home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
BBS Toolkit
/
BBS Toolkit.iso
/
doors_2
/
sh11.zip
/
SH.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-12-20
|
11KB
|
285 lines
SuperHost
Version 1.0
(C)Copyright 1988
By
Tom Bensky
Any questions, comments, or suggestions can be left
(data) on the home of SuperHost (818) 701-1021 or by
writing the author at the below address. Address
messages to Tom Bensky. I will respond ASAP.
Table of Contents
What is SuperHost..................................1
Conditions of Distribution.........................2
Using SuperHost....................................3
The remote user and SuperHost......................7
Registration form..................................8
What is SuperHost?
SuperHost is a program that allows you to set up any
program THAT USES BIOS FOR SCREEN OUTPUT for use over the
modem for another user (like a door for a bbs system) or for
your own use (to work from home for example). Once a program
is running under SuperHost, many things are being performed
by SuperHost to insure security as well as making sure the
program looks the same for the remote user as it would in
local mode. Here is a list of things SuperHost does while a
program is running under it:
1. All screen output by BIOS or DOS is redirected over
the modem.
2. Carrier detection is constantly monitored.
If the carrier is suddenly lost, the SuperHost will
warm-boot the system.
3. A time limit is enforced.
You can specify a maximum time that a program can be
used under SuperHost. This prevents people from
spending hours using a program. If the time limit
is exceeded, SuperHost warm-boots the system.
4. Cursor locations are recognized.
If a BIOS call is made to reposition the cursor (as
many programs do), SuperHost will intercept this
call, translate it the corresponding ANSI cursor
positioning codes, and send it over the modem so the
remote user will get the cursor positioned as well.
5. BIOS colors are recognized.
If the program running utilizes color via BIOS, the
color codes will be intercepted and translated into
their corresponding ANSI color codes and sent over
the modem so the remote user can see the color as
well.
6. Disk writes can be prohibited or allowed.
If, while running a program, the user tries to write
to a disk, SuperHost can prohibit the write if you
so request initially.
SuperHost basically allows you to use non-modem programs
over the modem. It works with any program as long as BIOS or
DOS screen writes are used. Other methods of screen writing
are direct screen writes which SuperHost does not recognize.
-2-
Using SuperHost
SuperHost is basically very easy to use. No set up is
required. All and any information is supplied at run time on
the command line. The SuperHost runtime syntax is as
follows:
SH (path-of-file-to-run) (Tx) [Wx] [Px] [L] [CxZZx] [dZZ]
Note: The parameters in ()'s ARE MANDATORY and the
parameters in []'s are optional.
(path-of-file-to-run):
* Mandatory parameter *
This is the exact path of the file to execute when SuperHost
is invoked. NO DEFAULTS ARE ASSUMED. Be sure to include any
drive letter, subdirectory, and extension (.EXE or .COM
only).
[Tx]:
* Mandatory parameter *
This is the maximum time limit (x) in minutes that the
program can be used per run. x can be from 1 to 99.
[Wx]:
* Optional parameter *
This is the disk write prohibit/allow flag (x). If x is a
plus sign (+), disk writes are allowed. It x is a minus sign
(-) disk writes are not allowed. This flag defaults to a
minus sign (-) and does not allow disk writes if Wx is not
found on the command line.
[Px]:
* Optional parameter *
This tells SuperHost which communications port to use (x). x
is 1 for COM1: or 2 for COM2:. If not specified on the
command line, Px defaults to 1 and communications port 1
(COM1:) will be used when SuperHost is run.
[L]:
* Optional parameter *
This tells SuperHost to expect screen output from DOS. This
may take some experimenting to determine if it is needed or
not. If the program works with CTTY, include this parameter.
No defaults are assumed. Most INFOCOM games (like Zork,
Infidel) require this parameter in order to run.
[CxZZx]:
* Optional parameter *
This tells SuperHost to pass command line parameters to the
program supplied earlier. These parameters will be passed as
if typed on the command line when the program is run without
SuperHost. ZZ are the actual parameters as you would type
them as if running the program in local mode. The two x's
should be indentical characters NOT FOUND in ZZ. These two
characters delimit ZZ. They must be supplied so SuperHost
knows where the parameters to pass start and end. See below
for examples.
[Dfilename]:
* Optional parameter *
This tells SuperHost to dump ASCII file filename at run time.
This is helpful for informing the user of time limits,
instructions, etc. before the actual program is run. At the
end of dumping each 24 lines, SuperHost will pause and give a
'More - ( Y )es or ( N )o prompt.
Examples:
SH c:\games\invade.exe T30
- runs c:\games\invade.exe over communications port 1
(default), does not allow disk writes (default), and
allows 30 minutes in which to use the program.
SH b:\util\door\sample.com t15 P2 w+ C"/w /u"
- runs b:\util\door\sample.com over communications port
2, allows disk writes, allows 15 minutes in which to
use the program, and passes /w /u as command line
parameters. Note the delimiters " and ".
SH c:\edlin.com L t10 w+ Dedlin.doc
- runs c:\edlin.com, allows 10 minutes to use the door
allows disk writes, and dumps file edlin.doc before
running c:\edlin.com. The L option is included
because we all know this program uses DOS screen
writes.
SH a:game.exe t15 w- dgame.doc c\hello, hi\
- runs a:game.exe, allows 15 minutes to use the door,
does not allow disk writes, dumps game.doc before
running it, and passes parameter: hello, hi
to a:game.exe. Not the delimiters \ and \ .
That's all there is to it! You will probably want to
put this one SH xxxxxxxxxxx line in a .BAT file (since most
bbs systems require a .BAT file for doors) and simply set the
bbs up to call this .BAT file when this door is requested.
You don't have to worry about carrier loss, time limits, or
unauthorized disk writes...SuperHost handles it all!
* Note: The order of parameters on the SuperHost command
line does not matter. However, SuperHost MUST
find the path of the program to run as the FIRST
parameter.
* Note: Do not try to run SuperHost without a user logged
on. Without a carrier detected, SuperHost will reset
the system before anything happens.
The user and SuperHost
When an online user is using a program running under
SuperHost, s/he would basically do whatever s/he would do if
s/he was using the program in local mode. However, the
occasion may arise when a function key or arrow key is
requested or required to use the program. If a function or
arrow key is pressed, it will undoubtedly invoke a terminal
program function depending on the terminal program a person
is using. (if in ProComm, and F10 is pressed, the help window
is brought up). For this reason, SuperHost allows emulations
of these keys. They are:
For function keys F1 to F10, the user should press:
[CTRL]-[F] + 1..9 or 0
[CTRL]-[F] + 1 means function key F1
[CTRL]-[F] + 2 means function key F2
.
.
[CTRL]-[F] + 9 means function key F9
[CTRL]-[F] + 0 means function key F10
For arrow keys:
[CTRL]-[W] for up arrow
[CTRL]-[A] for left arrow [CTRL]-[S] for right arrow
[CTRL]-[Z] for down arrow
(notice the "arrow key arrangement" these keys form on the
keyboard)