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Monster Media 1996 #15
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Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO
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htdice21.zip
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INTERBBS.TXT
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1996-04-21
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HOT-DICE INTERBBS PLAY
11/01/95
Hot-Dice InterBBS Play:
The major feature I added to ver 2.0 of Hot-Dice is InterBBS play.
This means that two or more boards can share their scores with each other,
creating a little interbbs rivalry between the boards. This feature
has proven to be very popular among sysops and callers. Currently there is
no checking for duplicate players on different boards or changes in the scores.
Some kind of checking is planned for future versions along with the ability to
use an alias for play. A time stamp has been added so that score files from
previous months will not be processed. Also, the local score file and
IBBS Master score file are renamed rather than deleted. I am working on
creating a seperate monthly score file so that past months can be viewed
as well as the current one.
How it works:
Before the InterBBS function will work, a file called LEAGUE.HD must exist
in the Hot-Dice directory. This is the master list of all nodes playing.
The LEAGUE.HD is a plain ascii text file with information on the BBS and Sysop
name, BBS Phone number and city/state of the BBS. By default, the first BBS
is the Hub BBS, although the way the IBBS works, any one of the nodes can be
the Hub BBS. Below is an example of what the LEAGUE.HD looks like:
#1
Com-Dat BBS
Mike Jordan
503-681-0543
Hillsboro, OR
Node ID if any or None <-- This can be used as a comment line
#2
The Coliseum BBS
Matt McClanahan
503-692-6505
Portland, OR
Node ID if any
#3
Williams Computer Service BBS
Rob Williams
503-631-8435
Oregon City, OR
Node ID if any
*Important - The BBS name and Sysop name MUST match the info in the
HOT-DICE.CFG file. You must have all lines present, even if left blank.
The Node ID field is not active yet and could even be used as a short
comment line, but it must be present.
The person starting the league should be #1 and is called the Hub Node.
The Hub node will create the LEAGUE.HD file, adding in each node until
the game is ready to start. The Hub should then pass around (or make
available) the LEAGUE.HD file to everyone else in the League. If you do
not have this file your *.dat IBBS scores will not be processed. Also,
all number parameters should match; i.e. number of games per day, number
of makeup days, ect.
When everyone is ready to go, each node should run HOT-DICE IBBS from
the DOS prompt in the HD directory. This will create the Who's Who
list based on the LEAGUE.HD information. Should someone get added in
after the game has started, update the LEAGUE.HD file and then re-run
HOT-DICE IBBS. They will then be added into the Who's Who list.
This same command is used to combine the node HD-#.dat files and add them
to the master score file. This can be done as an event or manually by
the Hub Sysop.
Each node will have a score file created based on their number in the
LEAGUE.HD file. #1 will be HD-1.DAT, #2 will be HD-2.DAT, #3 will be
HD-3.DAT, etc. This file keeps the scores that will be passed to the
Hub Node.
It's up to the league to determine how they want to pass the HD-#.DAT files
up to the Hub Node. Each node can send it or upload it to the Hub Node or
the Hub Node can call and get it. It makes no difference to the game how,
as long as the HD-#.DAT file is available at the Hub Node's BBS when
HOT-DICE IBBS is run.
I recommend all HD-#.DAT files be sent to the Hub, he creates the master
score file and then passes that back to the other players. Once the other
nodes receive the MASTER.HD file, they just need to put it in their HD
directory. The Master score file will only be updated if the
score in the HD*.DAT file is HIGHER than what is in the Master file.
Upgrading from version 2.4 or older:
I recommend, before doing the following, that you Zip up your complete HD
directory and keep it as a backup.
To upgrade, take the files in this packet (the *.exe, *.slb and *.hps files)
and drop them into your HD directory.
That's all that is required if you are not interested in the InterBBS stuff.
You will be able to see a InterBBS Score Card, but it will not have any info
on it. You won't be able to go into the Who's Who screen.
For InterBBS Play:
Create your LEAGUE.HD file (it only needs The #1 Info to turn on the IBBS
feature). Each League Node should have the LEAGUE.HD file and all game
parameters should match (i.e. number of games, play ahead days, etc.).
Run HOT-DICE IBBS to update the Who's Who list.
When you or someone plays a game, a HD-*.DAT file will be created when
they exit.
Run HOT-DICE IBBS again and it will update your IBBS Score Screen.
IBBS can be run as many times as you need as it will only update if there
is something to update.
And that's all there is too it.
Once the game starts, each node should pass their HD-#.DAT file to the
Hub Node at some arranged time. Then, either by an event or manually,
the Hub Node should run HOT-DICE IBBS to create that days MASTER.HD
file. The MASTER.HD file should either be sent back to each of the
member nodes or made available so they can pick it up. Each node should
copy the new MASTER.HD file back into their Hot-Dice directory. Once the
old file has been over written, the new information can be viewed.
I use InterMail's IMSEND program to send the MASTER.HD file to my league
members. There are a variety of ROBOT type programs that will send or call
to get files at specific times.
Another method that can be used with Front Door is to create a Netmail message
to send or file request the IBBS file(s). Note the number of the message,
and before it is sent, copy it to a safe place (your game directory is a
good place). After it is sent, Front Door will mark that message as sent.
During your maintenance, copy the saved message back into your Netmail
directory, overwriting the one that was marked sent. Front Door will
now see this message as not being sent, and send it again, along with the
any files that are attached to it. As long as you don't renumber your Netmail
folder, you will only overwrite the previous sent copy. I have several nodes
in my league doing it this way and they have had no problems creating nightly
events that run the HOT-DICE IBBS process and copy the *.msg file to the
Netmail folder... all automatically.
Support & Questions:
Read the M&S_INFO.DIZ file for addresses and locations that any problems
can be sent too. If you need to call, the Registration/Support Voice
number is (503) 693-7068.
Mike