home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
BBS Toolkit
/
BBS Toolkit.iso
/
doors_2
/
timlok20.zip
/
TIMELOCK.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-03-10
|
18KB
|
397 lines
TIMELOCK
THE TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR BBS DOORS AND PROGRAMS
INTRODUCTION
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TimeLock is a simple, yet powerful BBS, Time Management
Program. It enables Sysops to restrict access to BBS Nodes,
HUB mail doors, game doors or, any other BBS door/utility
program during specific times of the day or night. Only
designated callers (or groups) can access a BBS node or door
program during a Sysop defined time slot when the correct
caller ID or password is provided.
FOR NETMAIL HUBS
NetMail HUB Sysops! You can now be sure that only designated
nodes and hubs will access your BBS or Mail doors during the
Time Slots you assign. No longer will you see your nodes and
hubs calling outside their designated time slots bumping
someone else out of their time slot. Now you can truly offer
PROTECTED TIME SLOTS to your nodes and hubs.
HOW TIMELOCK WORKS
TimeLock.EXE can be placed in your board.bat, logon.bat (if
your BBS provides this feature) or in any batch file that
calls a door or utility program. When a caller attempts to
open a TimeLock Protected NODE, DOOR, or PROGRAM, TimeLock is
executed first and determines whether the caller will be
allowed access based on the time slot assigned to them. If in
their timeslot, TimeLock returns an error level of zero. If
the caller is not in their timeslot, TimeLock returns an error
level of 255 (user definable error level in Registered
Version). Based on these errorlevel you can allow the caller
to continue or return the to the board (or even log them off).
SUMMARY OF TIMELOCK FEATURES
* Allows BBS Sysops to restrict access to a BBS NODE, DOOR or
PROGRAM to designated callers and time periods.
* Written for PC Board, GAP, Wildcat and any other broad capable
of producing a DOOR.SYS file.
* Prints schedule to Screen, File or Printer. Supports both ASCII
and ANSI Schedule Bulletin or News File (sysop definable).
* Allows for overlapping time slots permitting access to GROUPS of
callers.
* Validate callers time slot using PASSWORD or CALLERID (username).
* Detailed Usage Log (* Registered Version).
* Multi-Node Operation (* Registered Version).
* User Definable Default Time Increments when establishing
schedule database (* Registered Version).
* Sysop definable errorlevel if caller is not in their timeslot.
(* Registered Version).
* Can retrieve PASSWORD or CALLER ID without user intervention. (*
Registered Version).
( -1- )
OVERVIEW OF TIMELOCK OPERATION
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The TimeLock system consists of two parts. TIMEDATA.EXE, that
allows you to establish a schedule of callers and their time
slots. And TIMELOCK.EXE, that checks whether the caller is
authorized to access the BBS or program during the time period
called.
The TIMEDATA.EXE Program
TimeData allows you to create a database containing a
starting and ending time (a Time Slot), a caller name or ID
(this can be a HUB or Node ID or a users name), and a
password as shown below. Remember the "open" time slots
are defined by those times for which no TimeData record
covers and they are open to all users.
Sample TimeData screen:
| START | END | Caller ID | Password |
20:00 20:15 HUBWOCKY XYZ123
20:15 20:30 THDOOR WEBSTER
20:30 21:00 HUBNY ALPHA
The TIMELOCK.EXE Program
TimeLock checks the database when the caller tries to open a
door or execute a program protected by TimeLock. If the
password or callerid provided (either thru entry or from the
system file) is valid for the current timeslot, then
TimeLock returns an errorlevel of 0. If it is not valid for
the current timeslot, TimeLock returns errorlevel 255, or the
exit errorlevel as established in the configuration file.
By testing for these errorlevels in your door batch files,
you can grant or deny access to the program or door.
(REGISTERED USERS! When selecting your exit errorlevel,
remember that some BBS software allows activation of
various features when an errorlevel is returned. For
example, in GAP, an errorlevel of 62 (twit key) causes the
carrier to be dropped, disconnecting the user and recycling
the board.)
EXAMPLE: USING TIMELOCK FOR A HUB MAIL DOOR
REM HUBRIME.BAT
echo off
TimeLock TimeLock.CNF
If errorlevel = 255 goto end
F:
cd F:\RIME\HUB
rem run the HUB with the proper configuration file
HUB CONFIG3.HUB REMOTE
:end
In the above example, when the Node or HUB calls and opens
your Mail Door, TimeLock either requests or retrieves a
password or a caller ID. If the password/caller id is correct
for the current timeslot, an errorlevel of 0 is returned and
the batch file allows the caller to open the mail door.
If it is incorrect, TimeLock returns an errorlevel of 255.
The caller is not permitted to open the mail door and is
returned to the BBS.
( -2- )
INSTALLING & USING TIMELOCK:
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TIMLOKxx.ZIP contains the following files:
TIMELOCK.EXE - Program that requests and verifies the
password entered.
TIMELOCK.CNF - Sample configuration file for TimeLock.
TIMEDATA.EXE - Program that maintains the list of time
slots and their passwords.
TIMEDATA.CNF - Sample configuration file for TimeData.
WHATS.NEW - History of enhancements and corrections.
FILE_ID.DIZ - Breif description file.
TIMELOCK.DOC - This file.
REGISTER.DOC - Registration form
To install TimeLock, follow the steps listed below.
STEP 1. Make a directory for the TimeLock programs and files. If
you are using the Shareware version, and running multi-node,
you will want to place TimeLock in each nodes default
directory. Registered users may make one area regardless
of the number of nodes.
STEP 2. Make configuration files. You may use the sample files
(TIMELOCK.CNF & TIMEDATA.CNF) for this purpose. Each
TimeLock configuration file will contain seven (7) lines as
follows.
e:\node4 <== Path to system files
The Door <== BBS Name
0 <== 0=Gap/1=PC Board & Everything else
N <== Maintain Usage file? Y/N
Y <== Get password from DOOR.SYS? Y/N
62 <== Exist errorlevel for bad password
PASSWORD <== Validate PASSWORD or CALLERID
The TIMEDATA.CNF file will contain three (3) lines as follows.
5 <== Default Time Increment in Minutes
e:\node4\timedatg. <== Path for ANSI bulletin/news file
e:\node4\timedat. <== Path for ASCII bulletin/news file
For more information about the configuration files, please view the
sample TIMELOCK.CNF and TIMEDATA.CNF files provided.
STEP 3: Establish your time slot database using the TimeData
program. See page 4 for helpful hints on running this program.
STEP 4: Change the batch files used to run the doors you wish to
protect with TimeLock. (See the previous example.) Note
that if you are a registered user you may pass the
configuration file name that you wish to use on the
command line. If this configuration name is omitted
the TimeLock program will use the TIMELOCK.CNF file.)
( -3- )
USING TIMEDATA
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The TimeData program allows you to establish the database of time
slots and which callerids or passwords will activate them. Note
that you may enter the User Name, Hub Name, or Node ID in the
Caller ID field.
Remember, if you are a registered user and you wish to establish
default time increments, then view and modify the TIMEDATA.CNF file
accordingly. Also, you must establish your paths and filenames for
printing your schedule to a bulletin or newsfile.
The TimeData program is very straight forward and easy to use.
However, a few helpful hints never hurt.
1. To select a menu item you may use your arrow keys, or press the
first letter of the item. Note that PAGE UP will function as
Previous, PAGE DOWN will function as Next and ESC will function
as Quit. The ESC key will also abort the Adding & Changing
functions and return to the menu.
2. When the program requests a Yes or No response, the default
answer will appear in uppercase. For example, by pressing Enter
at the "Is this Correct? Y/n" prompt you would be selecting the
uppercase response, or "Y".
3. Your arrow keys work in moving around the screen and the menu,
but do not work well in editing. So when you are changing a
field, use your backspace key.
4. Times will be entered as hhmm, with no colon, it will be added
for you. Make sure you pad your entries with zeros (i.e. 0500)
and use a 24 hour clock.
5. If you established a default time slot length, you will not
need to enter an Ending Time, just press enter and TimeData
will enter it for you.
6. When you pRint to a file, remember that it will use the file
names that you established in the TIMEDATA.CNF file.
( -4- )
LEGALITIES
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DISTRIBUTION
TimeLock (Tm) is a "shareware program" and is provided at no
charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as
part of another system. The essence of "user-supported"
software is to provide personal computer users with quality
software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for
programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find
this program useful and you continue to use it after a trial
period of 20 days, you must make a registration payment of
$15.00 to Peiman & Associates Inc. The $15.00 registration
fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any
one time.
Commercial or business users of this package must register and
pay for their copies of this package within 10 days of first
use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements
may be made by contacting Peiman & Associates, Inc..
You are encouraged to pass a copy of this package along to
others for for evaluation. Please encourage them to register
their copy if they find that they can use it.
Peiman & Associates, Inc. SUPPORT BBS
629 Peachwood Drive The DOOR BBS & Information Network
Altamonte Springs, FL. 32714 5-Nodes US Robotics DS/V.32bis/HST
(Neil Peiman, Compuserve 76630,2177) 407-682-3132
COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND TRADEMARKS
Distribute this program intact! This software and
accompanying documentation are Copyright (c) 1991 by Peiman &
Associates, Inc.. All rights are reserved. All PAI Software
products are trademarks or registered trademarks of Peiman &
Associates, Inc.. Other brand and product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
Users of this package must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"The TimeLock program is supplied as is. Peiman & Associates
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including,
without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of
fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for
damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the
use of these software programs."
REPORTING PROBLEMS
If you encounter any problems with TimeLock which you think
might be a bug, please report it to us at the address above,
or contact us on the DOOR BBS.
( -5- )
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SHAREWARE AND REGISTERED VERSIONS
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
While the shareware version of TimeLock is not crippled in any
way, registration enables additional features and functions.
As a registered user, you will receive:
o The right to continue using TimeLock
o The latest version of TimeLock
o Updates for 1 Year
o Additional Program Features
o Technical support via The DOOR BBS, (407-682-3132)
SHAREWARE REGISTERED VERSION
Allows Sysops to restrict Allows Sysops to restrict
caller access. caller access.
Written for any BBS able Written for any BBS able
to produce a DOOR.SYS file. to produce a DOOR.SYS file.
Prints Schedule to Screen, Prints Schedule to Screen,
Printer or File (ASCII and Printer of File (ASCII and
ANSI news files). ANSI news files).
Allows overlapping time Allows overlapping time
slots. slots with warning.
Validates callers time Validates callers time
slot using PASSWORD or slot using PASSWORD or
CALLERID (username). CALLERID (username).
Multi-Node operations Multi-Node operation
from separate directories. from one directory
No Usage Log Detailed Usage Log
No Default Time Increments User Definable Default Time
Increments (for quick
schedule entry.)
Returns errorlevel of 255 Returns Sysop definable
if caller is not in their errorlevel if caller is not
timeslot. in their timeslot.
Requires user entry for Can retrieve PASSWORD or
PASSWORD or CALLER ID. CALLER ID without user
intervention.
( -6- )