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RBBS in a Box Volume 1 #2
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1986-10-15
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RBBS-PC SYSOP SETUP CHECKLIST
another service of the
Central Texas Sysop's Association
For the benefit of the many people who would like to operate an
RBBS-PC system but do not have anyone to 'hold their hand' during
their trials and tribulations of 'doing it the first time'!
Because of the prevalence of hard disk usage these days we have made
the following assumptions about the hardware to be used:
1. IBMPC or XT with a hard disk (previously formatted!)
2. Minimum RAM of 256k
3. Hayes 1200 external modem
4. Dedicated 'voice grade' phone line
SOFTWARE REQUIRED
1. IBM PC-DOS 2.0 or higher to adequately support a hard disk
2. RBBS-PC.EXE - the main program
3. CONFIG.EXE - the setup program
4. RBBS-PC.DOC - the documentation file
5. ALL of the RBBS text files: MENU0 - MENU5, HELP01 - HELP09,
WELCOME, DIR.DIR, xxxxxxxx.DIR, PRELOG, BULLET, BULLETxx
6. A text editor (PE2, WS non-doc, EDLIN, etc.) to create other
useful/needed text files. Your editor MUST be capable of
saving spaces (hex 20's) as characters and not substitute
tab characters for strings of spaces. Those mentioned
above ARE.
7. WATCHDGx.COM - an external carrier monitor prgm. x=COMx:
available from most RBBS-PC systems.
[ ] PRINT A COPY OF THE DOCUMENTATION!
[ ] Have dinner or take a nap while the previous step executes
[ ] Create a sub-directory in which RBBS-PC is to reside
[ ] Change current directory to the newly created directory
CHDIR \RBBS
[ ] Create a sub-directory called NEW for your uploads
[ ] Create any other sub-directories you desire to hold downloads
MKDIR TURBO
MKDIR PATCHES
MKDIR UTILS etc. as sub-directories of C:\RBBS
[ ] Copy RBBS-PC.EXE to the current directory (C:\RBBS should be)
[ ] Copy CONFIG.EXE to the current directory
[ ] Copy all MENU and HELP files to the current directory
[ ] Create a text file which will serve as your bulletins menu
(default = BULLET) using your text editor. Normally, it is
desirable for this to be a single 23-line page or shorter.
This is to serve as a 'menu' for the user to select bulletins
for reading by choosing a number (1-99). Each bulletin file
you create will be named BULLETxx where xx = the number on
this menu file. See illustration at end of this file.
2
[ ] Create a text file for each bulletin you are to have available
BULLET1 BULLET2 ... etc. making certain that the contents of
each corresponds to the indication in the bulletin menu file.
[ ] To support all of the graphics options of RBBS you will need a
separate BULLET file (BULLETG for IBM-ASCII and BULLETC for ANSI
graphics). This naming convention (suffix of G or C) applies
also to the menus and the directory files. If disk space is, or
is anticipated to be, a problem use of only one set of menus,
et al, is recommended.
[ ] Create a text file named PRELOG. Although this file is truly
an option, it is a good place for announcements which you want
all callers to see. If your system restricts new users to 1200
baud or higher it is also a good place to let 300 baud callers
know why they cannot log on.
[ ] Create a text file named WELCOME (WELCOMEG, WELCOMEC, if
desired) which can contain anything you'd like to express
to your callers in the way of a greeting or other info.
Many sysops use this file to display their 'logo' and a
brief description of the equipment they are using.
[ ] Now we come to the text files which are the most hassle,
both to create initially and to maintain. The files list(s)
which are called directories in the documentation. These
text files require a very specific format (illustrated below)
because RBBS-PC searches for information based on the fields
being pre-determined lengths. The top of each file should be
a 'header' which describes the contents of the list (utilities,
newfiles, etc.).
************************************************************************
HEADER ILLUSTRATION HEADER ILLUSTRATION HEADER ILLUSTRATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME EXT SIZE DATE DESCRIPTION
************************************************************************
RBBSCRIP ARC 2560 07-20-86 QMODEM SCRIPT to log you onto RBBS's
PC-QUIZ ARC 34048 07-19-86 Used to quiz or as a trivia game
DB3AR ARC 53248 07-17-86 dBASE ]I[ Accounts Receivable Package
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
1 9 14 24 34
NOTE THE NUMBERS UNDER THE CARETS! They indicate the starting column
for each field. Fortunately, the starting columns are the same for the
output of the DOS 'DIR' command which by re-directing the output to a
file will take care of the structure of the first four fields. You'll
need to delete the time of day which DOS will include in the output.
One last comment on the 'directory' files, it will be to your users'
advantage if you arrange the listings in descending date order (most
recent first) as illustrated above.
[ ] You will want a .DIR file to correspond to each of the DOS sub-
directories available to your users for downloading
3
[ ] Create a text file named DIR.DIR which contains a list of the
available .DIR filenames (minus the extension) and some brief
description of how the user may view these lists.
ie L;XYZ or L;123
Now for some suggestions:
1) Place the .DIR file for each sub-directory IN that
sub-directory.
2) Place the DIR.DIR file in the \RBBS sub-directory.
3) NECESSARY! Place the NEWFILES.DIR file in the \RBBS\NEW
sub-directory.
[ ] Create a text file named FILESEC which is one of the most sig-
nificant of the sysop generated files since it gives you total
control of which files & sub-directories are available to you
or your users for downloading. Files may additionally be
protected from downloading by password(s) which RBBS will
require of the user if the file is requested. The format of
this file is VERY specific as are the other security related
files you will create.
*** See illustration at the end of this file. ***
[ ] Create yet another text file named TRASHCAN which is checked
by RBBS when a newuser logs on, it will contain a list of the
user names which you will not permit on your system. These
might include sexually oriented or derogatory terms, computer
jargon, common abbreviations, etc.
*** See illustration at the end of this file. ***
[ ] Create a text file named PASSWRDS from which you may control
the logon duration of various user security levels and/or
permit extending the current logon of a user through know-
ledge of specific passwords. Again, the format of this file
is critical to its functionality.
*** See illustration at the end of this file. ***
[ ] There is one more text file which you may wish to utilize.
Named NEWUSER it is shown only to those persons signing on
to your system for the first time. It can contain anything
which you want a newuser to know about the system (ground
rules, conferences, etc). It is displayed immediately
prior to the caller being asked to C)hange his logon data,
D)isconnect, or R)egister on the system.
[ ] Create a batch file (RBBS.BAT is the one suggested in the
documentation) which can be very extensive or minimal
depending upon your needs/desires. A minimal one is listed
here for your convenience.
C: ;change to your default RBBS drive
CD\RBBS ;change to the BBS directory
IF EXIST RCTTY.BAT DEL RCTTY.BAT ;cleanup if returning
;from DOS/DOORS
WATCHDGx OFF ;turn off external carrier monitor prgm.
RBBS-PC ;invoke the BBS prgm.
WATCHDGx ON ;turn on external carrier monitor prgm.
IF EXIST RCTTY.BAT RCTTY.BAT ;start remote console
;operation via this
;dynamically built .BAT
CD\RBBS ;return to BBS directory if not current dir.
RBBS.BAT ;restart the loop
4
[ ] Now with documentation in hand type CONFIG and press Enter
After a welcoming screen is displayed you will be asked if you
will be running multiple nodes - for this discussion it is
assumed that you have only one phone line. So type NO and press
the Enter key. In a few seconds you will see the main
configuration menu, press the F1 key to access the first 'page'
of the setup options.
CAREFULLY answer each of the questions regarding sysop names,
etc. If you are unsure of how to respond - refer to that section
of the documentation, then if you are still confused (it's
likely) flip through the following pages where you'll find what
worked for us. A complete set of working responses is included
in this file to assist you in this complex phase of setup.
5
EXAMPLE ANSWERS TO CONFIG.EXE
by pages
[ ] PAGE ONE
1. YOUR FIRST NAME \
2. YOUR LAST NAME \___ THESE *MUST* BE YOUR ANSWERS
3. REMOTE /
4. LOGON /
5. NONE - LOCAL PASSWORD NOT NEEDED
6. NOVICE
7. 0800 to 1700 - SUIT YOURSELF
8. NO
9. 1 (NO TO RINGBACK)
10. NO
11. YES
12. YES
13. OFF
14. 45
15. NO
16. 2
17. COM1
18. 2
19. 1
20. YOUR BOARD NAME
When you have answered all of the questions on the page, press
the F2 key to change to page two. This process is repeated
using the next higher 'F-key' to increment the pages.
[ ] PAGE TWO
21. 7
22. 0
23. 0
24. OFF
25. YES
26. YES
27. NO
28. 23
29. 19
30. YES
31. NO
32. YES
33. NO
34. NO
35. NO
36. IBM PC, XT, or AT
37. YES
38. 300
39. 180
40. NO
6
[ ] PAGE THREE
41. C:
42. BULLET
43. 6
44. BULLET
45. C
46. HELP0
47. C:NEWUSER
48. C:WELCOME
49. DIR
50. C:MENU1
51. C:MENU2
52. C:MENU3
53. C:MENU4
54. C:CONFENCE
55. C:TRASHCAN
56. 1
57. IBMPC
58. C
59. NEWFILES
60. C
[ ] PAGE FOUR
61. C:MESSAGES
62. C:CALLERS
63. C:COMMENTS
64. C:USERS
65. YES
66. NO
67. YES
[ ] PAGE FIVE
81. NO
82. C:MENU5
83. C:RCTTY.BAT
84. C:RBBS.BAT
85. C:
7
[ ] PAGE SIX
101. 0
102. 5
103. 10
104. C:FILESEC
105. 10
106. 10
107. 5
108. 10
109. NOTE: first respond NO when asked if all commands are to
have the same security level. Then fill in the levels
as illustrated here
Bulletins 5 Operator 5
Comments 0 Personal 5
Doors 10 Quick Scan 5
Enter Msg 5 Read Msg 5
Files Sys 5 Scan Msg 5
Goodbye 0 Utilities 5
Help 0 View 5
Initial 5 Who's 5
Join 5 Xpert 5
Kill Msg 5 ? Funct. 5
Lines 5
110. NOTE: first respond NO when asked if all commands are to
have the same security level. Then fill in the levels
as illustrated here
Download 5
Goodbye 0
Help 0
List files 5
New files 5
Quit to Main Menu 0
Search for string 5
Upload 5
Xpert 5
? Xfer info 5
111. 5
112. C:PASSWRDS
113. 3
114. 5
115. 10
116. 0
117. 6
8
[ ] PAGE SEVEN
121. 1
122. IBM's DOS
123. INTERNAL
124. 512
125. 502
126. 100
NOTES: # of users permitted will be rounded to a
multiple of 64. # of records in the MESSAGES file
is roughly five times the number of active messages
permitted ... SET OPTION 126, LET CONFIG SET 125.
127. --- LEAVE BLANK ---
[ ] PAGE EIGHT
141. Although newly created, use this option to PACK the new
MESSAGES file before running RBBS-PC.
142. Although newly created, use this option to REBUILD the
new USERS file before running RBBS-PC.
143. DO NOT RUN -- NO RECORDS IN FILE!
144. DO NOT RUN -- NO RECORDS IN FILE!
145. DO NOT RUN -- NO RECORDS IN FILE!
OPTIONS 143, 144, 145 WILL BE USED DURING
REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE BOARD, BUT ARE
NOT NEEDED AS THIS IS A TOTALLY NEW SYSTEM.
146. *NOT NEEDED FOR 1200 BAUD MODEM*
[ ] PAGE NINE
161. YES
162. YES
163. YES
164. --- SEE ILLUSTRATIONS BELOW ---
First, reply Yes to the change UPLOADs directory.
THEN C:\RBBS\NEW when asked for path
Config will ask you again, and again, and again, so...
use the Enter to quit back to page nine, then enter
164 again. Respond NO this time to change UPLOADS,
and YES to change DOWNLOADS directories.
NOW! Respond with A for add then the pathname
of a directory (you'll have to repeat this for
each sub-directory to be accessed). An example
list follows:
C:\RBBS\NEW (The order of this list is )
C:\RBBS\ARCS (the sequence in which RBBS)
C:\RBBS\MISC (will search them for files.)
9
YOU may use the L)ist option any time the prompt
is displayed to verify the directories you've
added so far. When you have added all of the
desired DOS directories press the Enter key at
the prompt to complete this section.
[ ] Check that your modem's configuration switches have been set to the
positions indicated in the docs (for Hayes 1200 external UUDDDUUD)
or to the corresponding functions if not listed in the docs.
This step can be tricky if your modem is not among those
detailed int the documentation - even with the modem manual in
hand. It is also critical to the proper operation of RBBS-PC.
[ ] Press the 'End' key, respond 'YES' at the prompt and press Enter
which will create a file named RBBS-PC.DEF in the current
directory. During the execution of CONFIG.EXE it will have also
created two additional files (one for the USER-BASE and one for
the MESSAGE-BASE) using the names you specified, or USERS and
MESSAGES if you accepted the defaults.
[ ] Turn on your modem if external.
[ ] Type RBBS and press Enter. You're on your way as a sysop!
10
*******************************************************************************
BULLET TEXT FILE ILLUSTRATION USING BULLETG
*******************************************************************************
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Bulletin Menu │
├───┬──────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ # │ UPDATED │ SUBJECT │
├───┼──────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #1 (BULLET1) │
│ 2 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #2 (BULLET2) │
│ 3 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #3 (BULLET3) │
│ 4 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #4 (BULLET4) │
│ 5 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #5 (BULLET5) │
│ 6 │ 01/01/80 │ TOPIC OF BULLETIN #6 (BULLET6) │
└───┴──────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
*******************************************************************************
TEXT FILE ILLUSTRATIONS OF 'FILESEC', 'PASSWRDS', AND 'TRASHCAN'
*******************************************************************************
FILESEC - the first three examples are protected internally by RBBS-PC from
downloading even by the sysop, but make good examples anyway.
C:\RBBS\*.DEF,10, Downloadable ONLY by security level 10's
C:\RBBS\CALLERS,10,CTSA ONLY by security level 10's who know password CTSA
C:\RBBS\COMMENTS,,CTSA Any security level who know password CTSA
C:\COMM\*.*,,CTSA ALL files in \COMM protected requiring pswd. CTSA
*******************************************************************************
PASSWRDS - This file permits control of logon durations by security level and
a way of extending the current session by the user changing to a
temporary password.
,5,45 all level 5's have 45 mins.
LONGER,5,90 by using the TEMPORARY password LONGER 5's get 90 mins.
,6,60 all level 6's have an hour
,10,360 all level 10's have three hours
NOTE: two commas are required on each line, passwords MUST be in
uppercase, and each line must end with a carriage return.
*******************************************************************************
TRASHCAN - this file contains a list (in UPPER case) of names which you do not
wish to have as user names on your system. This could include foul
language or anything you consider undesirable names. Each word has
to be on a separate line and end with a comma.
BITE,
BYTE,
GLADEATOR,
THE,
*******************************************************************************
11
The following is a suggested 'layout' of the sub-directories and files which
comprise RBBS.
C:\
COMMAND.COM
\DOS
\RBBS
RBBS.BAT
RBBS-PC.EXE
CONFIG.EXE
WATCHDGx.COM
MESSAGES
USERS
MENU0
MENU1
MENU2
MENU3
MENU4
MENU5
HELP01
HELP02
HELP03
HELP04
HELP05
HELP06
HELP07
HELP08
HELP09
WELCOME
PRELOG (OPTIONAL)
BULLET
BULLET1 (HOWEVER MANY)
DIR.DIR
FILESEC
PASSWRDS
TRASHCAN
CALLERS (WRITTEN BY RBBS-PC)
COMMENTS (IF NOT USING COMMENTS AS MESSAGES WILL BE CREATED BY RBBS)
\RBBS\NEW
UPLOADS.DIR
(Whatever your users upload will go here)
\RBBS\TURBO
TURBO.DIR
(Turbo pascal source code files)
\RBBS\UTILS
UTILS.DIR
(Utility programs you've found useful)