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┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READROOM V1.2 │
│ Online Periodical Viewing Door │
│ (C) Exhibit A Communications, 1992 │
└────────────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────┐
│ About READROOM │
└────────────────────┘
READROOM is an online viewing door that provides an environment
for all of your online publications. READROOM will provide your users a
choice between up to 15 different publications, each with up to 99
different articles. This door supports both ASCII and ANSI file viewing.
READROOM will work with any BBS that can produce a DOOR.SYS file, either
directly, or using a conversion program. READROOM can also, optionally,
allow the user to download the currently selected periodical using sysop
defined transfer protocols.
Advanced Features in this version include the ability to define
a logfile to track who opens a given publication. Sysops can also set
separate security levels for each publication if they so desire.
Sysop's can chat with users with full wordwrapping, drop to DOS
or twit the caller without the caller ever knowing the sysop is
watching.
READROOM is fully interupt driven, so there should be no
need to use fossil drivers. It also handles data transfer at rates up
to 115,200 baud as well as handle communication ports other than Com1 or
Com2. Contains it's own ANSI driver. Also supports the 16550 UART
chips through the FIFO buffers.
┌────────────────────┐
│ About Shareware │
└────────────────────┘
Shareware is a method of software distribution designed to benefit
both the software developer and the end user. Shareware (SW) should not
be confused with Public Domain (PD) programs. While PD programs are
released to the public with no restrictions attached to their use, SW
programs are the copyrighted work of their authors. The SW programs are
released to the public for evaluation purposes under the assumption that
if the end user likes the program and continues to use it after a
reasonable period of time, that user is obligated to register the
program.
If you purchased this program from a SW distributor, you have
not registered it. You must still pay the programmer to register it.
The money you paid to the distributor was to cover the cost of
duplicating/advertising/etc the files.
Programmers get to distribute their wares without the expense
of advertising, packaging & distribution. The users benefit from being
able to try out the programs without having to pay for the privilege of
evaluation. Shareware programmers (the good ones anyway) are generally
more responsive to bug reports & user requests for additional features.
Everyone benefits provided that the users remember to register and
programmers continue to ... well, program<G>.
┌────────────────────┐
│ Registration │
└────────────────────┘
Please fill out the file ORDER.FRM, copy it to your printer
and mail it along with a check for $15.00 to Exhibit A Communications
at the address shown on the form.
By sending in your registration fee, you will be entitled to
the following:
1) Removal of the UNREGISTERED message when door closes
2) Continued use of this program on any single or multiuser BBS
3) Free upgrades to future versions
4) Enhanced support from programmer
5) The satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make the
shareware system alive
6) A jump to the next Karma level
7) The undying gratitude of my wife, son and dog <g>
┌────────────────────┐
│ Requirements │
└────────────────────┘
1) READROOM will only run on a BBS system that is capable of
creating a DOOR.SYS file when a user opens a door.
If your BBS will not create a DOOR.SYS file, there are
conversion programs around to create a DOOR.SYS file
from whatever your system creates. I strongly suggest
that you ask your BBS software's author to support the
DOOR.SYS standard!
2) READROOM also relies heavily on the READROOM.TOC file for
simplifying the setup and maintenance of your
publications (see below). If your favorite online
publication isn't shipped with this file, encourage the
publishers to support this standard. Otherwise, you'll
have to do it yourself! <g>
3) If you wish to allow users to download publications, you will
need an external file transfer protocol program. The
sample batch files are for DSZ, but any should do.
┌────────────────────┐
│ Installation │
└────────────────────┘
To install READROOM, simply copy all the files included in the
original distribution disk (or archive file) into a single directory.
The only files absolutely necessary to the operation of READROOM are:
READROOM.EXE
a configuration file
and a READROOM.TOC file in same directory as the articles
To install the sample files, please create a subdirectory to hold
the files in SAMPLE.ZIP. Copy SAMPLE.ZIP into the subdirectory and then
unzip it and continue with installing the door as below.
You will want to use a text editor to open READROOM.CNF or create
a new .CNF file. The Configuration format is as follows:
D:\GAP
InfoMat BBS
0
0
0000000000.0000
WELCOME
EXIT
Information About Other Programs from Exhibit A Communications
H:\READROOM\SAMPLE
YES
RESERVED
Each line will be explained below:
1) This is the directory where READROOM will find the DOOR.SYS file
created by your BBS software when a user opens a door.
2) This is the name of your BBS.
3) This is the IRQ that should be used for the com port that you
are using UNLESS you are using COM1 or COM2 in which case you
will put a 0 here.
4) This is the Base Port Address for the com port that you are
using UNLESS you are using COM1 or COM2 in which case you will
put a 0 here.
5) This is where you will place your registration number you
receive from Exhibit A Communications upon registering READROOM.
6) This is the name of the file (including path if not in same
directory where READROOM.EXE is located) you wish to show users
when they first enter this door. If you don't wish to utilize
this feature, leave this line blank.
7) This is the name of the file (including path if not in same
directory where READROOM.EXE is located) you wish to show users
when they leave this door. If you don't wish to utilize this
feature, leave this line blank.
NOTE: Each of the following lines will be repeated for each publication
you plan on offering.
8) This is the description you wish to show up on the publication
menu. This line should be no longer than 60 characters.
9) The full drive and path to the directory that contains the
READROOM.TOC file (below) for this publication as well as all of
the articles to be viewed in this publication.
10) YES or NO, depending on whether you wish to allow users to download
the file named in the READROOM.TOC file (below). If you run a multi-
node system and since this flag is set in the configuration file, you
may allow users on a private node to d/l the file while not allowing
those on the public node to do so. The choice is up to you.
For more information on setting up the system to allow
downloads, please see Appendix C at the end of this document.
11) Advanced Features Line.
If you don't wish to utilize the Advanced Features, please
leave this line blank or use the RESERVED key word.
The Advanced Features line, if enabled, must consist of at
least 2 words.
1. NOLOG or the full drive\path\filename of the log file
for this publication. This log will track those who
open this publication.
2. Minimum security level neccessary to open this pub-
lication. If you wish to disable this feature, enter
a 0.
NOTE: As additional features are added to READROOM door, they
will probably be defined by options specified on this line.
Repeat lines 8 through 11 for each publication you wish to offer up to a
maximum of 15 publications. If you enter more than 15, only the first
15 will be used.
NOTE: A seperate configuration file must be created for each node you
intend to run READROOM on.
Next, you will need to create a directory that will hold the
articles you wish to have displayed. You will need to have a seperate
directory for each publication you intend to display with READROOM door.
In this directory you will place:
1) Articles to be viewed
2) Archived version of the articles above (optional)
3) READROOM.TOC
The READROOM.TOC acts as an index to the articles available that
READROOM door needs to run. Having this file separate from the
configuration file should make life easier for sysops running multi-node
systems and whose publications change frequently.
To create READROOM.TOC, please use the following format:
PIM9204.ZIP
PIM
Poetry In Motion
April 1992 Vol. 12, Issue 4
ART1
ART2
ART3
ART4
...
...
...
ART99
1) This line defines the file you wish to have available to users to
download. If you do not intend to offer this function, you must at
least leave this line blank. Since the ability to d/l is set in the
configuration file you may have a file name here even if you aren't
allowing it.
2) This line is the name of the welcome file you wish displayed to
the user as they first enter the door. Your file should have no
extension. The name should be the name of the ASCII file you wish
displayed. If a user is in the color mode, MPD will look for a
file that is the same as the one you name in this line except that
the color version will have the letter G tacked on the end. If that
file is not found, it will show the original file. In the
example above, a color user would be shown the file PIMG.
3) This line is for the first header that appears over READROOM's menu.
Normally you would want to place the name of the publication here.
4) This line is for the second header that appears over READROOM's menu.
Normally you would place the issue number and date here, or what ever
text tickles your fancy.
5-104) These lines are where you define what files are available for
viewing. There should be one listing per line, to a maximum of
99 files. The first thing on each line should be the complete
drive\path\filename of the ASCII (non-color) file to be viewed.
For color users, READROOM will tack on a G at the end of the
filename. (See number 6 above) Following this you will put at
least one space before starting the file description that will
appear on the menu. This description can be no longer than 59
characters.
┌────────────────────┐
│ Operation │
└────────────────────┘
Setup
─────
To run READROOM door, you will need to create a batch file that
will launch the door. For example:
@echo off
d:
cd \readroom
readroom readroom.cnf
will work with GAP. Some other BBSes require that you call the BBS
software at the end of a door batch file. Check with your BBS
documentation.
MULTI-NODE BBS NOTE:
READROOM will run on multiple node setups, but you must create
a seperate configuration file for each node. The only line that should
change between any of the configuration files will probably be the first
line (showing location of DOOR.SYS file for that node).
You may set up multiple configurations of READROOM by creating a
different batchfile/.cnf file for each occurance of the door.
Currently, this is the only way to get more than 15 publications online.
This limitation will hopefully be removed in future versions of this
door. In doing so, you MUST remember that the paths you list in the .CNF
files should be the full drive\path\filenames, or at bare minimum, the
path\filename relative to where READROOM.EXE is located.
┌────────────────────┐
│ Support │
└────────────────────┘
READROOM is fully supported by it's programmer Michael J. Gibbs
through Exhibit A Communications. He can be reached in the following
manners:
1) Intelec network node id :->EXHIBITA
conferences monitored:
SYSOP
PCRELAY
BBS DOORS
PROGRAMMING
C PROGRAMMING
INTELEC ADMIN
2) MediaNET network node id:->EXHIBITA
conferences monitored:
MEDIANET ADMIN
PRO PHOTO
MEDIANET CHAT
2) RaceNet network node id:->EXHIBITA
conferences monitored:
OFFROAD
RACENET SYSOPS
3) InfoMat BBS (714) 492-8727
forum 7 is support for Exhibit A Programs
4) CI$ #72246,1653
┌────────────────────┐
│ Legal Disclaimer │
└────────────────────┘
(small print on<g>)
As with any program, every attempt is made by the programmer to
kill all the bugs in the software before it is release to the public.
Since this is all but impossible, it is recommended that new software
should only be run (for the first time at least) when a current backup
of your hard disk is available. When shareware is released for public
evaluation, there is little that can be done on the programmer's end to
prevent others from infecting the program with viruses or making
unauthorized changes to the program. AS SUCH, user agrees to hold
harmless MICHAEL J. GIBBS, INFOMAT BBS and EXHIBIT A COMMUNICATIONS in
regards to any personal, physical, emotion, financial, sexual or other
damage that may occur to hardware, software or the user that may arise
from the use of this program. Use of this program is considered to be
acceptance of these conditions.
This program remains the copyrighted work of Exhibit A
Communications. When you register the program, you are granted a
license to use this program on one (1) BBS system, regardless of how
many nodes are active. You may sell your registered number to another
if the following conditions are met:
1) All copies of the software and any documentation are
transferred to the new owner.
2) You must discontinue use of the program following the sale.
3) The new owner must contact Exhibit A Communications to update
our user records.
This program may not be sold in it's unregistered form. It is
intended to be distributed freely. Pay BBS systems are exempt from this
requirement provided they are not charging specifically for access to
this one program. Shareware distributors/User Groups may charge a nominal
copying/library fee not to exceed $7.00.
(small print off<g>)
┌────────────────────┐
│ Special Thanks │
└────────────────────┘
Special thanks go out to:
My wife and son for tolerating my weird ways.
Inez Harrison (editor of Poetry In Motion newsletter)
for her support for this program.
Tony Curro (editor of Computer Talk Magazine)
for his support for the READROOM.TOC format.
Don (sysop of MoonDog BBS) for his patient ßeta testing
of this program.
┌────────────────────┐
│ Appendix │
└────────────────────┘
Appendix A
──────────
┌────────────────────┐
│ HISTORY: READROOM │
└────────────────────┘
Version Date Fixes, Changes, etc.
─────── ──────── ─────────────────────────────────────
1.2 08/24/92 Fixed ASCII/ANSI file display problem that
caused first (for remote users) and second
(for local users) lines of each screen of text
to scroll off top of screen.
1.1 08/03/92 Released v1.1.
1ß8 07/29/92 Externalized transfer protocols.
1ß7 07/15/92 Added advanced features:
minimum security level to open pub
optional logging of users in and out
of a publication
1.0 06/05/92 First public release of door!
1ß6 06/02/92 Added support for 15 different
publications. Released for final Beta
testing.
1ß5 05/20/92 Improved appearance of the command line
when download is enabled.
1ß4 05/18/92 Added ability to d/l this issue from
within the door. Requires DSZ.
1ß3 05/13/92 Seperated configuration file from the
table of contents to optimize for use on
multi-node BBSes.
1ß2 05/11/92 Fixed error that caused user to choose
a number higher than the maximum number
of documents.
1ß1 04/08/92 First official beta test. Support for
up to 99 files to be viewed.
Appendix B
──────────
Future Improvements
Shortly thereafter, if the need dictates, I will add the ability for
certain specified users to upload an updated publication. READROOM will then
launch an update batch file that will replace the old files with the new ones
and update the READROOM.TOC accordingly!
If people come across stable publication formats (like USA Today's or
others) please forward them to me and I will try and create some small (.COM)
programs to automatically create the READROOM.TOC file.
Appendix C
──────────
Setting up READROOM for downloading publications
If you decide to allow users to download publication, there are
a few steps you must take first.
1) Unzip DL-FILES.ZIP into the directory containing
READROOM.EXE.
2) Make changes to the READROOM configuration so that the
allow-download-line (see above) for each publication
reads YES.
3) If you intend to offer only the DSZ protocols then you can
use the RR-Sx.BAT files as they are.
If you wish to add more transfer protocols, please do the
following:
1) Add the letter you wish to have the user press to select the
protocol to PROTO.DAT. This file should contain the
letter (uppercase) or number used to call the protocol,
one per line. See sample PROTO.DAT for examples.
2) Add the letter to the PROTO and PROTOG menu files.
3) Create a RR-Sx.BAT file where x is the letter or number
defined in PROTO.DAT. READROOM will pass the
following parameters to the batch file:
%1 Comm Port Number
%2 DTE (computer to modem) speed
%3 The full drive\path\filename of the file to
transfer
%4 User's actual baud rate (modem to modem)
POINTS TO REMEMBER!
1) Make sure that the filename in READROOM.TOC does NOT include
a drive or path. It should list the filename ONLY.
READROOM will add the filename to the drive\path listed in
the READROOM's configuration file for the given publication.
2) Make sure that the file DOES exist in the directory.