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Text File | 1993-05-03 | 28KB | 609 lines

╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ╟─┐ ║ K E E P I N G I N T O U C H ║ │ ║ ═══════════════════════════════ ║ │ ║ SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter ║ │ ║ for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! ║ │ ║ May 1993 ║ │ ║ Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ║ │ ║ Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 ║ │ ║ 38400/19200/9600/2400/1200 Baud ║ │ ║ 2 Nodes ║ │ ║ ║ │ ╚═╤══════════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Edited by Jacque Shipley The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz Other Contributions As Noted ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ╟─┐ ╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════════╝ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘ SPITFIRE v3.3 Upgrade Controversy ----------------------------------- As you will recall from last month's newsletter, I asked those few who voiced (on CircuitNet) disagreement with our SPITFIRE v3.3 upgrade policy to please leave me a message on my board expressing their dissatisfaction. I said that I would then mark them as ineligible to participate in any future FREE upgrade offers which may be made. This way they would not be offered participation in something they disagree with and I hopefully I wouldn't have to put up the slander, character assassination, character defamation, product assassination and product defamation which some seem to believe is proper in a public forum such as a BBS message base (mail system). Interesting enough, I did not receive one such message. For all the controversy that was on CircuitNet regarding this matter I would think that I would have received at least one message. I have to assume that our current upgrade policy must actually be satisfactory. 1993 SPITFIRE Conference ------------------------ ╒══[ 1993 SPITFIRE Conference! ]═════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ │ │ IT IS CONFIRMED!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE!!! IT IS CONFIRMED!!! │ │ The 1993 SPITFIRE Conference will be conducted in Des Moines, Iowa │ │ on June 18-19-20, 1993. The conference will be conducted in the │ │ downtown Holiday Inn. We have negotiated a $54.00 room rate │ │ (single or double). You can make your reservation by phoning │ │ 1-800-HOLIDAY. When making your reservation you must identify │ │ the group you are making associated with (Buffalo Creek Software). │ │ │ │ We will provide more specific details in our June newsletter. │ │ In the meantime, please be assured that there will be plenty of │ │ door prizes for everyone. It appears that we are going to have │ │ an excellent turn-out. I believe it will be a GREAT time for all. │ │ │ ╘════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ WHAT WENT WRONG???? ------------------- As most of you are aware, the SPITFIRE support provided by yours truly has always been some what controversial. There are those who praise the support of SPITFIRE which I provide and there are others who despise the support I provide. I have often wondered why some think it is great and others think it "sucks". I have also often wondered what causes people to become rude and abusive in their messages. I would like to take this opportunity to share a couple of messages with you. The first message is my reply to a SPITFIRE Sysop's request for support. Please note that my reply quotes his original message. The second message is his reply to my reply. Before reading these messages, I think it is fair for you to know that my relationship with this Sysop has been very good. Listed below are the 2 messages which I reference: Exported from SPITFIRE Bulletin Board System on 05-02-93 at 13:05:37. DATE..... : 04-30-93 20:06:38 TO....... : XXXXX FROM..... : Sysop SUBJECT.. : Spit 3.3 Hello XXXXX ... RA> Well, don't know what I am doing wrong..hope you can help. RA> I upgraded to 3.3, (followed instructions faithfully), I am RA> experiencing two new problems... RA> 1. After the nightly message pack event, the system leaves my modem RA> OFF HOOK. I have to re-initiallize my modem manually in order fot RA> the system to begin accepting phone calls. XXXXX, I can't imagine why your modem doesn't go back on hook after the message base is packed ... SPITFIRE uses the same identical routine after the message pack as it does at every other time... let's try to cure the problem ... first, create a 1 line text file named ONHOOK.TXT in your WORK directory ... the 1 line should be simply ATH0 next, if you are using Event_M then create a batch file named SFMSGPCK.BAT in your WORK directory .... the contents of this batch file should be as follows: @Echo Off COPY ONHOOK.TXT COM1: If you are using comm 2, then change it to @Echo Off COPY ONHOOK.TXT COM2: Then, after your message base is packed, SPITFIRE will execute this batch file which should put your modem back on hook ... please let me know if this works for you ... it should ... RA> 2. The QWK mail feature seems to operate fine untill it is time to RA> actually send the file to the caller. When the callers picks a RA> protocol nothing happens except that he/she is returned to the main RA> QWK menu. . XXXXX, it sounds to me as if LAKOTA is not able to find DSZ ... you MUST have a copy of DSZ in your SPITFIRE HOME directory or in a directory within your path .... Please let me know if this information cures your problems ... thank you.... Best wishes... Mike Woltz --- ■ SMRead 3.3 #0003 » ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Exported from SPITFIRE Bulletin Board System on 05-02-93 at 12:50:41. DATE..... : 05-02-93 05:13:09 TO....... : Sysop FROM..... : XXXXX SUBJECT.. : Spit 3.3 MW> SFMSGPCK.BAT in your WORK directory .... the contents of this batch MW> fileshould be as follows: MW> @Echo Off MW> COPY ONHOOK.TXT COM1: MW> If you are using comm 2, then change it to MW> @Echo Off MW> COPY ONHOOK.TXT COM2: why should I have to write new batch files? Spitfire has been packing the message base with no trouble for 3 years. I am a greats supporter of this software and have been for quite some time....I would find it easier to go back to version 3.2 than re-write YOUR bat files. Actually, the ONLY reason that I purchased the new version was to keep current so I din't lose my "eligibility" for upgrades. The instructions that came with the upgrade disk mentioned nothing about changing any of my files manually. I followed the instructions to the LETTER. I don't appreciate "going thru hoops" trying to get new versions to work. But like I said int my original message...I am SURE that the problem will lie with MY work..not with MIKES....but there is somethings that seem to be left out of the instructions. I cannot make the LAKOTA system work merely by upgrading...and I am faced now with a MESSAGE PACK, (event M), that has worked for years that suddenly does not work. I have read ALL docs over and over again....I have seen 3.3 work on systems that have never run it before....but there seems to be some problems with the upgrade....at least for me. . If you can offer any assistance other than...."make sure you have x files in your path" I would love to hear it. If I am the only sf sysop that has been experiencing this problem...I will shut up and go away. I can't go on spending ld dollars getting advice best suited to a novice. I only call when I need expert help. End Of Second Message Now, after reviewing these 2 messages, can someone tell me what I said in my original reply to cause him to reply with such a rude and abusive message????? I did nothing more than to try to offer the Sysop help. I am seriously asking 'what went wrong' in this exchange. The Sysop leaves a message and asks for help. I reply in an honest and open manner giving him answers to his questions. He replies to my message in a rude and abusive manner. I honestly cannot see that I did anything to warrant his actions. LAKOTA BEING REVISED! --------------------- This have been a couple of very small problems discovered within LAKOTA. One (for example) is LAKOTA does not recognize the SPITFIRE message base privileged security levels. Anyway, there should be a LAKOTA v1.1 released in the near future. Until next time, may God's rich blessings and comfort be with each of you. Best wishes... Mike Woltz ╒══════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE UTILITY REVIEWS │ ╘══════════════════════════╛ SFMAGIC ------- SFMAGIC is a full-featured utility designed to handle the daily maintenance chores a Sysop is sometimes required to make to SPITFIRE's file listings. SFMAGIC not only permits maintenance to the SFFILES.BBS but also to any CD Rom files lists, SFFILES.<x>, as well. Below is a list of functions SFMAGIC will perform: Sorting Files Lists - SFMAGIC is capable of sorting the file listings in three sequences. These include an alphabetical sort on file name, a size sort based on the size of the file, and a date sort. All sorts are performed in ascending order. Moving File(s) - SFMAGIC will move files from one file to another updating the file listings for each area. Files can be moved individually or the Sysop can tag a group of files to be moved. Deleting File(s) - When a file is deleted, SFMAGIC removes the file from the physical drive as well as removes the listing from the SFFILES.BBS/SFFILES.<x>. File Tagging / Untagging - Files may be tagged individually by pressing the spacebar while the bar is highlighting the file you wish to tag. Pressing the spacebar a second time will untag an individual tagged file. It is also possible to tag all files in a file area by pressing the ALT+T key combination. To untag all tagged files, use the Alt+U key combination. Cataloging New Files - When the Sysop selects F8, SFMAGIC will do a comparison between the file listing and the files which actually in the directory for this file area. Any files found on the physical drive but not contained in the file listing will be displayed and the Sysop is prompted whether to add these files to the file listing. Should the Sysop decide to add the new file(s) to the file listing, the Sysop is prompted to enter a description for the file. SFMAGIC automatically detects the number of description lines configured in SPITFIRE and will allow that number of lines for the file description. In addition, SFMAGIC will add Uploaded By: Sysop in the event SPITFIRE's ALT+T's Uploaded By Description is toggled to Yes. Uncataloging Files - Files may uncataloged from the file listing individually by selecting the U key or a group of tagged files may be removed from the file listing by pressing the CTRL+U keys simultaneously. In addition, pressing the F9 key, SFMAGIC will verify that all files contained in the file listing exists. If a file is not found, SFMAGIC notifies the Sysop that the file does not exist and prompts the Sysop as to whether the file should be uncataloged from SFFILES. Re-Size File Area - This option will compare the file size for each file in the listing to the actual size of the file on the physical drive and update the SFFILES listing to correspond with the true size of the file on the drive. Edit File Descriptions - When this feature is selected, the Sysop is allowed the edit the description of the highlighted file. Again, SFMAGIC automatically detects the number of descriptive lines configured in SPITFIRE and will allow that number of lines for the file description. In addition, SFMAGIC will add Uploaded By: Sysop in the event SPITFIRE's ALT+T's Uploaded By Description is toggled to Yes. Add ZIP Comment - Using the shareware utility RECOM by Michael C. Loewen, SFMAGIC will add your ZIP comment to the highlighted file. You must have RECOM.EXE either in the SPITFIRE directory or in your file path for this feature to work. You must also create a file COMMENT.TXT which contains the ZIP comment you wish to use for your BBS. Renaming Files - This option is activated by using the ALT+R. SFMAGIC will display the name of the file currently highlighted in a box. The Sysop merely needs to edit the file name and the file is renamed and the file listing is updated simultaneously. Changing File Date - When this option is selected a window appears on the screen which allows you to change the date of the highlighted file. It should be noted this only changes the date in the file listing and does not actually update the file date on the drive. An updated version, v 1.02, of SFMAGIC was released in April 1993. Future updates are planned to provide even more features. A preview of these features include: Auto convert any archive style (ZIP,LZH,ARJ) Showing Full description in the files windows Checking to make sure cataloged files exist besides sizing them Castletree Productions has done an outstanding job in bringing SPITFIRE Sysops an alternative utility for the maintenance of their file listings. The shareware version is fully functional. But more importantly they have paralleled the SPITFIRE philosophy of keeping companion utilities at a fair and reasonable cost, minimizing the Sysop's expense. SFMAGIC can be registered for a mere $1 fee. All too seldom, does a utility debut offering so much and asking so little in return. Give SFMAGIC a try! If you continue to use it, remember to register it! At this price, there is no excuse not too! Let's support authors such as Castletree Productions so they are encouraged to continue to bring us quality products such as SFMAGIC at affordable prices! ╒═════════════════════════════╕ │ SPITFIRE BOARD-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘═════════════════════════════╛ Chris Cook Lotta-Bull BBS Flora Vista, New Mexico Gosh, where do I start? Well, I guess back on August 18th, 1990 would be the best place to start, as that's when I started the "Lotta-Bull" BBS here in Flora Vista, New Mexico. Previously in April of 1990, I helped a friend start a BBS up using the Wildcat software, we spent many hard and long hours setting up all the screens and the security levels and whathaveya, and it was going to be the BEST and the BIGGEST BBS in the western U.S., and best of all it was going to be absolutely free to all callers. Well, after spending all the time we did in getting it ready for callers, he had decided it was NOT going to be a free BBS and was going to have a pay per call and pay per file BBS. Then I decided to start my own BBS, being as I am generally very picky with what I look for in software, my quest for perfection started. I looked at many various names and types of BBS software over several months, and was online a Wildcat board on the east coast and was visiting in chatmode with the sysop and he spoke very highly of the "Spitfire" BBS software saying that if he had not had so much invested in Wildcat, he would have gone the Spitfire software. I finally tracked down the number to Mike Woltz's "Buffalo Creek BBS", called and downloaded version 2.8, and set it up in record time (after WC, it was a breeze <G>). The old XT system was a bit slow, but was sufficient for what I knew at the time. Since August of 1990 I have gone from using an XT for a single node to the current 486/33DX using DesQview and now being multi-node with high speed modems on both nodes. I had to make a trip to Kansas in the spring of 1991 for an unexpected emergency and while there I got hooked up with a SF sysop by the name of Ray Anderson, and Ray turned me on to the CircuitNet netmail system and have been the New Mexico host node since that time. I eat and sleep computers and BBS's now and would have a vast hole in my life without it around me at all times as I also now own a computer shop where I sell and repair PC's, then come home and BBS all night. Without the help of ALL the Spitfire sysops that I have had help me over the past few years, I would not be where I am at now. My hats off to you! My special thanks to ALL Spitfire Sysops worldwide for making Spitfire one of the BEST families to be a part of, and especially to Mike Woltz for making Spitfire what it is today ......... the BEST! P.S. The Lotta-Bull BBS (contrary to belief <G>) got it's name from our raising of the "English Bulldogs" in which we have sold them all over the Nation for the past 8 years. ╒════════════════════╕ │ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH │ ╘════════════════════╛ Mark Pospisil Popsicle's Place BBS 817-539-7723 I've never tried this before so bare with me. My name is Mark Pospisil and I am 36 years old. My wife is Korean and her name is Kyong, although most people call her Flower. We have two fantastic daughters, Pam, age 11, and Bobie, age 6. I have been in the military for 19 years. In that time, I've been stationed in Korea four time and also in Germany. I also went to Saudi Saudi Arabia for Uncle Sam's round in the sand box. In addition, I've been stationed at Ft. Knox Ky, Ft. Lewis Wa., Ft. Ord Ca., Pt. Polk La., and a couple of other Places. I first learned about computers in 1989 while in Korea through a canned program the military had me running. I learned basic DOS commands from a Basic DOS book. I was sent to Ft. Hood in Nov. Of 1989 and continued to learn about computers on my own working in the military as a functional technician on military programs. I am now the senior PC hardware repair technician. I first started using modems in September of 1991. The area here in Killeen, Texas had 12 BBS's at the time. In November of that same year, seven of the 12 boards decided to go to pay only subscriber boards. Not long after that, December 1991 to be exact, I setup Popsicle's Place in protest. When I first started I had a 2400 baud generic modem on a 386 25Mhz with 40 meg of disk space. I had built the system myself from parts purchased one piece at a time. I decided to run SpitFire because it seemed the easiest for the user to navigate through. I decided to run under Windows so that I could not only still use the computer to do other things but so I could do all my maintenance without shutting the board down as well. The BBS has expanded now to two nodes. Node 1 is a 14.4 USR HST and node 2 is a USR Sportster. I run both nodes on an Intel 486 33 with 20megs of memory and 400 megs of disk space. Once again I built the machine myself. I enjoy running the board for many reasons. However, I think the main one is just to be able to help other people when I can. I still remember what it was to be a first time user wandering around lost with "No where to turn for help." Editor's Note: If you have questions regarding running SPITFIRE in Windows, Mark is excellent resource. ╒════════════════════════════════════╕ │ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS │ ╘════════════════════════════════════╛ A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems: Rabid Dog BBS................................402-553-7043...14400 Baud Larry Ruh, Sysop.......................................Omaha, Nebraska The Filess BBS...............................613-345-6873....2400 Baud Kevin Crossfield, Sysop....................Brockville, Ontario, Canada Global Protocol..............................519-336-1140...57600 Baud Nick Schoots, Sysop............................Sarnia, Ontario, Canada THE FIREHOUSE BBS............................708-688-4150....2400 Baud Dan Fountaine, Sysop.........................Winthrop Harbor, Illinois The Sandman BBS..............................916-966-5129....9600 Baud Josh Sackett, Sysop..............................Fair Oaks, California The Exotic Dancers Forum.....................480-946-9077....2400 Baud Sean Strycker, Sysop..............................Milpitas, California The Crash Pad BBS............................912-369-0931...14400 Baud Jim Huhn, Sysop....................................Hinesville, Georgia The Traveling BBS............................502-943-0703...14400 Baud Robert Howard, Sysop...............................Fort Knox, Kentucky Hogg Wallow..................................214-986-1810...14400 Baud Don Brown, Sysop.........................................Irving, Texas DECAGRAPHIC BBS..............................263-4-46013.....2400 Baud Trinita Fernandez, Sysop..............................Harare, Zimbabwe Salt and Light BBS...........................415-368-0790....2400 Baud Peninsula Christian Center, Sysop.............Redwood City, California The Watering Hole...........................Phone Unknown....9600 Baud Brendan Murphy, Sysop........................Fairfax Station, Virginia New Horizon..................................601-735-8589...19200 Baud Mike Vaughan, Sysop............................Waynesboro, Mississippi The New Board BBS............................318-757-4558....2400 Baud Curtis Huffman, Sysop..............................Ferriday, Louisiana Silo's BBS...................................215-250-7184....9600 Baud Erik Wurzburger, Sysop.........................Allentown, Pennsylvania COMP-U-Sirv..................................205-677-0078...14400 Baud Irving McCartney, Sysop................................Dothan, Alabama Good Times Unlimited.........................416-825-0564...16800 Baud Andy Forget, Sysop...........................Oakville, Ontario, Canada Gateway...................................82-351-867-1577...14400 Baud John Burger, Sysop...........................Jackson Unit, APO Address The Wildside.................................671-653-3818...14400 Baud Peggy Wilder, Sysop.........................................Yigo, Guam G.R.O.W. Great Lakes Ecology Board...........716-663-0130....2400 Baud Maritime Discovery Center..........................Rochester, New York The Hidden BBS...............................916-392-7059...38400 Baud Dave Bannister, Sysop............................Elk Grove, California The Kingdom of Camelot.......................763-3760........2400 Baud Earl Ammerman, Sysop.......................................APO Address The Night Owl................................218-879-9466....2400 Baud Paul Thvedt, Sysop.....................................Esko, Minnesota GAMETEK BBS..................................918-451-5843...38400 Baud James Gourley, Sysop............................Broken Arrow, Oklahoma The Power Line BBS...........................916-338-3230...14400 Baud Steve Batson, Sysop........................North Highlands, California The Peachy Keeno Inn BBS.....................206-539-8084....9600 Baud Gail Webber, Sysop..................................Tacoma, Washington Volunteer Network............................314-625-6269...14400 Baud James M. Roe, Sysop.........................Lake Saint Louis, Missouri The Comic Book BBS...........................602-486-7185...14400 Baud Manuel Babaian, Sysop..................................Peoria, Arizona Ammo Wizards.................................907-372-2255....2400 Baud Roy Ashford, Sysop...................................Eielson, Arkansas Sugar River Valley BBS.......................603-863-5731....2400 Baud T. Parssinen, Sysop.............................Newport, New Hampshire Northfork BBS................................614-366-2584....9600 Baud Roy Stevens, Jr., Sysop....................................Heath, Ohio The Looking Glass............................702-898-3958...19200 Baud Christopher Hambre, Sysop............................Henderson, Nevada The Ratt Trapp...............................210-647-5464....2400 Baud Jennifer Shaver, Sysop..............................San Antonio, Texas Baggins Express..............................219-838-7837....9600 Baud Roger Mahrling, Sysop................................Griffith, Indiana The Lyons Den................................708-442-8117...14400 Baud John Partipilo, Sysop..................................Lyons, Illinois The Idiot Box................................402-896-3489....2400 Baud Gary Korisko, Sysop....................................Omaha, Nebraska Drag City....................................716-359-8629....2400 Baud Tom Mann, Sysop....................................Henrietta, New York The Watch Tower..............................812-466-9563...14400 Baud Larry LaFollette, Sysop...........................Terre Haute, Indiana Putsky......................................Phone Unknown...14400 Baud Ivan Pierre, Sysop...................................Jamaica, New York The Lox Box..................................909-924-5601...14400 Baud Bill Wilke, Sysop............................Moreno Valley, California Infinite Wisdom..............................213-664-4231...14400 Baud Steve Arakawa, Sysop...........................Los Angeles, California In addition, there were 7 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations from: Falls Church, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Harrison, Ohio; an APO address; Phoenix, Arizona; and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. There were 17 registrations for whom registration information was incomplete. These included BBS's in: Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; San Antonio, Texas; Sturbridge, Massachusetts; Houston, Texas; Dumfries, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; Waldorf, Maryland; Madison, Indiana; Lakeview, Ohio; Cambridge, Ontario, Canada; Cedex, France; Terre Haite, Indiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Lewis, Washington; Walnut Creek, California; Ontario, California; and Bridge City, Louisiana. The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's policy of accepting on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations. JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for contributions! Please forward any articles in ASCII text to either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.