home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
BBS Toolkit
/
BBS Toolkit.iso
/
doors_1
/
mmag002.zip
/
MAGAZINE.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-07-05
|
31KB
|
730 lines
METRO-MAGAZINE, Type I
Version 0.02
By DevTeam One
Copyright 1992 by Steven H. Lin
All rights reserved
SYSTEM OPERATIONS MANUAL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Registration
3.0 Requirements
4.0 Installation
5.0 Setup
6.0 Operations
7.0 Product Support
8.0 Acknowledgements
9.0 Registration Form
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.0 INTRODUCTION
If you are in a mail network (mailnet) which is contemplating the establish-
ment of a distributable online magazine for its nodes, Metro-Magazine may be
the answer that your mailnet is looking for...
Need to have a simple online magazine viewing DOOR that even
the most untechnically-oriented of your users can use?
Metro-Magazine is your solution.
Need a quick and easy method of handling the latest issues of
your online magazine as they are produced?
Again, Metro-Magazine is your solution.
Need something which doesn't gobble up lots of space on your
system, but still maintains a simple yet powerful method of
handling up to 32,000 (yep, thirty-two thousand!) articles in
an online magazine?
Once again, Metro-Magazine is your solution.
Need a method of assembling your online magazine in a format
which doesn't dominate the making of every issue of your
online magazine, so you (as an editor, a contributor, or just
a sysop carrying the magazine) don't have to fuss over the
mechanics of the magazine -and- so you can enjoy the content
instead?
Well-- you guessed it!-- Metro-Magazine is your answer!
1.1 Warning -
If you have never used a program from [The Deviant's Palace], then
you may be in for a massive shock. Please, if you suffer from an
angina pectoris condition, keep your supply of amyl nitrate or
nitroglycerin within easy reach. If you are using stronger
medications, like calcium channel blocking agents (most notably
verapamil) or ß-adrenoceptor blocking agents (AKA "beta blockers"),
you may want to have some experienced medical personnel nearby to
monitor your health condition as you set up Metro-Magazine. Also, if
you suffer from a blood coagulation disorder, make sure that you
have been properly prophylaxed with proper levels of heparin or
coumadin. Use Metro-Magazine at your own risk.
If you suffer from psychological problems or disabilities,
Metro-Magazine is not guaranteed to not injury your psyche. Use
Metro-Magazine at your own risk.
1.2 License Agreement -
The authors of Metro-Magazine have taken every precaution to insure
that no harm or damage will occur on computer systems operating the
Metro-Magazine package. Nevertheless, the authors of Metro-Magazine
shall NOT be held liable for whatever may happen on your computer
system or to any computer systems which connect to your own as a
result of operating the Metro-Magazine package. The user assumes
full responsibility for the correct operation of this software
package, whether harm or damage results from software error,
hardware malfunction, or operator error. NO warranties are offered,
expressly stated or implied, including without limitation or
restriction any warranties of operation for a particular purpose
and/or merchantability.
The Metro-Magazine main program, setup program, maintenance programs
and batch files, and documentation are copyrighted products of
Steven H. Lin. Steven H. Lin reserves all rights to these products.
This is protected by the United States of America (USA) and Inter-
national Copyright Laws. In no way shall the components of the
Metro-Magazine software package be reproduced or modified in any
form or method without prior expressly written permission from
Steven H. Lin.
Steven H. Lin grants an unlimited license for the purpose of dis-
tributing unregistered copies of the Metro-Magazine software package
to the public when such unregistered copies are released from [The
Deviant's Palace]. Tampering with or altering the contents or in-
tegrity of the Metro-Magazine software package is prohibited. No fee
may be charged by any agency other than Steven H. Lin beyond cost of
distributing unregistered copies without prior expressly written
permission from Steven H. Lin.
Metro-Magazine is not public domain, freeware, or shareware. Metro-
Magazine does not have an expiration date or stop functioning after
a certain period of time. Steven H. Lin merely offers Metro-Magazine
free of charge to individuals for hobbyist pursuits only.
If you use Metro-Magazine for commercial or profit-making purposes,
you are allowed to operate Metro-Magazine for a trial period of
thirty (30) days. After this trial period, you must register
Metro-Magazine or discontinue its usage. Continued operation of
Metro-Magazine past the above stated trial period requires full
registration payment.
1.3 Credits -
The members of the DevPal's DevTeam One who labored on this project
are as follows:
Alejandra Torriano .............. Metro-Magazine Setup Program
Press Limit Index Creation Program
Michael Stewart, Ph.D., M.S. .... Lin-Stewart Internal Protocol 0.0.8
Newsboy File Maintenance/Scanner
Steven H. Lin, Ph.D., M.S. ...... Doopy-Loop(tm)
The Hunter Batch Routine
Lin-Stewart Internal Protocol 0.0.8
Metro-Magazine DOOR and associated
I/O code
Metro-Magazine documentation
We would also like to thank Rickie Belitz for writing his famous
CKIT DOOR I/O library. We have used some of it in Metro-Magazine,
and its performance has been very dependable. Keep up the good work,
Rickie!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.0 REGISTRATION
Registration of Metro-Magazine is MANDATORY if:
You are using Metro-Magazine for commercial or profit-making
purposes,
- AND -
You wish to continue using Metro-Magazine past the thirty-day
trial period.
If you choose not to register Metro-Magazine, you must cease using it or
any part of it. No exceptions will be allowed.
Your registration cost for Metro-Magazine is $20.00 US. When you register
Metro-Magazine, a special registration key will be provided. Also provided
is a copy of Press Limit, the PRESS.LMT generation program which enables you
to prepare your own online magazine issues in the format which Metro-
Magazine accepts.
The registration form is available at the end of this document.
Issue a check or money order to STEVEN H. LIN.
Send the registration form and the check or money order to:
Steven H. Lin
DevPal MetroNet Communications
1251 NE 108th Street, #621
Miami, Florida 33161
United States of America
2.1 Instructions for Non-Commercial Users -
Although use of the Metro-Magazine DOOR itself is essentially free
of charge to hobbyist users, those individuals wishing for the
capability of preparing their own online magazines will need to
register a copy of Press Limit, the PRESS.LMT generation program
which enables the creation of online magazine issues in the format
which Metro-Magazine accepts.
The registration cost for Press Limit for a hobbyist user is $8.00.
See section 2.0 for instructions on payment form (check or money
order) and the address to submit your payment.
2.2 Additional Costs -
Unlike other DevOnline software products, the registration key for
Metro-Magazine is not available for delivery by floppy disk. In-
stead, downloading of the registration key from DevPalMiami or
delivery of the registration key via FidoNet NetMail are the two
options available to registrants. Both methods are very inexpensive
and greatly decrease the waiting period that any registrant would
have to endure. Typically, after receipt of payment, the
registration key will be available within approximately seventy-two
(72) hours. A voice call for confirmation is often a good idea.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.0 REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General System Requirements -
The following are the requirements for using Metro-Magazine:
An MS-DOS computer
A modem
At least one BBS program or telecommunications host package
At least 200Kb of hard disk space for Metro-Magazine itself,
in addition to any storage requirements of the various
online magazine issues
As much RAM as needed for the most memory-requiring of the
BBS programs or telecommunications host packages used
An ANSI driver may be needed if articles within magazine issues
contain ANSI graphics.
3.2 Environments -
Metro-Magazine will work under the following environments (although
it is certainly not limited to only the following):
Artisoft LANtastic 3.3 - 4.1
Compaq MS-DOS 3.31
Digital Research DR-DOS 5.0 - 6.0
Microsoft MS-DOS 3.3 - 5.0
Quarterdeck DesqView 2.31
3.3 Memory Managers -
Metro-Magazine appears well-behaved when operating under memory
management programs, such as HIMEM, QEMM-386, and NetRoom. This
is primarily because Metro-Magazine does not perform any unusual
operations in high memory areas (ie. extended memory, expanded
memory). It is also strongly advised that Metro-Magazine NOT be
loaded into any high memory areas.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.0 INSTALLATION
This is fairly simple: here are a few simple steps to follow.
A) Make a directory somewhere for the placement of Metro-Magazine.
B) UnZIP the Metro-Magazine archive into that directory.
C) Gather a piece of paper and a writing implement.
D) Make a directory for incoming magazine issues, and jot down its
location onto your piece of paper. If such a directory already
exists, write down its location onto your piece of paper.
E) Make a new directory or locate an existing directory for any
present magazine issue that will be offered to your users for
display, and then jot down its location onto your piece of
paper. A good place to make such a directory would be as a sub-
directory of your Metro-Magazine directory. Because of the nature
of this directory, it must always be empty except for the
contents of the present magazine issue. Do not delete or add any
files to this directory manually unless you are 100% positive that
you know what you are doing.
F) Make a new directory or locate an existing directory for placing
old magazine issues for safety and later reading. Jot down the
location onto your piece of paper.
G) Keep the piece of paper, as you will need the information that
you recorded on it to complete Metro-Magazine's setup.
Now you should be done with the installation part... now onto the setup
part!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.0 SETUP
Setup involves several steps:
Running the Metro-Magazine setup program (MAGSETUP) to set up the
correct configuration paths that Metro-Magazine will use to search
for the appropriate files during user activity and maintenance.
Setting up a method to run the Newsboy maintenance/scanner program
on a regular basis or place it in a convenient location to run it
manually, as needed.
Setting up your BBS batch file to handle Metro-Magazine.
5.1 The Metro-Magazine Setup Program -
In your Metro-Magazine directory, there is a program called
MAGSETUP.EXE. To run it, type the following at your DOS command
prompt:
MAGSETUP
You will be given a screen display announcing the program, then you
will asked to hit <ENTER>, whereupon you will be presented with the
main MagSetup menu.
Metro-Magazine Setup -
--------------------
Current settings
Magazine filespec : DEVMAG
Inbound directory : C:\FILE\INBOUND
Display directory : C:\FILE\MAGAZINE
Archive directory : C:\FILE\ARCHIVE
[A] Change magazine filespec
[B] Change inbound directory
[C] Change display directory
[D] Change archive directory
[Q]UIT Metro-Magazine Setup Program.
(>
At the prompt (the "(>" symbol below the options), you may enter
the option you wish.
5.1.1 Change magazine filespec -
The magazine filespec is the name of the magazine archive
(in PKZip format) that is distributed to your system. It can
be up to eight (8) characters, and it is something
determined by the person who compiles the online magazine.
Your job is to enter in the magazine filespec correctly with
this option so that your Metro-Magazine system will
correctly locate and extract the magazine issues as they
arrive on your system.
The default is "DEVMAG", but it should be changed to match
the correct filespec of the online magazine you will be
receiving. If you do not know the actual magazine filespec,
make sure that you ask someone who DOES knows.
5.1.2 Change inbound directory -
This is one of the locations that you jotted down on your
piece of paper earlier. This is the directory into which the
new magazine issues should be placed for Metro-Magazine to
find them.
The default is "C:\FILE\INBOUND", but it should be changed
to match the correct inbound directory location on your
system. When you access this option, carefully enter in the
data. Do NOT include a trailing backslash ("\") at the end
of the directory entry!
5.1.3 Change display directory -
This is the second of the locations that you jotted down on
your piece of paper. This is the directory that
Metro-Magazine places your latest issue of the online
magazine.
The default is "C:\FILE\DISPLAY", but it should be changed
to match the correct display directory location on your
system. When you access this option, carefully enter in the
data. Do NOT include a trailing backslash ("\") at the end
of the directory entry!
5.1.4 Change archive directory -
This is the third of the locations that you jotted down on
your piece of paper. This is the directory that past issues
of the online magazine are placed. This maintains continuity
for you, places the issues in a place where users may
download them and use a special magazine reader (coming
soon!) to read them at their leisure, and also provides a
place for the Metro-Archives DOOR (also coming soon!) to
find those old issues.
The default is "C:\FILE\ARCHIVE", but it should be changed
to match the correct archive directory location on your
system. When you access this option, carefully enter in the
data. Do NOT include a trailing backslash ("\") at the end
of the directory entry!
5.2 Preparing Newsboy for easy usage -
Regardless of the method used to actually distribute the online
magazine issues, Newsboy should be run after an issue arrives. It
should be run either in a regular maintenance cycle (as in part of a
daily maintenance batch file) or manually right after an issue has
been dropped off onto your system.
It is important to run Newsboy after every single issue arrival
because it will overwrite all but one issue if it has to process
more than one issue. However, with proper periodic execution of
Newsboy, this will not be a problem.
5.2.1 Running Newsboy in a regular maintenance routine -
Just add Newsboy into a regular maintenance batch process of
your choice. Run Newsboy from within the Metro-Magazine
directory, as follows:
(within your batch file)
. <-- Previous maintenance tasks
.
C:
CD \FILE\MAGAZINE <-- Metro-Magazine directory
NEWSBOY <-- Execute Newsboy
.
. <-- More maintenance tasks
5.2.2 Running Newsboy manually -
Just go into your Metro-Magazine directory and type this
at the DOS prompt:
NEWSBOY
Then sit back and watch Newsboy work.
5.3 Setting up Metro-Magazine on Your BBS -
Here is a simple paradigm for the batch file or batch routine within
a batch file which you can use to run Metro-Magazine:
CD <Metro-Magazine directory>
MMAG <DOOR info file>
CD <BBS directory>
.
. <-- This part is for whatever commands are
needed to return control back to the
BBS, if any
The "CD" command is used to switch the system focus into the Metro-
Magazine directory, so that the next line can work to activate
Metro-Magazine.
The second line, incidentally, will require a DOOR information
file... one of the following:
DOOR.SYS
DORINFO?.DEF
PCBOARD.SYS
or
GENERIC.SYS
If your BBS is capable of producing one of the first three DOOR info
files, then by all means, have it do so. If not, there are some
programs available which will be able to convert your BBS program's
native DOOR info file into one of the first three listed above. Or,
even more basic would be to use GENERIC.SYS to run help drive
Metro-Magazine (see section 5.3.1).
For example, if your BBS program is PCBoard, your command line for
Metro-Magazine would most likely look like:
MMAG PCBOARD.SYS
or
MMAG DOOR.SYS <-- If you want to use the DOOR.SYS toggle
Or, if your BBS program is QuickBBS or RBBS-PC, your command line
would most likely look like:
MMAG DORINFO1.DEF
5.3.1 GENERIC.SYS -
This is a special text file used by Metro-Magazine in lieu
of the other methods mentioned above. It contains three
lines:
line 1 - <sysop name>
line 2 - comm port
line 3 - time allowed (in minutes) in MMag
A sample GENERIC.SYS might read:
Steve
COM2:
60
The following is a sample BBS batch file which uses the
GENERIC.SYS file:
CD \DOOR\MAGAZINE
MMAG GENERIC.SYS
CD \PCB
5.4 A note about multinode operations -
Metro-Magazine is actually very conducive toward multinode
operations. All you need to do is make sure that the DOOR info file
you use matches the appropriate node on your BBS.
For instance, if you have a three-node PCBoard system, you may
have three separate batch files in your respective node directories,
each of which will invoke Metro-Magazine with a different
PCBOARD.SYS:
MMAG (for Node 1) MMAG (for Node 2)
(F:\PCB1) (F:\PCB2)
----------------- -----------------
G: G:
CD \EXT\MMAG CD \EXT\MMAG
MMag F:\PCB1\PCBOARD.SYS MMag F:\PCB2\PCBOARD.SYS
F: F:
CD \PCB1 CD \PCB2
MMAG (for Node 3)
(E:\PCB3)
-----------------
G:
CD \EXT\MMAG
MMag E:\PCB3\PCBOARD.SYS
E:
CD \PCB3
Because of the wide variety of multinode BBS programs available
these days, it would be suicidal to list all of the possible batch
file configurations. Just use your common sense, and remember that
when designating the appropriate DOOR info file for a particular
node, remember to include the full path.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.0 OPERATIONS
It would not be fair if the only the user was able to do things while he is
online... the sysop should have some features available to himself, also.
There are function keys which will give the sysop some abilities while there
is a user in Metro-Magazine. They are:
F5 - shell to DOS
F8 - exit Metro-Mezzanine
F9 - screen ON/OFF
F10 - chat with the user
There are some other keys available to PCBoard sysops. To see them, hit
Alt-H while in Metro-Magazine. They will appear in the status bar at the
bottom of your screen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.0 PRODUCT SUPPORT
To maintain his position as one of the most accessible shareware authors, the
information following has been provided:
Address: Steven H. Lin, Ph.D., M.S.
DevPal MetroNet Communications
1251 NE 108th St., #621
Miami, FL 33161
BBS: [The Deviant's Palace] of Miami
305/899-1841
2400-14.4k HST/v.32bis
24 hours except ZMH
Voice: 305/899-0957
ExecNet: slinc@devpal*miami*fl*us
FN NetMail: FN 1:135/105.0
EN 50:5305/505.0
DN 55:55/1.0
DR 75:75/1.0
FN EchoMail: AOTD - DevOnline Products echo [DN/DR/FN]
DEV_SYSOP - DevNet Systems Operations echo [DN/FN]
DEV_TPA - Third Party Apps Developers echo [DN/FN]
D_ADVENT - Adventure DOORs echo [DR]
D_SYSOP - DoorNet Sysops echo [DR]
PCBNET - PCBoard Sysops echo [FN]
Internet: slinc@f135.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Onyx: lord_mercenary@dpm.devpal.mil
RIME: COMMUNICATIONS - general computer communications
DOORs - DOORs for BBS's
U'NI-net/US: DOOR-UTIL - DOORs and utilities for BBS's
VirtualNet: 1 @3053
2 @3053
Voice support is given freely and is the preferred method of communication
by the author. Please take advantage of this remarkable avenue of support.
To further expand accessibility, there are now official DevOnline distribution
sites available to provide you with the latest unregistered versions of
DevOnline products:
DevOnCO (Mountain US) : The Hornet's Nest
sysop: Kevin Higgins loc: Fort Carson, CO
#: 719/579-0593 baud: 2400-14.4k HST
ice: TAG
addr: FN 1:128/74.0, DR 75:7719/1.0
PCP: n/a
DevOnFL (Southeastern US) : [The Deviant's Palace] of Miami
sysop: Steve Lin loc: Miami, FL
#: 305/899-1841 baud: 2400-14.4k HST/v.32bis
ice: Maximus-CBCS, PCBoard, QuickBBS, RemoteAccess,
WWIV-IMS, Virtual BBS, Waffle/DOS
addr: FN 1:135/105.0, EN 50:5305/505.0, DN 55:55/1.0,
DR 75:75/1.0, Exec @devpal*miami*fl*us,
Onyx @dpm.devpal.mil, RIME DEVPAL, UNI DEVPAL,
VtN @3053
PCP: FLMIA
DevOnMD (Mid-Atlantic US) : The Running Board
sysop: Bonnie Anthony loc: Bethesda, MD
n1 #: 301/229-5342 baud: 300-14.4k HST/v.32bis
n2 #: 301/229-5623 baud: 300-14.4k HST/v.32bis
ice: PCBoard
addr: RIME RUNNINGA
PCP: DCWAS
DevOnNJ (Northeastern US) : APFL-The BBS
sysop: Tom Kane loc: Tenafly, NJ
#: 201/567-6994 baud: 300-14.4k HST/9600 v.32
ice: Telegard
addr: FN 1:2604/306.0, DR 75:150/0.0
PCP: NJNEW
DevOnTX (Southern US) : The Chess Board
sysop: Ken Givens loc: Grand Prairie, TX
#: 214/641-1136 baud: 2400-14.4k HST
ice: SuperBBS
addr: FN 1:1/132.0, FN 1:124/2213.0, 43:1370/101.0
PCP: TXDAL
DevOnVA (Mid-Atlantic US) : The NEOCOM Game Connection
sysop: David Fife loc: Martinsville, VA
#: 703/638-1952 baud: 2400-14.4k HST/9600 v.32
ice: RemoteAccess
addr: FN 1:264/615.0, DR 75:100/1.0
PCP: n/a
Mail network address key:
DN : DevNet
DR : DoorNet
EN : EchoNet
Exec : ExecNet
FN : FidoNet
Onyx : Onyx
RIME : RIME
UNI : U'NI-net/US
VtN : VirtualNet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All products mentioned in this text that are not produced by members of
DevPal MetroNet Communications, Inc. are trademarks of their respective
copyright holders and/or authors.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO-MAGAZINE, Type I
Registration Form 4A - Version 0.02
DevOnline Product MMAG-X1
Sysop Name _________________________________________________________________
BBS Name ___________________________________________________________________
BBS Phone Number ___________________________________________________________
BBS City, State ____________________________________________________________
Sysop's Address ____________________________________________________________
(no P.O. Boxes) ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Sysop's Voice Phone Number(s) ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Any Mail Network Addresses _________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Options: $ 20.00 US for Commercial/Profit-Making Sysops
$ 8.00 US for Press Limit Registration for Hobbyist Sysops
Total Cost: ________
Your System Hardware (be specific!)_________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Your BBS Software (be specific!)____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Registered Key Delivery: _____ via File Attach (a la FidoNet)
_____ I prefer maximum security... Hold my copy on
DevPalMiami so I can d/l it myself. Name the
M-M reg. key file __________________________
and encrypt it with the password ___________
and put the file in the DevOnline file area
on NightVeil PCBoard BBS partition!
Signature ___________________________________ Birthdate ____________________