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1992-04-26
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April, 1992
1.
ROMBRAIN
(C) Copyright 1992 by Stanley Sheff
Support BBS: The Brainex System
(310) 275-2344
(310) 273-5234
CDROM File Door for NIGHT OWL, RBBS-IN-A-BOX, GRAB BAG, So Much Shareware
---------------
Welcome to the RomBrain. Now your callers can access your CDROM drive
without having to use your BBS's file system. This door works with
GAP, PCBoard, Wildcat, Spitfire, WWIV, and RBBS, as well as any BBS that
generates a DOOR.SYS file when running a door. RomBrain is a multi-user
door and requires SHARE.EXE and DOS 3.3 or above. RomBrain writes user's
download stats to DOOR.SYS for BBSes that read this back in to update
user information.
RomBrain requires the program DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE in the path.
If you have an unregistered DSZ, Y-Modem G protocol will NOT function.
Here's what the RomBrain can do:
Supports IBM ANSI Color and plain text mode (ASCII)
for your callers who don't use IBM characters or don't use ANSI.
RomBrain supports com ports opened up to 115,200 and as
many of them as you can fit in the machine. This makes RomBrain easy
to set up on a multi-node system with GAP. RomBrain will also
support several other BBSes by the use of conversion programs available
nearly everywhere.
RomBrain creates an index file from information stored on your CD.
The file uses about a megabyte of disk space.
Menu Functions:
[F]ile Directory
Allows you to select one of the CD ROM directories. Once you've
selected a directory, you may:
[D]ownload file(s)
You can add names to a list of files for download. The list
may be edited. If you use Xmodem Protocol, each file will
be sent one at a time, and you will be asked if you wish to
continue receiving files from the list.
[M]ark a file
Add the file name entered to a list to be downloaded later.
Just type the letter shown to the left of the filename.
2.
[A]rchive
View contents of a .ZIP file, Read a file from within the .ZIP file,
Transfer (Download) a file from within the .ZIP file, or Download
the entire .ZIP file.
[S]earch for text within the directory. You may enter all or any
part of a word for a search. This function searches filename, date,
and description. Selected word will be highlighted in red for color
or <brackets> for monochrome.
The above commands are available from the Main Menu as well as the
Directory Menu.
*NOTE: When asked to enter a file name, .ZIP will be added automatically
if you do not include an extender.
RomBrain Files
----------------
ROMBRAIN.EXE <------------------ RomBrain Program
ROMBRAIN.DOC <------------------ Sysop's Information
REGISTER.DOC <------------------ Registration information
SETUP.EXE <------------------ Setup / Initializer Program
COMPILE.EXE <------------------ Filebase Creator
HELP <------------------ General Help File
CDHELP <------------------ Download Help File
WELCOME <------------------ ASCII Welcome Screen
WELCOMEG <------------------ ANSI Welcome Screen
RBRAIN.SCR <------------------ Rombrain Data File
EXTSX.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Xmodem
EXTS1.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Xmodem/1K
EXTSY.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Ymodem
EXTSZ.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Zmodem
EXTSF.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Xmodem/1K-G
EXTSG.BAT <------------------ Batch File to call DSZ Ymodem-G
NEWSTUFF.DOC <------------------ Update Information
All of these files should be in this ZIP, if they are not, don't
take a chance! Call The Brainex System and get a good copy or view the
file on a few local boards to see if you can find a complete copy.
RomBrain handles all of its file transfers from within the door.
A set of predefined protocol batch files are included for use with
the DSZ protocol engine. Parameters are passed to the protocol batch
files in the following order:
%1 - Communications port
%2 - Baud rate
%3 - File name to send
3.
SETUP
=====
The setup of RomBrain is simple, all you need to do is create a
directory called ROMBRAIN for RomBrain and its files, then copy the
files into that directory. After that you will need to run the SETUP
program to create a config file and a CDROM file base.
1. Be sure you have the CD you are going to use inserted into your
CDROM drive.
2. From the ROMBRAIN directory, type SETUP.
3. Fill in all the required information.
4. Save the configuration with the [W]rite option.
5. Use the [C]ompile option to create a filebase for your disk.
* NOTE * RomBrain supports these CDs: Night Owl, So Much Shareware,
RBBS in a Box, Shareware Grab Bag, Storm-1. Ready made
file bases are available for download from Brainex BBS.
6. The Compiler will automatically read required information from
your CD and create a filebase in the directory indicated by the
SETUP program.
When SETUP is complete...
If you like, you may edit the file CDTYPE_x.4 to customize category names.
The "x" will be substituted for CD type. Ex. CDTYPE_A.4 is for type A,
CARRS Night Owl CD.
The Setup program will create the following files:
RBRAINx.CNF x=node number
CDTYPE_x.1
CDTYPE_x.2
CDTYPE_x.3
CDTYPE_x.4 (ASCII file of category names. Edit this for accuracy!)
The file directory menu is generated internally by the RomBrain,
but if you wish to use a customized menu, just create your own menu
and name it MENUx for ASCII and MENUxG for ANSI. "x" stands for
the CD Type (MENUA=CARRS, etc.). Place the MENUx files in
the same directory as RomBrain.
4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MULTIPLE CD FILEBASE OPTION
===========================
If you use more than one CD drive, you can use the SETUP to create
a set of data files for each. Example:
CARRS CD would have these files:
CDTYPE_A.1 CDTYPE_A.2 CDTYPE_A.3 CDTYPE_A.4
RBBS IN A BOX would have these:
CDTYPE_C.1 CDTYPE_C.2 CDTYPE_C.3 CDTYPE_C.4
Setup will create a directory for each set of cdtype files, then copy
the files into the directory. The directory name is the same as the
CDROM volume name.
Next, you will need to let RomBrain know you have more than the single
filebase indicated by the initial setup. Create a file named DRIVE.DAT.
The format for this file is:
CD VOLUME NAME,CDTYPE CODE,CD DRIVE LETTER,PATH TO CDTYPE FILES,LEVEL
There should be one line of information for each CD. LEVEL is the level
required to access files on the CDROM listed on the line.
List the default CD on the first line - This is the CD you specified in
the SETUP program, when you first installed RomBrain.
Example DRIVE.DAT file:
CARRS #4,A,D:,C:\ROMBRAIN\PDSI_004,50
CARRS #5,A,E:,C:\ROMBRAIN\PDSI_005,50
RBBS IN A BOX,C,F:,C:\ROMBRAIN\RBBS,90
Note: Use the comma to separate the information. If you use a comma
within the information like: CARRS, #4 errors will occur.
Include a colon with drive letter (Example E:).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once you have created your config file and filebase, you must then create
a batch file to run the door. A batch file for a GAP BBS looks like this:
@ECHO OFF
SET DSZLOG=LOGx <-------(Required for DSZ x=Node Number)
CD \DOORS\ROMBRAIN
ROMBRAIN RBRAIN1.CNF
It is recommended but not required that you call RomBrain with the
config file's name on the command line. If you don't, RomBrain will
simply default to RBRAIN1.CNF.
5.
You will also need to modify your doors menu files and the data
file that tells the BBS what your doors are and the security
level needed to access them. For GAP, these are respectively:
DOORM
DOORMG
DOORS.DAT
Please refer to your BBS documentation for details on
setting up these files.
If you are running multi-nodes, simply create a separate door
configuration file for each node, and number them. For instance,
for a 3 node system, you might have the following configuration
files:
CDBRAIN1.CNF
CDBRAIN2.CNF
CDBRAIN3.CNF
The only difference between the three would be the 1st line which
points to the default directory for the particular node.
Another easy way to add the RomBrain to GAP is to use Gap's
configuration option to create a SYSOP DEFINED COMMAND (consult Gap's
docs for info on sysop defined commands). On The Brainex System I use
CDROM. The batch file to run RomBrain is named CDROM.BAT and placed
in the BBS default directory (C:\GAP). When a caller types CDROM at the
main prompt, they are instantly taken to the RomBrain.
STARTUP/MENU SCREENS
====================
If you wish to bypass the welcome screen, rename or delete the
WELCOME and WELCOMEG files. If you would like to use a different
menu screen, create your screen(s) and name them START for ASCII TEXT
and STARTG for ANSI menu screen.
The following sysop functions are available while awaiting
keyboard input :
F5 - Shell to DOS.
F8 - Twit user and return to BBS.
F10 - Initiate chat with user.
CF10 - Answer user page bell.
Home - Main user stats.
End - Displays sysop keys available.
PgDn - Secondary user stats.
Up Arrow - Increase user's time remaining by 5 minutes.
Dn Arrow - Decrease user's time remaining by 5 minutes.
6.
One of the nicer features about using the TWIT key, is the user
is not told that "the sysop wants them to return to the BBS".
Instead, a very plain and simple message of "returning you to the
BBS" is displayed. This way, the user is given no indication
that the sysop is hovering about.
When using the F5 shell to DOS key, to return to the door
program, simply type EXIT at the DOS command prompt. It is not
necessary to change directories back to the door directory.
RomBrain is smart enough to know which drive and directory the
door program is in and will reset the defaults upon return from
DOS.
The Up and Down Arrow keys increase and decrease the user's time
respectively by 5 minutes for each press of the key. There is no
indication of what is occurring (except by the fact the user's
time remaining will change), so the sysop should try not to have
a lead finger. The increase or decrease is effective only while
the user is in RomBrain.
This version of RomBrain is a DEMO. File Transfers are disabled.
It will become full featured upon registration. This door is released
"As Is" and there is *NO* warranty or guarantee that it will work for
you and not cause any problems. You have chosen to use this door, YOU are
responsible for any unfortunate problems that may develop from its
use or misuse. I will gladly listen to any suggestions or
problems you may have, and I will do my best to fix whatever
needs to be fixed. I can not be held responsible for any problems
you may have, whether directly or indirectly due to the use of the
door or its utilities or associated files.
Please read REGISTER.DOC for information on how you can register
your copy of RomBrain. The download option will only work on
a registered version.
For complete support, contact Stanley Sheff on The Brainex System.
Your questions will be quickly and cheerfully answered!
NOTE-> If you have a CD not supported by RomBrain, a custom filebase
can be made for you by contacting me on Brainex.
Have Fun!
Stanley Sheff
The Brainex System
310-275-2344 HST
310-273-5234 MNP