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1992-08-21
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PCBURM v1.0
-----------
PCBoard User Ratio Monitor
A PCBoard File/Byte Download Monitor
Version 1.0
For PCBoard v14.5a
- - - - -
Copyright 1992 - Robert Neal
317 Hickory
Romeoville, IL 60441
Support BBS:
Corporate Headquarters BBS
Node #1: (815) 886-3233 v.32bis
Node #2: (815) 886-9381 2400 (soon v.32bis)
PROGRAM INFORMATION
===================
PCBoard User Ratio Monitor (PCBURM) is a utility door written for
PCBoard v14.5a. PCBURM will enforce your desired ratios with each call
the user makes to your board. PCBURM was written because PCBoard lacks a
ratio enforcement method that is easy to use and understand, and one
that can be run "real time". In looking around for similar products,
everyone I've seen seem to be overkill, didn't effectively handle
particular user requirements or just plain didn't seem to work.
In creating PCBURM, it was designed to be just one thing, a file/byte
monitoring and enforcement tool for PCBoard. PCBURM will check for
either a file ratio, byte ratio or both, sysop defined. There is no
"banking" features, message ratio monitoring or things of that sort.
This was decided so that PCBURM would be SIMPLE AND EASY for any sysop
to get up and running in a matter of minutes.
Features of PCBURM:
o Support for baud rates up to 115,200 bps
o Support for non-standard COM IRQ's
o Complete monitoring of COM ports for carrier loss
o Option to display comment to user
o Full Multi-Node support
o Sysop function keys are supported
o Most of all - SIMPLE to use
PROGRAM INSTALLATION/OPERATION
==============================
Step #1: - Create configuration file
========
Edit PCBURM configuration file, PCBURM.CFG. Use your favorite text
editor to edit this file.
The items in the configuration file are as follows, do not include the
comment information which begins the the "<-" characters:
C:\PCB\USERS.SYS <- *Line 1: Full path/filename to your USERS.SYS file
Corp Headquarters <- Line 2: Name of your BBS
Bob <- Line 3: First name of sysop
Neal <- Line 4: Second name of sysop
0 <- Line 5: Registration # - 0=unregistered
PCBURM.LOG <- Line 6: Full path/filename of log file to create
1 <- Line 6: File credit given to new users
50000 <- Line 7: Byte credit given to new users
(*) - PCBURM supports the PCB environment variables, %PCBDRIVE% and
%PCBDIR%. Those running a multi-node system may which to replace Line 1
with the following:
%PCBDRIVE%%PCBDIR%\USERS.SYS
PCBURM will read the current PCBoard drive and directory from these
variables.
The log file created will include the name of the user, node used,
security level assigned to the user as well as the date and a brief text
line explaining what ratio enforcements were placed on the user. If a
user exceeded his requirements, the log file will include the current
ratios of the user at the time the program monitored his activity.
A little explanation may be in order for LINE 7 and LINE 8. These lines
are used to give "free" credits to new users. If you would like to grant
some "free" credits to a user, place the values here. In the above
example, a user would be given credit for one upload and 50,000 bytes.
If a user was given a 5:1 file ratio requirement, he could then download
5 files before needing to upload anything. Program would then restrict
download ability until a file was uploaded. Same explanation for the
byte credit, user could download 250,000 bytes if a 5:1 ratio was in
place before he would need to upload anything. This option allows new
users access to your file area without requiring an initial upload.
Please note that this is used internally to the program. It will not
actually add this information to the users file, keeping your user
file statistics accurate.
Step #2: - Create file ratio requirements file
========
Edit the requirement file, PCBURM.REQ. Again, use your favorite text
editor to edit this file: The format is as follows:
SECURITY LEVEL, FILE RATIO, BYTE RATIO, USER COMMENT
For example:
30,5,10,Regular User
40,10,20,Supporting User - Thanks for your payment
200,0,0,Sysop
999,1,1,Unknown Access Level - Please inform sysop
In the above example, the first line is for a security level 30 user. He
has a 5:1 file ratio requirement, a 10:1 byte ratio requirement. The
USER COMMENT field ("Regular User") will be displayed as part of the
user statistics displayed by the program. You can use this field to put
any information you desire, maybe enter information about subscription
that your board may offer.
In the second example, this is for a security level 40 user. He has a
10:1 file ratio requirement and a 20:1 byte ratio requirement.
In the third example, this is a security level 200 user. The file and
byte ratios have been set to "0", this informs PCBURM that this user is
exempt for maintaining any ratio requirements (might be used for
subscribing user, co-sysops and sysops). You may set the byte and/or
file ratio to zero if you do not with to enforce a ratio requirement.
The last example is recommended as the last line for every PCBURM.REQ
file. This is used as the DEFAULT security ratio. If a security level is
not found in the line preceeding this last line, these ratios will be
assigned to the user. Using the above example, if the user had a
security level of 60, PCBURM would use the file requirements as shown on
this line as a level 60 was not previously assigned a ratio requirement.
Step #3 - Setup PCBURM as a door
=======
Setup PCBURM as a PCBoard Door. Run PCBSetup, edit the door security
file and add the following line:
USER DOOR
Filename Password Sec Login SYS SYS Shell Path to DOOR Files
══════════ ════════════ ═══ ═════ ════ ════ ═════ ═══════════════════
PCBURM 0 Y Y N Y
The "Login" and "Shell" are both optional. If you have enough memory, it
is recommended that you use the "shell" option of PCBoard. The USERS.SYS
field must be set to Y or PCBURM will not work!
Step #4 - Create script file
=======
Edit the PCBURM door script, again using your favorite text editor.
Below is an example of a suggested script (example presumes PCBURM is
located on drive "C" and in directory "PCBURM"):
@ECHO OFF
C:
CD \PCBURM
PCBURM PCBURM.CFG
%PCBDRIVE%
CD %PCBDIR%
IF (%INPCB%)==(Y) EXIT
BOARD
The line "IF (%INPCB%)==(Y) EXIT" is used to exit from shelled doors. If
you won't run PCBURM as a shelled door, it may be removed.
PCBURM supports COM1-4, using standard IRQ's. If you wish to use a
non-standard IRQ, add the IRQ number after the configuration file name.
For example "PCBURM PCBURM.CFG /5" (tells PCBURM to use IRQ 5 instead of
standard IRQ value). No parameter is required if using standard IRQ
values.
That's all there is to do. PCBURM uses will adjust the daily download
bytes allowed as indicated in the PWRD file to monitor and enforce the
file/byte ratio's. If you have used another file ratio enforcement
program, check to see that you have re-entered this information in the
PWRD file (some ratio enforcers have required you to zero out this
information. Not PCBURM, PCBURM reads this information.
When PCBURM is run, it will display the users file/byte statistics. It
will also display if the user is within your established ratio
requirements, or if not, will inform him accordingly. In addition,
PCBURM will maintain a log file (PCBURM.LOG) which will indicate what
actions were taken by the program, or if the user was within ratio
requirements. You may wish to delete this file regularly as necessary.
REGISTRATION
============
PCBURM is released as user support software (aka SHAREWARE). I don't
expect you to register the program if you don't like it or if it doesn't
meet your needs (just stop using it). But if you continue to use PCBURM
after a reasonable evaluation period of up to 30 days, you are required
to make payment for the program or stop using it.
PCBURM is NOT crippled in any way other than for a momentary reminder at
the termination of the program that the program is not registered. Once
you register the program, you will be provided with a registration
number which will remove this reminder notice.
Registration is only $15 and will include unlimited free upgrades and
support via my BBS.
Please use the form REGISTER.FRM included with the program to register
PCBURM. If this file is missing, send a check for $15 (US funds) to:
Robert Neal
317 Hickory
Romeoville, IL 60441
Please include your BBS name as this information will be used to create
your unique registration key file. You may receive your registration
file via my support BBS (but please be sure you have an account
established on my BBS so that I can leave this information in a private
message to you) or via the US Mail. Please indicate your preference.
Keep your eye open for other utility programs from me written for
PCBoard. Several programs are now in the works and should be released
soon. Also, look for my door programs, Card Sharks and Links Golf
(available on my BBS as well), I think your users will enjoy playing
them.
SUPPORT
===================
If you have any questions, comments, problems, suggestions for
enhancements, etc., I may be reached at my support BBS or by mail. In
addition, you may send a message to me on the RIME conferences to my BBS
"CHQBBS", I regularly monitor the messages in the Sysop, BBS and PCBoard
Support conferences. I can also be reached via Prodigy, PNSP01A.
LEGAL INFORMATION
===============================
This program is provided on an "AS IS" basis. No warranty of any kind is
expressed or implied. YOU USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK. I take no
responsibility for any damage caused directly or indirectly from the use or
the inability to use this program.