Monster Media 1996 #14

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╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ╟─┐ ║ K E E P I N G I N T O U C H ║ │ ║ ═══════════════════════════════ ║ │ ║ SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter ║ │ ║ for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! ║ │ ║ January 1996 ║ │ ║ Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ║ │ ║ Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 ║ │ ║ 28800 through 1200 Bps ║ │ ║ 2 Nodes ║ │ ║ ║ │ ╚═╤══════════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Edited by Jacque Shipley The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 28800 Bps Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 14400 Bps Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz Other Contributions As Noted ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ╟─┐ ╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘ The Woltz family takes this opportunity to wish each of you the very best for the year of 1996. I look forward to the opportunities which the new year will provide us. I trust that we can all work together within the SPITFIRE project for the mutual benefit of all who are involved. Thank you. Now that SPITFIRE v3.51 has been released, we can start thinking about SPITFIRE v3.52. I am hopeful that I will be able to get started on a v3.52 in the near future. I surely want to thank all the beta test folks who helped in the development of SPITFIRE v3.51. Until next time, may God bless you... Mike, Ann & family ╔═══════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Glory to God in the highest, ╟─┐ ║ and on earth peace, good will ║ │ ║ toward men. ║ │ ║ Luke 2:14 ║ │ ╚═╤═════════════════════════════════╝ │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ ╒═════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE V3.51 RELEASED │ ╘═════════════════════════╛ For any who may not be aware, SPITFIRE v3.51 was released on December 22nd, 1995. If you have not yet contacted Buffalo Creek Software to upgrade to this new version, you should log onto Buffalo Creek's BBS (515) 225-8496 and download SFUPGRAD.351. You certainly won't want to miss the opportunity to update to the many new features packed into SPITFIRE v3.51. Any Sysop still ACTIVELY operating a SPITFIRE BBS is eligible for the free upgrade offer upon returning the upgrade form (included in SFUPGRAD.351)to Buffalo Creek Software. The upgrade form can be mailed to: BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ATTN: Ann Woltz 913 - 39th Street West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 or faxed to (515) 224-6722 between the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Central Standard Time. As explained in the upgrade form, there are two upgrade options available. Sysops can choose to download their licensed SPITFIRE v3.51 package from Buffalo Creek's BBS. Or Sysops may elect to send $10.00 (to cover shipping and handling charges) to have their licensed copy of SPITFIRE v3.51 mailed to them. With the later upgrade method, the SPITFIRE v3.51 pamphlet, which supplements the SPITFIRE v3.5 manual, will also mailed to them. There have been a number of impressive changes added to SPITFIRE during the development of version 3.51. For complete details, you will want to refer to the SPITFIRE v3.51 pamphlet and/or documentation but to just briefly mention some of the most significant changes, they are listed below: Ability to request OFFLINE files Tag feature added to Message Menu's Alter Conference Queue option SFCALLER message by Sysop sent to all BBS callers SFCALLER<x> message by Sysop sent to all BBS callers of <x> security Specific caller message search Mandatory Message Scan configuration option Sysop Configurable command option added to Sysop menu Default ANSI color option for new callers Display file use of control strings Descriptive lines allowed to be entered by a caller increased to 20 Toggle to enable/disable command line display to callers using RIP DTR Hangup configuration option DTE Locked configuration option replaces Hardware/Software option Only allow 1 carriage return from Main, Message, File or Sysop Menus Node chat 2 minutes remaining notice. Renames FA<x>.TXT, SFFILES.<x> and SFIL<x>.[BCR] when file area is added or purged Renames SFMSG<x>.[BCR] when message conference is added or purged As always, Buffalo Creek Software thanks you for your promotion and support of SPITFIRE! ╒══════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE UTILITY UPDATES │ ╘══════════════════════════╛ SFSYSTEM : An update was released to SFSYSTEM so it would be compatible with the changes made to SPITFIRE v3.51. Under the Toggle Switches option, the new Mandatory Msg Scan and Use RIP Commands features were added. Mandatory Msg Scan can be toggled to Off or On to configure whether callers are required to use SPITFIRE's Message Scan feature when logging onto the BBS. The Use RIP Commands can be toggled to Yes or No to configure whether callers logging onto a SPITFIRE BBS using the RIP Graphic Format will be displayed SPITFIRE's default command lines. Under the Numeric Values option, SPITFIRE's new Default Ansi Color was added. The Sysops can use this option to set the default color for new colors logging onto the BBS using ANSI graphics. SFNODE : An update was released to SFNODE to make it compatible with the changes made to SPITFIRE v3.51. As in SPITFIRE's Async Configuration Window, SFNODE's Modem Data option replaces Hardware Data Flow Control with the DTE Locked option. Essentially these commands perform the same function, but it is hoped that the change in terminology will make this feature clearer for Sysops. This option can be toggled to Yes or No. When the DTE Locked option is set to Yes, the modem (hardware) is responsible for controlling the flow of data. When set to No, SPITFIRE (software) assumes responsibility for controlling the flow of data. Another new option added to SPITFIRE's Async Configuration Window can be configured from SFNODE's Modem Data screen. That option, DTR Hangup, can be toggled to Yes or No. When toggled to Yes, SPITFIRE will disconnect the caller and place the modem in command state by lowering the DTR. When set to No, SPITFIRE places the modem in command state by sending the escape code (ASCII 001) three times to the modem, requiring the modem's S2 register to be set to 1. SFCHKUP : The update to SFCHKUP was also to make it compatible with changes made to SPITFIRE v3.51. SPITFIRE v3.51 increases the number of descriptive lines a caller can enter online from the previous setting of up to 4 lines to now allow up to 20 lines of descriptive text. SFCHKUP was updated to also allow for up to 20 lines of descriptive text from a caller's online file description. As before, if configured to use FILE_ID.DIZ, SFCHKUP will allow an unlimited number of descriptive text. BCSUTI : v1.4 of BCSUTI was released January 1, 1996. All of the BCSUTI modules were updated in an attempt to protect against various errors which seem to exist within incoming mail packets. ╒═══════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE BBS WEB PAGE │ ╘═══════════════════════╛ Our Internet surfing this month takes us to the web page of SPITFIRE BBS, The Lighthouse BBS. Sysop, Mike Noftzger, uses the web page to inform the Internet audience about what The Lighthouse BBS has to offer. There is no direct link to the BBS (at this time), but the web page advertises features of the BBS to entice callers to give The Lighthouse BBS a call. The home page headlines "Proudly running SPITFIRE 3.5 BBS Software - Copyright (C) 1987-1995 by Mike Woltz". The first link describes the on-line games that are available on The Lighthouse BBS. The over 50 online games include registered versions of Legend of the Red Dragon, Super Slots, Pyramid, Barren Realms Elite, 20 or so trivia door games, and a casino section with an assortment of doors for the caller to enjoy. The second link tells which CD Roms are currently on-line and explains access to the files on these CDs are available to all callers at no fee. The next link provides information on the over 5000 files that are available for downloading. This page boosts that these shareware, freeware and public domain programs are not subject to any download ratio requirements and the only restriction to the caller is 'the speed of your modem'. A number of other links can take the caller to information concerning Internet Services provider Nebraska On-Ramp, and Hot Spots PC Magazine's Home Page and Computer Shopper Magazine. Also featured are this months popular 'Hot Link' picks that included the Air Force Manpower Personnel Center, Disney Page, and the National Football League to mention a few. Each page allows the visitor to leave mail addressed to Mike. It should also be noted that The Lighthouse BBS web page is still under construction. If you're intersted in stopping by and visit The Lighthouse BBS's web page, the address is: http//www.neonramp.com/pub/noftzger If you know of any other Internet resources for SPITFIRE and SPITFIRE utilities, please notify us so this information can be published and shared with all SPITFIRE Sysops. ╒═════════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE BOARD-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘═════════════════════════════╛ Mike Noftzger The Lighthouse BBS 402-597-2451 28800 - 1200 SFNET Node A0402001 http://www.neonramp.com/pub/noftzger I was extremely surprised and honored when I began my weekly check of my InterNet mail, only to find a congratulatory message from Jacque Shipley on being selected as "Board of the Month". My four years of effort and time have finally been paid off. Thanks for the honor! Now a little bit about myself and my board. I first got hooked on computers in 1983 while I was stationed in Virginia in the Air Force. I started off with a "monster" Zenith Z-150 computer with a 10 megabyte removable cartridge. Some of you military folks will know what I'm talking about. They would make a great boat anchor compared to today's technology! It was then that I decided I had to have a pc of my own. Without hesitation, I splurged and bought my first computer. I started out with a Tandy 1000SX, dual 5 1/4" floppy drives and a color cga monitor. I was in heaven. I bought my first modem (300 baud) and discovered what a bulletin board was all about. I immediately started calling every BBS I could a number to. I was hooked! Even connecting at 300 baud was exciting! Those were the days. In 1991, I was reassigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska and discovered there was life beyond an 8088 pc and upgraded to a Packard Bell 386 SX/16 with a 125 meg hard drive. It was then after calling many many bbs' in the Omaha area, I knew I had to get my own board started. Like many, I tried out the various softwares, experimented with each, and finally came across SPITFIRE 3.0. What a piece of work. It was so user-friendly, I was convinced that's what I would use for my bbs. I still run a single node bbs, have upgraded again to what is my present system (486DX2/66, 8 meg memory, over 1 gigabyte of hard disk space, two cdroms, and now 28,800 baud modem). I have just retired from the United States Air Force, and am currently employed as a Manager of one of Omaha's four Skatelands. I love working with children, so what's a better place then a skating/playdaze facility. Although it's fun, the days are long and my board has suffered considerably! Like most SysOps, it's not always been easy. I have also gone through the hard drive crashes, and a whole lot of cross linked files. I still wouldn't give it up for anything. I've met so many great people running the board! The support I receive from the various SPITFIRE SysOps have made all the difference! I'd like to personally thank Mike Woltz for all his efforts in producing such an exceptional piece of software! Many thanks to my fellow sysops for the opportunities to beta test their softwares (Tim Ward, Brian Leiter). .\\ike The Lighthouse BBS State of the National Championship Cornhuskers! ╒═════════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘═════════════════════════════╛ Greg Nixon Nixons BBS ++6463436260,,,,,999 SFNET Hub I0646000 Well I am in shock.... me it can't be <GRIN>. I am 23 and live in Wanganui in New Zealand with my partner and my two girls. (Another baby on the way). (A beautiful country..Brag, Brag). I got my first computer a Vic 20 when I was about 12 and then a Commodore 64 about a year later. I mainly played a few games on them and tried writing a few basic programs but my interest died a bit because I couldn't afford a floppy disk or a modem. Then about three years ago I started a Plant Nursery business and borrowed $3500 off my mother for a 386 DX-40 which I am still using. I hope to upgrade sometime this year to a pentium. With my Plant Nursery I decided as a novel approach to produce a Mail Order Catalogue on disk. I found a shareware program that could do this and registered it. It had a built in script that would let customers upload there order to a BBS. So I begun the search for some BBS software. I tried RA and PCboard but could not get them working. Finally a guy I had met through a Polytech BBS put me on to Spitfire, two hours later I was up and running. I couldn't understand how easy it was. So in March 95 I sent away my registration and opened the BBS to the general public as well as my customers. I was running one line and a 2400 baud modem which was far to slow for out of town customers, so I bought a second hard drive and a 28.8 modem. I then started charging $30 per year for full access. I have more than 6 Gigs of files for users to download and one door game (LORD 3.55). The BBS became an addition (Ask my Girlfriend). I'd spend days working and nights making the BBS look better. When I opened there were 7 BBS in town that had been around for ages and most have now closed up shop for lack of callers (They didn't run SF!), I on the other hand get at least 20 - 30 calls a day for my 60 active callers. I am always helping new users get up and running. I also have been promoting Spitfire through the Internet and friends and now 2 of the 4 BBS left in Wanganui are using SPITFIRE. I have started writing software (Doors in Quick Basic and Business Programs and utilities in Visual Basic) and some are freeware which include a little ad for SF as I feel it isn't widely enough known about and it could help a lot of people. The Internet home pages set up for SF have been a welcome addition for us international sysops. I would like to thank Mike for writing such a great program, his family for putting up with him <GRIN>, and Jacque Shipley for all the written material and for without her help I would not be able to get SFNET (Which is the best FAMILY non bashing network I have come across) and finally all the great support I have received from all the sysops in SFNET. Thanks everyone and if you are in New Zealand look me up. ╒════════════════════════════════════╕ │ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS │ ╘════════════════════════════════════╛ A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems: The Slip Shot.................................515-264-8330...14400 BPS Revoe & Linda Mulinex, Sysops.........................Des Moines, Iowa Tracie's World!!..............................513-753-7240...14400 BPS Tracie Anspach, Sysop.....................................Amelia, Ohio Midi Tunes....................................216-932-6361...38400 BPS Kenneth Myers, Sysop...................................Cleveland, Ohio Naugy Net.....................................203-720-5444...28800 BPS Naugatuck Board of Education, Sysop.............Naugatuck, Connecticut Planting Fields Road..........................516-922-1059...14400 BPS Vincent Kreutz, Sysop................................Norwich, New York The Arena.....................................941-377-2554...14400 BPS Justin Scott, Sysop..................................Sarasota, Florida Buchannon Creek BBS...........................615-363-7200...14400 BPS Ray Worsham, Sysop..................................Pulaski, Tennessee The White Lightening BBS......................207-490-2158...57600 BPS John Pace, Sysop.........................................Alfred, Maine THE APOCALYPSE BBS............................207-324-8058...14400 BPS Christopher Nunan, Sysop................................Sanford, Maine Xanadu BBS....................................2-654-8817.....14400 BPS Ajwad Ansari, Sysop...............................Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Local 369.....................................617-340-5466...14400 BPS U.W.U.A Local Lodge #369, Sysop...............Braintree, Massachusetts COPS for CHRIST BBS...........................203-753-2667...14400 BPS Don Carpenter, Sysop............................Waterbury, Connecticut The Bear Board................................304-755-4319...28800 BPS PABCO, Sysop......................................Nitro, West Virginia The Foot Beat.................................714-965-4439...14400 BPS Fountain Valley Police Department, Sysops..Fountain Valley, California In addition, there are 1 new private SPITFIRE BBS System registered. This private SPITFIRE BBS was registered to a Sysop in: Dansville, New York. There are 6 registrations for whom registration information was incomplete. These included BBS's in: Wanganui, New Zealand; Antelope, California; Moro, Illinois; Petaluma, California; Uijongbu, Korea; and Omaha, Nebraska. 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.