configuring Archives.......................................30
6.6 Configuring Macros.........................................31
6.7 Configuring Events.........................................32
6.8 Configuring User Options...................................33
6.9 Configuring the File Bases.................................34
6.10 Configuring the Message Areas..............................35
6.11 Configuring the Upload Items...............................36
6.12 Configuring General Info...................................36
6.13 Configuring BBS Data.......................................38
6.14 Restoring and Saving Configs...............................38
6.15 Creating Colorful Screens..................................39
7. Adding Files...................................................43
7.1 Adding Files with ADDFILES.EXE.............................43
7.2 Manually Changing Files....................................46
7.3 Manually Moving/Removing Files.............................47
8. The User Editor................................................49
8.1 User Fields................................................49
8.2 User Fields you Cannot Edit................................51
9. The Files Compressor...........................................53
9.1 Compressing the User File..................................53
9.2 Compressing the File Base..................................53
9.3 Compressing the Message Bases..............................54
9.4 Running from a Batch File..................................54
9.5 Repairing Damaged Files....................................55
10. Using Doorway.EXE..............................................57
11. Security.......................................................59
12. Registered Utilities...........................................61
12.1 The Files Editor...........................................61
12.2 The Menu Editor............................................62
12.2.1 Making New Menu Screens................................64
12.2.2 Customizing Menu Commands..............................65
12.3 The External User Editor...................................68
13. Appendix A - Installing Doors..................................71
14. Appendix B - Example Events....................................73
15. Appendix C - Product Support...................................77
16. Appendix D - File Formats......................................79
D.1 HOSTDOOR.SYS...............................................79
D.2 Custom Converters..........................................83
17. Appendix E - External Archive Testing..........................87
18. Index..........................................................89
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Introductions 1
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Host+ Description
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Host+ is a remote system that may be used as a complete BBS. It is
fast, friendly, extremely flexible, and powerful enough to be
customized for each person's tastes. Even novice computer users may
have it up and running in minutes.
Host+ has been written for the Telix communications program using SALT
(Script Application Language for Telix) -- a powerful and extensive
communications script language.
Here are some of the advanced features you will find in Host+:
■ Fully working message bases, file bases, ability to drop to DOS,
and support for user added doors.
■ May be configured to run multiple conferences for files and
messages.
■ A FSME (Full Screen Message Editor) that allows quoting of
messages. Messages may be up to 99 lines long. A Line Message
Editor is included for those whose machines do not support ANSI.
■ Add any file from any drive to the files base with the
ADDFILES.EXE program. Accepts 1000 files per directory and 100
tagged files with full mouse support.
■ A file management program, or file compressor (HPCOMP.EXE)
controls all message, file, and user databases.
■ 10 user levels. You decide each level's access to features and
on line time. The trash can list allows you to have a text file
of names you don't want on your system.
■ Host+ keeps track of the user's time on per day. A user that has
60 minutes a day and uses 45 on the first call will only have 15
minutes left.
■ Program up to 5 different events at any time of the day. The
special event time of "every" will run an event after each call.
Special Event programs allow the event to abort both the Host+
and Telix programs.
■ New status log file (HOSTPLUS.LOG) supplies complete information
on what happens while users are online with Host+. It logs
bulletins read, doors opened, events run, total minutes used on
the system by each caller, if carrier was lost, time running out,
and no input in five minutes.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Introductions 2
■ Support for user added doors. Host+ supports PCBoard 14.x, QBBS,
RBBS, and GAP/DOORWAY doors.
■ Support for Marshall Dudley's DOORWAY program for greater control
over the shell to DOS from remote.
■ Support for external protocols that have been added to Telix by
you (except for Bimodem and HS/Link).
■ Support for up to 10 different archive programs. Default
programs supported are ZIP, PAK, ARC, ARJ, and LZH. You may add
support for more.
■ Full keyboard macro support. You may reassign all keys on the
keyboard, including those used by Host+.
1.2 Machine Requirements
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Host+ requires a minimum of 350k memory and requires Telix 3.12 or
later and DOS version 3.5x or later. A hard drive is highly
recommended.
1.3 Host+ Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Host+ comes with a number of files and creates more in its operation.
Following is a list of files included with Host+ and comments about
their being required for operation:
HINSTALL.EXE This is the installation program. Once used
it may be deleted.
HOSTPLUS.DAT This contains the Host+ program files in a
compressed format. HINSTALL extracts the
files and puts them in the correct
directories. You may delete this file
following installation.
HOSTPLUS.SLC This is the main program script. It is the
script which you call in order to run Host+.
HOSTPLUS.OVL This contains the screen overlays for Host+.
HPUTILS.SLC Utilities script, it contains the Configure
Program and the User Editor Program. It is
called by the HOSTPLUS.SLC program. It may
also run in Telix by typing HPUTILS after
pressing Alt-G. It will be placed in your
script directory by HINSTALL.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Introductions 3
HPMSGED.OVL Message Editor script overlay, contains all
of the message editor routines. It will be
placed in your script directory by HINSTALL.
HPMSGED.OVL may be deleted if you do not wish
to use the message editor or have no message
base.
HPMENUS.DAT This is the file which contains all of the
menus for each of the levels as well as the
sections. It will be placed in your Host+
data directory by HINSTALL.
HPCOMP.EXE This is the file which does all the data file
compression. It will be placed in your Telix
directory.
*.HP Door Converter overlays, contain all the
information to convert to the different BBS
systems. They will be placed in your Host+
data directory. Current converters: GAP.HP,
PCB14.HP, QBBS.HP. If you do not want to
have support for a specific BBS type, then
you may delete the converter for that BBS.
HOSTPLUS.LNG This file holds all of the BBS commands in
English. Future versions will be able to run
in other languages.
HOSTPLUS.LIB This library file holds all of the command
overlays used in the configuration program.
Files created and maintained by Host+ throughout its operation (and
held in the Host+ data files directory) include:
HPUSER.DAT This is the file that holds all of the user
information.
HOSTPLUS.LOG This is the log of what each user does when
on the system.
HPFBASE.DAT This holds the number and name of each files
base.
HPFILES.* This is the file that holds all of the file
database information. The file extension is
the number of the database.
HPMBASE.DAT This holds the number and name of each
message base.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Introductions 4
HPINDEX.* This file holds the message pointers for each
user for each message base. The file
extension is the number of the database.
HPHEADER.* This is the header information for each
message in the message base. The file
extension is the number of the message base.
HPMSG.* This holds the actual messages for the
message base. The file extension is the
number of the message base.
HPDOORS.DAT This file contains all of the information you
enter when you configure to run a door
program.
HPBLTS.DAT This file contains all of the information you
enter when you configure bulletins.
HOSTPLUS.CFG This file holds all of the other
configuration information you enter when you
customize Host+.
HOSTPLUS.KEY This file holds all of the Macros you create.
Files created as an option, and which may be deleted if not needed
are:
ADDFILES.EXE The ADDFILES program for addling files to the
files base. It should be placed in the Telix
directory.
HSHELL.BAT This batch file is supplied in the Telix
documentation. If in the Telix directory it
will be run if a online user does a shell to
DOS. It will override all other shell
options. The order in which the shell options
take precedence is:
HSHELL.BAT
DOORWAY.EXE
CTTY COMx
TRASHCAN.DAT If this ASCII text file is found in the Host+
data directory it will determine if any name
given by a new user is acceptable. (See
Security and Legal)
*.ANS These files are the BBS ANSI graphics files
you create. You may make a LOGON, NEWUSER,
BBSINFO, NEWS, and LOGOFF file. (See
Customizing Host+)
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Introductions 5
*.ASC These are the ASCII versions of the ANSI
graphics files you created. Have these made
for those users who don't have ANSI available
to them.
HPLOGON.SLC If this compiled Salt file exists in your
Telix Script Directory, Host+ will run the
script during the logon process just before
the prompt for message check. This script
may call a quote of the day program, message
to next caller door, or whatever your script
writing abilities permits.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Getting Started 7
2. Getting Started
2.1 Installing Host+
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The proper way to run Host+ is to either have your Telix directory
listed in your DOS path statement or listed as an environment variable
(SET TELIX=C:\TELIX\) in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. Make these changes and
reboot your computer.
If you have made the changes above, place the files HINSTALL.EXE and
HOSTPLUS.DAT in any directory on your hard drive and run HINSTALL. If
not, place the files in the directory that holds TELIX.EXE and run
HINSTALL.
HINSTALL will ask you if you wish \TELIX\HOST to be the directory
where Host+ will keep its data files. If you want to change this do it
now. HINSTALL will then expand and place the different files into
their correct directories.
If HINSTALL finds any data files from previous versions of HOST+
(Formerly Host Software Products' Host3, versions 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4,
or 5.0) it will convert them. It will then place the newly converted
data files into the data directory. It will ask if you want to delete
the old files that are no longer needed by Host+ before deleting.
HINSTALL will not bother any key DOS files like CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of Host+ from Host
Software Products, you will need to repack all the message, file, and
user data bases when you first start Host+. To do this, press Alt-F
at the opening menu of Host+. Then press F6 to pack all bases.
Should there be a problem in the conversion, you can run HPREPAIR.EXE
to fix the database.
Following the installation process, you may erase HINSTALL.EXE and
HOSTPLUS.DAT.
Configuration and customization of Host+ require that Host+ be loaded
and running. To load and run Host+, type Alt-G from within Telix's
terminal mode and type "HostPlus" as the name of the script to
execute. Host+ is now operating and waiting for a call. Before you
may actually accept calls, you will want to modify some of the
defaults options of the Host+ configuration.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Getting Started 8
2.2 First Time Configuration
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
From the Host+ main menu, press Alt-O for the Configuration menu. You
will be presented with a long column of options. To select an option,
you may either move the cursor bar to the item or press the letter of
the alphabet that is listed out to the side.
Here are some of the things you may want to attend to when first
starting the program. You will notice that the modem picks up the
line when you go into the configure menu. This is to keep Host+ from
answering a call while you are working.
Host+ comes configured to test archives that use the ARC, PAK, ZIP,
ARJ, and LZH archive methods. Your archive programs must be found on
the DOS path for this to work. If these files are not present on your
system, you may obtain them from the Telix Support BBS.
Under General Items you will want to put your own password in place of
the word "Password". The system password allows callers who have co-
sysop access to shell to DOS. It also allows the sysop to shut the
system down from a remote system.
You may wish to put your name in place of Sysop at selection F. If
you plan to make local logons under your own name, then your name
needs to go here so you will get any mail addressed to the Sysop.
Under User Items, Item A asks if you want to log off new users. This
is a good security practice to follow once you have your board in
normal operation. It needs to be turned off now or the first test of
your system with a live caller will be very, very short.
User Item B sets the file ratio for your users. Putting a zero (0)
means that no file ratio will be enforced. Putting any other number
here means that the user will have to maintain a file ratio of uploads
to downloads. For example, if you want to require that one file be
sent up for each 5 files taken, then put a 5 here.
User Item D sets the access level that you want new callers to have.
Items E-N set how much time each access level gets on line each day.
Under Upload Items, set item A to the name of the drive and directory
where you want uploads to go. If you do not want to users to see the
uploads that are available, set item C to the level you want.
Host+ should now be ready to run under its minimal configuration.
Host+ is very powerful and may be completely customized. Complete
details regarding customization of all options are in this reference.
First, however, you may wish to see Host+ in operation.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Getting Started 9
2.3 First Time Logon
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Now you are ready to take a peek inside of Host+. From the main menu
of Host+ press Alt-L for a Local logon. You will see the prompt "Can
you support ANSI color graphics?" answer with a Y and a carriage
return.
You will then be asked the familiar series of questions that are asked
of any person logging on to a BBS for the first time. Your answers
are being stored in the user database. When you are finished, you
will be asked if you wish to check for messages in the message base.
Press "Y" to see the display.
Now you are at the main user menu. At the top of the screen will be a
status line showing your name, address, access level, and password.
Press Alt-Z to toggle that display. It will now show you the sysop
commands that are available. (See Sysop Commands for complete
description).
If you left the defaults in place, you will have four minutes
remaining online. Press F4 a few times and watch your access level
raise on the status bar at the top of the screen. Press enter and the
screen will recycle. The user display should now show that have
increased time on line.
Keep pressing F4 until your access level is a 9. Host+ will ask if you
really want to raise to a Sysop level, say yes. Press enter to recycle
the page and you will see that you have more time. You will also see
the higher access menu that is available to callers with access above
level 7.
Now you may experiment inside the program using the list of sysop and
menu commands listed on the next few pages. To shell to DOS, just
press Alt-J. You may try out the message menu by leaving a test
message. You may wish to add a file (see the section on adding files
to Host+).
When you exit the local logon, press F2 for the user editor and edit
your listing to upgrade yourself to sysop level. (see The User Editor
for more information).
You are now ready to have someone call and log on as a remote user to
test out your modem. You are also ready to add files, screens,
bulletins and doors. For complete information on these functions, see
Customizing Host+.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Program Features 11
3. Program Features - Sysop Online
As sysop, you are in control of what happens in Host+ at all times.
At the top of the screen is a status box showing what is happening in
Host+. You may toggle this box on and off by pressing Alt-8. The
status box will show you the name of the person on line, their city
and state, password, access level, date last on the system, the baud
rate, chat mode status and if the person has requested a chat in your
absence.
You may toggle the Status Box into a help screen by pressing Alt-Z.
This will list some of the more commonly used sysop commands.
3.1 Fast Logon
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may skip the opening screen by entering the following information
at the "Can you support ANSI?" prompt:
Y{First and Last names{Password
"Y" is if you can support ANSI graphics; if not, use an "N" instead.
The brackets must be present with no spaces. To speed up local
logons, you may create a macro that will hold all this information.
See the section on Macros to find out how.
3.2 Status Box Toggle
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-8: Turns the status box of Host+ on or off. Having it off will
increase the size of the viewable area onscreen.
3.3 Help Screen Toggle
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-Z: Allows the sysop to change between the status and help
boxes.
3.4 Chat Mode Toggle
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
F1: This toggles the caller's ability to request chats. If chat
is on, an alarm will sound when the user requests a chat.
When chat is off, no alarm will sound and the user will be
given the option of leaving a message. You may force chat
on or off at any time by pressing F1. When chat is forced
on, the status box at the top will show "chat on" in a
different color.
(See Customizing Host+ more detail on Chat Hours).
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Program Features 12
3.5 User Control
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
F3: Lower Access
F4: Raise Access
F5: Lower Time
F6: Raise Time
F10: Chat with User
You may temporarily lower a user's access level by pressing F3 for
each level you wish to remove. The new level will only be in effect
for that call only. Host+ will restore the old level at log off.
You may temporarily raise a user's access level by pressing F4 for
each level you wish to add. The new level will be in effect for that
call only. Host+ will restore the old level at log off.
You may temporarily lower the user's time on line by pressing F5 for
each five minutes you wish to remove. The time you take away will be
in effect the entire day. At midnight, Host+ will reset the time to
normal.
You may temporarily raise the user's time on line by pressing F6 for
each five minutes you wish to add. The extra time you give will be
available to the user for that entire day. At midnight, Host+ will
reset the time to normal.
Press F10 to initiate a chat with the user. You may carry on a key
board conversation as long as you like without effecting the user's
time on line. Press escape to exit chat.
3.6 Local shell to DOS
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-J: You may shell to DOS at any time unless there is a file
transfer or door running. The user will be prompted to wait
while the sysop is in DOS and Host+ will not accept any user
commands until you return. The user will not lose any
online time while you are in DOS.
3.7 Screen Image
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-I: You may capture an image of the screen to a file by pressing
Alt-I (just like you do in Telix). The name of the text
file is HOSTPLUS.IMG.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Program Features 13
3.8 Capture Log Access
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-C: When you turn on the capture log, it will capture everything
the user does to a capture file (HOSTPLUS.CAP). This
capture file will become extremely large very quickly as it
contains all information printed to the screen.
3.9 Hangup
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-H: If you wish to terminate a call in the middle of a session,
press Alt-H and the modem will hang up.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Program Features 15
4. Program Features - Sysop Offline
4.1 Local Mode
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-L: This allows you to run Host+ in local mode. All the menu
commands will work for you (with some exceptions, see Menu
Commands below).
4.2 Configure Host+
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-O: This runs the HPCONFIG program that sets up Host+ for
initial running and allows you to customize the program. See
Customizing Host+ for more on this program.
4.3 User Editor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
F2: This brings up the user editor. Note that there must be at
least one user, otherwise the user editor will not work. If
you have already made your local logon (see First Logon) you
will have become the first user in the user database. (See
The User Editor for more information).
4.4 File Compressor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-F: This will run the database files compressor (HPCOMP.EXE) for
use on User, Message, and Files databases. See The Files
Compressor for more information on running this program.
4.5 Text Editor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-A: This will run the Text Editor you have selected to use in
Telix. If you have not selected a text editor in Telix,
this command will not work.
4.6 Exit Host+
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Alt-X: This allows you to Exit Host+ back to Telix.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 17
5. User Commands
5.1 Access Levels
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
There are two sets of menus in Host+: Lower and Higher access menus.
Users with access levels of 0-6 will see lower access screens for Main
Menu, and Files Menu. Access levels of 7-9 will be shown the higher
access menus for Main Menu and Files Menu. The Message Menu is the
same for all levels.
Registered Users of Host+ will receive the HPMENUS program. It allows
you to draw your own menus and set the access level to any menu
function. You may also change the letter that starts any function, and
add three external functions. See the section on Registered Programs.
5.2 Message System
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (M)essage System option opens the Message Base menu for users with
access levels 0 and higher. Here is the listing of all user commands
under the Message System menu.
(A)rea
This will show the list of message areas you have defined for Host+
and allow the user to choose one. For more information on setting up
multiple message areas, see Customizing Host+
(R)ead
This shows the user a list of commands to use when reading the message
base.
(A)gain : Read current message again.
(N)ext : Read next message.
(P)revious : Read previous message.
(R)eply : Reply to current message.
(K)ill : Kill current message (allowed only
to the sender, receiver, or level 9
user).
(Q)uit : Quit reading messages.
The user may jump ahead or go back in the message base by entering the
number of the message they wish to access. For instance, if there are
112 messages in the base and you are at #1, you can enter 112 and go
to the last message. Then you can press "P" for previous and read the
messages in reverse order.
(W)rite Message
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 18
This allows the user to write a message to another user (either Public
or Private).
How to Write Messages or Reply to Messages
Writing new messages or replying to existing messages calls the editor
in Host+. Here is the step by step listing of functions:
Name
Host+ will first ask for the name of the person you are writing. To
abort the message at this point, just press a carriage return. Sysops
may leave global messages that will appear with the user's name
instead of "all" by entering @user.
Title
Host+ will next ask for the title (or subject) of your message. To
abort at this point, press a carriage return and the message will
abort.
(P)ublic or (R)eceiver
If you want the message to be private, press "R" for receiver only.
Level 9 users (sysop) may read all messages. You may wish to post
this information to your users.
Full Screen Editor
You are given three options for entering messages: Full Screen Editor,
Line Editor, and Upload message.
Uploaded Messages
If you wish to upload a prepared message, press "U" for upload. Local
logons will be asked for the path and name of the file on the hard
drive. On-line users will be asked to upload the message using an
ASCII upload.
Line Editor
If you do not want the full screen editor, press "N" for the line
editor. You can then enter your message line by line. You may only
edit a line when you are on it. Once you have entered the line, it
cannot be edited. Pressing enter twice will give you a menu with the
following options:
(A)bort : Kill the message
(S)ave : Save the message
(R)edraw : Redraws the screen
(C)ontinue : Continues the message at the point
you left off
(O)riginal : Allows you to quote the message to
which you are replying.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 19
Pressing "O" will cause the original message to be displayed with line
numbers to the left. You will be asked what line number to start for
the quote. When you enter that number, you will be asked for the line
number to end the quote. If you want the whole message, press enter.
Full Screen Editor
Press "Y" for the Full Screen Editor. This allows you to move about
the message editing and writing as you wish. Press Ctrl-Z at any time
to get a help screen displayed with the following information:
^D Move one char left ^F Move one character right
^R Move one line up ^C Move one line down
^E Line beginning ^X Line ending
^Y Delete Line ^V Overtype/Insert Mode
^T Redraw Screen ^O Original (quoting)
You may also use the cursor keys, the backspace, home, end, delete,
page up and down if you are using a 101 key enhanced keyboard.
Ctrl-O will call up the original message on the screen. You may
select to quote the whole message and then edit the quote on screen
using your cursor controls. Otherwise, you can just quote the portion
you want by telling Host+ what lines to include.
Pressing <ESC> will call up a menu along the bottom of the screen with
the following options (just like the line editor):
(A)bort : Kill the message
(S)ave : Save the message
(R)edraw : Redraws the screen
(C)ontinue : Continues a message at the
point you left off
(O)riginal : Allows you to quote the
message to which you are
replying.
(Q)uit to Main Menu
This allows the user to go back to the main menu.
5.3 File System
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (F)ile System option opens the File Base menu for users with
access levels 1 or higher. The following file commands are available
to users of the file menu. Differences in access levels are
explained.
(A)rea
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 20
This will show the list of file areas you have defined for Host+ and
allow the user to choose one. For more information on setting up
multiple file bases, see Customizing Host+. This command is
available to all users.
(F)iles List
This shows the user a listing of the files that are available for
users at their level. The list includes file name, file size, file
date, and a two line description of the file.
(X)tended File list
This allows the user to see an expanded listing of the files available
that includes the all the information listed above plus the
approximate time for the transfer and the name of the person who
uploaded the file.
(U)pload
Allows user to upload a file (if not already in the file database) to
the system. The user may use any protocol (except for Bimodem) that
has been defined in Telix.
The user will be asked for the name of the file. They do have to
include the file extension (ZIP, ARC, PAK, LZH, and etc). If they
have not defined a protocol as their default (see main menu (Y)our
defaults), they will be shown a list of protocols available and asked
to choose one.
Local uploads inside Host+ are available to the sysop. See Adding
Files to Host+.
(D)ownload
Lets the user Download files from Host+. If you have specified it in
HPCONFIG, Level 1 users may only download a specified limit. (see
Customizing Host+) )
The user will be asked for the name of the file. The default file
extension is .ZIP. If they have not defined a protocol as their
default (see main menu (Y)our defaults), they will be shown a list of
protocols available and asked to choose one. They will then be asked
if they wish to hang up after the transfer.
Higher access users (above level 6) may download any file on any
drive. This makes it easy to send a file that is not in the file
database to a user. Just temporarily upgrade them to a level 7 or 8
and type in the full drive and path to the file.
(V)iew Archive
Lets the user look inside the archive file to see the list of all
compressed files and technical data. Higher Level Access users may
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 21
view any file on the system. Lower Level Access users may only view
those files in the file listings.
(E)xtract Archive
Lets the user extract files from an archive. The user is first asked
for the name of the archive. Then they are asked if Host+ needs to
show the list of files in the archive. The file is then extracted
from the archive and zipped (using PKZIP), into a temporary file
called TEMPARC.ZIP. The user is given the filename for downloading.
The file is deleted when the user hangs up.
Higher Level Access users may extract any file on the system. Lower
Level Access users may only extract those files in the file listings.
(S)how a Directory Listing (Higher Access Only)
Allows user to do a listing of the files in any directory on any
drive. For instance, "\telix\*.cap" would show all the capture files
in the telix directory. Pressing enter at the directory prompt will
give you the file list for the upload directory.
(C)hange File (Higher Access Only)
This option allows the sysop to manually change the file information
in the database. (see Adding Files to Host+)
(R)emove File (Higher Access Only)
This option allows the sysop to remove a file from the database. It
also allows the sysop to erase the file from the drive. (see Adding
Files to Host+)
(Q)uit to Main Menu
This allows the user to go back to the main menu.
5.4 Page the Sysop
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (P)age Sysop option will, if chat is on, ring a bell to alert you
that the user wants to chat. If chat is off, it will show a message
saying that you are not available and give them the option of leaving
a private message. To answer a page, press the space bar and the
chat screen will come up.
5.5 Bulletin Listings
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (B)ulletin listings option sends the user to a list of bulletins
they can select to view.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 22
5.6 Your Settings
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(Y)our Settings lets the user change their address, city, zip, state,
choose a default protocol, turn the pause function on or off, enable
disable ANSI, change password and change colors.
5.7 Comment to Sysop
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(C)omments To Sysop will allow the user to write a private message to
the "Sysop" (If you have defined your name in place of the Sysop it
will be sent to you. See either Start Up Configuration or Customizing
Host+ (Section: General Options, Comments Sent To).
5.8 Expert Mode
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (X)pert function allows the user to change their expertise level,
to one of three levels:
Novice Gives a menu of commands.
Intermediate Gives command letters on the input line.
Expert No help whatsoever!
5.9 Run a Door
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Run (D)oors sends the caller to a list of the doors that are available
to users in their access level. They select the door to run from that
list.
5.10 Goodbye (Logoff)
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(G)oodbye logs off the user from the system.
5.11 System Log
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
System (L)og shows the user the daily usage log. Ctrl-P will pause the
display, and Ctrl-X will abort. The user may also select to continue
or abort at the "(Y/n):" prompt.
This command is only available from the higher access menus.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Commands 23
5.12 Shell to DOS
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(S)hell to DOS lets the user shell to DOS. They will be prompted for
the system password. If they fail to enter it, they will not be
allowed to shell. Host+ will either use CTTY or DOORWAY.EXE to control
the shell to DOS.
IMPORTANT!
There is no way for Host+ to check on the status of the carrier. If
the carrier is lost while a user is in DOS (via remote) then the
system will hang!. The only solution if this happens is to reboot the
computer. You may avoid this problem by using the shareware program
DOORWAY.EXE (see Using Marshall Dudley's Doorway).
5.13 Shut down Host+
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The (Z) command is not listed on the menu, and is available only to
level 9 users from the main menu. It allows the system to be shut
down by remote. The user will be prompted for the system password. If
they fail to give it, the program will continue running.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 25
6. Customizing Host+
Host+ allows you to customize its operations in many ways by running
HPCONFIG by pressing Alt-O from the main menu. You can add bulletins,
different archive programs, doors, multiple conferences, and more.
The following is a listing of the configuration menu and how to
customize each item.
When you have changed an item in the configuration, remember to press
"X" at the main config menu to save your changes.
6.1 Configuring the Modem
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A Modem Answer String
This is the string which is sent to the modem when a RING is
detected. The default is "ATA^M" and should work for most modems.
If it does not work for your modem try turning on Modem Auto
Answer Mode.
B Answer On Ring Number
This allows you to determine how many rings Host+ will wait
before answering an incoming call. You may choose from 1 to 9
rings. The default is set for 1 ring.
C Modem Pickup String
This is the string which is sent to the modem when going offhook
(in conjunction with Pickup Modem in Local and Utils). This
string "ATM0H1^M" will make the modem pickup the line.
D Pickup Modem In Local
This option decides if Host+ will pickup the phone (go offhook)
when doing a local log on. Having this turned on would cause any
callers to get a busy signal when you are in the local mode.
E Pickup Modem In Utils
This option decides if Host+ should pickup the phone (go offhook)
when running any of the utility programs.
Some modems may go offhook and leave the speaker on. The M0
command turns off the speaker on most modems. If your speaker is
left on, check your manual for the proper command.
F Modem Auto Answer Mode
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 26
This option uses your modem's Auto Answer Mode instead of letting
Host+ answer the incoming call. The default is set to Off and
should only be changed to On if Host+ is unable to answer
incoming calls.
6.2 Configuring the Colors
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This option allows you to configure the color of each screen element
used on the Sysop side in Host+. You control the colors for boxes,
help and titles, options, highlights, items, Sysop Chat, and User
Chat. Select the item you wish to change and you will be shown a
color palette box. Use the Cursor keys to move to the color selection
you desire. As you move the cursor, the screen element you are
changing will change colors on screen. When you find the color you
like, press enter.
You may go back to the Default Colors that came with Host+ by pressing
"H" for "Use default colors". You may also set Host+ to work in
monochrome by pressing "I" for "Use Black & White color".
6.3 Configuring Bulletins
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may create Bulletin screens to be viewed by users. Use this
section for news, board policies, game door standings, and any number
of things. Bulletins may be in either ASCII or ANSI formats.
A Add a Bulletin
When you press "A", HPCONFIG will prompt you to input the full
path and filename of the bulletin file. If you had the file
BULL1.ANS in the C:\TELIX\BLTS directory you would input
C:\TELIX\BLTS\BULL1.ANS as the filename. Once you have input the
filename press Enter. You may abort the process by pressing
Escape at any time.
Now HPCONFIG will ask for the description you want shown to the
user when they view the bulletin list. Put a brief description
of the bulletin here.
Next HPCONFIG will ask for the access level of the bulletin. If
you wish to limit the users who may view that specific bulletin,
then you would put that access code here. If you want it
available to all, put in a 0.
The bulletin is now in the system and available to be seen by
users.
B Delete a Bulletin
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 27
When you press "B" you will be asked for the number of the
bulletin you wish to delete. It will then ask you to confirm the
deletion with a Y/N prompt. When you answer "Y", the bulletin
will be removed from Host+. The program will not remove the
bulletin file from your drive. You will have to do that yourself
in DOS.
C Edit a Bulletin
If you want to come back and make changes in an entry, you may do
that here. The program will take you through each of the options
(filename, description, and access) and ask what you want to
change. To abort the process just press Escape.
D Jump to a Bulletin
This option will allow you to jump to specific bulletin by
entering its number.
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.4 Configuring Doors
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A door is when a user is allowed to exit Host+ and run another program
on your computer. It is as if a door is opened from Host+ allowing
the user access to other parts of your computer.
There are many doors available in the BBS world that do a multitude of
things: Playing games, voting on questions, viewing ANSI screens,
storing time, and so forth. In addition, there are door programs like
Marshall Dudley's DOORWAY.EXE that allow users to run IBM character
based business programs like spreadsheets, word processors, or
databases.
Host+ will accept four types of program files: EXE, COM, BAT, and
Telix's SALT SLC. It directly supports door programs written for
PCBoard 14.x, GAP, QBBS, RBBS, and Remote Access BBS programs. It will
also support Marshall Dudley's DOORWAY program.
Setting up doors require some patience because there is no standard
way of installing a door. You have to figure out how to install a
door and then configure it with HPCONFIG. In Appendix "A" are
outlined several examples of door installations. You may also get
help from a local sysop who has doors on his board and has undergone
the same process.
Once you have followed the door's installation procedure you are ready
to configure the door for Host+. Be sure to write down any command
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 28
line switches that you will need to start the program because you will
asked to supply them to HPCONFIG.
A Add a Door
Once you press "A" HPCONFIG will prompt you for the full path and
filename to the door program. For instance, a game door called
GOLF.EXE in the \DOOR\GAME directory would be entered as:
C:\DOOR\GAME\GOLF.EXE
When you have input the filename press Enter.
HPCONFIG will next ask you for the command line. If you need to
pass parameters to the program put it here. For instance,
GOLF.EXE requires the name of its configuration file called
GOLF.CFG to run. You would put GOLF.CFG on the command line.
There are system variables that you can place on the command line
to pass current information to your door program:
%C Comm Port Number : Current Comm Port Number
%P Port Address : Current Comm Port Address
%I IRQ Line : Current Comm Port IRQ
%B Baud Rate : Current Baud Rate
%D DTE Rate : Current DTE Rate
%M Minutes Left : Minutes User Has Left
%S Seconds Left : Seconds User Has Left
%L Location Of File(s) : Location the Door
When finished with the command line (or if there were not any
parameters needed) press Enter.
Now HPCONFIG will ask for the description you want shown to the
user in the list of available doors. Put a brief description of
the door here.
Next HPCONFIG will ask for the access level you wish the door to
have. If you wish to limit the users who may operate that
specific door then you would put that access code here. If you
want it available to all, put in a 0.
The last thing HPCONFIG will ask is what (if any) converter is
needed for the door. Each BBS door program requires its own
special system file. QBBS/RBBS doors need DORINFO1.DEF, PCBoard
14.x requires PCBOARD.SYS, Gap and Doorway want DOOR.SYS, and so
forth.
Host+ writes its own system file (called HOSTDOOR.SYS) and then
converts it to match the BBS program you chose. It will then
write this system file into the directory with the door's program
file. In our example above, it would write the file into the
C:\DOOR\GAME directory.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 29
If the door is written for Host+ or does not require a system
file then choose the "No Converter" option.
Once you are through with configuring the door, remember to save
your changes by pressing "X" at the Main configuration menu. You
will then want to log on to Host+ in local mode and test the door
out. You are configuring two programs at once (the door and the
bbs) so, be prepared to repeat the process.
If you have made a mistake you can easily edit the information by
choosing the "Edit a Door" option. If it still doesn't work check
to make sure you have installed the door correctly.
B Delete a Door
When you press "B" you will be asked for the number of the door
you wish to delete. It will then ask you to confirm the deletion
with a Y/N prompt. When you answer "Y", the door will be removed
from Host+. The program will not remove the door's program files
from your drive. You will have to do that yourself in DOS.
C Edit a Door
If you wish to come back and make changes in an entry you can do
that here. The program will take you through each of the options
(filename, description, access, and converter) and ask what you
want to change.
D Jump to a Door
This option will allow you to jump to specific door entry.
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 30
6.5 Configuring Archives
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
When a user uploads a file, you will want to test the archive to make
sure that it has arrived in good condition. Host+ also allows users
to view archives and extract files from archives while on line.
Host+ comes configured to work with ZIP, PAK, ARC, LZH, and ARJ
archives. If your favorite archive program is not on the list, you
may add it here. Host+ will accept up to 10 archives at one time.
Before adding an archive program not covered by Host+, you will need
to know the three letter file extension that the program uses for the
files it has compressed. You will also need the View, Extract, and
Test commands for the program.
To add an archive program, place the scroll bar (using Up/Down arrow
keys) on an open line and press return. HPCONFIG will then allow you
to edit each of the options in turn. Pressing Escape will allow you to
keep that option unchanged. Below is a list of the five options:
Extension : This is the acceptable extension
for this archive.
Program name : This is the file to run to work
with this archive; note that the
file must be in your path.
Test Line : This is the command line sent to
the file (Program) in order to run
a test on the archives.
View Line : This is the command line sent to
the file (Program) in order to view
the files in the archives.
Extract Line : This is the command line sent to
the file (Program) in order to
extract files from the archives.
Test Uploaded Archives
Host+ will test the archives of newly uploaded files. In most cases,
this switch should be left on.
Delete Bad Archives
If a file fails the archive test, Host+ will delete it. Choosing to
turn this function Off will cause the file added to the database as a
private upload to the sysop. The database will carry a warning
message for the sysop about the failed test.
External Script
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 31
You may substitute your own archive testing program for Host+'s
internal routines. This program has to be called by a script. See
Appendix D for a script outline.
6.6 Configuring Macros
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may redefine any key in Host+. The keys used by Host+ may be
reassigned to any other key by using the following Keywords:
Macro Keywords Default Key
$TOGGLECHAT F1
$USEREDIT F2
$LOWERACCESS F3
$RAISEACCESS F4
$TOGGLESTATUS ALT-8
$CHATMODE F10
$EXITHOST ALT-X
$DOSSHELL ALT-J
$TEXTEDIT ALT-A
$HOSTCONFIG ALT-O
$HOSTHELP ALT-Z
$HANGUP ALT-H
$FILECOMPRESS ALT-F
$LOCALMODE ALT-L
$LOWERTIME F5
$RAISETIME F6
$SCREENIMAGE ALT-I
$CAPTURELOG ALT-C
Display Key
When you press "A" HPCONFIG will ask you to press any key you wish to
have displayed. If a macro is assigned to that key, it will be
displayed. If not, there will be a no macro assigned message that
will let you know that the key is available to store a macro.
Edit Key
When you press "B" HPCONFIG will then ask you to press the key
combination you wish to edit. Enter the information you wish the key
combination to carry and then press Enter. Note that only ASCII
characters (no ALT keys) may be used in macro's. Control characters
may be used by placing a carat "^" in front of the character. For
example, a Return would be "^M", a tab is "^I" etc. To save any macros
you have made, choose the Save Macros option by pressing "X".
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 32
Since you will be doing many local logons to test different parts of
Host+, here is a simple macro that will speed up the process using
Host+'s Quick Logon feature.
Press "B" for edit, and then press Alt-1. Then enter the following
combination:
y{Your Name{your password^M
For example: y{Jeff Woods{Hello^M
Save the macro by pressing "X". The next time you make a local logon,
press Alt-L for the logon and then press Alt-1. Host+ will print out
the quick logon and then skip the opening screen to take you directly
into the program.
The Quick Logon feature may be used by any user. It is used it here
to give you a working example of a macro.
6.7 Configuring Events
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Host+ will stop and run any program you choose at any time of your
choosing. This is called a timed event. Up to 5 different events can
be programmed to be run by Host+.
You may use any program with an extension of EXE, COM, BAT, or SLC. In
addition, there are two internal programs that can be run as events:
EXITHOST and EXITTELIX. EXITHOST will exit Host+ back into Telix.
EXITTELIX will exit Host+, exit Telix and return to DOS.
Persons who use Host+ with FrontDoor will have to be careful with
event scheduling. Call the Telix Support BBS for special
documentation on attaching FrontDoor.
The easiest way to learn how to configure events is to configure
"EXITTELIX". Set it up to run and watch Host+ return to DOS. There
are some sample event programs and batch files listed in Appendix B.
Configure Event
HPCONFIG will first ask for the time you wish the event to occur.
Host+ will either want time entered in 24 hour (military) or 12 hour
time depending on the format you have set in Telix. (In Telix see:
Alt-O, General Settings, Section L: Time Format)
To make an event happen each time a user logs off the system, type in
the word "EVERY" instead of an actual time. Press Enter to move to
the next topic or press Escape to abort.
You will then be asked if you want the event to be sliding. A sliding
event waits for the user to complete their call before the event is
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 33
run. A non-sliding event occurs exactly at the time you specify. If a
caller is on line when a non-sliding event is due to occur, Host+
notifies them that their time is being shortened due to the event.
Host+ will hang up on them just before the event is due to occur.
Next you will be prompted for the program name. Enter the full syntax
for the program file and any parameters that need to be passed to the
program. For instance, C:\BATCH\EVENT.BAT <argument>. Press Enter and
your event will be logged.
Press "X" to exit to the main menu. Remember to save your changes to
disk.
6.8 Configuring User Options
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A Log Off New Users
The default (on) will log off all new users after they finish
filling out the questionnaire. Turn off this switch to give
access to all users on first call.
B Number Of Downloads
This is the ratio of downloads to uploads that a user must
maintain. For example, if you wish users to maintain a 5:1 files
ratio, place a 5 here. If you set the number to a '0', then
there will be no upload/download ratio enforced.
C Access 1 Download Limit
This is the limit (in Kilobytes) that users with access level 1
may download per logon. This does not effect the other user
levels.
D New User Access Level
Here you can choose the access level that you will give to new
users to your system. If you are logging off new users, your
choice should be "0".
E Time per access level 0
This is the amount of time you allow level 0 users to have on the
board. This should be set at 0 if you are hanging up after the
initial questionnaire is filled out. The old default on Host44
from Host Software Products was 4 minutes.
F-N Time per access level 1-9
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 34
Here you may set the number of on line minutes allotted to each
access level. The defaults are set in 10 minute increments, but
you may choose any time limits you like.
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.9 Configuring the File Bases
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You have one default file base called the Main File Base. You can add
an additional 9 bases in the shareware version and 999 bases in the
registered version. The shareware version can hold up to 99 files per
base while the registered version allows 999.
A file base is a data base of files available on your system. The
files for a certain database do not have to be placed in the same
drive or directory; however, doing so will keep things organized.
A Add a File Base
When you press "A" you will be asked to name the new files base.
Type in the name and press Enter. You will then be asked what
level of users will be allowed access to that files base. If
all, enter 1, otherwise enter the access level you desire.
Default menus do not allow users with an access level of 0 to go
to the files base.
B Delete a File Base
When you press "B" you will be prompted for the name of the files
base to delete. You then will be requested to confirm the
deletion. Please note that the files in that data base are not
removed from your drive by this operation. You will have to do
that using DOS or a DOS shell.
C Edit a File Base
If you wish to come back and make changes in an entry later you
can do that here. Press "C" and you will be allowed to edit the
information.
D Jump to a File Base
This option will allow you to jump to specific file base entry.
X Exit To Main Menu
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 35
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.10 Configuring the Message Areas
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You have one default message base called the Main Message Base. You
may add an additional 9 bases in the shareware version and 999 bases
in the registered version. The shareware version will hold 90
messages while the registered version will hold 29,999 messages.
A message base is a data base that tracks messages that are available
to be read on your system.
A Add a Message Base
When you press "A" HPCONFIG will ask for a description. Enter
here the name of the new message base and press Enter. You will
then be asked for the access level to the message base. If you
want all users to have access to the messages, enter 1.
Otherwise, enter the access level you desire and press Enter.
Access level 0 users are not allowed into the message bases by
the default menus.
You will then be asked if you want to echo the messages. An echo
is when you send messages written on your system to another
system or a network of systems. Host+ has been written to be
compatible with echo networks like FidoNet, RIME, ILink, etc.
The required UTI (Universal Text Interface) programs to allow
Host+ to interface with networks will be released as separate
programs and will be available from the Telix Support BBS. When
you are set up for echoes, press "Y" otherwise enter "N" for no
and press Enter.
B Delete a Message Base
When you press "B" HPCONFIG will ask for the number of the
message base to be deleted. Enter the number and you will be
prompted to confirm the deletion. The messages in that message
base will be deleted from your hard drive.
C Edit a Message Base
If you wish to edit the name, access, or echo flag of a message
base, press "C" and you will be presented with those choices for
changing.
D Jump to a Message Base
This option will allow you to jump to specific message base
entry.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 36
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.11 Configuring the Upload Items
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A Host Upload Directory
Press "A" and HPCONFIG will ask for the full path name to the
drive and directory where uploaded files from users will be
stored. For example, C:\TELIX\UPLOADS. It is a good idea to set
aside a directory just for uploads to ease the process of
scanning the files for virus and processing. Registered Users can
use HPFEDIT (files editor) to later move the files from the
upload directory to another files base and directory. Shareware
Users will have to make the transfer manually (See Manually
Adding Files)
B Upload File Base
Press "B" and HPCONFIG will ask for the number of the files base
where you wish Uploads to be listed.
Shareware Users should enter a 0. This adds uploaded files to
the file database where the user is located at the time of the
upload. For a complete discussion of this, see Manually Adding
Files under the heading Adding Files to Host+.
Registered users can follow the common BBS practice of having a
separate file base for new uploads. Enter an unused number for
the Uploads Data Base. Use the Files Editor to move files from
the upload file base to other bases. (See Registered Programs).
C Level of Uploads
This is the access level to which a file is set when uploaded by
a user. If set to a 1 then all access levels will be able to see
newly uploaded files. If you want to limit access to new
uploads, set this level to a higher number.
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.12 Configuring General Info
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A System Password
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 37
This is the password that allows the sysop to shell to DOS and do
a system shutdown when calling in from a remote. Pick a good
password and don't give it to anyone!
B Screen Blank Time Limit
This option allows you to set the number of minutes Host+ will
wait before blanking the main call screen.
C Time Chat is to come on
This is the time that you would like the "Chatting Times" to
start. Chat will come on at this time. (Chat may also be forced
on or forced off at any time by pressing F1). When you press
"C" you will be prompted for the time you wish this function to
be enabled. The time format will depend on how you have time set
in Telix. Telix may be configured for 24 hour (military) time or
12 hour time.
D Time Chat is to go off
This is the time that you would like the "Chatting Times" to end.
When you press "D" you will be prompted for the time you wish
chat to end.
E User Logon Alarm
If you would like an alarm to sound when someone logs on to your
system, choose On. If you like to sleep at night, choose Off.
F User Comments Sent To
This is the name of the person who will receive any user
comments. The default is Sysop. Changing this to your name will
allow you to logon to the board using your name and receive the
comments. If you leave the setting at the default, then you will
have to log on to Host+ under the name of Sysop in order to read
user comments.
G DOORWAY Command Line
This is the command line string sent to DOORWAY.EXE (if used)
when a user does a online shell to DOS. Note that the option can
contain any of the System Variables. See Appendix B, System
Variables for more information. This default setting will work
fine for simple shells to DOS. (See Using Doorway)
H Telix Config File
This option contains the name of the TELIX configuration file
being used. This should be changed only if you are using Host+
with a separate Telix configuration file. Since Host+ uses
information found in the file it is important that this is set
correctly.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 38
X Exit To Main Menu
This option will exit you back to the Main configuration menu.
Remember to press "X" at the Main configuration menu to save your
changes to disk.
6.13 Configuring BBS Data
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This is where you enter information about the BBS you will create.
The information will be used by Host+ and any QWK mail packet door
that you use.
A BBS Name
The name of your BBS (40 character limit)
B BBS Telephone
The phone number of your BBS
C BBS City/State
The Location of your BBS
D BBS Net/Node
Your QWK door ID for hookup with E-mail networks
E BBS Sysop Name
Your Name
6.14 Restoring and Saving Configs
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Reset Default Options
If chosen this option will reset all of the configuration options to
their original default values.
Save changes to disk
After you have finished making your changes in HPCONFIG, press "X" to
save those changes to disk before exiting the program.
Exit Config Program
Press "Z" to leave HPCONFIG. Make sure you save your changes before
exiting. "Z" will not save changes by itself.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 39
6.15 Creating Colorful Screens
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You can create colorful screens for use in Host+ by using TheDraw or
other ANSI drawing programs. You can greet the user at Logon, give
the latest news, greet new users with the board policies, and say
goodbye. You need to follow the following guidelines when making
screens:
Input Buffer
The input buffer for these files is set at 255 characters per line.
Screen writes will be smoother if the input buffer is evenly divisible
by 80. (E.G. 80, 160, or 240.) This is because most screens are 80
columns wide. A buffer of 240 writes fairly quickly even on XT
machines.
Screen Size
You really don't have all 25 lines of the screen available to you. It
is best to draw your screen from Line 2 Column 2 to Line 21 column 79.
Line 25 is taken up by most comm program's status line. Lines 23 and
24 holds the prompts for the next action. The last column sometimes
holds screen information that would interfere with your graphic.
Block save your screen from position 1,1 to 21,80 and it should work
perfectly.
ANSI/ASCII
Save your screens in both ANSI and ASCII. This way users who do not
have ANSI enabled may still see a screen.
The File Names
Use the following file names for your screens and place them in your
\TELIX\HOST directory. Note that *.ANS files are ANSI and *.ASC files
are ASCII:
LOGON This file is displayed when a user logs on
the system.
NEWS This file is displayed after the user has logged on the
system for the first time each day. See The NEWS.*
File for tips on making this file.
BBSINFO This file is displayed every time the user logs on to
the system. It follows the news screen and may be used
for any number of things.
LOGOFF This file is displayed when the user logs off the
system.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 40
NEWUSER This file is displayed to all new users. Its a good
idea to put board policies here.
Examples: LOGON.ANS, NEWS.ASC, NEWS.ANS, or LOGOFF.ASC.
The NEWS.* File
The news file may be made in an ASCII editor. If you want color, you
may construct separate pages in TheDraw and then concatenate the files
using DOS's copy command. (e.g. COPY FILE1 + FILE2 NEWS.ANS). The
easiest method is using a program written for BBS's that construct
bulletin screens. One well known program of this type is FLASH30 by
Qsoft. News files may be made many pages long. Host+ will pause the
screen after a page of lines has been sent and wait for the user to
ask Yes or No before proceeding.
Global Variables
Host+ has several global variables that may be inserted into any user
created screen, bulletin, or message. Global variables are preceded
by the "at" symbol (@). The three text variables are:
@user displays the current user's full name
@frst displays the current user's first name
@mins displays the current user's number of minutes remaining
online
There are also six global color codes based on the colors set by the
user in the Your Defaults area:
@C1 : Displays the first color defined by the user
@C2 : Displays the second color defined by the user
@C3 : Displays the third color defined by the user
@C4 : Displays the fourth color defined by the user
@C5 : Displays the fifth color defined by the user
@C6 : Displays the sixth color defined by the user
For example: @C1Would display this line of text in color.
In making your design, you should realize that anything positioned to
the right of a text variable will change position depending upon the
number of characters that replace the variable. For instance,
"Tristin Andrew" uses many more character spaces than "Joe Blow", so
the line of text would look differently for each. This is how the
lines of text would look:
@user the Global Variable
Joe Blow the Global Variable
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Customizing Host+ 41
Tristin Andrew the Global Variable
You can experiment with these variables in the message base. Just
write a message using the global variables, save it, and read the
message.
Note that the color variables are for use on ANSI screens only. You
will need to edit them out of ASCII versions of the same screen
because the codes can be seen by ASCII viewers. Users of the
registered HPMENUS.EXE program should use their ANSI editor for colors
and not color variables as ASCII versions of the menu are created by
the program and would display the codes to ASCII users.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Management 43
7. Adding Files to Host+
A files data base is a collection of information about files available
to your users. You may define up to 10 files data bases in the
shareware version and 999 files data bases in the registered version.
In addition, you are limited to 99 files per files base in the
shareware version and 999 files in the registered version.
Its possible to have both A:\FILE1.ZIP and C:\TELIX\UPLOAD\FILE2.ZIP
in the same files database; however, it is a good idea to group your
files together in one directory and database if you plan to offer a
lot of files.
You may have databases available to one set of users and not another.
For instance, special files could be kept in an area defined for
access level 6 and above. Users below level 6 would never see the
area from the menu. (See Customizing Host+)
You may also set access levels for each file. A file with access
level 6 could be in the same files database with a file set at access
level 0. A user with an access level of 5 would not see the access 6
file.
Files may be password protected so that only special users can get a
certain file.
Host+'s ADDFILES.EXE program will allow you to add files to any
database while off line. You may also add files manually while in
local logon mode. Registered Users can easily edit database entries
off line with the Files Editor.
7.1 Adding Files with ADDFILES.EXE
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ADDFILES.EXE allows you add files from any drive or directory to any
files database. You view all files available and tag the ones you
want added.
ADDFILES.EXE should be in your Telix directory. If the Telix directory
is in your DOS path statement, ADDFILES.EXE may be run from any
directory. Otherwise, you will have to start the program from the
Telix directory each time. This external program should not be run
when shelled to DOS from a local logon of Host+.
Choosing the Drive and Directory
Addfiles opens with a window on the left side of the screen that shows
all of the files and sub-directories located in your current
directory. To change directories, move the cursor bar to the
directory you want and press the enter key or use the left button of
your mouse. To change drives, press F2, and you will be presented
with a prompt for the name of the drive.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Management 44
Choosing Files
Once you are in the proper drive and directory, move the cursor bar to
the file you want to add and press the spacebar or the right button of
the mouse. A check (√) will appear next to the file. Move through the
directory checking all the files you want. You may change drives and
directories anytime during this process and Addfiles will remember all
file tags.
Adding Files
When you have tagged all the files you wish to add, press F1 to begin
adding files. You will be presented with a new screen and menu. The
bottom half of the menu is for entering information about the file.
The top half of the menu lists your menu choices and the current data
base. Be sure you are in the right file data base before you starting
saving files. It is not easy to correct an addition to the wrong
database if you don't have a copy of the Files Editor.
F3 Change Current File Base
Press F3 and you will be presented with a window to change the
database by entering the database's number. If you do not remember
the number of the database, press F1 at this window and a listing of
the files databases will be presented to you. You may change data
bases at any time in your Addfiles session.
Here is the information you are asked to provide ADDFILES.EXE on each
file:
File Name
This is the complete drive, path, and filename of the file. It
should already be in place.
File Description
You are given two lines to describe what the files does.
File Uploader
This defaults to sysop. You may change the name to any name you
wish.
File Access
This is the access you wish the file to have. If you want all
users to have access to the file, enter "1".
File Password
If you want the file protected by a password, enter that word
here.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Management 45
File Date
Addfiles will put today's date in this field. You can change it
if you wish.
F1 Add file to the data base
Once you have entered all the information about the file, double check
it to make sure it is correct. Make sure you are adding it to the
correct database. Press F1 to save this data to the database and
advance to the next file.
When you have saved all the files you had checked, ADDFILES will
return you to the opening menu.
Once the data is saved, you can change your entries by making a local
logon and using (C)hange File from the files menu (See Manually
Changing Files). Registered users can use the wonderful Files Editor.
F2 Skip to next file
Pressing F2 will skip to the next file that you have chosen to be
added. You will not save the current file to disk, but ADDFILES will
hold it for you during the session should you want to come back.
F10 Exit
Exits ADDFILES.EXE.
It is possible to add files, change file listings, and remove files
from any files database while in local logon. This is best used by
Shareware users of Host+. Registered users have the Files Editor for
these functions.
SPECIAL NOTE: Shareware Users should not have a Special Upload Files
Base defined or they will have problems when manually adding and
moving files. Any file you manually add will go to the Upload files
base and not the files base you are in at the time.
For example, you are in the Main File Base and manually add FILE.ZIP.
After you are through, you will *not* find the file listed in the Main
File Base. It will be found in the Uploads File Base. The only way
to move the file to into the Main File Base back would be to add it
with ADDFILES or using the Files Editor program available to
Registered Users. Simply put, if you define an Uploads Files Base,
you will have to make all of your file additions with ADDFILES.EXE.
You will not be able to add files manually unless you want them to be
in the Uploads File Base.
To move user uploads from the Upload File Base to another Base you
will have to move the files out of the Upload Directory to another
directory and then run ADDFILES to add the files to another file base.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Management 46
Then run the Files Compressor on the Upload File Base with the Kill
Files Not Found option. You may not wish to put up with all of this to
have an Upload File Base. It is up to you.
7.2 Manually Changing Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
To Add A File Manually
Select the file database to which you want to add files by pressing
"A" for Area change.
Select "U" for upload. At the prompt asking what file to upload,
enter the full drive, path, and filename of the file. Entering just
the filename with no path will cause Host+ to act like you are making
a remote upload and ask for your protocol. If this happens, press "N"
for None to abort.
If you have defined a special uploads directory (not a files base, a
directory), you can add files from there without entering the complete
drive and path. A very simple files setup is just one directory that
has been defined for uploads and holds all your host zip files.
You can add multiple files to the database at one time. If you have
several files to upload, just enter the drive, directory and "*.*",
like so:
C:\DOS\ZIPS\*.*
Host+ will then process each file one at a time and prompt you for
information.
Testing
If you have Host+ configured to test all new archive files (the
default setting), Host+ will first test the archive to see if it has
CRC errors.
Description
Host+ will ask you to supply a two line description of the file.
Access level
You cannot set the access level for an individual file while making a
manual file addition. You have to use ADDFILES for this. Registered
Users can add an access level later using the Files Editor.
Password Protect
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Management 47
To require a password for the file, select yes and enter the password.
To change the listing for a particular file, press "C" from the files
menu and then supply the name of the file. You do not need to give
the full path and name of the file as it is in the database.
You will then be taken through a series of prompts asking if you wish
to change the drive\path\filename of the file, the description, and
the password of the file (if any).
7.3 Manually Moving/Removing Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may remove a file by pressing R from the files menu and then
supplying the name of the file. Host+ will prompt you to confirm that
you wish to delete the file from the data base. Answer yes and the
file will be removed.
You will then be given the option to erase the file from the directory
on your drive. To erase the file, press y and it will be removed.
To change the file to another file database you must first remove the
file from the existing data base, change to another files area, and
then add the file to the new file data base. You may wish to shell to
DOS and physically move the file to another directory on your drive.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Management 49
8. The User Editor
After someone has logged on to your board, information about their
account is stored in the user file HPUSER.DAT. To edit that
information you turn to the User Editor.
There are two user editors. One is available to shareware users and
is located inside of HPUTILS.SLC. The other is available only to
registered users and is called HPUEDIT.EXE. (See 'Registered
Programs'). The following are instructions for using the shareware
version:
You may access the user editor in two different ways. In Host+, you
can start the user editor from the sysop menu by pressing F2. In
Telix, you can run the script HPUTILS.SLC and choose the user edit
option.
To open a new user account, the user has to logon and fill out the
questionnaire. You may also make a local logon and enter the
information about the user yourself. Registered users can pre-
register new users with HPUEDIT.EXE.
Here is how you move around the USER EDITOR:
Page Down : This moves you to the next user
Page Up : This moves you to the previous user.
Home : This moves you to the top of the page.
End : This moves you to the bottom of the page.
Up Arrow : This will move you up one field.
Down Arrow : This will move you down one field.
To Edit A Field
You may select a field to edit by either moving the cursor or by
selecting the letter out to the left hand column. Press Enter to edit
the field. When you are through, press Enter again. To abort the
process, press Escape. To save your changes, press "X" for Save User.
To exit the editor, press "Z". Be sure you have saved any changes
before exiting the editor.
8.1 User Fields you Can Edit
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
User Fields you can Edit
You can move around the editor screen and edit any of the following 9
fields:
User's Full Name
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Management 50
This is the user's full name. When editing, be sure that you do not
leave any extra spaces after the last name or Host+ will want those
spaces given as part of the last name.
User's Password
The user fields are sensitive to open spaces. If you change a users
password, be careful that there are no spaces following the password.
Otherwise, the user will have to input a space following the password.
User's Access
Most of the time, you will be editing the new user's access level
after verifying their application to the board. Just enter their new
access level here and press "X" to save.
User's Status Flag
The three legal entries for this field are: "A" (active), "D"
(delete), and "B" (blacklist).
Putting a Status Flag of "D" for delete will remove the User's Account
from active status. The user will be unable to logon. The file will
remain visible to you in the user editor until the next time the Files
Base Compressor is used. (See Files Base Compressor, below)
Putting a Status Flag of "B" for blacklist will temporarily place the
User's Account on inactive status until you choose to change it.
User's Phone Number
This is the user's phone number.
User's Street Address
This is the user's street address.
User's Location
This is the user's city and state.
User's Zip
This is the user's zip code.
Comment About User
This is a place to put in a comment.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ User Management 51
8.2 User Fields you Cannot Edit
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here is a listing of information shareware users can see but not edit.
Editing of this information is limited to registered users with the
program HPUEDIT.EXE.
Date User Last on
This shows when the user was last on
Users Total Downloads
Shows how many downloads the user has made
Users Total Uploads
This shows how many uploads the user has made **
*Users ANSI Status
Shows if ANSI is turned on
*Users Pause Status
This shows if screen pause is activated
+Users Experience Level
Shows the level of menus the user has chosen
(*) can be edited by the user at the Main Menu prompt (Y)our Defaults.
(+) can be edited by the user at the Main Menu prompt (X)pert Menus.
(**) an edit here can award a specific user more downloads or require
more uploads!
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Maintenance 53
9. The Files Compressor
The Files Compressor (HPCOMP.EXE) should be in your Telix Directory.
If the directory is in the DOS path you may start the program from any
directory. The program can be run from the Sysop Commands Menu by
pressing Alt-F or as an event from a batch file using command line
switches for automatic operation. Do not run when shelled to DOS from
a local logon in Host+
Here is a what the Files Compressor does:
Resorts Files: After you have made changes in your files base, or
user base they will not be in order. Running the
compressor will resort them.
Delete Record: When you delete a file, message, or user in one of
the bases, the record still remains. Running the
compressor removes record from the chain and
rebuilds the data base.
Packs Bases: Deletes users who have allowed their accounts to
lapse by being inactive on the board. Deletes old
messages and private messages that have been read.
Removes file listings for files that are no longer
on the drive.
9.1 Compressing the User File
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
To pack the user base, press F1 from the main menu. You will be asked
if you wish to delete users who haven't connected in a number of days.
The program default is 30, but you can change that by typing in
another number.
The program will then delete records of users who haven't called and
users that you have marked for deletion. It will resort the file
alphabetically and write a new file to disk. If any problems are
encountered, you will be prompted to run HPREPAIR.EXE (see below)
9.2 Compressing the File Base
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You have a choice of two actions when packing the file bases. You can
either compress a single file base by pressing F2 or you can pack all
files bases by pressing F3. Here are your options:
Sort By Date or Name
To sort the files alphabetically, choose "N" for name. To sort by
date press "D" and the files will be sorted in ascending order with
the oldest file first.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Maintenance 54
Reverse Sort
This switch reverses the sort routine making it sort in descending
order. If you have chosen a name sort, then choosing reverse will sort
the files from Z-A. If you have chosen a Date sort the files will be
sorted from the newest to the oldest files.
Kill files not found
This switch causes the program to run a check on each file to see if
it is actually on the drive and in the directory. If the file is not
found, then it will be removed from the database.
9.3 Compressing the Message Bases
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You have a choice of two actions when packing the message bases. You
can either compress a single message base by pressing F4 or you can
pack all message bases by pressing F5. You will be given two
options:
Kill Private
This option will delete all private mail which has been read.
Days to allow
This option will delete all messages (x) days old. The default setting
is 30 days, but you can change it to whatever you like.
9.4 Running from a Batch File
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You can set up HPCOMP to run from a batch file using command line
switches. Host+ can be set to run that batch file at a certain time
as an event. For instance:
HPCOMP /U D:90
Would run HPCOMP.EXE and compress the User Base, deleting all users
who haven't called in 90 days. You can only run either a User Base,
Files Base or Message Base compression at one time. HPCOMP will not
let you combine operations. Here are the command line switches:
U Compress User File
M:(x) (X) Days since last call
F Compress Message Base
K Kill Private
D:(x) (X) Days to allow
B:(x) (X) Message Base To Compress
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Maintenance 55
F Compress File Database
D Sort by Date
R Reverse Sort
K Kill files not found
B:(x) (X) File Base To Compress
B:(x) switches determine the number of the base that is to be
compressed. If the B switch is left out or set to 0 then HPCOMP will
compress all bases. If B is set to a number then it compresses only
that base.
Here are some command line examples:
HPCOMP /M K D:30 Compress all message bases, kill private
messages that have been read and
messages over 30 days old.
HPCOMP /F K B:4 Compress file base #4 and kill all files
not found
HPCOMP /U D:90 /M K D:30 /F K You cannot combine switches on a command
line. This example would only compress
the user base, the switches for message
base and files base would be ignored.
9.5 Repairing Damaged Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Files Compressor monitors the integrity of your data bases.
Should it find a corrupted database, it will write a file for that
data base with a .REP extension. HPCOMP will then tell you to run a
program called HPREPAIR.EXE. Exit the Files Compressor and run it
immediately.
HPREPAIR will attempt to repair HPUSER.REP (the user base),
INDEXxxx.REP (the message and file pointers for each user),
HPMSGxxx.REP/HEADERxx.REP (the messages) and FILESxxx.REP (the files
base).
It is a good idea to run daily backups of all your Host+ files in case
HPREPAIR is unable to fix them. Many sysops run backups of their
systems automatically as part of a daily event. Use several different
sets of backup diskettes so that you will be assured of having a good
set.
Troubleshooting
Note -- This is a worst case scenario. We include this here as a
backup to HPREPAIR and to save you a call to the Telix Support BBS.
Should HPREPAIR be unable to fix a message base, there is another way
to fix it:
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Maintenance 56
Go to the message base configuration menu and print screen the
description of all your bases. Exit Host+.
Backup all your HPINDEX.*, HPMSG.*, AND HPHEADER.* files from your
host directory to another diskette *or* use a better set from a backup
diskette. Delete those files from your hard drive along with
HPMBASE.DAT.
Restart Host+ and you will see HPMBASE created on the start up. Open
the configuration program and reinstall your bases using that printout
from the print screen. Shell to dos and restore the files you backed
up.
Run HPCOMP. It may crash on the index, requiring HPREPAIR. After
that, it should work in most cases.
If not, delete the HPINDEX.* files, and run HPCOMP again. It will
crash because there aren't any index files. Run HPREPAIR and it will
create new ones from the *.rep files created by HPCOMP. Compact once
more. Your bases will be restored, but your users will have had their
message read pointer reset to 0.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Using DOORWAY 57
10. Using Doorway.EXE
DOORWAY.EXE, by Marshall Dudley, is a shareware program that allows an
online user to Shell to DOS and not only run all of the DOS commands
but also to run almost any IBM character based program online.
DOORWAY redirects the input and output of the program to the comm port
as well as to the console allowing the user and the sysop to control
the program.
Without DOORWAY.EXE in your Telix directory, Host+ will use DOS's CTTY
for the shell. Many programs will not run in CTTY and CTTY does not
feed screens to the console so that you can see what the remote user
is doing.
When running DOORWAY.EXE under Telix/Host+ there might not be enough
RAM to allow certain programs to run. To find out your available RAM
from the local mode, press Alt-J to shell to DOS and then run Doorway
in local. The command line for this operation is:
Doorway Local /s:* /c:dos.
Once doorway is up, run DOS's CHKDSK command. This will tell you the
available RAM. Remember to type exit to return to your original
prompt.
Do not run CHKDSK from a remote! Do this only in local mode.
Note that beginning with Telix v. 3.5x, much of the used RAM can be
swapped out to EMS, XMS, or disk, to free it up for use in the DOS
shell. If you need more available memory, turn on swapping in Telix,
under ALT-O/General.
To use DOORWAY.EXE with Host+, you must be running ANSI.SYS (Or any
ANSI program with the exception of FANSI-Console) and you need to
place the DOORWAY.EXE program in your Telix directory. Once a user
shells to DOS then DOORWAY.EXE will run using the default command line
that is already installed in Host+'s configuration.
The user can now use any DOS commands they want. To keep their
communications program from interfering with certain commands (Like
the function keys and ALT-key combinations) they will need to activate
the DOORWAY mode on their end. Doorway is supported by many
communication programs. Telix users can turn on Doorway mode by
pressing Alt-= (by holding down Alt and pressing Equal).
With Doorway activated on the user end, all the keyboard output will
go directly out the comm port to the remote computer.
Once finished in DOS the user types "EXIT" to return to Host+. If
they have invoked their terminal into DOORWAY mode they will need to
turn it off once they have returned to Host+.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Using DOORWAY 58
Doorway monitors the carrier. If the carrier is lost it will either
reboot or return to the Host+ program. Which option depends on how you
have set the Doorway command line. The default is set to return to
Host+.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Security/Legal Issues 59
11. Security and Legal Issues
Host+ provides you with several features to help maintain security for
your computer. If your host is strictly private, you can put that
message on your welcome screen and use the log off feature to bump the
caller off the board.
If you are using Host+ as a general purpose BBS, you may occasionally
have someone violate your BBS rules. You can temporarily remove their
account from service by changing their account flag in the User Editor
from Active to Blacklist.
You may have the misfortune to come in contact with a person so
laboriously vile that you wish to never see them on your board again.
To ban their name for all time, put them in the trashcan file.
Create an ASCII file called TRASHCAN.DAT with your favorite editor.
Place one name per line. Here is an example format:
Joe Blow
Jiminy Cricket
John Hacker
When that person calls back and inputs their name, Host+ will post a
message that their name is not acceptable on the board. Persons who
try to "hack" your board by entering it illegally or causing damage to
your computer are in violation of The Electronics and Communications
Privacy Act of 1986. Copies of this act are available from most
Bulletin Boards.
The act also holds that you may be held liable by someone who thinks
they are leaving a private message on your board only to have it read
(by accident or otherwise) by others. To protect yourself, you need
to post a warning that messages are not private on your board. Below
is an example of boiler plate legal language in use on some BBS's.
This is shown as an example only and not as legal advice. Consult your
lawyer for language suitable to your situation.
NO PRIVACY WARNING
Pursuant to the Electronic and communications privacy Act of 1986, 18
USC 2510 et seq., notice is hereby given that there are no facilities
provided by this system for sending or receiving private or
confidential communications. All messages shall be deemed readily
accessible to the general public.
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 61
12. Registered Utilities
The following utilities do not come with the shareware evaluation copy
of Telix. They are supplied on the registered disk you are sent when
you purchase Telix.
12.1 The Files Editor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Once you have added files with ADDFILES.EXE or manually, you can make
changes quickly with the files editor. This program allows you to edit
your file entries, copy or move file entries among files bases, or
move files from one directory to another.
The filename for the program is HPFEDIT.EXE and it should be located
in your Telix directory.
The opening screen looks like the ADDFILES.EXE program. The top of
the menu shows the current database name and number, plus the current
record number of the file. The bottom of the menu holds all the
different information fields for the file. A complete listing of
actions can be obtained by pressing F1 for help.
To edit a file, change to the files database you wish to work in by
pressing F3 and the database number. If you don't remember the
database number, press F1 for help. A screen showing all the database
files will come up and you will be prompted again for the data base
number.
Once you are in the proper file database, you can scroll through the
base by pressing page up and page down. Once you are at your file,
use the enter key to jump from field to field. You can change
everything: File Name, File Description, File Uploader, File Access,
File Password, and File Date. When you are finished with your
changes, press F2 to save the file info.
Here is a listing of all the actions available to you in the FILES
EDITOR:
F1 Help Screen
The help screen listing these commands.
F2 Save File Info
Once you are through editing a listing, press F2 to save it before you
move to the next file.
F3 Change File Base
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 62
Press F3 and you will be presented with a window to change the
database by entering the database's number. If you do not remember
the number of the database, press F1 at this window and a listing of
the files databases will be presented to you.
F5 Copy File to Another Base
To copy the current record to another files base, press F5 and you
will be prompted for the number of the files base. If you cannot
remember it, press F1 for a listing of files bases.
F6 Move File to Another Base
To move the current record to another files base, press F6 and you
will be prompted for the number of the files base. If you cannot
remember it, press F1 for a listing of the files bases.
If you are also moving the actual file to another directory at the
same time, make the move with Alt-M first and then move the record.
Alt-M Move File to Another Directory
To move the actual file from its current directory to another
directory, press Alt-M. You will be prompted for a full drive and
path to the new directory. To aid in multiple file moves, the drive
and path you enter are saved for the session.
F7 Delete File from Base
Pressing F7 will cause the File Access level to be changed to "D" for
Deleted. You will still see the record in the files editor, but it
will not be visible to your users. The record will remain until the
files database has been compressed using the Files Compressor (See
Using the Files Compressor).
F10 Exit File Base Editor
Exits the program.
12.2 The Menu Editor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
HPMENUS.EXE should be found in your Telix directory. If the Telix
directory is in the DOS path, you can start this program from any
directory. Do not run the program when shelled to DOS during a local
logon of Host+.
HPMENUS lets you personalize all Host+ menus. You can limit the access
to each menu function, personalize the menu keys, add up to three
different external functions for each menu, and replace all internal
functions with external ones.
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 63
You can also change the look of the menus by creating new ANSI screens
and importing them into HPMENUS.
Here is the listing for all command keys in HPMENUS. It is followed
by instructions on making new Menu Screens and customizing Menu
Commands.
F1: Help Screen
The Help Screen listing these commands.
F2: Load Default Menu
This pulls up the default menu that came with Host+. You can
reinstall it to Host+ by pressing F5. You can copy it to disk by
pressing F4.
F3: Load Menu From File
Pressing F3 brings up a window for you to enter the name of the file
you wish to load into HPMENUS. For instance, you have drawn a new
Lower Access Main Menu screen in a file C:\TDRAW\PICS\MAINLOW.ANS. You
would enter the entire file name and press enter. The file will come
up on screen. For less typing, open HPMENUS in the directory with
your menu screens and enter only the filename and extension.
F4: Save Menu to A File
This action will save the menu on your screen to a data file so that
you can edit it.
F5: Save Menu to Data File
This installs the new screen or the default screen into Host+.
F7: Switch Menu Types
Pressing F7 will bring up a choice of menu areas for editing. (Main,
Message, or Files).
F8: Switch Menu Level
Pressing F8 will bring up a choice of high or low access menu areas.
F9: Configure Menu Keys
This will take you to the key editor for the current menu. Here you
can personalize the menu keys, limit the access to each menu function,
add up to three different external functions for each menu, and
replace all internal functions with external ones. The Menu Key area
has its own Command Set:
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 64
F1 The Help Menu
F2 Load Default Menu
F3 Save Menu to Host+
F10 Quit
F10: Exit Program
Be sure you have saved any changes before exiting.
12.2.1 Making New Menu Screens
You can create your own menu screens for Host+ using any ANSI editor
such as TheDraw, ANSI Write, or others. You are limited to a screen
display of 16 lines and 8000 characters; however, it is recommended
that you limit the screen to 11 lines for faster screen rights and
better fit on the screen.
Creating new menus follows a three step process:
1. Saving Default Menus to disk files for editing
2. Editing Default Menus to create new screens
3. Importing the new designs into Host+ via HPMENUS
1. Saving Default Menus
Open HPMENUS and you will be presented with the Lower Access Main
Menu. Press F4 to save this screen to a file for editing. You will
be asked to supply a file name (e.g. C:\TDRAW\PICS\MENULOW.ANS)>
To see the High Access Main Menu screen, press F8. You will be given
two choices: Higher Access Menu and Lower Access Menu. Choose the
Higher Access Menu. The Higher Access Main Menu will come up on the
screen. Press F4 to save this screen to another file.
To see the File Menu or the Message Menu, press F7. You will be given
three choices: Main Menu, File Menu and Msg Menu. Move the cursor to
your choice and press enter. Save those menus to separate files using
the F4 key. Remember to save both the Higher and Lower Access
versions to files. Then exit HPMENUS by pressing F10.
2. Create New Menus
Now, open your favorite ANSI editor and load one of the files you just
saved from HPMENUS. Create your new design around the Menu Commands.
Your design does have to fit in a special limited space. Users who
have screen pausing in effect will get (Y/n)? prompts if your screen
scrolls over 24 lines. Host+ will insert three lines at the top of
your design, so move the menu to the top of the screen when editing.
Although you are allowed 16 lines by the program, practice has shown
that 11 lines fits the screen better. If possible, leave line 11 blank
so that there will be a space between the menu and the Host+ prompt.
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 65
When you are finished, block save the new menu screen saving no more
than 16 lines. Select no screen preparation, 240 characters per
line, and the fastest screen write. You can experiment with other
options later.
When you use Clear Screen, HPMenus will not create an ASCII version of
your menu for your ASCII users. If that is not a problem, Clear
screen will provide a cleaner look; but, it does erase the status
window at the top of the screen. You must leave 5 lines clear at the
top of the design if you use Clear Screen. Host+ wants those lines
for the status window and will hold them there, scrolling other lines
under it. To bring the status window back up, Hit Chat (F1) twice.
When the user calls up another menu, the status window will be erased
again.
Characters per line that are evenly divisible by 80 are best for
smooth screen writes. This is because screens are usually 80 columns
wide. Fastest writes are from buffers of 240 characters per line.
Animation is tricky with the limitations of 8000 characters per
screen. Animation uses lots of control characters. If you do try
animation, keep it very simple. A slow screen write can be irritating
to users.
Use your imagination and have fun! Personalized menus make a board
truly "yours". For more help, download the file HPMENUS.ZIP from the
Telix Support BBS for a collection of sample menu files.
3. Importing New Screens
Exit your ANSI editor and reopen HPMENUS. Call up the menu type that
you are going to replace using the F7 key. Call up the menu access
level you want with the F8 key.
Now, Press F3 to load your new menu. Give the filename and press
Enter. The file will be loaded. Check to make sure it has written
cleanly to the screen. If there are problems, exit and re-edit the
file.
If the screen looks good, press F5 to save it to Host+. Your new menu
screen is now installed. You may want to run Host+ now and see how
the menu works.
12.2.2 Customizing Menu Commands
This area will allow you to change all the allowable keys that are
used in Host+. By changing the key to a different one you can
completely redesign the Host+ "Look and Feel". You can input any
standard letter character as long as the letter is not already be in
use in the current menu.
To enter the Key Editor, press F7 for the selection of Menu Types and
choose the Menu (Main, Files, or Message) that you wish to edit. Once
that menu appears on the screen, press F9 to edit its keys.
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 66
You will be presented with all the Menu Commands available for the
menu you have selected. Each command is listed first by its
description and then the key that activates the command. Out to the
side is the access level for that command and a script that may be run
instead of the command. Using cursor keys, move down the list to the
item you wish to change.
Here is the list of Commands in the Key editor:
F1: Brings up the Help Screen.
F2: Load default key assignments.
F3: Save key assignments to Host+.
F10: Quit to Menu Configuration.
You can do the following in the Key Editor:
Change the letter that activates the Menu Command
You can change any letter on any menu. Just make sure that you don't
use the same letter for two functions in the same menu. Here is an
example of a letter change:
To change (A)rea Change in the Files Menu to (O)ther File Areas you
would first press enter until your cursor was over the "A". Press the
letter "O". Now press F3 to save your change.
You will have to edit your Files Menus (both Lower and Higher Access)
to reflect the change from "A" to "O" and then install them into Host+
with Menu Edit.
If you wish to restore the Default Menu Commands, press F2 to load the
commands and then F3 to save them to disk.
Turn off a Menu Command
You can completely remove a function from use by replacing the key
assignment with a space (blank). Here is an example:
The System Shutdown command is "Z". It is not listed on any menu, but
it is an active command. A person with the system password can press
"Z", enter the password, and turn off the system from remote. To
remove the "Z" command: move the cursor to the letter "Z" on the Main
Menu and press delete, then press F3 to save your change to disk.
If you wish to restore the Default Menu Commands, press F2 to load the
commands and then F3 to save them to disk.
Change the access to a Menu Command
You can change the access to any Menu Command. Here is an example:
The co-sysop levels (7 and 8 access code) have access to nice features
like *.* downloads and directory listings. They also have access to
the Shell to Dos. To move that access up to Level 8 only, move the
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 67
cursor to the access code for Shell to DOS. Enter an "8" and press
enter. Then press F3 to save your change to disk.
If you wish to restore the Default Menu Commands, press F2 to load the
commands and then F3 to save them to disk.
Replace a menu command with a SCRIPT to call another function
You can replace any Menu Command with a SALT Script to call another
function. This does require considerable skill in the writing of SALT
script. Most BBS add-on programs require a system file (DORINFO.DAT,
PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS and others) in order to operate.
Host+ does write the file HOSTDOOR.SYS when it calls a script. If you
know how to write a converter, you can convert HOSTDOOR.SYS into the
system file your door needs. A format for serious programmers is
provided in the Appendices.
Add up to three extra functions to each menu
You can also add simple doors to your menus with the external
functions. Just enter the Letter for the command and the SALT Script
that you want run. Host+ will write the HOSTDOOR.SYS file when an
external function is called. Serious programmers can convert this
file into a system file for use with other bbs doors.
Here is a very simple, but necessary, function you can add to the
message menu. Registered users can get the file HTYPEF.SLC from the
Telix Support BBS to do the following exercise instead of using
DOORWAY.
In the security and legal section above, we discussed the need for a
privacy statement to be posted prominently for users to read. Using
Marshall Dudley's DOORWAY, we can allow users to call that statement
for viewing from the Message Menu.
First, compile this SALT script using Telix's CS.EXE. Call the script
PRIVACY.SLT.
Main()
{
Dos("C:\TELIX\DOORWAY.EXE local /s:* /i:C:\PRIVATE", 0);
}
Inside the quotes is a DOORWAY command line. Any DOS command would
work inside the "quotes". Here is what the command line does:
Local is for running doorway in local mode so you can test it with a
local logon. Once you test this out, change this command to either
COM1 or COM2 and recompile.
/s:* is for running doorway without a sys file
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 68
/i:C:\PRIVATE is for showing a text file. You do not have to give the
full path if the file is located in the same directory with DOORWAY.
The PRIVATE file contains the privacy warning text. At the bottom of
the file you should add the line:
$:PRESS [ENTER] TO RETURN
Be sure that the $ sign is in the first column on the left hand side.
You can color the text in TheDraw, but you must then edit the file
with a text editor to insure that the $ is on the extreme left of the
screen; Otherwise, DOORWAY will not recognize the $ command.
Now, enter the HPMENUS program and call up the MESSAGE MENU. Press F9
to edit the keys. Using the cursor keys, move to the first external
function and enter the letter "P" for Privacy Statement. Enter the
file name PRIVACY.SLC for the name of the script. You will also want
to edit your menu screens to include the (P)rivacy Warning command.
Make a local logon and press P at the message menu. DOORWAY should
run in local mode and call up the text of your message. When you
press a carriage return, DOORWAY returns control to Host+. Now re-
edit your PRIVACY.SLT script to replace the LOCAL command with the
appropriate comm port command (COM1 or COM2) and you are done.
12.3 The External User Editor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The HPUEDIT.EXE program should be in your Telix directory; you can
start it from anywhere if that directory is in the path. When you call
the user editor from Host+ (F2) you will get this registered version
instead of the shareware version.
HPUEDIT.EXE is the full screen external user editor program that lets
you to edit all of the information that is available on a user. That
includes information the shareware version would not allow you to
edit. The following keys have functions in HPUEDIT.EXE:
F1 Help Screen
Brings up a the listing of menu commands
F2 Saves the current user
Before moving to the next record, you must save the changes you have
made by pressing F2.
F3 Print user information
When you press F3 you are prompted to print the information for the
current user or all users.
F4 Search Users
Telix v3.5x - Host Registered Utilities 69
To find a particular user, press F4 and enter their name. HPUEDIT
will advance to the first listing holding that name.
F5 Create New User
You can pre-log new users by pressing F5 and then entering all the
information. You primarily need the user's name, password, access,
and activity flag for the account to work. Information on address and
the like is optional.
F10 Exit Program
Before exiting the program, make sure you have saved the changes by
pressing F2 on the user's record.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Installing Doors 71
13. Appendix A - Installing Doors
A.1 Simple Setup
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here's an example of the simplest setup for a PCBoard door such as
HiDice.
Your filename is: C:\DOORS\HIDI\HIDICE.EXE
The command line is: HIDICE.CFG
The converter is: PCBoard 14.x
Many doors want some type of configuration file. Here is what a
typical one looks like:
C:\DOORS\HIDI\PCBoard.sys
Jeff Woods
deltaComm Development
000000
The first line is where the PCBOARD.SYS file will be found. Host+ will
write the PCBOARD.SYS file into the directory given in the filename,
in this case: C:\DOORS\HIDI\. Getting the directory wrong is a common
mistake.
When the door is called, Host+ writes PCBOARD.SYS to C:\DOORS\HIDI. It
then changes to that directory and starts the program by issuing the
line:
C:\DOORS\HIDI\HIDICE.EXE HIDICE.CFG.
A.2 Using a Fossil Driver
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Some doors need a fossil driver active in RAM before they can operate.
Fossil drivers are used by most BBS programs to monitor the
communications interrupt in memory and are available from almost any
BBS. The two main programs in use are called BNU and X00. You put the
fossil driver in memory before you start your door and remove it when
you are through by calling your door from a batch file.
Locate the batch file in the same directory as the door program. This
way, Host+ will send the system file to the same directory as the
program. Be sure and use full path and filenames in your batch file
to avoid DOS calling another copy of COMMAND.COM and eating up memory.
Here is a sample Host+ configuration:
Filename : C:\DOORS\CARDS\BLACKJAK.BAT
Command Line: Blank
Converter : RBBS
Here is the batch file:
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Installing Doors 72
rem This is Blackjak.bat
rem Starting fossil driver
C:\MISC\BNU.COM /F
rem now start the program
C:\DOORS\CARDS\JACK.EXE JACK.CFG
rem when the program is over, remove fossil driver
C:\MISC\BNU.COM /U
:end
A.3 Using Scripts as Doors
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You can run Telix scripts as doors and even pass them parameters.
For instance, there is a script available to registered users of Host+
on the Telix Support BBS called HTYPEF.SLC. This script will type a
file on the screen of the local and the remote. This is how you would
configure it in Host+ to show a file called AFILE.ANS:
Filename : C:\TELIX\SCRIPT\HTYPEF.SLC
Command Line: C:\TELIX\HOST\AFILE.ANS
Converter: none
Script writers need to know that anything you put in the command line
is sent to the script as a SINGLE string. A door with the command
line as:
"THIS IS A TEST"
would be passed to a script as a single string. A script can use this
string by having it's main function set up like so:
main(str commandline)
{
...
}
The string commandline could be set to use one of the internal
parameters. For instance, %C will expand to tell the Comm port in use:
"THIS IS A TEST %C"
Could expand to:
"THIS IS A TEST 1"
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Example Events 73
14. Appendix B - Example Events
Most sysops run events to do maintenance on their BBS files. They run
batch files to backup their drive, run maintenance programs for the
various game doors, scan new files for virus, pack data bases, and any
number of things.
It is a good idea to run your event at some time other than midnight
because this is one of the busier times for callers. An event time
like 4am is not likely to inconvenience users.
Listed here are some sample events and batch files.
B.1 Checking Uploads for Virii
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You will want to check all new files that have been uploaded to your
board before you make them available for users. This set of batch
files uses PKzip and McAfee's ViruScan to do just that. The file
assumes that all uploads are sent to a directory called C:\BBS\UPLOAD;
that there is an empty directory called \TEMP; that you have a zip
comment file called ziphead.asc. The batch files are called EVENT.BAT
and SCANNER.BAT. These batch files are set to run every time someone
logs off your board. This is written for ZIP files only. You can
modify it to work with Archive programs popular in your area.
rem This is EVENT.BAT
rem
if exist C:\BBS\UPLOAD\*.ZIP goto send
goto end
:send
XCOPY C:\BBS\UPLOAD\*.ZIP \TEMP /m
if not exist C:\TEMP\*.ZIP goto end
md \TEMP\$$$
cd \TEMP
for %%a in (*.zip) do call SCANNER.BAT %%a
rd \TEMP\$$$
for %%a in (*.zip) do PKZIP %%a -z < \TELIX\HOST\ZIPHEAD.ASC
COPY C:\TEMP\*.ZIP C:\BBS\UPLOAD
DEL C:\TEMP\*.* < ECHO Y
ATTRIB -A C:\BBS\UPLOAD\*.ZIP
HPCOMP /F K B:4
cd \TELIX
:end
Line 3 checks to see if there are any files in your upload directory.
If there are no files, the batch file ends.
Line 6 uses XCOPY to send all files that have not had the archive bit
set on to a sub-directory called TEMP.
Line 7 is a test to see if there are any new files; if TEMP is empty
the batch file ends.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Example Events 74
Line 8 creates a new directory for use by SCANNER.BAT. Line 10 sends
each new file in turn to SCANNER.BAT for processing.
Line 12 inserts your own zip comment file in the place of any file
that was present. If you don't want to have a zip comment, create a
blank file called ZIPHEAD.ASC and this will serve to wipe out the
comment.
Line 13 copies all the files back to \BBS\UPLOAD. Line 14 deletes all
the files in \TEMP.
Line 15 sets the archive bits of all the files in \BBS\UPLOAD to off.
Line 16 starts up the Files Compressor and resorts all the files to
include the new ones. If you are a registered user, you may want to
have it compress only the Uploads file base.
Here is SCANNER BAT:
PKUNZIP %1 *.COM *.EXE *.OVL C:\TEMP\$$$\
if errorlevel 1 goto end
SCAN C:\TEMP\$$$
if errorlevel 1 goto bad
if errorlevel 0 goto end
:bad
md C:\XXX
copy %1 C:\XXX
del %1
del C:\BBS\UPLOAD\%1
echo ** %1 carries virus ** >>C:\TELIX\HOST\HOST.LOG
echo ** File removed!!! ** >>C:\TELIX\HOST\HOST.LOG
:end
del C:\TEMP\$$$\*.* < ECHO Y
Line 1 unzips the file name passed to it by EVENT.BAT. It unzips
files that commonly hold virus into the directory C:\TEMP\$$$ that was
created by EVENT.BAT
Line 2 checks to see if any of those files existed in the archive.
PKzip gives an error level of 1 if no files are found. If the files
aren't found, the batch file ends.
Line 3 calls VIRUSCAN to scan the files. An error level of 1 or
higher means bad files were found. An error level of 0 means the
files are ok and the batch file branches to the end where the files
are deleted and control is passed back to EVENT.BAT.
Lines 7 - 12 create a directory called \XXX and moves the bad files to
it. The bad files are also erased from \TEMP and \BBS\UPLOAD. A
warning is inserted in the HOSTPLUS.LOG file.
We have included these batch files so that you can get started with an
important event right off the bat. Later, you may wish to find a file
on the BBS's called CHECKOUT. This program does essentially the same
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Example Events 75
functions as the batch file, but does it much faster. It also handles
all kinds of archive formats.
B.2 Backing up the BBS Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You can back up all of your important BBS files each day on to a
diskette. This is good for saving your Users list and other databases
against corruption. It is a good idea to rotate the disks out of your
floppy each day and have several sets.
An easy batch file line for this event is:
XCOPY C:\TELIX\HOST\*.* A:
You can combine this with other actions in a once per day event
B.3 Compressing the Data Bases
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
After you back up your data, its a good idea to compress the files.
You may be already compressing the Filebases in EVENT.BAT whenever a
new upload is made. Since you may go a day or two without an upload,
its a good idea to compress them at least once a day.
Here are some sample batch lines:
HPCOMP U D:90
HPCOMP M D:30 B:0 K
HPCOMP F B0 K
Line 1 compresses the User base and deletes all callers who haven't
logged on in 90 days. Line 2 compresses all the Message bases, kills
all messages over 30 days old, and kills all private messages that
have been read. Line 3 compresses all Files bases in alphabetical
order and kills any entries where the files are not present.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Product Support 77
15. Appendix C - Product Support
Host+ is a relatively large and complicated program. In order to
support Telix, Host+, and to provide a means of distribution, a BBS
(Bulletin Board System) for Telix support has been set up.
The Telix Software Support BBS is available 24 hours a day at 919-481-
9399. The Support BBS accepts calls from 300 baud to 9600 baud and
beyond, including v.32/v.32bis calls, and HST calls at 14,400 baud. If
you have a Host+ question or problem, or have found a bug in Host+,
give the support BBS a call. The latest versions of Telix and Host+
may also be found on the support BBS.
If you're calling about a problem, try to be as specific as possible
when describing the problem. Include any relevant details, such as
your machine's configuration, Telix version number, Host+ version
number, resident software installed, steps taken before the problem
happens, and any other things you feel are important. It is very hard
to answer vague questions such as, "Host+ doesn't work on my PC. Do
you know why?".
At the current time, the support BBS is open to all callers. Since it
is extremely busy, it is almost certain that in the future it will be
restricted to registered users of Telix. Registered users will also
receive mailed notices of major updates to the program.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 79
16. Appendix D - File Formats
D.1 HOSTDOOR.SYS
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This file is written out when Host+ runs a door program. It contains
information pertaining to both the user's status and also to the
status of certain variables in Host+. This information is intended
for people who are able to program in SALT to help them customize door
converters and attach programs to the menus.
The following is the file format of the HOSTDOOR.SYS file and then a
short description of the different variables and their use.
NOTE: Each of the Positions given are actual locations in the data
file, as referenced by the Fseek() function in SALT. These positions
might not be exactly the same (but should be) in any other language.
The following is information on the data type formats used in the
HOSTDOOR.SYS file.
Str String of [Total] size, can be read in with the FREAD()
function, and written with FWRITE().
Chr String of 1 character size, can be read in with the FREAD()
function, and written with FWRITE().
Uint Unsigned integer stored in the Intel format, that is Low
Byte/High Byte format. Unsigned integers can be read in as
a string and the converted to a integer variable using the
following code:
(Unsigned Char [Total = 1] integers)
x = SubChr(temp, 0);
(Unsigned Integer [Total = 2] integers)
x = SubChr(temp, 0) + SubChr(temp, 1) * 256;
(Unsigned Long Int [Total = 3] integers)
x = SubChr(temp, 0) + SubChr(temp, 1) * 256 + SubChr(temp,
2) * 65536;
Sint Signed integer stored in the Intel format, that is Low
Byte/High Byte format. Signed integers can be read in as a
string and the converted to a integer variable using the
following code:
(Signed Integer [Total = 2] integers)
x = SubChr(temp, 0) + SubChr(temp, 1) * 256;
if (x > 32767)
x = x - 65536;
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 80
HOSTDOOR.SYS
Position Total Type Data Name
────── ──── ──── ──────────────────────────
0 2 Str Host Version Number
2 64 Str Host Data Directory
66 1 Uint Status Bar Location
67 1 Uint System Color 1
68 1 Uint System Color 2
69 1 Uint System Color 3
70 1 Uint System Color 4
71 1 Uint System Color 5
72 1 Uint Auto Baud Detect
73 1 Uint Local Mode
74 5 Str Baud Rate
79 5 Str DTE Rate
84 1 Uint Com Port
85 2 Uint Com Port Base
87 1 Uint Com Port IRQ
88 1 Uint Error Correcting Connection
89 6 Str User Log On Time (Seconds)
95 6 Str Seconds Remaining This Call
101 3 Str User Number
104 1 Chr User Access Level
105 20 Str User Name
125 35 Str User Location
160 18 Str User Phone
178 10 Str User Password
188 10 Str User LastOn
198 1 Uint User ANSI
199 1 Uint User Pause
200 1 Uint User Experience
201 1 Str User Protocol
202 3 Uint User Uploads
205 3 Uint User Downloads
208 1 Uint User ANSI 1
209 1 Uint User ANSI 2
210 1 Uint User ANSI 3
211 1 Uint User ANSI 4
212 1 Uint User ANSI 5
213 1 Uint User ANSI 6
214 2 Sint Minutes Credited/Removed from time
216 2 Uint Current Message Base Number
218 2 Uint Current File Base Number
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 81
This is a list of all information in the data file and a brief
description of each:
Host Version A string (of 2 length) that contains the version
number of Host+. It's a constant (it will only
change when a new version is released) and for
Host+ is set to 10.
Host Data Dir The name of the directory where Host+ keeps all of
its data files (such as HPUSER.DAT, HPFILES.1,
etc). This is for doors that have their own data
files and wish to keep them in the data directory
(which they really should, just keeps everything
orderly).
Status Bar This is an integer showing the current position of
the Host+ status bar. If the status bar is off,
this will be '1', if on this will be '4'. This is
given so that any script doors may be able to
write to the screen without disturbing the status
information.
Color1
Color2
Color3
Color4
Color5 These 5 integers are the five system colors that
have been chosen by the sysop for the system sided
options. These colors are provided only for the
ability for the door programs to make themselves
"Blend" into Host+ in operation and to provide a
more constant interface of the doors and Host+.
Com Port A integer that gives the actual port number
(1,2,3,4 and etc)
Com Port Base The actual address base for the com port given in
an decimal form. For instance, 3f8 would be 1016.
Com Port IRQ The IRQ number for the Com Port in use.
AutoBaud This is an integer that indicates if Host+ should
change the baud rate on a call (Locked DTE Rate).
If a '0', Host+ leaves the baud rate alone (the
DTE is locked), a '1' tells Host+ to change the
rate.
Local Mode A '1' means that Host+ is in a Local Test Mode
(sysop has done a local logon). A '0' means there
is a user online.
Baud Rate This is the baud rate that the caller is using.
In the case of high speed modems like the
USRobotics HST, this rate may not match the rate
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 82
that the local modem is running. If a door makes
a baud change, the DTE Rate should be the rate
that is used. Any attempt to change the baud rate
of a High Speed modem to a rate that is different
from the DTE Rate will cause a loss of the
carrier.
DTE Rate This is the actual operating speed of the modem.
It should always be given preference over the
Baud Rate See above for more details.
Error Correct This is an integer that indicates if there is an
MNP (Error Correction) connection established.
Logon Time This is an integer containing the time the user
logged on the system. The integer is given in
seconds from midnight.
Seconds Left This is the time the user has left on the system
based in seconds.
User Number This is the current caller's User Number held in
the user data file. It is used to locate the user
information quickly. This is NOT an actual
location in the data file, but is a reference
number that is used to calculate the data's true
location in the file.
Access Level This is an integer which represents the users
access on Host+. It can be a number between 0 and
9.
User Name This is the user's full name.
User Location This is a combination of the user's city and state
and State they are calling from in the format
"CITY, STATE".
User Phone This is the user's phone number. There is no
special format for the phone number. It is input
as a string of 18 characters in length.
User Password This is the user's password.
User LastOn This is the date the user was laston. The format
of the date is "MM-DD-YY".
User ANSI This is an integer representing the user's current
ANSI status. A '1' means ANSI is on, and a '0'
means that ANSI is off. The ANSI_x variables will
contain the ANSI color the user has chosen
regardless of this line's status. This variable
should always be checked before using ANSI color.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 83
User Pause This is an integer representing the status of the
pause function. If it is a '1' then Pause is on
and the screen should be paused every 23 lines. A
'0' is off and the screen should not be paused.
User Exper. This is an integer representing the user's current
help level. A '0' is the Novice level, '1' is
Intermediate, and '2' is Expert.
User Protocol This is the user's current default protocol.
User Uploads This is an string which contains the total number
of uploads the user has made to the system.
User Downloads This is an integer which contains the total number
of downloads the user has made from the system.
ANSI_1
ANSI_2
ANSI_3
ANSI_4
ANSI_5
ANSI_6 These six integers contain the colors chosen by
the user as their default color. They should be
used where a specific color is not required. Note
that these will contain the color number even if
the User has specified ANSI to be off. The program
should ALWAYS reference the User ANSI variable to
check if ANSI is on or off!
Mins. Cred/Rem A Signed Integer in the amount of minutes that
should be credited or removed from the users time.
Credited time numbers from 1 to +32,767 and
Removed time numbers from -1 to -32,768
Msg Base # An integer that holds the number for the current
Message Base.
File Base # An integer that holds the number for the current
File Base.
D.2 Custom Converters
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This section gives a brief listing of the "Special" format for a Host+
Door converter. It is given for those of you who would like to write
your own converter.
The converters are standard Telix scripts with a few "Extra" specific
details about the script. Following the description is a small example
(no actual code) for a converter script. The compiled script must have
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 84
a extension of HP, and should be placed in the HOST data directory. If
you have a converter you have written please share it with us!
1. The first (not counting notes) compilable line must be a string _____
definition (global) of 12 characters in length giving the name of
the BBS system the door was written to serve. Here is the
format:
STR ConverterName[12] = "PCBOARD";
It is not necessary for the actual string to have an exact 12
characters but it must not be more than 12 characters.
2. The script must have two passed variables declared in main(). The
first variable is a string that contains the path where the
converted data file will be placed. The second variable is an
integer defining if the data file should be created, or should be
erased. Since the converter must do both it is important that it
knows which to do. Here is an example:
main(Str Path_Name, Int EraseFiles)
If you attempt to run the converter from outside of Host+ it will
not run.
3. The converter must create / erase the data file based upon the
value of the passed integer. If the integer is a '0' then the
script must create the data file. If the integer is a '1' it must
erase it.
The following page holds a short template for a script. It does
not have any specific code except for the initial variable
declaration and the branching based on EraseFiles. This example
is to show the initial variables and the Main() variable
declarations.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ File Formats 85
////////////////// EXAMPLE CONVERTER //////////////////////
Str ConverterName[12] = "EXAMPLE";
// define all other needed global
// variables here
Main(Str Path_Name, Int EraseFiles)
{
// define all needed local vars here
If(EraseFiles)
{
EraseTheFile(); // run user function to delete data file
Return; // return to Host+
}
GetData(); // run user function, get data from .SYS
file
WriteData(); // run user function, write data to .SYS file
Return; // return to Host+
}
///////////////// END OF EXAMPLE CONVERTER ////////////////
NOTE: This is not intended to be a lesson in writing scripts. If you
are not proficient at writing scripts then please do not attempt to
write your own converter. It is possible to destroy important
information if you make a mistake.
This information is intended solely for those people who are
programmers. If you want/need a converter and are not able to write
your own, we will be more then happy to help you out!
Telix v3.5x - Host+ External Archive Testing 87
17. Appendix E - External Archive Testing
There are several attractive archive testing programs on the BBS
market. We have left an option open to substitute one of those for
Host+'s internal archive test routines. During Beta test, several
Beta users started work on scripts to mesh with their favorite archive
program. None were finished by release date, but you should be able
to find them soon on the Host Software Products Support BBS.
If you are a script writer, here are some tips for writing your own.
Be sure an upload any successful script you write to share with
others!
You must start this function with a SALT script. The script requires
a single parameter, and MUST return a integer value of -1, 0, or 1.
An example of the main entrance code would be:
main(str filename)
{
...
return(xxx);
}
Filename would contain the name of the file just uploaded and ready
for testing. You could then use SALT's RUN function to start the
program and pass the string FILENAME as the parameter. Your archive
test program must exit with a DOS ERRORLEVEL that gives the result of
the test. You must then translate that ERRORLEVEL to one of three
return codes to pass back to Host+.
Here are the codes:
-1 Archive failed the test. Erase if Host+ is set to erase bad
archives.
0 Archive Can't Be Tested, save and notify sysop with message.
1 Archive Tests Ok.
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Index 89
Chat with User..............12
18. Index Checking Uploads for Virii..73
Co-sysop access..............8
*.HP.........................3 Colors......................26
@frst.......................40 Comment to Sysop............22
@mins.......................40 Comments Sent To............37
@user.......................40 Compress a single file base.53
Access level, files.........46 Compress a single message base
Access Levels...............17 54
Add a Bulletin..............26 Compressing the File Base...53
Add a Door..................28 Compressing the Message Bases54
Add a File Base.............34 Compressing the User File...53
Add a Message Base..........35 Configure Event.............32
ADDFILES.EXE.............4, 43 Configure Host+.............15
Adding an archive program...30 Configuring Archives........30
Adding Files................43 Configuring BBS Data........38
Adding menu commands........67 Configuring Bulletins.......26
Alarm.......................37 Configuring Doors...........27
Alt-=.......................57 Configuring Events..........32
Alt-8.......................11 Configuring General Info....36
Alt-A.......................15 Configuring Macros..........31
Alt-C.......................13 Configuring the Colors......26
Alt-F................7, 15, 53 Configuring the File Bases..34
Alt-G........................7 Configuring the Message Areas35
Alt-I.......................12 Configuring the Modem.......25
Alt-J................9, 12, 57 Configuring the Upload Items36
Alt-L................9, 15, 32 Configuring User Options....33
Alt-O................8, 15, 25 Copying files...............62
Alt-X.......................15 Create New User.............69
Alt-Z....................9, 11 Creating Colorful Screens...39
Alt-I.......................12 Ctrl-O......................19
ANSI........................39 Ctrl-Z......................19
ANSI drawing programs.......39 Ctrl-P......................22
ANSI editor.................64 Ctrl-X......................22
ANSI graphics................5 CTTY.....................4, 23
ANSI.SYS....................57 Custom Converters...........83
Answer On Ring Number.......25 Customizing Menu Commands...65
Archive testing..............8 Data directory...............7
ASCII.......................39 Default colors..............26
AUTOEXEC.BAT.................7 Default file base...........34
Backing up..................75 Default message base........35
BBS City/State..............38 Delete a Bulletin...........26
BBS Name....................38 Delete a Door...............29
BBS Net/Node................38 Delete a File Base..........34
BBS Telephone...............38 Delete a Message Base.......35
Black & White...............26 Deleting bad archives.......30
Blacklist...................59 Deleting files..............62
BNU.........................71 Disabling a command.........66
Bulletin Listings...........21 Door converter..............83
Bulletins...................26 Doors.......................27
Capture Log.................13 DOORWAY Command Line........37
Changing menu letters.......66 DOORWAY mode................57
Chat hours..................37 DOORWAY.EXE..4, 23, 27, 37, 57
Chat Mode Toggle............11 Download....................20
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Index 90
Download limits.........20, 33 Host+ Files..................2
Echo........................35 HOSTDOOR.SYS............28, 79
Echo networks...............35 HOSTPLUS.CAP................13
Echomail....................35 HOSTPLUS.CFG.................4
Edit a Bulletin.............27 HOSTPLUS.DAT.................2
Edit a Door.................29 HOSTPLUS.IMG................12
Edit a File Base............34 HOSTPLUS.KEY.................4
Edit a Message Base.........35 HOSTPLUS.LIB.................3
Enhanced keyboard...........19 HOSTPLUS.LNG.................3
Environment variable.........7 HOSTPLUS.LOG.................3
Events......................32 HOSTPLUS.OVL.................2
EVERY event.................32 HOSTPLUS.SLC.................2
Example Events..............73 HPBLTS.DAT...................4
Exit........................15 HPCOMP.EXE...............3, 15
Exit To Main Menu...........29 HPCONFIG................15, 25
EXITTELIX event.............32 HPDOORS.DAT..................4
Expert......................22 HPFBASE.DAT..................3
Expert Mode.................22 HPFILES.*....................3
Extracting an archive.......21 HPHEADER.*...................4
F1......................11, 53 HPINDEX.*....................4
F10.........................12 HPLOGON.SLC..................5
F2...............9, 15, 49, 53 HPMBASE.DAT..................3
F3......................12, 53 HPMENUS.....................17
F4...................9, 12, 54 HPMENUS.DAT..................3
F5......................12, 54 HPMENUS.EXE.............41, 62
F6..........................12 HPMSG.*......................4
FidoNet.....................35 HPMSGED.OVL..................3
File areas..................20 HPREPAIR....................55
File Compressor.............15 HPREPAIR.EXE.............7, 53
File Description............44 HPUEDIT.EXE.................68
File Formats................79 HPUSER.DAT...................3
File management.............43 HPUTILS.SLC..............2, 49
File ratio...............8, 33 HSHELL.BAT...................4
File System.................19 Installing Doors............71
Files Compressor............53 Installing Host+.............7
Files Editor............43, 61 Intermediate................22
Files included...............2 Jump to a Bulletin..........27
Fossil drivers..............71 Jump to a Door..............29
FrontDoor...................32 Jump to a File Base.........34
Full Screen Editor......18, 19 Jump to a Message Base......35
Full screen external user editor Legal Issues................59
68 Level of Uploads............36
Getting some sleep..........37 Line Editor.................18
Global color codes..........40 Listing of files............20
Global messages.............18 Listing of files, expanded..20
Global Variables............40 Local logon...............8, 9
Goodbye.....................22 Local Mode..................15
Hangup......................13 Local uploads...............20
Hardware.....................2 Log Off New Users...........33
Help screen.................11 Logoff......................22
Help Screen Toggle..........11 Lower Access................12
Higher access menus.........17 Lower access menus..........17
HINSTALL.EXE.................2 Lower Time..................12
Host Upload Directory.......36 Machine Requirements.........2
Telix v3.5x - Host+ Index 91
Macros......................31 Security, file..............47
Mail doors..................38 SET TELIX....................7
Making New Menu Screens.....64 Shell to DOS8, 9, 12, 23, 37, 57
Manually Changing Files.....46 Shut down Host+.............23
Memory requirements..........2 Sliding events..............32
Menu Editor.................62 Sorting, file bases.........53
Menus.......................17 Sorting, file lists.........53
Message areas...............35 Status box..................11
Message Base menu...........17 Status Box Toggle...........11
Message System..............17 Status line..................9
Modem Answer String.........25 Support.....................77
Modem Auto Answer Mode......25 Swapping....................57
Modem Pickup String.........25 Sysop commands...........9, 11
Monochrome..................26 Sysop level..................9
Moving files................62 Sysop Name..................38
Netmail.....................35 System hangs................23
New callers..................8 System Log..................22
New User Access Level.......33 System password......8, 23, 36
New user account............49 System shutdown..........8, 37
News file...................40 Telix Config File...........37
Novice......................22 Telix Software Support BBS..77
Pack all files bases........53 TEMPARC.ZIP.................21
Pack all message bases......54 Testing archives.............8
Packing.....................53 Text Editor.................15
Packing the file bases......53 TheDraw.................39, 64
Packing the message bases...54 Time limits.................33
Packing the user file.......53 Time per access.............33
Paging the sysop............21 Timed event.................32
Passwords, file.............47 Trashcan file...............59
Pickup Modem In Local.......25 TRASHCAN.DAT.................4
Pickup Modem In Utils.......25 Turning off a command.......66
Previous versions............7 Universal Text Interface....35
Print user information......68 Upgrading from Host3.........7
Privacy Act.................59 Upload......................20
Private mail............18, 59 Upload File Base............36
Quoting a message.......18, 19 Upload limitations..........36
Raise Access................12 Uploading a message.........18
Raise Time..................12 Uploads, access to..........36
RAM requirements.........2, 57 User Commands...............17
Reading messages............17 User editor......9, 15, 49, 68
Redefining keys.............31 User Fields.................49
Repairing Damaged Files.....55 User options................33
Reset Default Options.......38 User records, deleting......53
Restoring and Saving Configs38 User settings...............22
RIME........................35 User status.................50
Running a door..............22 Using a Fossil Driver.......71
Saving a message........18, 19 Using Doorway.EXE...........57
Screen Image................12 Using Scripts as Doors......72
Screen input................39 UTI.........................35
Screen saver................37 Viewing an archive..........20
Screen Size.................39 Virus checking..............73
Scripts as doors............72 Writing messages............18
Search Users................68 X00.........................71
Security.................8, 59