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.TOPIC:
VBBS External Strings Editor
VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- G-1
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ APPENDIX G VBBS EXTERNAL STRINGS EDITOR ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
INTRODUCTION
════════════
The ability to change strings in VBBS allows you virtually
unlimited opportunities to customize your bbs. Aside from the
multi-language abilities, strings may be altered to call
up scripts, screens, user information, change colors, and
other features. String customization adds flexibility that,
along with the script language itself, truly makes VBBS the most
customizeable bbs software available today.
Source registered sysops are able to modify the strings in
VBBS through use of the VSTRING editor (VSTRING2 for
the OS/2 version). Unmodified, the precompiled string file
is named DEFAULT.STR and placed in the TXT subdirectory.
This file cannot be altered without the string editor, so
please do not attempt to do so since tampering may have
disastrous consequences.
The VBBS String Editor and DEFAULT String Source File are
licensed for use by source registered VBBS SysOps Only and may
not be redistributed. Registered sysops who have not
registered the source code are encouraged to register, and will
be given access to the VString Editor at the source
distribution sites. Please see Order Information.
INSTALLATION
════════════
To use the VBBS External String Editor, do the following:
1. Place DEFAULT.S in your VBBS Text Directory
2. VBBS-DOS: Execute VSTRING.EXE from your VBBS Main Directory
VBBS-OS2: Execute VSTRING2.EXE from your VBBS Main Directory
or type Vconfig from the command prompt and enter letter J.
The following keys may then be accessed in the editor:
F-1 Help
F-2 Save
F-3 Goto (Goes to the string number entered)
F-4 List (lists External Srrings)
F-9 Compiles (Compiles Strings)
ESC Escape to Quit and Exit
TIPS --> Do NOT re-compile strings while your bbs is online.
Backup Your BBS before Using The External Strings
Editor. After compiling, you must re-start VBBS
for any changes to take place.
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --G-2
FEATURES
════════
All of the hard-coded "string text" (ie.."Please enter name
or number or NEW" and "Login: ") has been made totally
sysop configurable. Sysops are be able to customize the text
displays and prompts. Color may be used freely, and as an
advanced option, sysops can substitute text files, or Vscripts
for a text string. RIP graphics files can also be substituted
and added as needed.
With VBBS the sysop is able to run a script or executeable at
any prompt. If you want to run a script before a prompt, put
it in Vstring.
For example, the following command calls a script if placed
on the string line:
!<scriptname> - no extension
The following command would call up a RIP graphic file:
@<filename.rip>
e.g. r145.rip would call up rip menu 145 from the TXT
subdirectory. In addition, a full path may be specified.
If none is supplied, the TXT subdirectory is assumed.
The following command would call up a screen, and is similar
to the echofile command:
@ <filename>
The function will search your text subdirectory for a filename
with a .mnu, .ans,.asc, or .rip extension. Again, a full path
may be stipulated.
The default text string source file is DEFAULT.S. The VSTRING
editor/compiler can edit this file, and compiles it into a
DEFAULT.STR file, which the software reads when it loads nad
executes. Both DEFAULT.S and DEFAULT.STR reside in the TXT
sub-directory, and must exist. You may add other languages,
dialects, board layouts, etc., as needed by creating more
.S files (ie GERMAN.S, SPANISH.S, SERIOUS.S, FUNNY.S, INSULTS.S).
The multi-language files should be included in a LANGUAGE.CFG
file which is located in your main VBBS directory. The file
itself is a simple Ascii file with one entry per line, such as:
GERMAN
FRENCH
SPANISH
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --G-3
For each .S file you add, you must edit the first line
manually with a text editor to indicate the name you want
shown to the users on the language menu. The VString editor
will not edit this for you. Taking the Default.S file as an
example, notice that the first line reads:
English (Default)
In similar manner, you would edit the first line of each
additional .S file to indicate the name of the language file.
When a user logs on to VBBS, a small menu is shown which
prompts them for the language they would like to use. Whatever
you have configured in your language.cfg file, will be offered
to all callers (even the SysOp using the Fast OR Local login
from the WFC) at login.
Fortunately, pre-made language files have been developed by
sysops and are made available at the VBBS Support Boards as
they are released. You are encouraged to participate in this
development project yourself.
As for colors use , many colors that are used with the
VSTRING editor (or the default.str) are based on what the user
has configured as his user Default colors. In the string
editor, %h is header color, %b is base color, %l is line color,
etc. The sysop can make the color consistent by replacing the
%<letter> with the CTRL-C code for a color, so all users see the
SAME color.
For further information on the VBBS External Strings Editor
and features, please participate in the discussions on the
various VirtualNET message bases.