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.TOPIC: File Transfer Functions VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-1 ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CHAPTER SIX ANNEX C FILE TRANSFER FUNCTIONS ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Transferring program and data files over phone lines was one of the original reasons for the invention of modems, transfer protocols, and BBS softwares; to this day, it remains one of the most popular functions of BBSs. As a sysop, the number of files (if any) you have avail- able for download and their content is your decision and your re- sponsibility. Some BBSs have huge transfer sections with thou- sands of files online; others have only a few (or even NO) files available for download. Most boards, however, fall somewhere in the middle of the range, with a few dozen to a few hundred files in their transfer sections. If you prefer to keep your transfer section small, you might consider carrying anti-virus software (your users will ap- preciate you for it), a communications program or two, and sev- eral general utilities. If you want a "mondo" file section, the sky's the limit; there are, however, a few general statements that are in order here: 1) Having commercial programs, such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Word- Perfect, available for download is ILLEGAL. BBS operators are responsible/liable for the content of the files they offer to the public, and several sysops have been arrested for running "pirate boards" offering commercial software. 2) Adult-oriented files should NOT be made available to users under the age of 18; the potential legal hassles over the distribution of pornography to minors simply isn't worth it. 3) Practice "safe computing". Use a virus-scan program on each file that you offer for download and on each file that is uploaded to you. If a user gets a virused program from your BBS, word WILL get around, and it may cost you several users. Transfer Menu Commands and What They Do ═══════════════════════════════════════ Below is a listing of the commands available from the Transfer Menu, which is accessed by pressing [T] at the Main Menu (in the default setup). [C] Change Directory Displays a list of directories in the current topic area and asks the user which one to change to. [$] Change Topic Area Displays a list of available topic areas; also allows user to view an index of the file section, if desired. VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-2 [L] List Files *.* Lists all files in the current directory. [S] Search All Dirs Searches for filenames based on the mask entered by the user. If no mask is specified, this will display ALL files in ALL directories. [D] Download Files Download one or more files. [R] Review Files Browse file information in cur- rent directory, in a manner similar to reading messages. [N] New Files Scan Scans for files that have been added since the user's last logon. [U] Upload Files Prompts user for files to upload. [B] Batch Functions Used to mark and then download multiple files. [Y] Your Transfer Stats Displays user's KB uploaded, KB downloaded, and ratio (even if ratios are not enabled on your BBS). [P] Popular Downloads Searches current topic area and compiles a list of the most frequently downloaded files. [J] Set New File Scan Allows user to configure new-files scan to show new files received during last x number of days. [K] Default File Dir Directory user defaults to (#1 if not set). [F] Find Description Finds file through keyword sear- ches in file descriptions. [>] Next Directory Also activated by [+]; advances one directory in current topic area. [<] Previous Directory Also activated by [-]; reverses to previous directory. [#] Change to Dir # Entering a directory number will take you to that directory. [M] Download Master List Compiles a master list of files available for download; the list is deleted after download. [Q] Quit to Main Exits to Main Menu. [G] Goodbye/Log Off Exit BBS. ──────── Sysop ───────── [X] Sysop Directory Allows sysop to review new addi- tions to the upload directory. [Z] Local Upload Uploads files from the sysop di- rectory to their proper down- load directories. VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-3 Setting Up Topic Areas ══════════════════════ As with message bases, file databases may be broken down into topic areas. Typical topic-area arrangements for the file section might look like this: L -- Utilities T -- Windows Programs M -- Games V -- DOS Programs N -- Applications K -- OS/2 Programs O -- Communications Y -- Untried/untested uploads Of course, the characters you use for topic areas are up to you; it wouldn't be difficult to come up with a different arrangement for the topic areas, either ... but you get the idea. Under the "DOS Programs" area mentioned above, you might have the databases broken down like this: 1 Utilities 2 Graphics Games 3 Text Games 4 Word Processors/Text Editors 5 Programmers' Tools 6 Term Programs & Protocols . . Again, the arrangement/breakdown is entirely up to you. VBBS al- lows for one hundred databases within a topic area and the topic area designator needs to be a unique character (ascii 33-255). Uploading Files Locally ═══════════════════════ When you're setting up your file section, remember that file databases need a specific DOS path so that VBBS will know where to look for the file. File databases need to have UNIQUE DOS filenames, lest your file descriptions start showing up on networked message bases. To "load" files into your file section, move them to the appropriate DOS directory you've specified for the database in VCONFIG. Log onto the BBS and go to the Transfer Menu, then select [Z] -- Local Upload. If you specify a filename, you may upload that ONE file into the database; if you press [Enter] at the prompt, you're telling VBBS you want to upload ANY files in that directory that aren't currently on display. You may also tell VBBS to upload any new files within the entire topic area, if you wish. Once you've selected the desired option, VBBS will prompt you for a one-line description (and an optional extended de- scription). When the file is uploaded, VBBS will insert a "zip comment" to the archive; this comment contains your ZIPCOMNT.TXT (found in the \TXT directory). For procedures on uploading files from a CD-ROM into VBBS please refer to the CDROM.DOC in the Appendix. VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-4 To upload files to specific directories after a remote user uploads a file to your \SYSOP directory, simply choose the "Copy File" option from the sub-menu to place the file where it belongs in your transfer section. You may then wish to use the "Toggle File Online/Offline" option to move the original file to a backup diskette, directory, or tape drive. Remote Transfers ════════════════ VBBS comes configured for several transfer protocols. The "de facto" standard protocol is ZModem, a shareware protocol by Omen Technologies that is readily available from other BBSs. ZModem allows for the "batch" uploading and downloading of files to and from your BBS (this means that users can upload or down- load files in groups, instead of one at a time). ZModem is also faster than the earlier XModem or YModem protocols, particularly at a 2400-baud connect rate. ZModem comes in two "flavors": DSZ, which has been the standard for a while, and GSZ, which is basically DSZ with a graphical display and is becoming quite popular. If you use GSZ, it is highly recommended that you rename that file to DSZ.COM so that it matches the DSZ command line already configured within VBBS and is also used by the VNET networking software. VBBS comes pre-configured for XModem, YModem, ZModem, ZModem Batch, and the developing HS-Link bidirectional proto- col (which allows simultaneous uploading and downloading of files). If you're using ZModem and/or HS-Link, the .EXE and/ or .COM files for these programs need to be in your main VBBS directory to facilitate transfers. VBBS' own standalone VXY.EXE is an integral part of the package. VXY handles XModem, YModem, ZModem, and ZModem Batch also and is a fully functional replacement for DSZ. This is preconfigured for you in the upload.cfg and download.cfg files when you first install VBBS. In the case of uploads, the sysop may define in VCONFIG whether the user will be prompted for a file description before or after the upload (if before, VBBS will check for duplication of files). Another VCONFIG upload option is whether an "upload event" (such as a virus scan) will be performed offline after the upload. In any case, VBBS checks for compressed file integrity following upload (and optionally, at download). A file located in the defined \TXT directory, called REMUPLD.TXT, is displayed to the user immediately prior to the upload prompt; this file may be edited according to your needs. VBBS displays the user's upload/download ratio after each transfer. In VCONFIG, you may opt to have a specific minimum ratio to allow downloads; you may also exempt particular users (such as visiting sysops) from this ratio in the user editor. If you want to make certain files available as "free" downloads that will not be charged against a user's ratio, you simply need to create a file called FREEDL.TXT in your \TXT directory. This file should contain the names, one per line, of the files you wish to have as "free" downloads. Typical files that might fall into this category might include virus-scan pro- grams, text files describing your BBS and its features/policies, VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-5 etc. It should be noted that if you're running a credit system, the user WILL be assessed a credit charge for these files (in "default" VBBS, anyway). Files Sub-Menu ══════════════ [Enter] Next Entry Advances to next file or file lis- ting. [D] Download File Download current file; [?] dis- plays options. [B] Batch Functions Adds file to "batch queue" for multiple file transfers. [A] List Again Redisplays the current file's in- formation. [###] Jump to File ### If you enter a number, VBBS takes you to that file's description. [Q] Quit Quits to Transfer menu. [V] View Archive View the contents of the archived file (for details, see section D of the VCONFIG setup instruc- tions). [R] Request File Allows user to request a file from its networked file listing. The sysop will be prompted to approve or disapprove a request. This also works for local files listed as <OFF-LINE>. [T] Test Archive Allows testing of the current file's archival integrity. ──────── Sysop ────────── [O] Move File Online/Offline Toggles file to/from diskette or tape drive. It may also be used simply to toggle the file's availability. [X] Remove File Remove file listing and/or file from the current directory. Use VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-6 with caution. [M] Move File Move file from one directory to another (there have been some reported problems with this command; don't use it to move a file into the first database in the first topic area, and all should work well). [E] Edit Description Allows the sysop to edit the short file description. Parting words on files: The file transfer section can be a real joy to work with, or it can be a real pain; it depends on how you (and your users) approach it. Even the most idealistic sysop can be driven almost to distraction by persistent file leeches -- users who do nothing but download files without ever exploring the other areas of the BBS (I speak from personal ex- perience here). Never say "I'll never run a ratio or credit system" unless you: a) truly don't care whether your users ever use the BBS to communicate with others, or b) like to eat crow (perhaps with peppercorn sauce). :-) Of course, NOT having a file section GREATLY reduces your system's risk of contracting a virus ... but it can be of great comfort if you have the latest anti-virus software when a user REALLY needs it! Some sysops take a sort of perverse pleasure in seeing just how many files they can have online; if you're a beginning sysop, don't sweat it. Have as many files online as you feel comfortable with. Don't get into a "competition" with BBSs that have 1.2-gigabyte hard drives or multiple CD-ROM drives if you don't want to; it gets REAL expensive, both in hardware costs and long-distance charges.