Monster Media 1994 #1

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Monster Media 1994 #1 / monster.zip / monster / SPITFIRE / SF02_94.ZIP / SF02-94.TXT

Wrap

Text File | 1994-02-08 | 29KB | 641 lines

╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ╟─┐ ║ K E E P I N G I N T O U C H ║ │ ║ ═══════════════════════════════ ║ │ ║ SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter ║ │ ║ for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! ║ │ ║ January 1994 ║ │ ║ Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ║ │ ║ Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 ║ │ ║ 38400/19200/9600/2400/1200 Baud ║ │ ║ 2 Nodes ║ │ ║ ║ │ ╚═╤══════════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Edited by Jacque Shipley The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 14400 Baud Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz Other Contributions As Noted ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ╟─┐ ╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘ ╒═══════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE v3.5 DEVELOPMENT │ ╘═══════════════════════════╛ I regret to report that I haven't made much progress in the development of SPITFIRE v3.5 since the last report. We have had a couple of deaths in our family. The time spent attending the funerals and related functions has caused me to get behind in replying to messages. Thus, my time is being spent replying to messages (trying to get caught up if that is possible) rather than writing code. ╒═══════════════════════════════╕ │ HEARD ANY GOOD RUMORS LATELY? │ ╘═══════════════════════════════╛ I take this opportunity to set the record straight about a rumor which may or may not be floating around. First, the rumor may be something like 'did you hear that Mike Woltz is taking legal action against so and so'. Here is the straight poop. A person who operates a mail system clearly and flagrantly disseminated, in a public forum, completely false and damaging information about a Buffalo Creek Software product named BCSUTI and about me personally. This person refused to discontinue the dissemination of this false and damaging information after a couple of good SPITFIRE Sysops attempted to set the record straight with her. Rather than heed their constructive remarks, she simply attempted to belittle them. Thus, I mailed her a certified letter. This letter does in fact set the record straight and does not threaten legal action, however, legal action will be taken in the event her conduct continues. I have very strong feeling about the dissemination of false and damaging misinformation and disinformation about a person and/or a product in a public forum. It is wrong and damaging. It needs to be stopped. I believe that I should have taken action years ago to stop this kind of nonsense. I am not sure if there is any case history regarding this type of thing, but, if there isn't then there needs to be. Until next time, may God bless you... Mike, Ann & family ╔══[ John 3:3 ]═══════════════════════╗ ║ Jesus answered, and said unto him, ╟─┐ ║ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ║ │ ║ Except a man be born again, he ║ │ ║ cannot see the kingdom of God. ║ │ ╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════╝ │ └─────────────────────────────────────┘ ╒══════════════════════════════════════╕ │ USING SPITFIRE V3.5 TO RECEIVE FAXES │ ╘══════════════════════════════════════╛ Introduction ------------ This article concerns the use of SPITFIRE 3.5 to receive both modem and fax calls on the same line. Earlier versions of SPITFIRE did not have this capability. Note that this will work with most Class 2/2.0 but not with Class 1 fax modems. Examples of a modems which WILL work properly in what is called "Adaptive Answering Mode" are 21.6 v.terbo US Robotics fax modems, most ZyXel fax modems, many Supra, Practical Peripherals, etc. To determine whether your modem will work properly, issue the following command while using your terminal program: AT+FCLASS=? Here are possible return codes: 0 = Data 1 = Fax Class 1 capable 2 = Draft Fax Class 2 "compatible" ----\ These modems 2.0 = Fax Class 2.0 capable ----/ will work! ERROR = NO fax capabilities Adaptive Answering Mode ----------------------- Adaptive answering mode describes a state where a modem is capable of discriminating between an incoming fax call and an incoming modem call and taking appropriate action. On a SPITFIRE BBS, SPITFIRE will answer the phone in all cases. If the modem returns a code indicating an incoming modem call, SPITFIRE will present the BBS to the caller. In the case of an incoming fax call, SPITFIRE will run SFFAX.BAT. Sysops need to create and configure their SFFAX.BAT according to the modem and the fax reception software in use. This file should be placed in each node's SPITFIRE Home Directory. Once the fax has been received, SPITFIRE will re-initialize the com port and will accept subsequent calls. Configuring SPITFIRE -------------------- To configure SPITFIRE to be fax-capable, first press ALT+Z from the SPITFIRE "Ready for caller" prompt. You will see a field labeled "<E> FAX Connection Result Msg." In this field, input the return code that your fax modem returns upon handshaking with a fax modem. In most cases, this code is +FCO. Other common codes are +FCON and FAX. Next, Press ALT+M and add any relevant commands to your Initialization String. To place the modem in adaptive answering mode, you can use the command AT+FAA=1. You can also use AT+FCR=1 to give your modem "permission" to answer fax calls. To send your name, phone number, BBS name, etc. to the fax caller for their journal, you may use the command AT+FLI=" place data here " as in AT+FLI="Buffalo Creek's BBS" or AT+FLI="515 225 8496" or similar. You can place a maximum of 20 characters between the quotes. (Some modems use the command AT+FLID= instead of AT+FLI= for this.) To place the modem in Class 2.0 mode, use the string AT+FCLASS=2.0. A single initialization string is fine because you can "stack" commands by separating them with semicolons. These are just SOME of the strings related to fax reception used by capable modems. Consult your modem manual for further information. One possible initialization string which will work with SPITFIRE 3.5 and a US Robotics 21600 baud v.terbo Dual Standard fax modem is: AT+FCLASS=2.0;+FNR=1,1,1;+FLID="Buffalo Creek's BBS"S2=1M1X4&F3^M US Robotics modems so initialized will have their ARQ/FAX light on the front panel blinking continuously when waiting for calls. As you can see, there are MANY possibilities. SFFAX.BAT --------- Here is an example of an SFFAX.BAT that can be used with SF 3.5, BGFAX (a popular shareware fax receive software) and a USR fax modem: REM This Batch File Will Run BGFAX from SPITFIRE 3.5 C: CD\BGFAX BGFAX /FCO C:\BGFAX 1 Z CD C:\SF EXIT (The above receives a fax using COM1: in ZyXel mode.) Many other configurations are possible, depending upon the software used to receive the fax. Whether or not BGFAX is in use, I strongly recommend reading the documentation that comes with it. The BGFAX documents provide an excellent overview of fax modem capability and their use as well as instructions for its own use. Printing And Viewing Received Faxes ----------------------------------- The BGFAX software mentioned will only receive a fax. It will NOT allow you to print or view faxes. Owners of ZyXel modems are lucky enough to have been provided with software which will allow them to view and print faxes on popular dot-matrix and laser printers. While the ZFAX software from ZyXel will only allow CONFIGURATION of ZyXel modems, it can be used to print and view faxes which were received with any modem in ZyXel mode. You may alternatively use Smith Micro Software's QUICK LINK II software which has been provided with several fax modems to print faxes. Unfortunately, there is no way as of this writing to use the popular WINFAX line of software with SPITFIRE to receive a fax. Special Note: ------------- It is important to remember that unless a fax modem returns a code which can be recognized by SPITFIRE, it will NOT work with SF 3.5. Any Class 1 modem (such as the US ROBOTICS 16.8 fax modems) even though they are fax capable WILL NOT WORK!!! The ideal modem for use in adaptive answering mode is a Class 2.0 modem or similar. Conclusion ---------- I have had good success with the above strategy on my 21.6 v.terbo USR Dual Standard Class 2.0 fax modem. The suggestions described above are accurate as of the time of this writing and are subject to change as per development of the hardware and software mentioned. There is great advantage and potential savings in using a modem that can correctly discriminate incoming calls between fax and modem type. Sysops can use their fax capabilities to receive questionnaires, subscription applications, proofs of identity, etc. My thanks to Mike Woltz for giving SPITFIRE this powerful capability! Article Contributed By Ira Lichtenstein Sysop, Sing Sing Sing Studios BBS (914) 762-4679 [57600/FAX] (914) 941-2246 [Public] ╒════════════════════════╕ │ EUROPEAN SPITFIRE NEWS │ ╘════════════════════════╛ Hello fellow SPITFIRE Sysop's ! I'd like to introduce myself to the rest of the SF-Family. I'm Rob Vissersdijk, SysOp of the TacoTel BBS in Amsterdam, Holland. I've been running SPITFIRE BBS now for several years and I still like it. I planned to contribute a monthly newsflash for the "Keeping In Touch" newsletter, for quite some time, just to get you informed how we're doing over here in Europe. The SPITFIRE BBS Package is not as widely known over here in Europe as it is in the States, but we're working on it! To get people informed about "our" package we've started the xxTh support network. After using JetMail and JNet for a while, we noticed that we couldn't get many other BBS Sysop's on that network, just because they are too lazy to install a QWK mailer, and that is why we decided to go with frontend programs. After some time "trying" it all out between some local BBS's, we started to look for some foreign node's, and that is where we went wrong! <G> In no time at all, we grew to over 100 Node's all over Europe, mostly SPITFIRE BBS's, but other Sysop's were welcome also at "our" net. The "goal" of the network, was to let people know about the SPITFIRE package, and some Sysop's DID switch to the SPITFIRE Package! We are now connected to Germany, England, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Holland, Finland, Italy, and we're working with node's in Greece, Austria and some other countries in Europe. In all, more than 100 Node's! We've noticed that the SPITFIRE family in Europe is just a nice bunch of guys and girls, just like in the US of A, and we are doing fine over here helping each other out with problems, and new software which is written for "OUR" BBS System. After Chad Nelson completes his new AMail, we're going to try to set up a European files network, specifically for SPITFIRE, which will be completed with files which are on the FidoNet backbone, that we receive on a regular basis. We also have a connection with the Fido Echo's SPITFIRE and FREEMAIL which are collected at FidoNet, and forwarded into Taconet here in Europe. Both echo's are carried with the permission of the Echo Moderators, and we sure are glad that we are "doing business" so well with the rest of the SPITFIRE World! In case you're interested in exchanging mail with Europe, we *DO* have some HUB's in the USA, one is run by Mike Weaver of Sleepless Knights BBS (FidoNet 1:3607/40, TacoNet 31:1000/0), and the other by Jim Quick of The Lighthouse BBS (FidoNet 1:3652/9, TacoNet 31:1001/0). Both are capable of connecting you to the network at the very minute you contact their BBS's, and you'll be able to exchange messages with Europe. The next step we're going to make, is establishing a connection with CircuitNet, maybe some of you sysops out there are interested, and have something to tell us about the CircuitNet mail network. We're more than glad to participate in the CircuitNet SPITFIRE Conference, and "link" it to the rest of the nodes connected to the network, but we DO have to talk about this subject. If we can establish such a connection, the WHOLE SPITFIRE family is connected together and we would be able to exchange knowledge with one another. So if you're interested in this network, and you live in the states, contact one of the HUB's for the US of A. In Europe we have node's all over the continent which are capable of providing you with a node number. If you can't find a HUB in your country, contact mine, at Fido- node 2:2801/15, and request the file NETINFO.ZIP. This file contains all the info that is needed for a connection at "OUR" network. Quite a long story about the network. It almost looks like a commercial, but I will try to write some more about the SPITFIRE World in Europe next month. Article contributed by Rob Vissersdijk Sysop of TacoTel BBS Amsterdam,Holland ╒══════════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ CUSTOMIZED ANSI/RIP GRAPHIC SCREENS CREATED │ ╘══════════════════════════════════════════════╛ With the introduction of RIP graphics to BBSes, and to SPITFIRE in particular, a lot of sysops are finding they just don't have the time or the patience to do make the graphics on their BBS something special. RIP is not something one can learn to do well overnight. I guess we have had it pretty lucky. We heard about this new graphics format some time ago, and I am VERY into graphics for BBSes, I just had to check it out. I was pretty impressed with the speed, and the look, and dived into learning all I could about it. So, when Mike Woltz added RIP to SpitFire, we already had our menus and screens all done! People were really surprised, because they had not heard much about RIP before then. Since I had already been doing ANSI graphics for several BBSes, people started asking us to do RIP for them too. Since a lot of folks have said they don't have the time, or the patience it takes to learn it, we have started making custom made graphics packages available to Sysops at a reasonably low cost. We work with the Sysop to give his or her BBS the look and feel he or she wants. Packages include Main, Message, File, Door, Sysop, Questionnaire, and bulletin menus, as well as Welcome/Goodbye screens, and often special request screens, for each security level, may contain Ansi or RIP <or BOTH>, usually includes 30+ screens and the average price is $25-$30.00. The graphics we make are totally unique for each BBS we do. If you are interested in finding out more about these, have a question about RIP in general, or just want to see some nice RIP in action, stop by The NightLife BBS (503)296-9834. If you fill out the appropriate Visiting Sysop Questionnaire, and leave me a note telling me the info you want on it, I will even make you one of my semi-famous animated RIP welcome Screens for FREE! :) Also, if you do RIP, and would like to show off your work, feel free to upload a package containing at least 7 RIP screens, and we will set up your own personal RIP gallery.. We have 8 already, and folks just LOVE them! Article contributed by Susana Emberg Sysop of The NightLife BBS ╒═════════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE BOARD-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘═════════════════════════════╛ Ben Baldwin B.B. Top BBS (910) 768-3739 14000bps It was in April 1986 when I changed jobs from a video rental store manager to take a management trainee position with a national electronics & computer retail chain. I had never touched a computer before. When I got promoted to store manager in March 1987 I still didn't know too much except what customers wanted to hear. Soon after I hired a young man who had a computer at home. We put a 300bps modem in a 4.77mhz XT and he showed me Procomm and how to call the local BBS's. I was amazed! Free programs! I was hooked. About a year later I got my first computer (a 8mhz 286) and a 2400bps modem (a real screamer!) I think I must have been on some kind of mission to download all the shareware and keep it on floppies forever. It took a while but I learned this was impossible. I did learn that shareware doesn't mean second rate though, and this would prove to be influential in my later decision to become a Sysop. In the summer of 1989 I was ready to start a BBS. All I had to do was pick out the software. I tried everything I could download and several I already had (on floppies). After pouring through a couple of dozen different BBS programs, I came across SPITFIRE. It was clearly a cut above the rest. From humble beginnings on that 8mhz 286 and version 2.7 to the present 50mhz 486DX2 and version 3.4, I am still hooked. I have two hard drives; a 340MB for SPITFIRE, utilities, door programs, and Windows, and a 420MB dedicated entirely for ZIPs. I also have a CD-ROM drive loaded and ready with shareware. I try to maintain a professional style board that is appealing to serious users. The average age of callers to B.B. Top is 35 and I don't impose file ratios any more because of the junk I got uploaded when I did. Another benefit of being a SPITFIRE Sysop, which I was totally unaware, is the making of new computer buddies! Great people and truly "top shelf"! Take care and God Bless all of you! ╒════════════════════╕ │ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘════════════════════╛ Tim Suckow Landing Approach BBS North Muskegon, Michigan (616) 744-0772 Being chosen as the "Sysop of the Month" is something I did not expect to hear when I got up this morning! It is a great honor for me to be recognized as a "leader" in a hobby I have enjoyed for many years. The Landing Approach BBS has grown immensely over the years, and that is a credit to SPITFIRE itself. I originally found SPITFIRE version 2.8 while browsing through GEnie's file listings. I was looking for BBS software which would be simple-to-use, yet would work with my "strange" modem. In fact, I only had a pair of floppy drives in the early days! Surprisingly enough, SPITFIRE did work with my "strange" modem (others, such as Wildcat, did not) and so I tested the software for about a week before I decided to register. The software was so easy to set up that I had a makeshift BBS working quite nicely within a half hour of downloading the program! A hard drive was soon added to the picture (WOW! 40 megs!) and soon I was receiving calls. Unfortunately, as many of you must know, running a BBS can sometimes be dangerous! A lightning strike during the summer killed my CPU. But, like a good Sysop, I had previously backed up the hard drive. When a new computer was found (a 386 this time with 125 meg) everything was transferred from my dead machine. The BBS has been in continuous operation ever since, which adds up to about two years! Landing Approach has expanded greatly from that point on. Another new computer was purchased about a year after the 386 was obtained, this time a 486DX-33. A new 14400 modem was added as well. The decision was then made to "go for" a dream of mine since I learned that the "wonderful world of BBSes" existed: a BBS dedicated to flight simulation software and support! "Flying" flight simulators is a MAJOR pastime of mine and has intrigued me for even longer than BBSes have. I am a "flight sim-aholic" in every sense of the word, because I like to settle disputes through a dogfight. Over 45 meg of flight-sim related files now exist on my BBS. In addition, I am a member of SimNet, home of the 510th Tactical Air Wing that originally conceived the idea of "Fal-Con '93." With the addition of that network, I have fulfilled my dream of full flight simulation support. Running SPITFIRE software, for me, has been a very rewarding experience. In this modern age of communication, E-mail has been an extraordinary way to meet "top-shelf folks!" For all of the weary Sysops who are getting bombarded with new users, I say to you: We are on the cutting edge of technology! BBSes and electronic mail are truly the main means of communication of the future! ╒════════════════════════════════════╕ │ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS │ ╘════════════════════════════════════╛ A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems: The Black Realms..............................812-897-2415...57600 BPS Matthew Elzer, Sysop................................Boonville, Indiana Warp Speed....................................708-677-6824...57600 BPS Aleksandr Gen, Sysop..................................Skokie, Illinois Rockland Computer.............................410-750-6403...14400 BPS Jim Reske, Sysop...............................Ellicott City, Maryland Babcock's BBS.................................818-857-0338....9600 BPS Curt Babcock, Sysop...............................Glendora, California Crusader......................................810-687-1797....2400 BPS Ervin Willingham, Sysop...........................Mt. Morris, Michigan The Cage BBS..................................504-732-9979...57600 BPS Clayton Smith, Sysop...............................Bogalusa, Louisiana The PentHouse BBS.............................218-724-7700....9600 BPS Randy Scott, Sysop...................................Duluth, Minnesota Compiler BBS..................................406-452-4760...14400 BPS Kelly Burton, Sysop...............................Great Falls, Montana Phantasm's....................................402-553-5712....2400 BPS Michael E. Macdonald, Sysop............................Omaha, Nebraska ZOG's Computer Funhouse.......................606-236-2847...14400 BPS Steve Hamblin, Sysop................................Danville, Kentucky The Wilderness................................813-654-6947....2400 BPS Joseph Pereira, Sysop..................................Lithia, Florida New Horizons..................................615-855-9973...14400 BPS Robert Plymale, Sysop...........................Chattanooga, Tennessee Hells Front Gate..............................708-830-5852...19200 BPS E. John Bonovich, Sysop..........................Hanover Park,Illinois Bare Bones BBS................................206-937-7567...14400 BPS Mark Ahlness, Sysop................................Seattle, Washington Hard Facts....................................813-786-9026...14400 BPS Wayne Fusco, Sysop.................................Clearwater, Florida Claven's Haven................................319-276-3558....2400 BPS Clint Hansen, Sysop......................................Waverly, Iowa The Taxi Cab BBS..............................671-646-9635....2400 BPS James Raaymakers, Sysop................................Barrigada, Guam Air America...................................503-375-9343...14400 BPS Paul Thornton, Sysop.....................................Salem, Oregon Ranic Entertainment BBS.......................813-397-0830...14400 BPS Anna Couture, Sysop.....................................Largo, Florida The Hot Spot BBS..............................603-528-6709...14400 BPS Raymond Philbrick, Sysop........................Belmont, New Hampshire The Dimensional Explorer......................501-782-6847...14400 BPS Rodney Kelly, Sysop...............................Fort Smith, Arkansas The SPS Board.................................513-241-2137....9600 BPS SARCOM, Inc., Sysop...................................Cincinnati, Ohio Epstein's Mother..............................319-266-1349....9600 BPS Tim Groninga, Sysop.....................................Waterloo, Iowa ENIGMA BBS....................................9714-242300....14400 BPS Akbar Mohammady, Sysop....................Dubai - United Arab Emirates Watchtower....................................205-587-9398...14400 BPS Donald R. Dunlap, Sysop............................Scottsboro, Arizona Kibitz BBS....................................518-274-1594...14400 BPS Clarissa Wood, Sysop..............................Watervliet, New York Reprobate.....................................615-475-4696....9600 BPS Bob Raymond, Sysop...............................New Market, Tennessee Pilotwings Multimedia BBS.....................716-343-6916...14400 BPS Jason Hepner, Sysop..................................Batavia, New York The Cougar's Compound........................312-685-2393....14400 BPS Michael Moline, Sysop................................Chicago, Illinois The Information Exchange BBS..................916-528-1925...14400 BPS Frank Caltabiano, Sysop..........................Red Bluff, California Sam's BBS.....................................816-746-6904....2400 BPS John Kopp, Sysop.................................Kansas City, Missouri Trinet........................................206-564-4495....2400 BPS John Winter, Sysop................................Fircrest, Washington Owen Valley Online!!..........................812-829-6436...14400 BPS Jeff Snodgrass, Sysop.................................Spencer, Indiana Ten Forward BBS...............................903-792-6135...14400 BPS Kevin Davenport, Sysop................................Texarkana, Texas Lettuce Play..................................910-424-9276...14400 BPS Allen Vincent, Sysop......................Fayetteville, North Carolina The Night Owl.................................203-888-3690...16800 BPS Cheryl Willis, Sysop...............................Oxford, Connecticut Guy's Place...................................709-227-7474...14400 BPS Guy Fillatre, Sysop....................Placentia, Newfoundland, Canada The Private BBS...............................416-787-7291...14400 BPS Jason Scheide, Sysop..........................Toronto, Ontario, Canada Starport Alpha Beta...........................414-797-9211....9600 BPS John Moser, Sysop................................Brookfield, Wisconsin DiskQuise BBS.................................702-258-4043....2400 BPS Johnny Cook, Sysop...................................Las Vegas, Nevada In addition, there were 11 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations from: Ft. Worth, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; West Des Moines, Iowa; Clayton, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Sebring, Florida; West Caldwell, New Jersey; West Chester, Ohio; Skokie, Illinois; and Portage, Indiana. There were 22 registrations for whom registration information was incomplete. These included BBS's in: 2 registrations from Gulfport, Mississippi; Los Gatos, California; Carmel, Indiana; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Atwater, California; Great Falls, Montana; Fort Worth, Texas; LeSage, West Virginia; Toms River, New Jersey; 2 registrations from New Hyde Park, New York; an APO address; Mt. Prospect, Illinois; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Lexington, Kentucky; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada; Ballston Spa, New York; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Pauls Valley, Oklahoma; and Kimberling City, Missouri. The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's policy of accepting on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations. JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for contributions! Please forward any articles in ASCII text to either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.