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1992-02-09
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TEL AVIV COMMUNICATIONS [TAC] (tm)
Bulletin Board System
version (1.a)
______________________________________________________________________________
COPYRIGHT
---------
COPYRIGHT 1992 by Paul A. Sparacino. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER
----------
Users of Tel Aviv Bulletin Board Systems' accept this disclaimer:
Tel Aviv BBS, vers.1.a is supplied as is.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of Tel Aviv BBS.
FREEWARE
--------
Please feel free to distribute this disk, however; to sell this
material also alter and change .EXE files without the authors
consent is a copyright infringement.
CONTENTS
--------
-1- ................... INTRO
-2- ................... SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-3- ................... INSTALLATION
-4- ................... INTERNAL FUNCTIONS
-5- ................... THE WAIT SCREEN
-6- ................... MAIN MENU (Public System)
-7- ................... PRIVATE SYSTEM
-8- ................... ULTRA-PRIVATE SYSTEM
-9- ................... SYSOP MENU
-10-................... WRAPPING IT UP
1. Introduction
-----------------
In the last 8 years of my telecommunication endevors, I've tried more
than a dozen bulletin board systems' to explore and possibly put On-Line.
With the abundance of bbs's available for the IBM computer, I found many
to be excellent and very well written from a operators stand point.
My only beef to all or most of the systems that I've tried was the
messaging aspects of them! I would read a users message and find myself
rummaging through the operators 10 gigabyte drive trying to find the
reply or replies to that particular message. The "THREAD" option was not
exactly my cup of coffee either. The Threading format always looked
jumbled and by the time you've entered numerous keystrokes to get to your
location, the message that you've already read had been forgotten.
My sole purpose for writing this software was to incorporate the
"on going reply or comment" format, to a users existing message.
This is my first attempt in writing bbs software and being laid off
for the winter of '90, I found myself with an excruciating amount of
free time, so I blew the dust off the IBM and started plunking away.
As far as the name Tel Aviv goes...that name always had a ring to it as
long as i can remember.. (different strokes for different folks..hey).
The system itself is DINKY (compared to the mammoth systems available today),
but I guess prototypes are to be that way!!
It does not have file transfers, big door programs or user environments...
in other words, it won't pick your nose.
Version (1.B) of TEL AVIV will be available 1-1-93... and that one
is capable of picking your nose... it's gonna be a biggie folks!!!
2. System Requirements
----------------------
IBM or compatable, Hayes modem or compatable (1200 BPS ONLY) this version,
COM PORT (1) only - this version, 1 floppy or hard drive, 256k ram minimum,
Dos 3.1 or higher. CGA card is nice but not necesary for online trans-
mission is mono, again this version.
3. Installation
---------------
Nothing to it... Just run "INSTALL.EXE" and all the necessary data files
will be installed to the drive you are currently in. No sub-directories
or paths to fudge around with.
4. Internal Functions
---------------------
After you run Tel Aviv a few times, you'll get the hinkling why this does
that or why did that do that. When it comes to the point of I did not
do that is... probably you did!
The public message numbering and User Numbering are controlled internally
and recorded to 2 data files know as:
MNUM.CNT for message numbering
USERS.CNT for assigning User Accounts
If USERS.CNT becomes corrupted due to media crash the system is through
unless you catch it in time. Users will be overwritten.
If MNUM.CNT becomes corrupted due to a media crash the message numbering
will not correspond with the file PMSG.LST which list message headings!
It is always important to back-up your files on a daily basis.
There are these things called brown-outs and lightning?
File Descriptions:
------------------
STAT.DAT - Displays Last Caller, Password, Access Level, Time and Date
user logged off (WAIT SCREEN).
USERS.DAT - Input data file of all user accounts (heart of the system)
SYSMSGS.DAT- Text file of all messages directed to the SYSOP via logoff
and Applicant and logon complaint.
TWALL.DAT - Text file of all input written by users of the Grafitti Wall.
CHAT.DAT - Text file of all input written by user and sysop during
the chat session.
APPS.DAT - Text file of all input written by new users before validation
seeking request for access to the system.
UDESC.DAT - Text file of all users descriptions.
PRIVLOG.DAT- Input data file of all user account of the PRIVATE SYSTEM.
PRIBBS.MSG - Text file message base for the PRIVATE SYSTEM
ULTRA.MSG - Text file message base for the ULTRA-PRIVATE SYSTEM
ULTRA.DAT - Input data file of all user account of ULTRA-PRIVATE.
PMSG.LST - Text file of public message headings.
USERS.CNT - Input (counter) data file which keeps track of next available
user number.
CALLER.CNT - Input (counter) data file which keeps track of last caller #.
MNUM.CNT - Input (counter) data file which keeps track of next available
public message. This file works inconjunction with file PMSG.LST
System Generated Files:
-----------------------
PRI (#).DAT - Users private file for all their private mail. # = User No.
PMS (#).DAT - Individual public message. # = Message No.
UD (#).DAT - Users individual Users Description file. # = User No.
Sysop Generated files:
Use your favorite ASCII word processor.
---------------------------------------
NEWUSER.SCR - \
MMENU.SCR - \
PMENU.SCR - \_ Samples of these files furnished on your disk.
LOGON.SCR - /
LOGOFF.SCR - /
PMS.SCR - /
TWALL.SCR - /
BULL.TXT - Text file of any information that you wish to present for
the users of the Public System.
PRIBULL.TXT - Text file of any information that you wish to present for
the users of the Private System.
FILE1.TXT - \
FILE2.TXT - \ These files are read internally by the command module
FILE3.TXT - \ _ the way they are listed here, however, when setting
FILE4.TXT - / up your information files remember to name them as
FILE5.TXT - / "FILE2.TXT" the way it will be listed on your disk.
FILE6.TXT - / Example: JOEBLOW.TXT will be named FILE2.TXT on disk.
ACCESS LEVELS:
--------------
Access - 1 GENERAL User : Does NOT have access to PRIVATE, ULTRA PRIVATE
and the SYSOP FUNCTIONS.
Access - 10 V.I.P User : Has access to the PRIVATE SYSTEM, but not the
ULTRA-PRIVATE and SYSOP FUNCTIONS.
Access - 15 ELITE User : Has access to all PRIVATE SYSTEMS, except
the SYSOP FUNCTION.
Access - 20 SYSOP : Can do whatever he likes!
A PERSONAL NOTE: I like to reserve an access level of 15 to only one user,
(i.e) like for my babe!! There in the ULTRA-PRIVATE system you won't be
bothered by other users of the system! ;-)
USER TIME LIMIT:
----------------
There is NONE.... I forgot to write a sub-routine before I compilied
the software. OOPS! :-(
(5) The Wait Screen
--------------------
After the system is initiated, you will see a screen with information on
it, the Wait Screen. The purpose for this screen is to show the status of
your system after a caller has logged off. To your left you will see info
regarding:
LAST CALLER, PASSWORD, ACCESS LEVEL, and DATE & TIME user logged off,
read via STAT.DAT data file. To your right you will see 2 functions:
(L) Local Logon : Self-explanatory and takes phone off hook.
(T) Terminate Tel Aviv : Ends program and returns to DOS
6. Main Menu (PUBLIC)
---------------------
A sample of these functions are supplied on your distribution disk with
the file called MMENU.SCR. When you change this file to your needs, please
keep in mind to leave the commands as they are!!!
NOTE: Doors have been added to this version and can be activated with
a batch file called "DOORS.BAT" Door programs will work if they
were written to the comports. This is still somewhat in the beta
testing phase. Please let me know how your door programs work
on this system!
Two comands for Chat Mode (DURING CHAT MODE ONLY)
* = Enter Chat Mode
// = Exit Chat Mode
7. Private System
-----------------
The Private System is basically a small message base which is accessed to a
user who is assigned an access level of 10 or higher. It incorporates
one message base and can be delete when the message base gets to large.
Messages in this mode will also be formated to an "on going comment or reply"
The user will also be able to read the Private Bulletins and read the
Private User Log.
8. Ultra-Private System
-----------------------
The Ultra-Private System is basically the same as the Private System which
is accessed by a user who is assigned an access level of 15 or higher.
9. Sysop Menu
--------------
(1) Sysop Extended Menu : Add a User , Delete User Files, Read Sysop
Messages and Read New Applications. This Version
does not delete a user from "USERS.DAT
An ascii word processor should be used.
(2) Reset Message Counter : Changes the numbering system for public messages.
(3) Reset User Counter : Changes the numbering system for User Accounts.
Should NEVER have to touch this function!
(4) Reset Caller Count : Changes the LAST caller count.
(5) Reset System Time :
(6) Reset System Date :
(7) Delete Private Message: /NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS VERSION/
(8) Delete Public Message : Deletes a Public Message off the PMS Board.
One pain in the hiny was, I did not incorporate
a routine to delete the corresponding message.
off the PMSG.LST .... ASCII W.P. will work!
(9) View a File : Can change,delete,create and append any txt file.
(10) Drop to DOS : Shells to DOS Environment
(11) SYSOP SNOOPER : Read users's Private Messages /NOT ON THIS VERS./
(A) Print Applications : Print Applications to a line printe.
(B) Print User Log : Print User Log to a line printer.
(C) Print Sysop Messages : Print Sysop Messages to a line printer.
(D) Print Private Log : Print Private Log (Private System) to line printer.
(E) Print Daily Log : Print Daily Log to a line printer.
(F) Print User Description: Print an Individual Description to a line printer.
(G) Print User Private Msg: /NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS VERSION/
(H) Print User Public Msg.: Print a Public Message to a line printer.
(I) Print Grafitti Board : Print Grafitti Board to a line printer.
10. Wrapping it Up
------------------
I know this manual is sketchy.. but that's me. I wrote this software for
it is a foundation for the new version of Tel Aviv (1.b). How do you know
if it will work if you never try it... for me this is the first time.
LOOKING AHEAD:
--------------
As I gain more knowledge of writing bbs software, Tel Aviv Communications
will grow and grow and new functions will be added and / or delete from
this version. I am currently writing the commercial version (1.b) of Tel
Aviv and yes that will include File Transfers, Door Programs, Questionairres,
and of course Multi-Line operations.
Well, I hope you find some worth to all of this... I did!
Tel Aviv Communication (tm)
Bulletin Board Systems
(c)1992 Paul A. Sparacino