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1996-04-11
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TABS-PPE Version 6.6
Written By: R.P. Sulich Jr.
Compiled with PCBoard PPLC Version 3.X
Copyright 1996 Clark Development Company
PCBoard
Copyright 1996 Clark Development Company
True Media INC.
Trademark, True Media INC.
NOTE: I DO NOT provide the actual TABS Subscription service. This is done by
True Media INC. Please see INFO.TXT for information on how to use the service
itself. This is ONLY the interface between their service and PCBoard Bulletin
Board Systems.
Neither this program nor its author have any affiliation with the TABS service
or True Media INC. This program (PPE) is owned in total by its author (Ray
Sulich) and no others.
Disclaimer:
This software is provided without any guarantee, either expressed or implied.
All responsibilities for its use rest with the user of the software and not the
author. The only thing that I will guarantee, is that when you have this
program on your harddrive, it will take up at least a little disk space.
License:
This software has not been released into the Public Domain. Nor, is
TABS-PPE free. This version has been released as SHAREWARE it has cost
considerable time in coding and the compiler wasn't free either. So, if
the program meets your needs I would like to ask you to contribute $10
to ensure the future progress and support of this program. This program
may be re-distributed if the archive is provided in its entirety.
Registration of this program entitles you and you only to run this program
beyond the 30 trial period on ONE BBS system. This "ONE" system may
consist of numerous nodes as long as these systems are owned in total by
the same person. Registration DOES NOT entitle you to alter the code in
any way shape or form, such alteration would constitute violation of the
programs copyright.
Why TABS-PPE:
This program was written because I was having trouble with the programs
supplied by TABS to interface with PCBoard so, I wrote this PPE interface for
their program TMAN.EXE. I also wanted better accounting for where the SIDS
were going. I don't know what the future will bring :) your inputs would be
much appreciated......
What does it do?:
In reality it really does alot of things. It accepts the SID (Subscription
Identification Number) supplied by the TABS (900-XXXX) service, validates the
SID entered by comparing it to the list of active SIDS you have. If a match is
made, the number is "deleted" and the callers account is upgraded. It also can
update caller notes, pass messages to the Sysop, manage your TABS services, and
keeps you up to date.
Why do you need it?
1. It will explain the TABS service to your callers.
2. Show the caller the types of upgrades available (either $10 or $25) you
may have 2 for each upgrade type. Of these 2 upgrades for each type, One
will change the access level of the caller, the second type comes into
effect if the callers access level is different from the levels that you
have configured the program to process and upgrade. The program will add
days to the callers expiration date, and/or credits to the callers credit
account, and (if desired) zero their expiration date.
3. Send a message to the caller thanking him/her for the donation. (optional)
4. Send a message to the Sysop notifying you of the transaction. (optional)
5. Join the caller to your contributors conference(s) (up to 5 conferences)
(optional)
6. Creates a detailed log, (located in the same directory as the PPE), of the
PPE's usage or errors. TABS1.LOG for Node 1, TABS2.LOG for Node 2 etc.
7. Will send a message to the sysop if an error occurs (optional)
8. Updates callers notes with the callers donation information (optional)
9. Allows the Sysop to see the number of SID's remaining, add new SID's and
pack the Active SID lists.
10. Supports RIP graphics, security and language specific external menus.
11. Allow multiple configuration files
12. Spinning prompts while the program is working, to keep your callers
amused :)
13. This PPE will produce the following error levels (for internal use) and
will log them to your TABSX.LOG (X is replaced with the node number that
the program is run on) for your troubleshooting pleasure....:)
Errorlevel 10 = User entered a valid SID and was upgraded....
Errorlevel 11 = User entered an invalid SID
Errorlevel 12 = TABS PPE could not create its temporary work file.
Errorlevel 13 = Could not find file containing the list of new SID's to
add to your active SID listing.
Errorlevel 14 = Could not locate the active SID listing. You entered
the name incorrectly on line 14 of the config. file or
it is not located in the same directory as the PPE
14. Sends Sysop a message when the number of active SIDS is below a
configurable number (OPTIONAL)
15. Allows Sysop to set the number of tries a caller gets when entering a
SID
16. In all cases after a caller has successfully entered his SID, he will be
presented with a short screen saying Thank you, and showing him the new
access levels and his caller notes will be updated with his donation
information.
17. Write a bulletin containing a list of all your contributors. (OPTIONAL)
18. Allow the caller to download an information file I call TABSINFO.TXT
instead of reading all the subscription offers and how to use TABS
instructions online. (OPTIONAL)
19. If the caller contributes he may then download a receipt of the
transaction. (OPTIONAL)
20. Create a DBase III+ compatible accounting information file. (OPTIONAL)
21. Add credits and set 0 credit security level. (OPTIONAL)
22. Ability to make use of a "trashcan" file to remove access to this program
from troublesome callers.
******************************************************************************
Installation:
1. Unzip the archive (guess you've already done that :))
2. TAB-PPE has been compiled with Version 3.X PPL compiler. TABS-PPE WILL NOT
run on PCBoard 15.0 or 15.1.....
3. TABS-PPE may be installed as a door, or in the PCBoard "CMD.LST" in the
following manner:
Using PCBSetup (DOOR method.....)
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Edit DOORS File ║
║ ║
║ USER DOOR ║
║ Filename Password Sec Login SYS SYS Shell Path to DOOR Files
║ ══════════ ════════════ ═══ ═════ ════ ════ ═════ ════════════════════════ ▒
║ 1) TABS 02 N N N Y C:\PCB\DOOR\ ▒
║ Press F2 to edit the DOOR file ▒
║
║ ESC=Exit Alt-R=Repeat a Line Alt-I=Insert a Line Alt-D=Delete a Line ║
╚══ 11:54:06 ═══ 04-18-94 ══════ F1 ═ help ════ caps: OFF num: OFF ins: OFF ═╝
In this manner any PPE can be run as a door. Here is an example of a batch
file to run the PPE:
TABS.BAT
ECHO !C:\TABS\TABS.PPE OPTIONS.CFG> PCBDOOR.TXT
In PCBSetup under:
File Locations, Configuration Files, Name/Loc of Default CMD.LST add a lines
like this (CMD.LST method)
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ File Locations ║
║ ║
║ Command Security PPE/MNU File -or- Keystroke Replacement ║
║ ══════════════ ════════ ═══════════════════════════════════════
║ 1) TABS 10 C:\TABS\TABS.PPE OPTIONS.CFG ▒
║ 2) DONATE 10 C:\TABS\TABS.PPE OPTION1.CFG ▒
║ 3) MORE 40 C:\TABS\TABS.PPE OPTION2.CFG ▒
║
║ ESC=Exit Alt-R=Repeat a Line Alt-I=Insert a Line Alt-D=Delete a Line ║
╚══ 12:50:22 ═══ 02-19-94 ══════ F1 ═ help ════ caps: OFF num: OFF ins: OFF ═╝
c:\tabs\tabs.ppe OPTIONS.CFG
c:\tabs\tabs.ppe OPTION2.CFG
^^^^^^^^^^^
etc. etc. etc...........
In either case where you see the ^^^^^'s is were you specify the name of the
configuration file that you wish TABS-PPE to use. This/These configuration
file(s). If you have more than one configuration file MUST reside in the same
directory as the TABS.PPE file. If you execute a "DIR" in this directory, it
would look something like this. These files MUST, absolutely MUST reside in the
same directory as the .PPE file.
Volume in drive C is MS-DOS_6
Volume Serial Number is 1CF7-02A8
Directory of C:\TABS
. <DIR> 10-22-93 2:48p
.. <DIR> 10-22-93 2:48p
INFO 2,095 09-18-94 11:44p
TABS10 CFG 9,304 09-19-94 2:44a
INTRO10 2,063 05-19-94 4:30p
INTRO25 2,063 05-19-94 4:30p
TABS25 CFG 9,306 09-19-94 2:44a
OPTIONS CFG 88 09-19-94 1:06a
BULLET HDR 291 05-26-94 3:55p
INSTALL PPE 28,590 09-12-94 9:02p
RECEIPT HDR 139 05-17-94 3:48p
BULLET FTR 367 05-28-94 5:19p
TABSINFO TXT 1,487 05-28-94 11:23a
TABS 49 06-01-94 5:56p
CONTRIBS TXT 2,233 09-20-94 8:48p
TABS PPE 30,220 09-23-94 10:52a
SIDS25 LST 1,078 07-28-94 3:52p
CONTRIBS LST 1,113 09-20-94 8:48p
SIDS10 LST 2,744 09-20-94 8:48p
TABSINFO DBF 881 09-20-94 8:48p
TABSINFO DBT 4 09-20-94 8:48p
1ST10 *
2ND1010 *
2ND1025 *
1ST25 *
2ND2510 *
2ND2530 *
MEN10 *
MEN10200 *--> Menu that SysOp will see if they enter the program... change
file name to match your access level ie MEN10*** Where ***
would be your access level.
Files with an asterisk after them are only required if you are not using
internal menus. If you wish to customize the program by using external screens
I recommend that you use the screens supplied with the PPE to get an idea of
what should be on each screen.
4. Configure the options available to the TABS PPE. You may use your favorite
ASCII text editor. By setting the options in this file you are actually
telling the program which services you will be providing (the $10 and/or
$25 services) you may offer either one option, or both. These options are
set by configuring the OPTIONS.CFG file. Call this .CFG file what you wish,
but all lines MUST be present and it must reside in the same directory as
TABS-PPE this configuration file is named on the command line that runs
TABS-PPE (See above examples)
Here is the layout of the "OPTIONS.CFG" file.
Straight Board BBS
XXXXXXXXXX
YES
TABS10.CFG
YES
TABS25.CFG
INFO
TABSINFO.TXT
Line 1: The name of your BBS (If you're a registered user of TABS-PPE, this
must be exactly the same name as you that was supplied by the registration door
(PPEDOOR) on the support BBS.)
Line 2: Your registration number. (Again exactly the same as you received
from the support BBS.) Blank if you have not yet registered TABS-PPE
Line 3: (YES or NO) Do you offer a $10 subscription rate?
Line 4: Name of the configuration file for the $10 subscription rate. If you
answered NO to on line 3 this line should be blank. File must reside
in the same directory as TABS.PPE
Line 5: (YES or NO) Do you offer a $25 subscription rate?
Line 6: Name of the configuration file for the $25 subscription rate. If you
answered NO to on line 5 this line should be blank. File must reside
in the same directory as TABS.PPE
Line 7: Name of the external screen that will show the options available at
the options main menu. If this line is left blank the program will
assume that you wish to use the internal options menu.
Line 8: Name of the file that contains information about the TABS service
itself. If you enter a file name here, the program will enable an
option that will allow the caller to download this file while they are
at the options menu. If this line is left blank the program will
disable this option.
______________________________________________________________________________
Here is the layout of the TABS10.CFG file.
Ray Sulich
NO
RECEIPT.HDR
TABSINFO.TXT
TABSINFO.DBF
CONTRIBS.TXT
BULLET.HDR
CONTRIBS.LST
BULLET.FTR
10 30
25
365
10
99999
99999
NO
60
5,000,000
30
99999
99999
NO
94 20
10
3
1
SIDS10.LST
YES
INTRO10
NO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Line 1: Sysops name (should be exactly the same as in PCBSETUP
Line 2: YES or NO Use today's date as the first day of the callers
subscription. If you choose NO TABS-PPE checks the callers expiration
date, and if this date is in the future it will add the new number of
days to todays date. If the callers account has already expired
TABS-PPE resets the expiration date to todays date and adds the new
number of days to that.
Line 3: The name of the file that you wish to be inserted as a header
file for the receipt option. The receipt option is just that... if the
caller successfully enters his SID a receipt is generated with the
contents of this file inserted prior to the receipt data. If you do
not wish to use the receipt feature leave this line blank. (You must leave a
blank line if you do not wish to use this option). If you don't leave a
blank then the rest of the program will not function properly.
Line 4: Name of the file that contains Information about TABS and its
usage on your system. This file is made available for your callers to
download at the options and billing menus. This file used to be named
TABSINFO.TXT If you do not wish to enable this option leave this line
blank. (You must leave a blank line if you do not wish to use this option).
If you don't leave a blank then the rest of the program will not function
properly.
Line 5: The name of the DBase III+ compatible file that will be created
containing account information for callers that successfully used this
program. If you do not wish to enable this option leave this line
blank. (Must leave a blank if not desired)
Line 6: Name of the bulletin TABS-PPE will create containing a name 3
wide listing of the persons that have contributed to your system using
this program. If you do not wish to create a bulletin leave a blank on
this line.
Line 7: Name of the file that will be inserted at the beginning of the
bulletin created by TABS-PPE using PCB %'s. If line 6 is blank, so
should this line be.....
Line 8: Name of the file that consists of a list of names one per line
that TABS will create and maintain if it does not exist. This is the listing
that the program uses to store the names that are placed in the bulletin.
If lines 6 & 7 are blank then so should this line be. You may add names
to this bulletin if you wish if callers contribute to your system by
other means.
Line 9: Name of the file that serves as the bulletins "footer". This
file will be inserted using %'s at the end of the bulletin. Again, if
lines 6,7 & 8 are blank so should this line.
Line 10: Act on levels. All callers who enter the program AT THESE LEVELS
and successfully enter a Subscription ID # will be upgraded to the level
specified on line 11. If you do not wish to have TABS-PPE upgrade callers
access levels at all, just put a number here that is lower then the lowest
access level on your system. If the callers CURRENT access level is the same as
one of these 10 possible levels then he/she will be upgraded to the level
listed on line 10. These levels must be separated by a space.
For example... 10 20 30 40 50
If you only need 1 "Act on level" then you need only enter one number on this
line. If you need more than 1 level then separate the levels with a space.
Line 11: Upgrade level. All callers who enter the program and are at an access
level equal to one of the levels specified on line 10 of the configuration file
who successfully enter a Subscription ID # will be upgraded to this level. If
you do not wish to have TABS-PPE upgrade callers access levels at all, just put
a number here that is lower then the lowest access level on your system.
Line 12: Number of days you wish the caller to hold the access level listed
on line 10
Line 13: Level that you wish the caller to be downgraded to when their
subscription has expired.
Line 14: Number of credits to add to the callers credit account.
***** THIS IS A CHANGE IN THE WAY WE NORMALLY DO THINGS..... !!!!!!!
ENTER 99999 on this line to disable this option.
The number that you enter here will be added to the other earnings
field under credit accounting in their user record.
Line 15: The access level you wish to "drop" the caller to when all of
their credits are used. Or more simply said zero credit access level. Again,
enter 99999 on this line to disable this option.
Line 16: YES or NO...... Do you want to zero the callers subscription
date. You would say YES to this option if you wanted your system to run
on purely on credits.... if run in this manner the zero balance access
level in conjunction with Line 14's number of credits you add to the callers
account would actually control what happens to the caller when they have used
all of their credits.
Line 17: Number of minutes the caller would get per day/session at the
level you have upgraded them to.
Note: This number is for display purposes only, and should be entered
in minutes. ie 60
Line 18: Download Bytes available per day at the level you have
upgraded them to.
Note: This number is for display purposes only, and should be entered
in Bytes. You many add commas as needed ie : 1,000 would read on the
screens as 1,000 bytes per day. You could also enter something like
UNLIMITED here.
*************************************************************************
Lines 19 - 22 control what is done if the callers access level NOT EQUAL to
one of the access levels specified on Line 10.
*************************************************************************
Line 19: Number of days to add to the callers subscription expiration
date. Enter 0 here if you do not wish to add days to the callers
subscription date or if you are just going to zero the expiration date
later.
Line 20: Number of credits to add to the callers credit account.
***** THIS IS A CHANGE IN THE WAY WE NORMALLY DO THINGS..... !!!!!!!
ENTER 99999 on this line to disable this option.
The number that you enter here will be added to the callers
uploading files field in their user record.
Line 21: The access level you wish to "drop" the caller to when all of
their credits are used. Or more simply said zero credit access level. Again,
enter 99999 on this line to disable this option.
Line 22: YES or NO...... Do you want to zero the callers subscription
date. You would say YES to this option if you wanted your system to run
on purely on credits.... if run in this manner the zero balance access
level in conjunction with Line 14's number of credits you add to the callers
account would actually control what happens to the caller when they have used
all of their credits.
Line 23: Contributors Conference number(s) to join the caller to. This
program will join the caller to the conference number(s) you specify here,
with the RS flags. Enter NONE on this line to disable this option. You may
enter up to 5 conferences that you wish to join the caller to on this line.
If you choose to join the contributor to more than one conference separate
each conference number with a space. For example... 1 34 20 44 100
Line 24: If the number of Subscription ID's remaining in your SID
listing file is at or below this number TABS-PPE will send you a warning
message. Enter 0 here to disable this option.
Line 25: Number of attempts to give the caller when entering his
Subscription ID. If the caller fails to enter a valid ID in this number
of tries, hem will be sent out of the program and you will be sent a
message if you have configured the PPE to pass messages to you.
Line 26: Number of the conference that you will be sent messages from
TABS-PPE to you in. This program will send messages to the Sysop when:
1. An error occurs ( will pass errorlevel)
2. A caller successfully completes a donation.
3. When SID's remaining are less than the configured amount.
Enter NONE on this line to disable....
Line 27: Name of the file containing your list of Active Subscription
ID's. One SID (Seven digit number) on each line. File must reside in
the same directory as the TABS.PPE. In this case this list would
contain the $10 SIDS's provided by the TABS BBS service as this is the
TABS10.CFG file.
Line 28: YES, or NO..... Do you wish to have TABS-PPE update the
callers caller note fields in the user file. You must have the caller
notes PSA installed for this to work.
Line 29: The name of the file to be displayed to the caller that
explains the specific service the caller chooses while at the Options
display menu. If you haven't configured this program to offer both $10
and $25 subscriptions, this screen will be displayed instead of the
options screen.
Line 30: YES, or NO..... Do you wish to use external screens or write
your own. Yes for externals, or No for internals.
Line 31: Name of the screen which is displayed that will show the
benefits given for contributing to your BBS for the first time at this
dollar amount. This file must reside in the same directory as TABS.PPE
Line 32: Name of the screen which is displayed that will show the
benefits given for contributing to your BBS for the second time at this
dollar amount. This file must reside in the same directory as TABS.PPE
*********** Remember..... this program is written to make use of
security specific screens. If you entered 2ND10 here your could have a
screen called 2ND1010 for callers at access level 10.
Line 33: Name of the screen that serves as the program's main menu.
File must reside in the same directory as TABS.PPE. I have included 2
of these menus.... the one that is called MEN25200 or MEN10200 are the
sysop level menus and the 200 should be changed to match your security
level. Be aware, if you use internal menus and just change your access
level to test this program you will always be shown the "Sysop Only"
menu as we look for the name of the sysop as entered on line 1 of this
file.
*********** Remember..... this program is written to make use of
security specific screens. If you entered 2ND10 here your could have a
screen called 2ND1010 for callers at access level 10.
Line 33: Name of the screen that serves as the program's main menu.
File must reside in the same directory as TABS.PPE. I have included 2
of these menus.... the one that is called MEN25200 or MEN10200 are the
sysop level menus and the 200 should be changed to match you're security
level. Be aware, if you use internal menus and just change your access
level to test this program you will always be shown the "Sysop Only"
menu as we look for the name of the sysop as entered on line 1 of this
file.
Important other Notes:
Be aware........ the external menus can say anything you want them to say.
Play with the program, It should do just about anything that you want it to
do. If it is not able to do what you wish, let me know..... !!! Also, DOUBLE
BE AWARE :) all the screens supplied with this package are customized for my
BBS..... you must change the screens to suite your system or you'll be giving
my BBS alot of undue attention on your system. Don't laugh... some people out
there have done that. I have people calling from all over the country
contributing to my BBS. You've been warned......
* Indicates new in this version......
If you choose to use the bulletin generator, I recommend that some time when
all your BBS nodes are down, that you copy the bulletin tabs creates to some
other area. This would be the area that the callers would view the bulletin
from. If you do not do this and TABS-PPE try's to update the bulletin while a
caller is on another node reading it, it will cause a share violation. There
is no way around this.... you can't change a bulletin while someone is online
reading it.
This version of the program is MOSTLY UNCRIPPLED, but you will find that only
one function is NOT available in the UNREGISTERED version, and that is the
trashcan fuction. The program also has a 5 second delay upon exiting the PPE
and a Please register me note in the UNREGISTERED version.
If you have any trouble with this program. I may be reached via the RIME
network PCB Utilities conference, if you choose you may route messages to me
via ->1475 or the PCB Support Echo on FidoNet or netmail via 1:275/25 or
1:265/30. I can also be reached via Internet at ray.sulich@sbbs.com
Please, unless you have tried everything DO NOT call me voice. I answer
mail left on the BBS several times a day. Please try that first.
The caller will be allowed to download the TABSINFO.TXT and RECPT*.TXT from
inside the PPE. For this to work correctly you MUST have something like the
following in your DLPATH.LST and FSEC files:
DLPATH.LST
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Conference Name (#0) : Main Board ║
║ ║
║ Enter a list of DOWNLOAD Paths ║
║ ══════════════════════════════
║ 8) %D:\DISK_7\DISK_7.IDX ▒
║ 9) C:\PPEDOOR\ ▒
║ 10) C:\TABS\ ▒
║ ▒
║ ESC=Exit Alt-R=Repeat a Line Alt-I=Insert a Line Alt-D=Delete a Line ║
╚══ 11:44:21 ═══ 07-10-94 ══════ F1 ═ help ════ caps: OFF num: OFF ins: OFF ═╝
And in your FSEC file.....
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Edit Download Security File ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ ║ ════════════════════════════════ ══════════════ ═════ ══════════════ ▒
║ TABSINFO.TXT 2 NOTIME ▒
║ RECPT*.TXT 2 NOTIME ▒
║ C:\TABS\ *.* 300 SECRET ▒
║ ESC=Exit Alt-R=Repeat a Line Alt-I=Insert a Line Alt-D=Delete a Line ║
╚══ 11:44:21 ═══ 07-10-94 ══════ F1 ═ help ════ caps: OFF num: OFF ins: OFF ═╝
Please note the order that the files are in on the FSEC screen. PCBoard reads
configuration files from the top down so this will allow the caller to
download only the tabsinfo.txt and recpt*.txt files from your TABS directory.
NOT your SID lists...... BEWARE !!!!!!
* Increased the number of "act on levels" to 10
* Added a trashcan feature. (Registered versions only). The first time
this version of the program is run if a file called TCAN is not found in
your TABS directory, the program will create it. In this TCAN file you may
specify callers names who you do not wish to have access to the program.
These names are case insensitive and are to be listed one name per line.
Support is available via the following means:
My BBS: Straight Board BBS 804-468-6454 (USR V Everything)
804-468-6528 (USR 16.8 DS)
RIME network: PCB Support, PCB Programming, RIME Common (routed please) to
either ->1475 or ->NEPTUNE
FidoNet: PCB Support or netmail 1:271/115
ILink: PCB Support
P&BNet: Any conference via routed mail to ->1475, or ->NEPTUNE
Internet E-Mail: ray.sulich@sbbs.com
UseNet: alt.bbs.pcboard
Good luck, and may the contributions pour in !!
Ray Sulich