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1993-03-22
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----------------------
T i m e V a u l t
----------------------
a time banking door for
Searchlight BBS 2.0 and higher
version 3.2
Copyright (c) 1989,93 Jim Barry
Table of Contents
-----------------
Introduction .................................................. 2
Registration Information ...................................... 2
Setup & Installation .......................................... 3
Advanced Options/Extra Features ............................... 4
Deposit .................................................. 4
Withdraw ................................................. 4
TVAULT.CFG ............................................... 5
Transfer ................................................. 6
Goodbye .................................................. 6
Sysop Utilities .......................................... 6
2-Sysop .................................................. 7
Sample Command Lines .......................................... 7
Local Status Line ............................................. 8
TVAULT.LOG Activity Log File .................................. 8
Sysop Chat Mode ............................................... 8
DesqView(tm) Aware ............................................ 8
TVAULT.SL2 Data File .......................................... 9
Acknowledgments .............................................. 10
Disclaimer ................................................... 10
Footnote ..................................................... 10
- 1 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
------------
Introduction
------------
Time Vault is a professional quality, utility/game door written for
Searchlight bulletin board software, Version 2.0 and up. The original
version was released in 1989 and has benn constantly undergoing revisions
and upgrades. The current version is loaded with many features and we
feel this is one of the best utility door programs available for
Searchlight BBS.
Here is a listing of major features offered by Time Vault:
1. Allows users to store system time and withdraw at a later date.
2. Blends into Searchlight by utilitizing the same look and feel.
3. Color choices are from your Searchlight configuration.
4. Transfer feature to give time to a different user. (option)
5. Local status line with ALT/F-key support.
6. Goodbye feature to allow BBS logoff via door. (option)
7. Configure maximum balances/withdrawals via access levels using a
text file. (option)
8. Scans EVENT.DEF file to ensure Time Vault withdrawals do not
interfere with an upcoming event.
9. Sysop chat mode just like Searchlight's.
10. Sysop Utility feature allowing Sysops to modify user account
balances and print listings of the vault file.
11. Activity log of all Time Vault transactions.
------------
Registration
------------
Time Vault is distributed as 'shareware' and continued use after an
acceptable trial period requires a registration fee. The trial period
is 21 days (3 weeks), after which, a registration fee must be paid to
the author. If you fail to register after the 21 day trial period,
you MUST discontinue use of the software. The only way shareware
authors are compensated for their efforts is through registrations.
Please support the shareware marketing concept and encourage authors
to produce updates, as well as new shareware programs.
- 2 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
------------------
Setup/Installation
------------------
The following files should be contained within this ZIP archive:
TVAULT .DOC - Time Vault documentation file
TVAULT .EXE - The actual Time Vault program file
REVISION.TXT - Update information on Time Vault
TV-ORDER.FRM - Order form for registering
(If any of these files are missing, please ask the sysop of the BBS
from which you obtained it to remove the archive from his system.)
Because Time Vault is designed specifically for Searchlight BBS, it is
one of the easiest programs to setup. Please follow these easy steps:
Place the TVAULT.EXE file somewhere on your hard drive. We suggest
your main BBS directory. The same directory that you keep BBS.EXE,
FILE.EXE, etc, in.
Next, make an entry in your DOORS.DEF file. Follow the format of the
one below.
2;0;1;30;Time Vault - Store Time;.;C:\BBS\TVAULT.EXE
| | | | | | |
a b c d e f g
a) Tells Searchlight to provide communications support. Set this to
a (2), telling Searchlight to send color to the remote user even
if the local BBS computer is monochrome.
b) Disk-drive write protection during door. This must be set to a
(0) to allow Time Vault to write it's information.
c) Action on carrier loss. Set this to a (1), telling Searchlight
to terminate the door program if the carrier is dropped during
door execution.
d) BBS access level required to use door.
e) Description of door displayed to your users.
f) Directory to switch to before executing door. This should ALWAYS
be set to a PERIOD ONLY, as it is above. Time Vault looks in the
current directory only when trying to read the CONFIG.SL2 file.
Making this a PERIOD will ensure that the correct CONFIG.SL2 file
is always found.
g) The full path and filename of the TVAULT.EXE file.
If you have additional DOOR.DEF files for other nodes, make identical
entries in those.
- 3 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
That's it. You've installed Time Vault, with the basic, default
configuration. Not too tough, eh? The basic installation allows:
- maximum account balance of 60 minutes.
- maximum daily balance of 30 minutes.
- "Deposit", "Withdraw" and "Quit" menu options.
To customize this installation, as well as activating extra options,
please see the next section.
-------------------------------
Advanced Options/Extra Features
-------------------------------
Time Vault, without any additional command line switches, will operate
just fine. However, there are several options that can be enabled. The
format for running Time Vault with these options is:
TVAULT.EXE -[option-1] ... -[option-n]
** DEPOSIT **
The [DEPOSIT] command allows your users to store a maximum of anywhere
between 0 and 32767 minutes in their 'account.' By default, the maximum
balance is set to 60 minutes.
To allow users to store MORE (or less) time, you can run Time Vault
with the '-MB=' paramemter. To allow users to store 500 minutes of time,
you would run Time Vault with this command line:
TVAULT.EXE -MB=500
This would now allow account balances of 500 minutes. See the section
on the TVAULT.CFG file for another configuration option of maximum
balances.
** WITHDRAW **
The [WITHDRAW] command allows your users to take time out of their
account. By default, the user can remove 30 minutes/day. The range of
daily withdrawal values is 0-1440 minutes. A maximum withdrawal of 0
disables the daily withdrawal limit.
To allow users to withdraw more than 30 minutes/day, you can use the
'-MW=' command line switch. If you wanted to allow your users to
withdraw up to 200 minutes/day, run Time Vault with this command line:
TVAULT.EXE -MW=200
This would now allow daily withdrawals of 200 minutes. See the
section on the TVAULT.CFG file for another configuration method of
maximum withdraws.
- 4 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
** TVAULT.CFG File **
The TVAULT.CFG file gives the sysop the ability of assigning maximum
balance and maximum daily withdrawal limits based on the users access
level. By doing this, you may give higher level users the ability to
store or withdraw more time than lower level users.
When Time Vault is trying to determine what the settings of maximum
balances and maximum daily withdrawals is, it performs the following
steps:
1) Looks in the current nodes CONFIG.SL2 directory for TVAULT.CFG
2) Looks in the main data directory for TVAULT.CFG
3) Looks at the TVAULT.EXE command line for switches
4) Uses internal defaults
On a single node system, place the TVAULT.CFG file into your main data
directory.
If you operate a multinode system, the TVAULT.CFG file can reside in 1
of 2 places. You can place it into your CONFIG.SL2 directory. If you
put it here, the TVAULT.CFG file becomes specific to that node only. Or,
you can place it into your main data directory, making that configuration
file global to all nodes.
The format of the TVAULT.CFG file very simple. You can create the
file using any text editor program. Even use Searchlight's built in
editor if you like. The file should be laid out as follows:
{access level} = {maximum balance};{maximum daily withdrawal}
This file may contain as many lines as necessary. When Time Vault
reads this file, it attempts to match a listed access level that is less
than or equal to the current user's access level.
Here is a sample TVAULT.CFG file:
10 = 30;15
50 = 60;60
100 = 120;0
Now, if a user runs Time Vault, this is what his maximum withdrawal
and maximum balance settings will be:
User Access Maximum Balance Maximum Withdrawal
10 30 minutes 15 minutes
50 60 " 60 "
20 30 " 15 "
5 0 " (no limit)
150 120 " (no limit)
- 5 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
** TRANSFER **
The [TRANSFER] option allows users to trade time with other users.
It's a very simple feature to operate. By default, this option is not
available to your users, however, it can be enabled using the '-T'
command line switch like this:
TVAULT.EXE -T
A user can only transfer time that is _IN_ their account. The maximum
a user can transfer is equal to their account balance. The amount they
can transfer to a specific user is determined by that users current
balance and the maximum balance limit of the user doing the transfering.
For example, if Suzie Snowflake attempts to transfer time to user Joe
Blow and Suzie has 60 minutes in her account. Joe has 15 minutes in his
account. Suzie's maximum balance is 60 minutes. Suzie's maximum balance
limit is applied to Joe's account. So, a maximum balance of 60 minutes
minus Joe's current balance of 15 leaves 45. Therefore, Suzie can
transfer a maximum of 45 minutes to Joe Blow.
It is a simple, straightforward function. You may want to try it out
yourself before deciding whether of not to let your users use it.
** GOODBYE **
The optional [GOODBYE] command does just what you probably think. It
logs the user off your BBS directly from the door program. This command
can be activated by running Time Vault with the "-G" command as follows:
TVAULT.EXE -G
When a user selects this function, they are given an "Are you sure?"
question to confirm that they wish to logoff. If they choose Yes, the
door will terminate and look like it is returning to the BBS as normal.
HOWEVER, when the BBS reloads, it thinks it just ran the auto-LOGOFF
door, and will immediately display your LOGOFF.TXT/ANS file and hangup.
The only drawback of this command is that, when used, your auto-logoff
door does not get run.
** SYSOP UTILITY **
Time Vault has a Sysop Utility mode built into the program. Getting
to this special utility menu can be done by one of three methods:
1) Run the door as a user with 254 or 255 access.
2) Toggle the superuser flag and run the door.
3) Run Time Vault with the '-S' command line switch.
The Utility menu has 3 options; [EDIT], [LIST], and [QUIT].
- 6 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
The [EDIT] command prompts you for a username (or partial user name)
to select. Once a user is selected, that users account information is
displayed. The balance of their account can be edited. As the sysop,
you can set the balance anywhere from 0 to the maximum of 32767. You are
not limited to the settings on the command line or in the TVAULT.CFG
file.
The [LIST] command allows you to display account information of your
users in a table format. The information is displayed as "Balance",
"User Name", and "Last Transaction". The listing can be aborted by
hitting the spacebar or control-C at anytime.
Available in the REGISTERED VERSION of Time Vault-- You can choose to
output the information to either the screen, or to a file or DOS device.
If you choose "File/Print", you will be prompted to enter the output
filename. To send the list to a disk file enter a filename. If you want
the list sent to a printer or other DOS device, enter as "LPT1", "PRN",
etc. The unregistered version only allows printing to the screen.
** 2-SYSOP **
I lied. There is a 4th way to execute the Sysop Utility menu. If a
user is currently running Time Vault and you want to get to the Sysop
Menu, turn on the superuser flag (ALT-S). The NEXT time the Time Vault
menu is displayed, the [2-SYSOP] command will appear. Choosing this
option will take you to the Time Vault Sysop Utility menu.
--------------------
Sample Command Lines
--------------------
TVAULT.EXE -MB=1000 -G
Executes Time Vault with Deposit, Withdrawal, Goodbye and Quit options
active. The maximum balance is set to 1000 minutes. The maximum
withdrawal is set to 30 minutes (the default).
TVAULT.EXE
Executes Time Vault with the Deposit, Withdraw, and Quit options
active. Maximum balance is set to 60 minutes, Maximum withdrawal set to
30. (both defaults)
TVAULT.EXE -T -G -MB=500 -MW=100
Executes Time Vault with Deposit, Withdraw, Transfer, Goodbye, and
Quit options active. Maximum balance is set to 500 minutes. Maximum
withdrawal is set to 100 minutes/day.
TVAULT.EXE -S
Executes Time Vault in Sysop Utility mode.
- 7 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
-----------------
Local Status Line
-----------------
Time Vault displays a local status line, which is always active. It
looks and acts very much like the Searchlight status line. Several hot-
keys are available in relationship to the status line:
ALT-A - toggles the sysop availability flag
ALT-S - toggles the super user access flag
ALT-N - toggles the sysop next flag
F8 - Toggles user information in the status line
F9 - Increases users current session time limit in 5
minute intervals
F10 - Decreases users current session time limit in 5
minute intervals
-----------------
Activity Log File
-----------------
Time Vault automatically generates an activity log file when run. The
activity log, called TVAULT.LOG, is placed into the main BBS directory.
There is only 1 log file for all nodes in a multi-user setup. The
entries are in the following format:
{date} {time} {username} {action} {number of minutes}
For example:
08/28/91 09:42 SUZIE SNOWFLAKE withdrew 20 minutes
All Deposits, Withdrawals, and Transfers are logged.
---------------
Sysop Chat Mode
---------------
At anytime during program execution, the sysop can enter chat mode
with the user on-line by pressing <ALT-C> on the local computer keyboard.
This chat mode operates and feels just like the Searchlight chat mode.
In fact, it so much like SL, you and your users may even forget that you
are in a door and not Searchlight.
Hitting the <Escape> key on the local keyboard will exit chat mode.
Program execution will then resume at the exact point at which you
interrupted it.
------------------
DesqView(tm) Aware
------------------
Time Vault is DesqView aware to allow it to make the most efficient
use of your computers processor time. This is done by passing extra time
back to other tasks when it is waiting for input. Of course, you only
benefit from this feature is you run DesqView.
- 8 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
--------------------
TVAULT.SL2 Data File
--------------------
The data file Time Vault uses to track users accounts is called
TVAULT.SL2. This file is automatically created in the BBS data
directory. This file is in binary format and cannot be changed with a
text editor, etc.
If you are trying to write some utility to work with the Time Vault
data file, here is the structure in Turbo Pascal:
Type transacttype = (DEPOSIT, WITHDRAW, NEW, TRANSFER);
datetype = record
year: byte;
month: byte;
day: byte;
end;
vaulttype = record
name : string[25]; { users name }
balance : integer; { account balance }
withtoday : integer; { amount withdrawn today }
lastwith : datetype; { date of last withdrawal }
lasttran : datetype; { date of last transaction }
lastamount : integer; { amount of last transaction }
lasttype : transacttype; { type of last transaction}
xtra : string[5]; { extra space }
end;
The TVAULT.SL2 file is a "File of vaulttype". The record number of
users vault account is the same as the users record number in the
USER.SL2 file.
- 9 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry
---------------
Acknowledgments
---------------
The following people/organizations deserve special mention:
- Frank LaRosa & Tim Rossiter, authors of Searchlight BBS of which
without, Time Vault would have no purpose.
- Gregg Flagg, motivated me to write a time bank door for Searchlight,
as well as coming up with the name "Time Vault".
- Chris Costakis, for just being an annoying pest to get me to write a
version of Time Vault for the Shareware Searchlight. And THEN he
switches to the extended version a week later.
- Borland International, for providing the world with Turbo Pascal,
which Time Vault is written in.
- All original Cleveland area beta-testers. Thanks for finding most
of my stupid mistakes, guys!
----------
Disclaimer
----------
I have tested this program to the best of my abilities and believe it
to be void of any and all bugs. I attest that when I released this
program, there were no "undocumented" features herein. I give no
warrantees or guarantees as to the correct operation of this software. I
will not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages as a result
of the use of this software.
Your use of the software confirms your acceptance to the statements in
this disclaimer.
--------
Footnote
--------
Comments, Suggestions, and Registrations may be mailed to:
Jim Barry
PO Box 35487
Cleveland, OH 44135-0487
And if your really in the mood to get in touch with me, (or at least
the latest release of Time Vault), you can call my BBS:
Flip Flop BBS [4 lines]
(216) 951-9150 3-2400 Baud
(216) 951-9134 14.4k Baud v.32bis
And remember: When a program has no bugs... It's obsolete!
- 10 -
Time Vault v3.2, (c) Copyright 1989,93 Jim Barry