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Text File | 1991-11-10 | 78.8 KB | 2,109 lines

PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO TRINITY BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM Welcome to the world of telecommunications and public bulletin boards. To get into this world of telecommunications and bulletin boards, all you need is some software and a telephone modem. To call area bulletin boards you need a terminal program. You use this program to dial up and log on to the BBS. The BBS is running a bulletin board program, such as Trinity BBS. The BBS program turns the host computer or the computer you are dialing into a bulletin board. It tells the computer what to do when someone calls and logs in. It will control the modem, disk drives, and the whole computer. It can be left alone for days without the system operator(SYSOP) , the owner of the computer, to watch it. Being a SYSOP is a tough but entertaining job with many rewards. You will meet quite a few of interesting people. Your job is to maintain the users of the BBS and the all the operations of the BBS. 1.1 History Of Trinity BBS Trinity BBS has come along way to be what it is. When I first got the interest into telecommunications I was using a Commodore 64 computer. I was very fasinated with its operations. I wanted to write programs for it that would really show it abilities. When I bought a modem, I was so interested that I was calling and logging on to bulletin boards everywhere. At this time I was only 13 years old. After calling and becoming a user to several bulletin boards, I wanted to run my own. So I began to run a small BBS, but I decided to try and write my own BBS program. My goal was to write a very fast effient BBS with many options. All Of the Commodore BBSs I called were very fun and interesting but were slow and didn't give you many options. I had a beta version of my BBS up by the end of 1984. Then, came the Commodore 128. I just had to get my hands on one of these. After noticing the power of 128 mode, I transfered my BBS project to it. I could now put in more of my goals with the increase in memory and speed. And by spring of 1986, Star 128 BBS was born. During this time, The brand new Amiga came out. I did not hurry myself on it but it soon became very popular. Not long after, Commodore discontinued the C-128. Eventually the demand for a 128 BBS declined. I began working on an Amiga BBS. But, this BBS had to be very powerful and outshine my other releases. And during the fall of 1991, Trinity BBS was born. This BBS takes advantage of the powerful Amiga computer in all aspects. Welcome to the Trinity Bulletin Board System! 1.2 Features of Trinity BBS Trinity BBS was written to take full advantage of the capibilities of the Amiga computer. I wanted to support all the positive options a BBS can have and still be user friendly. My main goal was to write a very sophisticated BBS be be user friendly and not some kind of animal the average user will be afraid of. I believe you will see that Trinity BBS fits this goal. Trinity BBS has the following features and more : 1. Supports both ASCII and ANSI terminal emulations. 2. Text output can be either 40 or 80 columns which is user adjustable. 3. Screen pauses for any given size of screen. 4. Fast hot keys for all menus and can be turned on or off. 5. Unlimited userLog capacity. 6. Unlimited message capacity. 7. Unlimited file capacitiy. 8. Online programs that are written in AREXX and are compatible with a an already large existing library of games. 9. Xmodem, Xmodem CRC, Ymodem Batch, and Zmodem file transfers. 10. Access levels and access decriptions are customizable by the SYSOP. 11. All text files are customizable by the SYSOP. 12. Menu commands are customizable by the SYSOP. 13. Quick and smooth operations. 14. Auto-maintance mode. 15. Multible Nodes (multi-users online). 16. Multitasking friendly. 17. Much Much More... 1.3 Registration of Trinity BBS As a non-registered SYSOP of Trinity BBS, you many copy, use, and run the BBS for a short time period. During this period you can decide if you would like to register as a Trinity BBS SYSOP. Un-registered copies of BBS are identical to registered copies except there is a40 user limit for the BBS. Which means only 40 new users are accepted. After you reach this 40 user limit you should register your copy. To register Trinity BBS, fill out the registration sheet (REGSHEET) or include the information on the sheet on a seperate piece of paper and send the shareware registration fee of $49.95 to : Trinity BBS c/o Rodney Martin 5501 Northcutt PL Dayton, OH 45414 (513)890-6992 Trinity BBS Headquarters Please send checks or money orders only and make them payable to Rodney Martin. After being a registered SYSOP you will have the right to receive updates of the BBS via Trinity Headquarters BBS or U.S. mail. Downloading updates is free but there is a $5 shipping and handling charge for U.S. Mail. The complete Trinity BBS source code can also be purchased for $195.95. 1.4 Un-registered Versions UN-REGISTERED versions of this BBS may be freely distributed and encourage to do so. This program may be distributed via any distribution service as long as the distribution fee is under $5 per disk. Please by pass any restrictions on registered version. These restrictions to not apply for un-registered version. 1.5 Registered Versions REGISTERED versions of this program can only be used on a single computer at a time. You may not distribute registered copies of the program to others. You may modify or translate the program for person use only, and only in accordance with all other parts of this agreement, unless prior written permission has been given by the author stateing otherwise. YOU MANY NOT USE, COPY, MODIFY, OR TRANSFER THE PROGRAM, DOCUMENTATION, OR ANY OTHER COPY, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT. You may make copies of REGISTERED versions of the program for back-up purposes only. You must reproduce and include the orginal copyright notice on the back-up copy. You may transfer the original product to another party if the other party completes and returns a registration sheet to the author and stateing the transfer agreement. If you transfer the program, you must at the same time transfer all back-ups to the other party. 1.6 Copyright The program and its related documentation are copyrighted. You may only copy and distribute UN-REGISTERED versions of the program. REGISTERED versions may not be copied except for back-up purposes and to load the program into the computer as part of executing the program. All other copies of the program and its documentation are in violation of this agreement. YOU MAY NOT REMOVE THE COPYRIGHT NOTICES AT ANY TIME. 1.7 Program Warranty The author of this software warrants the disk on which the program is furnished to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of 90 days from the date of delivery to you as evidence by the shipping records. To obtain a warranty service or replacement, you must deliver the defective unit prepaid to the author. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ON THE DISK IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. The program and its documentation (software) are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Should the program or documentation prove defective, you (and not the author, dealer, distributer, or representative) must assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repair. Further, the author does not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations regarding the use of quality, correctness, accuracy, reliability, currentness, or otherwise, and you rely on the program and results solely at your own risk. The author does not warrant that the program or documentation will meet your requirements or that the operation of the program will be uninterrupted or error free. 1.8 Update And Customer Support Policy In order to be able to obtain any customer support or updates of this program, you must be a registered SYSOP. If the author is aware of breech of any part of the REGISTERED SYSOP agreement by you, he is under no obligation to make available to you any customer support or updates to the program. Updates and Customer Support may be obtained on The Trinity BBS Headquarters at 513-890-6992 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, and 300-2400 Bps. 1.9 Acknowledgement You acknowledge that you have read this agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions by signing and mailing the enclosed registration sheet and registration shareware fee. You also agree that this agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of prior agreements between the parties and supercedes all proposals or prior agreements, verbal or written, and any other communications between the parties relating to the subject matter of this agreement. Should you have any questions concerning this agreement, please contact the author in writing. PART 2 HARDWARE CONFIGURATION This section will assist you in choosing the correct computer equipment for use with Trinity BBS. You shouldn't have many-if any problems with devices connected to the Amiga computer. 2.1 Computers Trinity BBS will correctly run on all current models of the Amiga computer, including the A500, A1000, A2000, A2500, A3000. It will work with either KickStart V1.3 or V2.0. 2.2 Modems Trinity BBS uses the Hayes compatible AT (attention) command set. You must use a modem that supports this command set. Any baud rate will work with this BBS. 2.3 Disk Drives Trinity BBS requires at least two 3 1/2 inch disk drives. Hard drives are not required but HIGLY recemmended! If you do tend to run the BBS with only floppy drives, please expect a slower execution. Hard drives will speed the BBS up to its full potention, not too mention more disk space. 2.4 Memory Requirements Trinity BBS requires at least 1 MEG of memory, but 1.5 or more MEGS is recemmended, expecially for multi-nodes and large online programs. 2.5 Micro-Proccessor And Enhancer Boards Trinity BBS should work with all current Micro-Processor chips and Enhancer boards. When running multi-nodes, it is wise to use a faster micro-processor, expecially with heavy multi-tasking. PART 3 SETTING UP A TRINITY BULLETIN BOARD The primary goal you must think about when first setting up your BBS is to set it up so that it fits your needs and interests. Trinity BBS can be customized anyway you as the SYSOP would like it to be. You will need a text file editor and/or an ANSI text editor, such as Qed and Ansi Master. This documentation expect that you have an average knowledge of Amiga Dos. If you do not, please study the Amiga Dos manual before continuing. 3.1 Quick Demonstration Setup The original archived disk is already setup as a demonstration BBS. To examine this setup and to examine how Trinity BBS operations, just insert the disk into DF0: and reboot. This demonstration setup has 3 users, the first user being the SYSOP with a password of TRINITY. To log on press the space bar once the waiting for a call screen opens. This will then display the login screen. Enter either a 1 or SYSOP as the user name or account number. For the password, enter TRINITY. This setup includes 3 message areas, 2 file libraries with 5 file areas in the first library and 3 libraries in the second, 0 bulletin files, and 1 online game. Feel free to do as you wish with this setup to get aquainted to the way Trinity BBS operates before continueing to setup your own BBS. 3.2 Installing Trinity BBS You must now decide where to store the required files for Trinity BBS. I will expect that you are using a hard drive. All examples will purtain to hard disk device DH0:. You must make a main BBS directory on DH0:. Example : makedir dh0:TrinityBBS Inside this directory you will be making several other directories : Make a directory to store Messages : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/msgarea Make a directory to store File Transfers : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/filearea NOTE : this directory does not actually have to hold the files being transfer but it will hold file libraries, file areas, and file lists and information. Make a directory to store E-Mail Messages : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/email Make a directory to store New Files : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/news Make a directory to store Configuration Files : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/configuration Make a directory to store Bulletin Files : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/bulletins Make a directory to store Online Programs : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/olp Make a directory to store UserLog Files : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/userlog Make a directory to store Text Files : Example : makedir dh0:trinitybbs/text Now you must create a Boot script file. Examine the script file on the original disk named BootBBS. This script file is to be executed or inserted into your startup sequence before the BBS can be ran. This script loads up AREXX and other utilities. You must include these utilites in this script and assign all directories to their device names. Example Script : C:STACK 40000 'Sets Stack Size Required For Trinity C:FF IBM8.Font 'Fast Fonts Program And Uses IBM.Font C:REXXMAST 'Starts Up AREXX For Online Programs C:MOUNT AUX 'Mount Aux Device C:MOUNT PIPE 'Mount Pipe Device C:ASSIGN T: RAM: C:ASSIGN TRINITY: DH0:trinitybbs 'Assign device Trinity: to the directory you created. 'Now you must assign devices to all the directories you created. C:ASSIGN MSGAREA: TRINITY:msgarea C:ASSIGN FILEAREA: TRINITY:filearea C:ASSIGN EMAIL: TRINITY:email C:ASSIGN NEWS: TRINITY:news C:ASSIGN CONFIGURATION: TRINITY:configuration C:ASSIGN BULLETINS: TRINITY:bulletins C:ASSIGN OLP: TRINITY:olp C:ASSIGN USERLOG: TRINITY:userlog C:ASSIGN TEXT: TRINITY:text The reason I used assign devices instead of just plain path locations is because this way it is easier for you to transfer an area or directory to a different device. All you would have to do is copied the require path onto the new device and change the new assignment without having to worry about changing a large configuraiton file over and over. Once you complete the path, device, and script editing, you must copy all files from the orginal Trinity disk that are in the c directory to your C:, the libs directory to your LIBS:, the fonts directory to your FONTS:, the l directory to your L:, and the devs directory to your DEVS:. You will also need to copy all files that are on the root directory of the original disk to your main directory or TRINITY:. You may and should also copy all the files in the text and configuration directories to your TEXT: and CONFIGURATION:. You can edit these files later. 3.3 Using The Trinity BBS Configuration Utility Inclosed in the Trinity BBS package is a configuration program called "TrinityUtility." After executing your Boot script run TrinityUtility. This program will check and see if you have a configuration already created, if so it will load it into memory, otherwise it will be set to the defualt configration. This program is broken into to two different configurations. The first is your Main Configuration, which holds important information about your BBS and holds true for all nodes. The second is your Node Configuration. You must edit a node configuration for all nodes you intend to run includeing node 0 (Local Node, No Serial Use). 3.4 The Main Configuration To edit the Main Configuration, select Main Configuration from the menu items. You must answer all of these questions before saving the configuration : BBS Name : This is where you may name your BBS. SYSOP's Handle : This is the handle of the SYSOP. All feedback will go to the Email location of this handle. So you must use this handle as the handle the SYSOP will use on the BBS. Total Nodes : Enter the total number of nodes (number of phone lines) you will be using on your BBS. Note the more nodes you have the more RAM you will need. Also, Node 0 is not included in this list since it is a local node only. For a one phone line BBS enter a 1. Participation Credits These are awarded to users when they write messages. OLP Credits : This is the amount of Online Program Credits a user receives for every 80 character line of a message he/she writes a message. DOWNLOAD Credits : This is the amount of Download Credits a user receives for every 80 character line of a message he/she writes. Defaults This are the defualts the BBS will use for a certain action, most can be toggled as a menu item on the BBS either YES or NO. Allow New Users : If this is set to YES, the BBS will accept new user log ons. Note it is auto-maticly set to NO when an unregistered BBS already has 40 users. SYSOP In : If this is set to YES, the BBS will page the SYSOP otherwise it will tell the user that the SYSOP is unavailble and if he/she wishes to leave feedback. UD Closed : If this is set to YES, the BBS will not allow any user to enter the file areas. MSG Closed : If this is set to YES, the BBS will not allow any user to enter the message areas. OLP Closed : If this is set to YES, the BBS will not allow any user to enter the Online Programs Section. After you have answered all of these questions, select the menu item SAVE under Project. This will save the Main Configuration. 3.5 The Node Configuration To edit your node configuration, select Node Configuration from the Utility Options menu item. The first window to pop up will ask you the number of the Node you wish to configure. If you enter a 0, this will be for the Local Node only. Even though it will ask you serial information, they will not be used on Node 0. The Next window will be a series of questions concerning the serial information for the node you selected. Serial Device : Enter the name of the serial device you wish to use for this Node. For the internal serial device, you would enter "serial.device". Multi-serial cards will have their own serial device, please contact your serial card manual for the apropriet device to use. Serial Device Unit : Enter the device unit for the serial.device you are going to use. For the internal serial.device and an external modem, you would enter "0". Again, multi-serial cards will have their own unit configuration. Maximum Baud Rate : Enter the Maximum Baud of your modem. This will also be the baud rate the BBS will open the serial port, example : Supra 2400 will be 2400. Modem Init String : Enter the initialization string for your modem. This string will be sent during the reseting of the BBS. Example ATE0M0Q0X2V0S0=0 would be used for the Supra 2400. You must turn off echo (E0), set the ring number to 0 (S0=0), turn off verbus commands (V0), and turn on extend commands (X2). Modem OFF-Hook String : Enter the off-hook string for your modem. This string will be sent when a local call is set. Example ATH1 would be used for the Supra 2400. Total Screen Colors : This is the total number of screen colors you would like to be used on this node. The lower the number the smoother and faster the node will operate. Valid values are 4,8,16. MinBaud To Logon : Enter the lowest baud rate and user may use to even logon. MinBaud To Download : Enter the lowest baud rate a user may use to download files. MinBaud To Upload : Enter the lowest baud rate a user may use to upload files. After You are finished configuring this node, use the save option under the project menu item to save the node's configuration. You may now continue editing another node's configuration. PART 4 EDITING TEXT FILES Trinity BBS uses several different text files including, menu files, logon/logoff files, new user files, intros, ect. You may use an text editor or Ansi editor for creating or editing these files. I recemmend Ked and Ansi Master for editing text files. The format for most text files is as follows : FILENAME.Ttcc Filename is the name of the text file, LOGIN for example. The .T is the terminal and column number of the current user. "t" is either 1 for ASCII or 2 for ANSI depending on the type of terminal the user is using. "cc" stands for the total columns or characters the user has on his terminal screen it will be either 40 or 80 columns. Example : LOGIN.T280 = Text file LOGIN for a user with ANSI and 80 columns. LOGOFF.T140 = Test file LOGOFF for a user with only ASCII and 40 columns. If the BBS can not find a text file with the correct terminal specifications it will try to locate the default which is T280 (ANSI 80 columns). You may also add and access level restriction to the file or an extention of ".Aaa" to the filename. Example : LOGIN.T280.A10 If a user with an access level of 10 or higher is online, the text file will be displayed with a .A10 extention. Note : you must add this extention to all terminal extentions of the file so all users with that access level with any terminal specification will be view the same file. Examples : WELCOME.T280.A10 WELCOME.T240.A10 WELCOME.T180.A10 4.1 Files In The Text Directory You must create or edit the following files that are located in the text directory : (Not they all most have a terminal specification extention ".Ttcc" and, but not required, an access level extention ".Aaa") LOGIN This file will be displayed as soon as someone logins before the account number or username prompt. WELCOME This file will be displayed when someone completely logs in by either as a new user or by correctly entering username/account number and password. LOGOFF This file will be displayed when logs off or is forced off the system. NEWUSER This file will be displayed when a new user calls. MAINMENU This is the Main Menu Text File. It will display all the available commands for the Main Menu. MSGMENU This is the Message Area Menu Text File. It will display all the available commands for the Message Areas. FILEMENU This is the File Area Menu Text File. It will display all the available commands for the File Areas. EMAILMENU This is the E-Mail Area Menu Text File. It will display all the available commands for the E-Mail Area. SYSOPMENU This is the SYSOP Options Text File. It will display all the available commands for the SYSOP Options. HELP-EDITOR This file will be displayed when a user issues "?" while using the message text editor. 4.2 Intro Text Files There are several areas of the BBS that offer Intros. This Intros are text files that will be displayed when a user enters a certain message area, file area, OLP area, ect. They are to be edited the same way any other text file is to be editing including all extentions. Not Intros are not required to be created/edited. They just spice up areas of the BBS. The FileName for all Intro Text Files is just plain "INTRO" and extensions of course. But they must be inside the correct directory of the area the intro is to be viewed. Example : An intro for Message Areas would be "MSGAREA:Intro.T280" Example : An intro for a Message Area called "General Messages" would be "MSGAREA:General Messages/Intro.T280" Example : An intro for File Areas would be "FILEAREA:Intro.T280" Example : An intro for a File Library called "Amiga Files" Would be : "FILEAREA:Amiga Files/Intro.T280" Example : An intro for a File Area called "Utilities" which is inside the "Amiga Files" Library would be- "FILEAREA:Amiga Files/Utilities/Intro.T280" Example : An intro for an Online Program Directory called "Brain Games" would be "OLP:Brain Games/Intro.T280" 4.3 Bulletin Text Files All Bulletin Files are located in "BULLETINS:". Bulletins do not use filename extentions. See Bulletins Section for more information. PART 5 LOADING AND RUNNING TRINITY BBS This section will describe how to load and run Trinity BBS and the main screen options. You should have the system completely configured by now, or otherwise unpredictable errors may occur. 5.1 Loading The BBS Trinity can not be ran from Workbench, therefore you will need a cli opened to run Trinity BBS. "CD" to the TRINITY: directory and type "RUN TRINITYBBS". NOTE : If a Node is already loaded and running a new node will be loaded and ran until the last node is used, then Node 0 will be loaded and ran. If all Nodes, including 0, is running the command will abort back to cli. When a Node is loaded it will load the Main Configuration into memory and its very own Node Configuration. You should of created both of these using the TrinityUtility program. It will also load in the Menu Command Configurations. (See Editing and Adding Commands). 5.2 Awaiting For A Call The BBS will constantly check the serial port for a ring. If it detects a ring the BBS will send the "ATA" command to the modem, which means the modem will send an answer tone. At this time the BBS will wait for a carrier. If a carrier is present the BBS will adjust its baud rate to the incomming baud rate and log the user online, otherwise after a few seconds the BBS will reset and wait for calls once again. 5.3 Trinity Menu Items Trinity BBS uses the following Menu Items : SYSTEM OPTIONS : Terminal : Selecting this will load & run Trinity BBS's External Terminal Program. Logon : Selecting this or pressing the space bar will initiate a local logon. Quick Logon : Selecting this will initiate a SYSOP local logon. Account #1 will be used and will bypass initial logon procedures. Send ATA : Selecting this will force the BBS to send an "ATA" without waiting first for a ring detection. Reset : Selecting this will RESET the BBS if needed. Do Maintenance : Selecting this will force the BBS to do auto- maintenance even if it is not 12:00am (00:00:00 hrs) Shut Down : Selecting this will cause the current Node to close down, freeing all memory used. ENVIRONMENT : Status Window : Selecting this will open or close the status window. SySop Options : Selecting this will force the BBS to go to SYSOP options. If a user is online it will notify the user that the SYSOP is doing maintance. All output will go to the local screen only until SYSOP options has been exited. SySop In : Selecting this will toggle the SYSOP In Default a check mark = YES. (See Main Configuration) UD Closed : Selecting this will toggle the UD Closed Default. MSG Closed : Selecting this will toggle the MSG Closed Default. OLP Closed : Selecting this will toggle the OLP Closed Default. USER OPTIONS : Chat Mode On/Off : Selecting this will enter chat mode. You can chat with the current online user. Selecting it again or ESC will exit. Force Logff : Selecting this will force the current user off the system. Incr Time +10 : Selecting this will add 10 minutes to the current user's time limit. Note this will not have an effect if midnight maintenance is near. Decr Time -10 : Selecting this will subtract 10 minutes from the current user's time limit. Incr Access +1 : Selecting this will increace the current users access level by 1. Decr Access -1 : Selecting this will decrease the current user's access level by 1. 5.4 Status Window The status window displays information about the current user or the last user online. It also will display satus information on what the BBS is currently doing, example Awaiting For A Call, Maintenance, ect... The status window may be open or closed via its menu item. 5.5 Logging On The BBS When a caller logs in or a local call occurs, the BBS will go to the logon section. The user will be asked if he/she would like to log on using ANSI. Afterwards, the LOGIN test file will be displayed. Next, the user will be instructed to enter his/her account number or username and password or NEW for new user. The user will get five tries to correctly login, otherwise he/she will be forced off the system. 5.6 New User Log On When a new user calls (which even you will have to during your first call) the BBS will initiate the new user application process. The text file NEWUSER will be displayed at this time and several questions will be asked. He/She should answer these questions truthfully before you should give them access. The new user access level is always 0. PART 6 MAIN MENU This section will describe all options and features available at the Main Menu. Some options require a higher access level than others. I will use the default commands but you can edit or add commands (See Editing And Adding Commands). 6.1 Main Menu Commands (G) GoodBye Or Logoff When the user presses "G", he/she will be sent to the logoff section. He/she will be asked if he/she is sure that he/she wants to logoff and whether or not he/she would like to leave the SYSOP feedback before logging off. The LOGOFF text file will be displayed and all the user's new stats will be saved. (M) Enter The Message Areas This command will take the user to the Message Area section. Trinity uses a very sophisticated message handling routine. In this section users can post and read public messages. (F) Enter The File Transfer Areas This command will take the user to the File Transfers Section. (E) Enter The Electronic Mail Section This command will take the user to the E-Mail (Private Messages) Section of the BBS. (B) Enter The Bulletins Or Text Files Section This command will take the user to the Bulletins Section where he/she may read text files. (O) Enter The Online Programs Section This command will take the user to the Online Programs Section. He/she can play games and other online programs. (U) Userlog List This command will display a list of all the users on the BBS. It will display their name, location (city & State), computer, and the last time they called. (C) Page The SYSOP For Chat This command will first ask the user why he/she is wanting to chat with the sysop? Next it will, check the status of the SYSOP In default. If it is set to false (no) it will tell the user that the SYSOP is not available and ask if he/she would like to leave the SYSOP feedback. If it is true (yes) it will play a digitized IFF file (filename TRINITY:Pager.SND) and open a window displaying the reason for chat. The SYSOP may break into chat mode by using the menu item under User Options. (L) Leave The Sysop Feedback This command will allow the user to leave the SYSOP a feedback message. Feedback is always mailed to the SYSOP username that you entered in the Main Configuration. (T) Time Information This command will display to the user information about his time limit. It will display his access level, the time he/she logged on, the time he/she logged off, and the amount time remaining. (P) Password Change This command will allow the user to change his user account password. ($) Edit Profile This command will allow the user to edit his/her user profile which includes his name, address, phone number, ect. (#) Edit Terminal Paramaters This command will allow the user to edit his/her terminal paramaters that are being used on the BBS which include terminal type, columns, rows, hotkeys, ect. (*) Sysop Options This command will take the user to the SYSOP OPTIONS. (N) Change New Item Date This command allows the user to change his/her last new item date. This date is used when reading new messages, listing new files, ect. The user is also asked if he/she would like to edit this date during these operations. PART 7 MESSAGE AREA Trinity uses very sophisticated routines in handling messages. Messages are saved in a sequential order - The original post which starts out the topic and then it's replies. These are stored in one file which saves time and directory space. This also makes it easier for the reader to understand what is being read without getting confused on what someone is replying to. 7.1 Message Menu Commands (Q) Quit Back To The Main Menu This command will take the user back to the main menu. (G) GoodBye Loggoff See main menu commands. (C) Chat With The SYSOP See main menu commands. (R) Read Messages This command will allow the user to read messages in the current message area. The user will be asked if he/she would like to read (F)orward, (N)ew, Or (G)lobal. Global will read messages in all joined areas and also with a choice of forward or new. See reading messages. (P) Post A Message In The Current Area This command will allow the user to post a new message topic in the current area. This message may then be able to receive replys. See posting messages. (S) Scan Messages This command will allow the user to scan messages in the current message area. The user will be asked if he/she would like to scan messages (F)orward, (N)ew, or (G)lobal. Global will scan messages in all joined areas and also with a choice of forward or new. The user will be showed the topic of the message group and will be asked if he/she would like to read this message group. See reading messages. (J) Join/UnJoin current area This command will allow the user to join or unjoin (if joined) the current message area. If a user does not have an interest in a certain message area, he/she can unjoin it and it will not be used during a global read or scan. (L) List Message Group Topics This command will display a list of all the message group topics in the current area. It will display the message group #, it's total replys, the original post's author, the topic of the message group, and the date it was last replied. (A) Change Message Areas This command will allow the user to change to a different message area. All message areas that the user has access to enter will be displayed. An astrix will be displayed with all joined areas. (E) Add/Edit Message Areas This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to add a new message area or edit the current message area. See adding and editing message areas. 7.2 Reading Messages When reading messages the user has a choice of forward read, new read, or global read. Forward reading will view all messages starting from message group 1 to the last message group in the area. Reading new will view only the message groups that have new replies since the last time the user called. The user will be asked if he/she would like to change their read new date before proceeding with the new read. Global reading will read messages either forward or new in every joined message area starting from the first available message area to the last. While the user is reading messages he/she will come across several reading commands. And they area : (R) Reply This allows the user to add a new reply to the current message group he is reading. Note : There are a limit to 100 replys per message group to save time when reading new messages. The user will be asked who this reply is to be address to. If the user presses return at this prompt, the name of the current read reply will be used. Next, the user will be brought to the text editor. See Trinity Text Editor. (N) Next This will continue to the next reply in the current message group or to the next message group if all the replys have been read. If the user has reached the end of the message groups in the current area and is reading global he/she will be asked if he/she would like to Post a new message topic in the current area or Quit Reading Here. (B) Beginning This will transfer the user to the beginning of the current message group or reply #0 (original post) and then will continue reading from there on to the end of the message group. (J) Jump This will allow the user to move (jump) to a certain reply number of the current message group. This is usefull if the user gets confused or lost in the conversation and would like to go back a few replys to get caught up on what is being said. (S) Skip This will allow the user to skip the current message group and go to the next. This is usefull if the user is not interested in the conversation that is going on with the current message group topic. (Q) Quit This will allow the user to quit reading messages. If the user is reading messages via global, then the BBS will continue onto the next message area. 7.3 Posting Messages When posting messages, the user is actually starting a new message topic in the current message area. Other users may reply to this message and it's replys. This is how conversations are started. The user will be asked the name of the user this message is to be posted to or ALL. Next, the user will be asked the Title or Topic of the message. If the user has access, he/she will be asked whether to post anonymously or with an alias. The user will the be brought to the text editor. See Trinity Text Editor. 7.4 Trinity Text Editor Trinity BBS uses a built in text editor that has some pretty useful features : * Inserting Lines * Deleting Lines * Editing Lines * Read output as will be viewed * List output as entered with line numbers * Allows Parsar Commands (See Parsar Commands) * Word Wrap When using the editor for posting and replying messages the user will be rewarded with a certain amount of download and olp credits per line of text based on the information in the Main Configuration. 7.5 Adding Message Areas Trinity BBS supports up to 99 different message areas. Each message area cna have an unlimited amount of messages. When adding a new message area the user (usually SYSOP) must answer several questions : Area Title : 'Enter the name of this new message area here. Access Level : 'Enter an access level required before even seeing this area on the list or 0 for everyone. Password : 'Enter a password if you wish a password to be required before entering this area. Press RETURN for none. Youngest Age To Enter : 'Enter an age minimum to enter this area or 0 for everyone. Oldest Age To Enter : 'Enter an age maximum to enter this area or 0 for everyone. Auto-Deletion Months : 'Enter the number of months before a message group is auto-deleted by maintenance. The date it uses is the last date the group was replied to. Enter 0 for never allowing messages to be auto-deleted. PART 8 E-MAIL AREA E-Mail (Electronic Mail) is a private message area where users can send and receive private messages to and from other users. Users will be notified of email waiting during the initial login. 8.1 E-Mail Menu Commands (S) Send Someone E-Mail This command will allow the user to send other users E-Mail. (R) Read Your E-Mail This command will check to see if the current user has E-mail and allow him/her to view email waiting. See Reading E-Mail. (A) Read All E-Mail (usually SYSOP) This command will allow the user to read all E-Mail on the system. The user will be ask to read new mail only which will only display email that has been mailed since his/her last new item date. This date can be changed since it will ask the user if he/she would like to change it. See Reading E-Mail. NOTE : Deleting other users E-Mail may cause complications in the way the BBS handles E-Mail and should be used with caution! (Q) Quit To The Main Menu This command will take the user back to the Main Menu. (G) GoodBye or Logoff See Main Menu Commands (C) Page SYSOP For Chat See Main Menu Commands (U) View UserLog This command will allow the user to view the userlog in case he/she forgets the exact username of the user he/she would like to send E-Mail. 8.2 Reading E-Mail Reading E-Mail on Trinity BBS is a quick and easy process. A users E-Mail will be displayed and deleted after he/she reads it unless he/she decides to keep it for some reason. There are a few commands the user has while reading messages and they are : (A) Again This command will allow the user to view the current E-Mail over again. (K) Keep This command will keep the current E-Mail message and will not delete it. This is useful if the user does not have time to reply at the present but may keep it and reply to it on his/her next call. (R) Reply This command will allow the user to reply to the current E-Mail message. The new E-Mail message will be sent to the user the current E-Mail message is from. (Q) Quit This command will allow the user to stop reading his/her E-Mail and can continue reading them later. Part 9 FILE TRANSFER AREA Trinity BBS uses very sophisticated routines for handling file transfers. The BBS uses external protocols including Xmodem, Xmode CRC, Ymodem Batch, and Zmodem. Other external protocols will be added to new versions of the BBS as they come available. Trinity can handle 99 file libraries and each of these libraries can have 99 different file areas. As soon as a user enters the file transfers section he/she will be asked to choose a file library. At this prompt a SYSOP command is available to Add or Edit File Libraries. See Adding File Libraries. 9.1 File Transfer Menu Commands (A) Change To A Different File Area This command will allow the user to change to a new accessable file area in the current file library. To change to a new file library the user must exit the file transfers section and re-enter. (S) Scan All File Areas This command will allow the user to Scan all File Areas in the current File Library. The user has a choice to only display new files in the areas. See Viewing File Lists (L) List Files In Current File Area This command will allow the user to List files in the current file area. The user has a choice to only display new files. See Viewing File Lists. (B) Browes Files This command will allow the user to get a detailed information list off all files in the current area. The user has a choice of browesing new files only. See File Information (R) Read Info On A File This command will allow the user to get detailed information on a file. The user will be asked the filename or the file # of the file to get information on. See File Information (P) Protocol Change This command will allow the user to change the current protcol being used. The default is Zmodem. (D) Download File(s) This command will allow the user to download (Receive) a file or files in a batch transfer. See Downloading Files. (U) Upload File(s) This command will allow the user to upload (Send) a file or files in a batch transfer. See Uploading Files. (Y) View Your File Status This command will display to the user, his/her current U/D status on the system. It will display the total of files and Kbytes he/she has uploaded and downloaded, remaining credits, remaining time, ect. (Q) Quit To Main Menu This command will return the user back to the Main Menu. (G) Goodbye or Logoff See Main Menu. (C) Page SYSOP For Chat See Main Menu. (E) Edit/Add File Areas This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to be able to add a new file area to the current file library or edit the current area. See Adding File Areas. (O) Odopt Files This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to odopt (add) files to the current file area's file list. The file must be already in the directory of the file area, eg - FileArea:Amiga Files/Utilities/Files 9.2 View File Lists The way the list of files in a current area are display as : +1 ToolLib.lzh 71k Library For Programs, Useful Routines 10-26-1991 ab c d e f a : This is the type of file. "+" = SYSOP Favorite : The SYSOP usually likes this file and gives high respect for it. "*" = Free Download : The SYSOP has made this file a free download meaning it will not take any credits to download. A Blank Space means it is a regular file. b : This is the file number of the file. c : This is the file name of the file. New Files will be displayed in bold and unvalidated files will be displayed in italics. d : This is the actual size of the file in Kbytes. It is also the amount of UD Credits required to be able to download this file unless of course it is a free download. e : This is the short description of the file. A Longer description may be viewed by reading information on the file. f : This is the date the file was uploaded, edited, or odopted. Once the the user has reached the end of the file list or the screen has been full with files he/she will be given a set of commands : (N) NonStop This command will allow the user to view the list without any command interruptions even if the screen is full until the end of the list. (Q) Quit This command will take the user back to the File Menu. (M) Mark This command will allow the user to mark a file for download. The user will be asked either the file number or filename of the file he/she wishes to mark. Note : Xmodem users can only mark one file at a time. (C) Continue This command will continue with the list of files. (D) Download This command will allow the user to download his/her marked files as well as mark more files. Note : Xmodem users can only download 1 file at a time. See Downloading Files. 9.3 File Information A file's information is displayed during browesing of files or when the read information on a file command is in use. Several pieces of information is displayed about the file to the user and these include : File Number : 1 Validated a b Downloaded : 36 times c File Name : ToolLib.lzh d Length : 72850 Bytes e Extimated Time : 1 Min(s) at 9600 Baud f Credits Needed : 71 g Uploaders Name : ACTION h Date Uploaded : 10-26-1991 i Description : Library For Programmers, Useful Routines j This is a really neat library. It supports several usefull routines. All Programmers should check it out. k a : This is the file number of the file b : This is the status of the file. It will be either Validated, Unvalidated, or a SYSOP Favorite. NOTE : Users can not downloaded unvalidated files. c : This is the total number of times the file was downloaded. This is useful to a user so he can know if the file is a popular download or not. d : This is the file name of the file. e : This is the actually length of the file in bytes. f : This is the extimated time it will take for a user at his/her baud rate to download. g : This is the total number of credits that are required to download this file. It may also display * Free Download *, which means that the SYSOP has decided to make this file free to all users to download. h : This is the username of the user who orginally uploaded this file. i : This is the date the file was uploaded, edited, or odopted. j : This is the short description of the file. k : This is the long description of the file which also may contain comments from other users. The user has a choice of several commands at this point : (V) Validate This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to validate the file. This is will toggle from unvalidated to validated, from validated to SYSOP favorite, and from SYSOP favorite back to unvalidated. (E) Edit This command will allow the user to edit the description of the file and also be able to make it a free download. (*) Move This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to move the file to a different file area. (K) Kill This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to delete the file from the file list. (Q) Quit This command will take the user back to the File Menu. (M) Mark This command will allow the user to mark the file for download. Note Xmodem users can only mark one file at a time. (D) Download This command will allow the user to download the file. See Downloading Files. (N) Next This command will continue onto the next file during a browes or back to the file menu during a read file info command. (C) Comment This command will allow the user to add a comment to the file. The user may write how much he/she liked or disliked the file. 9.4 Downloading Files Trinity BBS allows batch file transfers as well as single file transfers. The user will be asked the files to download. Hitting return on a blank filename will bring a list of all the files that are marked for downloading. If these files exceed the users time limit or the amount of download credits he/she has, he/she will be informed and the BBS will not allow the download unless some files are removed and they fit the time limit and credits. At this point the user will be given a set of commands: (A) Abort This command will abort the download and bring the user back to the file menu. (R) Remove This command will allow the user to remove some files from the list to lower the amount of time and credits needed. (P) Protocol This command will allow the user to change his/her protocol before starting the download. (S) Start This command will actually instate the download process. An external protocol window will come up and the file transfer will begin. 9.5 Uploading Files Trinity BBS uses batch (multible) file transfers as well as single file transfers. During an xmodem (single) file transfer the user will be asked the file name of the file to upload. During batch transfers (Zmodem, Ymodem, ect.) the user will not be asked for a file name since these protocols send the filename automaticly. The user will be given the amount of free disk space before uploading and will have a choice of commands : (A) Abort This command will abort the upload and take the user back to the file menu. (P) Protocol This command will allow the user to change his/her protocol before continueing with the upload. (S) Start This command will start the upload process. An external file transfer window will open and the file transfer will begin. Once the file transfer has finished the user will be asked to describe the file(s) he/she uploaded. 9.6 Adding File Libraries Trinity BBS supports up to 99 file libraries. This libraries will hold as many as 99 different file areas. Some examples of file libraries are : Amiga Files, IBM Files, Machintosh Files, ect. The user (usually SYSOP) will be asked several questions when adding a new library : Library Name : 'This will be the name of the new library. Access Level : 'This is the access level required before being able to see this library. Password : 'Enter a password if you would like a password required to enter or press return for none. Youngest Age To Enter : 'Enter an age minimum for someone to enter this file library or 0 for all. Oldest Age To Enter : 'Enter an age maximum for someone to enter this file library or 0 for all. Next, the user will be asked to if he/she would like to add this new file library. If Yes, the file library will be added to the list and is ready to have it's file areas added. 9.7 Adding File Areas Trinty BBS supports up to 99 file libraries and each of these libraries can have as many as 99 file areas. Some examples of some file areas in a file library called Amiga Files area : Games, Utilities, Misc Programs, Communications, ect. The user (usually SYSOP) will be asked several questions when adding a new file area : File Area Name : 'Enter the name of the new file area here. Access Level : 'This is the access level required for being able to see this file area. Password : 'Enter a password if you would like a password asked before entering this area. Youngest Age To Enter : 'Enter an age minimum before for someone to enter this new file area or 0 for all. Path Location Of Files : 'Enter the location that you wish the files of this area are to be stored. Note a default is given and pressing return will use this default. Deletion Months : 'Enter the amount of months before auto-maintence will auto-delete a file or enter 0 for never. Auto-Validate Files : 'Enter YES if you wish all files in this file area to automaticly be validated at time of upload. Space Minimum : 'Enter the minimum amount of disk space in kbytes allowed before an upload, example 500. Allow Uploading : 'Enter YES if you wish uploads to be allow in this area. Next, the user will be asked if he/she would like to add this new area. If yes, the new file area will be added to the file library's list of areas and it will be ready to receive new files. Part 10 SYSOP OPTIONS Trinity BBS offers a special area for users with SYSOP access or in otherwords with SYSOP privledges set. Some very useful commands are included in the SYSOP options. Expect more commands in future versions or mods. 10.1 SYSOP Menu Commands (U) UserList This command will display a list of users on the system. (E) Edit/View an Account This command will allow the user to view and/or edit a user on the BBS. It will ask for an account number or a username. See Editing Users (A) Edit Users With A Certain Access Level This command will allow the editing of only users with a certain access level. This comes in handy when you would like to edit only new users. It will ask you an access level to search and all users with this account number will be available to edit. See Editing Users (G) Add/Edit an Access Group This command allows the adding or editing of access groups. These groups define an access level. See Access Groups (N) News Writer This command will bring you to the News Writing Area. This area is used for writting news files that are displayed at login. (D) Dos Shell This command will open up a new cli so remote users can issue cli commands... Use caution with this command. (F) File Editor This command will allow the user to edit any text file. It is recommended to use an external editor but this is useful for quick editing. (Q) Quit Back To Main Menu This command will bring the user back to the Main Menu. (V) View System Logs This command will allow the viewing of system logs including Caller Log, Download Log, Upload Log, and Maintenance Log. 10.2 Access Groups Trinity BBS uses access groups or access level descriptions as part of the access level for a user. Each access level has it's own descriptive name and set of privledges and limits. When you change a user's access level the user receives all the privledges and limits that is included in this access level (access group) You should never give a user an access level that has not been defined which means you must define all access groups (levels) even an access level of 0 (new users) must be defined. a filename of ACGROUP.n where n is the access level will be stored in CONFIGURATION:. The sample setup has 4 different examples of access groups. 10.3 Privledges Inside of an access group or user account is an array of privledges which basicly outline the access level. Privledges are either set YES or NO (on/off). These privledges will actually define what the user is allow to do. And they are : *Access Message Areas If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to enter the message areas of the BBS. *Access Download Areas If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to enter the file transfer areas of the BBS. *Access E-Mail Areas If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to enter the E-Mail area of the BBS. *Access On-Line Programs If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to enter the online programs section of the BBS. *Access Bulletin Areas If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to read bulletins. *View UserLog If this privledge is set to NO, the user will not be allowed to view the list of users. *Access Vote Base This is reserved for future modification. *Access SYSOP options L1 If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be allowed SYSOP access level one which includes the ability to enter SYSOP options and edit users accounts but not his/her account and can not view passwords. *Access SYSOP options L2 If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be allowed SYSOP access level two which includes the ability to edit all users completely including passwords. *Access SYSOP options L3 If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be allowed SYSOP access level three which includes the ability to by-pass all level & password protection in all areas of the BBS. *Access SYSOP options L4 If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be allowed SYSOP access level four which includeds the ability to edit anything on the BBS including message areas, file areas, bulletins, news, ect. *Access SYSOP options L5 If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be allowed SYSOP access level five which includes the ability to issue high level parsar commands in messages. (@v, @$0filename@, @#0:command@, ect.) *By-Pass Msg Limits If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass any message posting/replying limits that he/she may have. *By-Pass E-Mail Limits If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass E-Mail posting limits that he/she may have. *By-Pass U/D Limits If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass any Uploading and Downloading limits including credits. *By-Pass Time Limit If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass any time limits that he/she may have. This does not include the forced allocated time for maintenance. Even a SYSOP can't get around this! *By-Pass Call Limit If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass any call limits that he/she may have. *Allowed Anonymous Posts If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to leave anonymous posts and replys. *Allowed Alias Posts If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to use an aliase when posting or replying. *Trace anonymous If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to see who actually posted an anonymous or aliased message. *Read All E-Mail If this privledge is set to YES, the user may be able to read all E-Mail. *Delete Any Message Group If this privledge is set to YES, the user may delete (kill) any message group. *Delete Own Message Group If this privledge is set to YES, the user may delete (kill) any message group that he/she posted. *Delete Any File If this privledge is set to YES, the user may delete (kill) any file in the file transfer areas. *Delete Own File If this privledge is set to YES, the user may delete (kill) any file that he/she uploaded. *Auto-Validate Files If this privledge is set to YES, any file the user uploads will automaticly be validated. *Add Files (odopt) If this privledge is set to YES, the user my odopt files in a file area. *By-Pass OLP Limits If this privledge is set to YES, the user will be able to by-pass OLP credit limits. 10.4 Limits Inside of an access group or user account is an array of limits. These limits will define a users total amount of ability. This limits include : *Calls Per Day This is the amount of calls a user is allowed per day. *Time Limit Per Call This is the amount of time in minutes a user is allowed per call. Note : Midnight maintenance may alter this depending on the time of the call. *Time Limit Per Day This is the amount of time in minutes a user is allowed per day. Note : This should not be smaller than the Time Limit Per Call. This would not make much sence. *Downloads Per Call This is the total amount of files a user may download per call. *Uploads Per Call This is the total amount of files a user may upload per call. *Credit Ratio This is the amount of U/D credits a user receives per Kbyte of an upload. For example, if the the ratio was set to 3 and the user uploaded a file that was 100 Kbytes long, the user would receive 300 credits for the upload. *Msg Limit This is the total amount of messages a user may write per call. *E-Mail Limit This is the total amount of E-Mail a user may post per call. 10.5 Editing Users Editing users on Trinity BBS is fairly simple. You may edit almost everything in a users account. When you are at the editing a user menu you will have the option of several commands and they are : (A) Access Level With this command you may change the access level of the user. When you change the access level, the access group of the new level will be loaded into the users privledges, and limits. You may change this privledges and limits if you wish. (1) User Name You may edit the user's handle with this command. (2) Real Name You may edit the user's real name with this command. (3) Address You may edit the user's address with this command. (4) Voice You may edit the user's voice telephone number with this command. (5) Data You may edit the user's data telephone number with this command. (6) Gender You may edit the user's gender (sex) with this command. (7) Birthdate You may edit the user's birthdate with this command. (P) Password You may change the user's password with this command. (8) Edit Privledges You may edit a user's privledges with this command. See Privledges. (9) Edit Limits You may edit a user's limits with this command. See Limits. (T) Edit Terminal Parameters You may edit a user's terminal parameters (term type, columns, rows, ect.) with this command. (D) Download Credits You may add/subtract a user's download credits with this command. (O) OLP Credits You may add/subtract a user's OLP (On-Line Program) credits with this command. (K) Kill You may delete a user from the BBS with this command. (RETURN) Pressing return will save any updates to the users command and bring you back to the SYSOP menu. PART 11 BULLETINS AREA Trinity BBS uses a special area for information text files. This files can be anything ranging from a list of local BBSs to high scores on an online game. Filenames for bulletins can be anything and do not need file extensions like most other text files on Trinity BBS, since you might want to add a text file that you receive from some other source to include on your BBS. Trinity BBS can handle up to 99 different bulletins. 11.1 Bulletin Commands (K) Kill This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to delete any bulletin that is on the list. (A) Add This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to add a new bulletin to the list. It will ask for a filename and then a description for the file. The description will be displayed in the list. If the filename that was entered is not found, the BBS will allow the user to edit/create the file at this point. (Q) Quit This command will quit the bulletins area and bring the user back to the Main Menu. Entering a number of one of the bulletins listed would display that bulletin to the user. PART 12 ONLINE PROGRAMS AREA Trinity BBS uses AREXX for its online programs (games). This makes it very easy for someone to create their own online programs. Trinity BBS is already compatible with a large existing library of online games and programs created with AREXX. Trinity BBS is 99.9% compatible with existing Cnet Amiga and SkyLine BBS Arexx Pfiles. The only real modifications that would be required is to replace pfiles: with OLP: in filenames and paths. 12.1 Online Program Commands (A) Add This command will allow the user (usually SYSOP) to add a new online program to the list. Several questions will be asked at this point : Will this Be A Directory? If you selected YES the BBS will create a new directory of online programs, which is a whole new list of online programs. This is handy if you would like to have a area of utilities, adventure games, and brain games. File/Dir Name : This is where you would enter the exact filename of the online program (Example Masters Empire) or the directory name (example : Brain Games). Description : This is where you would describe the online program or directory Access Level : Enter an access level that is required to play or run this online program. Note some online games include a maintance program which you use the SYSOP's access level. Credits Needed : Enter the amount of OLP credits that are required to run the online program or enter the directory. Note : You should not make a high amount of credits just to enter a new directory since the online programs that maybe included in this directory can have their own required credits. Note : An * will be displayed on directory listings. 12.2 Using Online Programs In Text Files Online Programs (AREXX SCRIPTS) may also be included in any text file with the @#filename@ parsar command (See Parsar Commands). These online programs will run while displaying a text file, such as a last 10 users program. This is usefull since Trinity BBS has the ability to add new commands to some areas. These commands use text files which may run an online program. See Adding And Editing Commands. 12.3 Supported Trinity BBS AREXX Commands Trinity BBS adds the following commands to AREXX. Please refer to the AREXX User's Reference Manual for creating your own AREXX online programs. GETUSER ## Where ## equals : 1) Handle 2) Password 3) Real Name (First & Last) 4) City & State 5) Zip Code 6) Street Address 7) Time Remaining, In Minutes 9) Data Phone Number 10) Voice Phone Number 11) Last Call Date 12) Current Date & Time 15) Access Level 16) Access Group Name Description 18) Minutes Used Today 21) OLP Credits 22) Total Calls To System (Current User) 23) Current Node 24) Current CPS (Baud Rate / 10, 2400 Baud would be 240cps) 25) UD Credit Ratio 1:n 26) Same As 25 for compatibility 27) Line Length (Rows) 28) Terminal Type 1 = ASCII, 2 = ANSI,3 = C64/C128 CG 40) Account Number Skip numbers are reserved. ADDPOINTS nnnnn Add points (credits) to the user's OLP Credits. ADDTIME nnnnn Adds time to the user's remaining time, in minutes. Note : This will not add time if 12:00am maintenance is near. BUFFERFLUSH Flush serial input buffers if characters are remaining. GETCARRIER Reports status of the carrier detect bit, returns 1 (TRUE) or 0 (FALSE). GETCHAR Get one key/character for user. LOGENTRY "xxxxxxx" Writes "xxxxxx" to the caller log file. MCION This turns on parsar commands (default). MCIOFF This turns off parsar commands. RECEIVE Inputs up to 80 characters from the user. SENDFILE "xxxxxx" Sends a text file named "xxxxxxxx". This should not be used with AREXX scripts that were ran from a text file. SENDSTRING "xxxxxx" Transmits "xxxxxxxx" without a carriage return to the user. TRANSMIT "xxxxx" Transmits "xxxxx" with a carriage return to the user. QUERY "xxxxxx" Same as receive but "xxxxx" is used as a prompt. VERSION Returns the current version of Trinity BBS. EXIT Always use EXIT to exit the arexx file. Trinity BBS does not require an address command while running an AREXX program or script. When a carrier is lost while arexx is running an online program, Trinity BBS will send "###PANIC" to arexx (when using getchar, receieve, or query). The online program should take this command and imediately exit the online program. Otherwise, the online program may never stop even though Trinity BBS has reset, causing a waste of valueable memory. PART 13 PARSAR COMMANDS Trinity BBS uses parsar commands or commonly known as MCI commands in text files, messages, and online programs. Parsar commands will slightly slow down the output, but this is only noticable during a local call. For this reason parsar commands are turned off by default on text files. If you wish to use parsar commands with text files, you must include a "@" and a return at the first line of the text file (See the text file "Welcome.T280" for an example). If the "@" is not found, all parsar commands will be displayed as they were entered. This speeds up high ANSI incripted text files. By default parsar commands are turned on while running an arexx online program, but may be turned off by using the MCIOFF arexx command. Parsar commands may also be used in messages, news, and bulletins. 13.1 PARSAR COMMAND LIST PASAR commands are started with a "@" or a "\". @Bn = Print n bells (beeps, chr(7)) @Cn = Change the characte color to n : 0 = Black 1 = Red 2 = Green 3 = Yellow 4 = Blue 5 = Magneta 6 = Cyan 7 = White Colors 8,9,a,b,c,d,e,f are standard Amiga colors. @F0 = Move cursor to home position. @F1 = Move cursor to home position and clear screen. @G1 = Wait For a Key Press. @Hn = Print n number of backspaces. @Nn = Print n number of carriage returns (lines). @R1 = Set reverse printing on. @R0 = Set reverse printing off. * @Vn = Display a system variable : 0 = Current date/time 1 = User's last call date/time 2 = User's handle 3 = User's real name 4 = User's Phone number 5 = User's password 6 = User's AccessGroup name 7 = Afternoon, Morning, or Evening depending on time 8 = Number of calls to the system 9 = User's Address a = User's City and State b = User's ZipCode or PostalCode c = Time user has remaining d = User's total calls to the system e = Number of files user has downloaded f = Number of files user has uploaded g = Number of bytes user has downloaded h = Number of bytes user has uploaded i = Number of messages user has left j = Time limit allowed per day k = Calls allowed per day l = Downloads allowed per call m = Uploads allowed per call n = UD Credit ratio o = Messages allowed per call p = E-Mail allowed per call q = Time Used Today r = Time Left This call s = Total E-Mail Sent t = Download Credits Left u = OLP Credits Left @Zn = Change background color to n same colors as @Cn. @^n = Move cursor up n lines. @!n = Move cursor down n lines. @>n = Move cursor to the right n spaces. @<n = Move cursor to the left n spaces. @-n = Insert n characters. @@ = Actually Display a "@" \\ = Actually Display a "\" * @*1{filename}@ = Display file with path/filename. Never use in a text file or an arexx script that was ran by a text file. * @#1{filename}@ = Run an AREXX online program from a text file usefull for new commands. * @$1{filename}@ = Send an Amiga Dos Command. Commands with an "*" are SYSOP level 5 parsar commands. Expect more parsar commands in future upgrades. PART 14 Editing And Adding New Commands Trinity BBS give the SYSOP the ability to change and add new commands to the Main Menu, E-Mail Menu, Message Area Menu, File Transfer Area Menu, and the SYSOP Options Menu. In the configuration directory there should be command files for every menu and they area : Commands.Main This is the Main Menu commands. Commands.Email This is the E-Mail menu commands. Commands.Msg This is the Message Area Menu commands. Commands.File This is the File Transfer Area Menu commands. Commands.Sysop This is the SYSOP Options Menu commands. Lets look at the Commands.Main for an example and how to edit and add new commands : G 'LogOff' M 'Message Bases' F 'File TransFers' E 'Electronic Mail' B 'Bulletins Or Text Files' O 'Online Programs' U 'UserLog List' C 'Page SySop For Chat' L 'Leave SySop FeedBack' T 'Time Information' P 'Edit Password' $ 'Edit User Profile' # 'Edit Terminal Params' * 'Sysop Options Menu' N 'Change New Item Date' ? '? = Future Commands ? 'Will Output File MainCommand.x Y 'Your Status (Added Command) ? ? ? ? ? ? ? You may change the actual command for any item, but you must keep it in this order only. Going out of order will confuse the BBS. "?" are for adding new commands (example the "Y" Your status (added command). Every command file has 25 items, so you must include "?" for unused items. 14.1 Adding New Commands To add new commands to a command file, just enter the letter or character of the new command (you may include a remark or description of the command for your records, see above) by replacing one of the "?" with the new command. Next, you must create a text file for that command which may and usually will include the parsar command "@#1{filename}@" to run an AREXX online program. Note you do not need to include the "@" as the first line on this text file as you do in most other text files, to tell the BBS to expect parsar commands since it already expects it for added commands. The text filename for added commands is "MainCommand.x" for the Main Menu- where "x" = the command character, "MsgCommand.x" for the Message Area Menu, "FileCommand.x" for the File Area Menu, "EmailCommand.x" for the E-Mail Area Menu, and "SysopCommand.x" for the SYSOP Options Menu.