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* * INCOGNITO * * Version 3.09 A Alias Door For PCBoard 14.5x U S E R S M A N U A L Release Version 3.09 Copyright (c) 1990,1991 Gary R. Smith All Rights Reserved DISCLAIMER There is made no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. I shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or on sequential arising from a failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user. I shall not be liable for any damage to data or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by the use of this program. IN NO EVENT WILL I BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. QuickBasic is a Registered Trademark of MicroSoft Corporation Turbo C is a Registered Trademark of Borland International Inc. Borland C++ is a Registered Trademark of Borland International Inc. CKIT is a Trademark of Data-Comp Information Systems Note from the author Welcome to what we consider one of our finer works of art. We are proud to present to the PCBoard public our newest rendition of INCOGNITO. The road to this version has been a long and hard journey, but alas we have seen the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Rewriting Incognito has taken several months. This rewrite commenced when Incognito was discovered to have problems working with multiple nodes on a network. This problem only occurred on networks that employed over 3 nodes. Keep it to less than 3 and there was no problem. I could only contribute this problem to the communication routines that I was using at that time. I have since switched to the infamous CKIT by Ricky Belitz and have not seen the problem arise, thus showing off the superior workmanship of such a fine library of routines and communication support. We strongly recommend CKIT if you are planning on creating doors for Bulletin Board programs. The latest version of Incognito was rewritten in Borland C++ 2.0. Incognito had its start in MS QuickBasic 4.5 and has matured to a much faster and compact language. Rewriting Incognito has been a tremendous learning experience as you can well imagine. Reduction in size is approximately 25% and with a increase of speed of up to 300% over the previous versions. We hope that you enjoy INCOGNITO! Author If you are like 99.9% of the sysops world wide, you will want the latest version of Incognito available on your system. Incognito's latest version can always be found on Quality systems Like the boards listed below: Random Access (RNBB Support!) Atlanta, Georgia On-Line Registration Available (404) 516-7150 (HST) Incognito is designed to run on systems that utilize PCBoard version 14.5 + only. Plans to cover all popular boards are in the works. If you have a copy of a BBS that you would like INCOGNITO to work on, please mail a copy to the register address and we will do what we can to accommodate your system. The BBS files must include setup documents and file structures if they are provided from the author. If the BBS requires registration to operate doors then a registered copy should be sent. Registered copies sent for the purpose of developing incognito for that BBS Software will not be used as a active board. Features of INCOGNITO: o Detects Loss of carrier! o Can operate at speeds in excess of 38400 Baud! o Will automatically log user off after 4 minutes of no keyboard activity! o Can be operated on a MultiNetwork Board! o Allows sysop total control of users allowed in system! o Allows the sysop to pick the Security Level to be used with the ALIAS Name! o Always informs the user Which Name is being used prior to closing the Door! o Allows the Sysop to select which conferences the user is allowed in while using his alias name! (No more restrictions on number of conferences for registered and unregistered versions!) o Allows up to 200 conferences! o Automatically registers users in all conferences that you specify! o Allows user to logoff through the Incognito door and changes their name back to their real name if the do! o Incorporates SYSOP designed menus for conference selection menus, either in mono or color! o Supports full color and mono systems! o Allows on line viewing of conferences users are allowed in! Getting Started: Setting up INC is simple and straight forward. If you have set up other PCBoard doors then you should have no problem at all with this door. This door WILL NOT work with conversion programs provided for other types of BBS's. It was written especially for PCBoard 14.5x systems only. NOTE: If you are currently running a previous version of Incognito, You must delete all the files. Incognito Version 3.0+ is not compatible with earlier versions. SETTING IT UP - Step 1: Create a directory from which Incognito will run from. This Directory can be called anything you wish that is within the DOS 8 character limit. (This document will assume you have selected C:\PCB\INC for the remainder of the examples). Step 2: Copy or UNZIP all the Incognito files into the directory you just created above. ex. COPY INC-309.ZIP C:\PCB\INC PKUNZIP INC-309 Step 3: Create the INC configuration file. This file will contain all the external data that Incognito will need. Using your ascii editor you will create a file called "INC.CNF". The name cannot be changed and it MUST be placed in your Incognito Directory. If this file is not found a message is written to the screen and the program is exited. The below is a Description of each line required Example - Line 1 RNBB Software BBS ( BBS Name Line 2 999999999 ( Registration Number Line 3 110 ( Security Level (NOTE 1) Line 4 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, ( Conferences Users Allowed In (NOTE 2 & 3) NOTE 1: A security level is required for this line. This security level is for the level that you wish users/co-sysops to access the sysops menu. Users that have a lower access than this will receive the regular users screen. Users allowed to access this menu can change ALL information. You should be very vigilant in assigning users to this access level. NOTE 2: Line 4 through Line 25 contain conference information. The only stipulation here is that the length of the line may not exceed 80 characters. If you have multiple lines they may look like the following example. (You can have from 1 to 200 conferences listed this way) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45 ┌──> └ Only one blank line at the end of the file. Last but not least, ensure there is only one blank line after the last conference line. NOTE 3: Conference 0 (MAIN) is NOT SUPPORTED for regular users, This is a safety precaution to preclude users using an alias in the main conference (0) area. If you want a user to be able to access the Main PCBoard conference with their alias you will have to give that user co-sysop level usage. STEP 4: You now need to construct the batch file that PCBoard will use to call the Incognito program. If your running multi-node you will have to make one each of these for each node your running. By creating this batch file you are configuring it so Incognito will run for that node. Each batch file you create should be like the following example. (Assuming we are configuring for a single Node) INC - Line 1 @ECHO OFF Line 2 CD C:\PCB\INC Line 3 INC C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS C:\PCB\MAIN\USERS Line 4 CD C:\PCB Line 5 BOARD Line 1 Turns off the Local Screen Echo Line 2 Changes the directory to where Incognito is stored Line 3 (1) First is the complete path to that nodes PCBoard.sys file (You can use the %PCBDIR% variables for multinode systems) (2) Second is the complete path to the Users File Line 4 Changes the directory back to the PCB directory Line 5 Calls the PCBoard program NOTE: Your INC batch file should be similar to the example above, Line 3 however, Must contain the path to both the pcboard.sys and the users file. PCBOARD.SYS First USERS Second. If you are running multiple nodes you will have another INC batch file, (Like INC2),(Or use the %PCB% variables) that will contain the same information as the first node file with the exception of the path to the PCBOARD.SYS file. The users path should not change. STEP 5: You now have to create a conference menu. This is the menu presented to the user. There are two examples provided. These files must be called CONFLST and CONFLSTG. If don't want to create a color menu then only the CONFLST is required. Place these menus in your Incognito directory and keep them updated with your current conferences available. STEP 6: The next and last step to setting up Incognito is to add Incognito to your PCBoard Doors file. This is done through the PCBoard setup program. All you need to do once you are in the PCBSETUP editor for doors is place the name of the batch file you just created above in a slot for a door, give it a minimum security level and your all done. Incognito does not require a users.sys or door.sys file. NOTE: When assigning Incognito a security level, ensure that the level is lower than what you plan to give to a user so that the user can open the door when using their alias. SETTING UP CONFERENCES STEP 1: To ensure that Incognito works properly with your conference scheme you will need to edit how you have your conferences set up. a. In your INC.CNF file you should have placed the number of the conferences that you want your users with alias's to be allowed in. b. Now modify each conference using PCBSETUP and reset the "auto-rejoin conference" flag to "Y". If this is not done, PCBoard will return the user to the Main Board Conference with their Alias and Alias Security Level If they log off and then back on again. So ensure this flag is changed. c. You must now change PCBoard.dat file using PCBSETUP so that a user cannot (A)bandon or (J)oin a conference when they are at the alias security level. They should be able to at a minimum (R)ead messages, (E)nter messages, and (OPEN) doors (Or at least reopen the Incognito door so they can get back to their Real Name and Security Level. Ensure that after changing the parameters that you do not affect what commands your regular non-aliased users can/cannot use. NOTE: (SUGGESTION) We would like to suggest that you make a security LOGON file for the security level you select for alias users, so that in the likely hood that they log off with their alias name they will understand that they need to open the INC door to restore their previous Name and Security Level. Your now all set to run INCOGNITO !!... RUNNING INCOGNITO _________________ Now that you have set up the incognito door, We can imagine that you are all ready to get into it and see what it does. Incognito is a door utility that allows sysops the capability of allowing his users to use an alias name. This can be very handy when dealing with message bases of an adult nature or where an alias would be preferred such as the Medical conference of RIME or the Adult conferences found on many boards that carry the THROB net. Below is a suggested method for starting your Incognito program. STEP 1: Logon as the sysop and OPEN the Incognito Door. STEP 2: You will be asked for an alias name. STEP 3: Since this was your first time through, you will be logged out of the incognito door. NOTE: You have now just created the INC.USE file, This is the users file that Incognito will use to keep track of all alias's, real names, security levels, etc... STEP 4: You may now reopen the door and access all the sysops functions. Remember your users don't get this screen unless you assign them a high enough security level to match what you entered in the INC.CNF file. a. Setting up for a CO-SYSOP. Co-Sysops will also get the screen you are now observing. if a co-sysop is to be entered, they should follow the exact procedures as the sysop for first time logon. Then the sysop or co-sysop can verify them as a user (PRIOR) to them using their alias. ATTENTION: Sysops and Co-sysops have a couple of rules to follow when using alias's. #1. You will not be able to use your alias if you just approved yourself (exit and reenter to use). #2. You cannot perform maintenance if you are not using your real name. #3. You cannot use you alias if you have not approved yourself. STEP 5: That's it!, All you have to do is now wait for users to enter the door and request an alias. once this is done, You validate and your on your way. Enjoy Incognito! List of Commands By opening the INC door you as the sysop will view a menu of items that you may preform. The menu is as follows: 1. Lets you elect to use your REAL or ALIAS name. NOTE: If you are using your REAL NAME the menu will state " 1. Utilize your Alias Name " If you are using your ALIAS NAME the menu will state " 1. Utilize your Real Name " 2. Verify New Users - Select this option to validate all new users that have requested an alias. When selected you will be presented with each new user (One by One) to validate, Entering "Y" will validate, (RETURN) will skip to the next record. If you select "Y" you will be asked to enter a security level that user will receive when they use their alias name. Enter the alias security level. (Pressing RETURN will enter a zero (0) to the file) You will then be asked to register all users in the conferences you have indicated in the INC.CNF file. If you enter "Y" the user will receive a R flag in each of the conferences listed in the INC.CNF file. (This makes it easy if you have a lot of conferences to enter users into. (INCOGNITO will register them in any number of conferences, Not just the first 40!). NOTE: Previous versions of INCOGNITO wrote messages in the main directory to the user letting them know of the approved application. This is no longer done. 3. Delete Selected Users - Use this option to deleted selected users. You must know the users REAL NAME in order for Incognito to find the name and delete it. 4. List all Users - Use this option of view all users Real Name, Alias Names, And both Security Levels assigned. If you have a color monitor validated users will be yellow and non validated users will be blue. 5. Change Users Alias/Security levels - Use this option to change any users alias name or alias security level. You must know the REAL NAME of the user to perform this option. (You must also be using your real name to do this operation) 6. Available Conferences - Use this option to list all the conferences that you have listed as available for your ALIAS users. If there is no conference number assigned, the slot will be printed as (EMPTY). 7. Return to PCBoard (Quit) - Use this option to return to the main board. NOTE: All options may also be accomplished by enter the first letter of line. ex. If you want to list users instead of pressing 4 you may select "L"...When returning to board the letters/numbers (7,R,Q) are all valid inputs. The letters are highlighted on a color monitor. USER OPERATION. STEP 1: When a user wishes to use an alias, That user must only Open the Incognito door and request an alias. First time users will go through the same steps that the sysop preformed above. If a user comes back to the door and the request has not been approved, an appropriate message will be presented to the user. STEP 2: After sysop / co-sysop approval, the user will be presented with a menu of options. The list is explained below. 1. Enter a conference - The user will select this option when they desire to use their alias name. Once selected they will be presented with the menu (Conflst) of selections. If the conference they select is a valid conference you have listed in the INC.CNF file they will be placed in that conference with their alias name and security level. If that conference is valid in the INC.CNF file but is not a valid conference in PCBoard the user will be placed in the Main board area with alias and alias security level. So be careful and make sure all conferences are valid ones. If the user decides to join another conference they must open Incognito again and select another conference. 2. Quit to PCBoard - Using this option will send the user back to the main board (conference area 0) with their original name and security level. 3. Logoff - Selecting this option will log the user off the board. Their name and security level will be changed automatically back to their original, and the time on that day will be logged to the users file. INCOGNITO is Shareware. You are granted a TWO week trial period in which you may evaluate INCOGNITO. If you continue to utilize this product you are required to register it with the author. If you do not register INCOGNITO within the required time frame allowed, You are REQUIRED to remove it from your board in accordance with the United States Copyright Laws governing the use of Pirated Software. This program is not crippled in any way. It is full featured in that it will do everything that a Registered version will. The "Not A Registered Version" will not be shown on the ending screen for registered members. There are no extra pauses, bells, beeps etc... in Incognito. If you register your copy of INCOGNITO, you will receive a registration Number to place in your INC.CNF FILE. The most important part of registering is that you will have peace of mind knowing that you did. To register your copy of INCOGNITO, Fill out the form CALL OUR SUPPORT BOARD AND REGISTER VIA MASTERCARD/VISA/AMEXPRESS (Registration is instant and OnLine. You will receive your registration number instantly!) (404) 516-7150 Register.doc and mail it along with $19.95 to : Gary R. Smith 5012 Olde Mill Drive Marietta, Georgia, 30066 Make all checks payable to Gary R. Smith All checks must be drawn from U.S. Banks...No foreign currency will be accepted. (This includes Canadian) Please include in the Registration form, exactly how you would like your BBS name to appear on the Closing Screen.