Aminet 7/Aminet 7 - August 1995.iso/Aminet/comm/mebbs/MEBBSNet_Demo.lha/Disks/MEBBSNet Pro Disk 1/TutorialExtract.TXT

Text File | 1995-02-26 | 37KB | 1,098 lines

MEBBSNet DEMO Documentation. 25 February 1995

Following is documentation which was extracted directly from the
MEBBSNet User's Guide and Technical Reference. The extracted portion
consists of the Tutorial section and should be adequate for the purpose
of demonstrating the use of MEBBSNet.

This DEMO version of MEBBSNet does not include active line code. What this
means is that the DEMO will only work as a local line and it will not
function with your modem at all. For the benefit of hackers and pirates,
be advised that the serial handling code is not present in this version.

< --- EXTRACT START HERE --- >

MEBBSNet User's Guide and Technical Reference

Copyright and Trademark Acknowledgments

This manual was created with Excellence on the Commodore Amiga and was printed
with a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIIp and Pacific Page PostScript Cartridge.

Copyright.

Copyright 1992 - 1995 by MEBBS E&S. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, rewritten, scanned, stored
mechanically or electronically, translated into other languages or adapted
for any use without the express written permission of MEBBS E&S.

Trademarks.

MEBBSNet is a trademark of MEBBS E&S. Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore
International Ltd. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All
other trademarked names used herein are used for purposes of identification and
for the benefit of the trademark holder. No infringement of trademarks is intended.
Trademarks remain the property of the trademark holder.

Upgrading.

MEBBS E&S provides periodic upgrades for which upgrade fees may be required.
Direct support and access to upgrades is available through the worldwide
MEBBS E&S Customer Service Representative network. To become eligible for
support it is required that the registration form provided with this package
shall be completed and returned, postage paid, to the address printed on the form.

Registered Developer Program.

MEBBS E&S offers direct assistance to companies or persons who wish to develop
third-party software for use with MEBBSNet. Contact an authorized MEBBS E&S
Customer Service Representative for information on how to become a part of the
registered developer program.

Recognized third-party software developed for use with MEBBSNet is identifiable
by a developer number which will be displayed prominently when the software
launches. Software which does not display a developer number should be carefully
examined by the end-user. It is also advisable to contact an authorized
MEBBS E&S Customer Service Representative to ascertain the fitness of the
software.

MEBBS E&S Company Headquarters
1742 Hanley Ave.
Simi Valley, California, USA
93065-3744


Tutorial.

This section of the manual consists of step-by-step examples which are intended
to familiarize you with the fundamentals of MEBBSNet. Successful completion of
the tutorial is recommended prior to any attempt at opening your BBS for
business. The tutorial is based on the installed configuration and may not
perform as expected if you have installed differently.

It is assumed that you have fully installed MEBBSNet and performed the checkout
as defined in the Installation and Checkout portion of this manual. Familiarity
with the Amiga Intuition User Interface is required to operate MEBBSNet.
It is also necessary that you have a reasonably good working knowledge of
the Amiga shell (CLI) and its various commands. Refer to your Amiga
documentation for more information on the Amiga and its operating system.

The exercises in the tutorial are designed to be performed in order.
Each exercise uses lessons learned in previous exercises. Refer to
previous exercises if you have trouble remembering how to accomplish
specific tasks. Once you have gone through the logon sequence in detail,
for instance, subsequent exercises will only instruct you to log on.
This tutorial is structured to help you learn. It is very important that
you successfully complete each of the exercises in the order they are
presented.

If, at any time, you encounter difficulty with the system, modem configuration,
caller interface or other portions of the tutorial, contact an authorized
MEBBS E&S Customer Service Representative.

GENERAL: Starting MEBBSNet

There are three distinct methods available for launching MEBBSNet. This
tutorial will familiarize you with icon and CLI launching. Use of a startup
script is not recommended until you have operated and observed MEBBSNet
and are confident that automated launching will cause no problems.

LESSON: Using the Icon

The installation script will store an icon in the directory assigned as
MEBBSNET which is entitled MEBBSNetLaunch. The icon uses Workbench 2.xx
tooltypes to define how MEBBSNet will launch. The options and their meanings
are described in the following table. The term 'BOOL' means that the
argument is either TRUE or FALSE.

STARTLINEx=BOOL

Example: STARTLINE1=TRUE
This tooltype tells MEBBSNetLaunch to launch line 1. Each line which is
going to be launched must be defined with this tooltype. If you want to
also launch lines 0 (local line) and 2, the tool types must be added to
the icon i.e. STARTLINE0=TRUE and STARTLINE2=TRUE.

LINExHIDE=BOOL

Example: LINE0HIDE=TRUE

A launched line may either open a window or run in hidden mode meaning no
window will be opened. The example tells MEBBSNetLaunch to open line 0
in hidden mode. The line must be started if this tooltype is to have any effect.

LINExBAUD=n

Example: LINE2BAUD=9600

This tooltype corresponds with the baud rate setting in MEBBSCfg. Each active
line which is started must have a baud setting. Active lines consist of
every line except 0. If you launch lines 1 and 2, both require the baud tooltype.

LINExLOCKBAUD=n

Example: LINE2LOCKBAUD=38400

This tooltype corresponds to the locked baud rate setting in MEBBSCfg.
Each active line which is started must have a locked baud setting. Active
lines consist of every line except 0. If you launch lines 1 and 2, both
require the locked baud tooltype.

To modify tooltypes, select the icon (click once) and use the Workbench
drop-down menu selection Information which can be found under the Icon
menu options list.

The icon, as shipped, is set with the following tooltypes:

STARTLINE0=TRUE
STARTLINE1=TRUE
STARTLINE2=FALSE
LINE1HIDE=FALSE
LINE0HIDE=FALSE
LINE1BAUD=2400
LINE1LOCKBAUD=38400
LINE1FORCE_LOGON=FALSE

These tooltypes will start lines 0 and 1 both of which will be launched with
windows active. Line 1 will have its baud set to 2400 and its locked baud set
to 38400. The settings whose BOOL values are FALSE are consistent with
default settings. They are used primarily as a means of exhibiting what the
tooltype possibilities are.

EXERCISE 1:

Reboot your Amiga by holding down the Ctrl-LeftAmiga-RightAmiga keys
simultaneously. Open the disk icon which holds the MEBBSNet software
by double-clicking on the disk icon on your Workbench window. Open the
MEBBSNet drawer by double-clicking on the MEBBSNet icon. Double-click on
the MEBBSNetLaunch icon. You should see the MEBBSNet System Line Manager
window open and then shrink in size. Shortly thereafter, line 0 should
launch followed by line 1. You should see a black screen with white borders.
The screen title should display:

    MEBBSNet Professional BBS System SN: YourSerialNumber

where YourSerialNumber is replaced with the serial number printed on your disks.

The window title should display:

    MEBBSNet v.r (Line 1)

where v.r is the actual version and revision number of MEBBSNet.

If you have a modem connected to line 1 and if it is properly configured,
you will also see (English language):

    ATZ
    Modem: OK
    ATH0
    Modem: OK

CAUTION: If you have a modem connected to your computer, do not leave the
active line launched for more than a few moments.

At this point, it is entirely possible that MEBBSNet and your modem are
not synchronized. This is not a concern since later in this tutorial you
will be setting your modem.

Select the black portion of the MEBBSNet window to activate it. Use your
right menu button to activate the drop-down menus in MEBBSNet and select
Quit from the File menu.

Line 1 should close and you should see line 0. Select the title bar of the
MEBBSNet screen and pull the screen down so that you can see the
MEBBSNet System Line Manager window at the top of your Workbench screen.

Select the Line Manager title bar to activate it.

Use your right mouse button to display the drop-down menus and select the
Toggle-Size option under the System menu options. The Line Manager window
should now be full size. Use the Toggle-Size option to shrink the window
back down. Notice that the Shutdown System menu option is ghosted and
cannot be selected.

Select the MEBBSNet screen title bar and drag the MEBBSNet screen back up
to the top of your display.

Select the close window button in the top left corner of your MEBBSNet window.
MEBBSNet windows can be closed by using either the menu option or the close
window button.

The black MEBBSNet screen should now disappear.

Select the Line Manager window to activate it. Use the drop-down menus to
select Shut Down System and the Line Manager window should disappear.

LESSON: Using the CLI

If you have not already done so, use your text editor to add the following to
your S:Shell-Startup file:

    STACK 25000

This should be the first line of the S:Shell-Startup file. The STACK command,
when added to the S:Shell-Startup file will set all shells so that processes
launched from them will have a stack of 25000 bytes. This is required by MEBBSNet.

Launching MEBBSNet from a CLI (command line interface) or shell is recommended
until such time as the system has demonstrated a high degree of reliability.
MEBBSNet is shipped in a fully operational configuration but the setup is
rudimentary. There is one file area, one message area, one caller record
(yours) and none of the text files have been customized.

EXERCISE 2:

Reboot your machine.

Open a shell by double-clicking on the Shell icon. Size the shell so that
its window occupies about half of your Workbench display. All commands issued
to the shell must be followed by a carriage return. When instructed to type
something into a shell it is inferred that you follow that which is typed with
a carriage return.

CAUTION: If you have a modem connected to your computer, do not leave any of
the active lines launched for more than a few moments.

From the shell, type the following commands:

    CD MEBBSNET:

This instruction is not necessarily required. By positioning your current
directory to MEBBSNET, paths to commands are not required.

    MEBBSBase

This launches the Line Manager window which should open to its full size briefly
and then shrink automatically.

    RUN MEBBSNet 0

MEBBSNet line 0 will be launched with this command. The RUN command must be
used so that the shell will remain active. It is not permissible to launch
any of the MEBBSNet lines without the RUN command.

    RUN MEBBSNet 1

MEBBSNet line 1 will be launched.

Shut each of the MEBBSNet lines down and then shut the Line Manager down.
Refer to the previous lesson for instructions on how to shut the system down.

GENERAL: Local line

MEBBSNet offers multiple active lines each of which can be operated
concurrently. Line 0 is your local line. It does not connect to a modem
and should be used as your personal access to the system. It is possible
to log on locally with an active line but is not recommended. The local
line will not interfere with active line callers and it is the only line
which recognizes the Debug toggle.

LESSON: Logon and Logoff

EXERCISE 3:

Use a shell to launch the Line Manager and MEBBSNet line 0.

HINT:

    MEBBSBase
    RUN MEBBSNet 0

Select the black MEBBSNet window with your left mouse button to activate the
window.

Press the F1 key.

The F1 key performs the same action as the Local Logon option in the
drop-down menus under the Waiting for Call menu.

MEBBSNet is now waiting for you to enter your User ID or Name.

Enter OWNER at the prompt and press return.

Enter OWNERPWD at the Password prompt and press return.
You will now be asked to PRESS RETURN... Do so.

The next prompt is part of a test of your ARexx capabilities. You should
have ARexx installed on your system.

The prompt asks you to:

    Enter any string, ten characters or less:

Enter Hello and press return. It is not necessary to enter text at this
prompt. Later in the tutorial it is permissible to step through the prompt
by pressing the return key with no text input.

The system should now be prompting you to Press any key...

Press the space bar.

The prompt will ask you to PRESS RETURN... Do so.

You should now be situated at the bulletins menu. Enter the bulletin number
to read the numbered bulletins. When you have finished reading the bulletins,
press Q to proceed to the next level.

Once you have pressed the Q key MEBBSNet will display the status selection
menu. Unless you have configured your computer system to use an IBM type font,
the menu will look somewhat confused. You will see lots of f and other
characters which are a result of having ANSI graphics characters included
in the menu text file. If your system is set to use one of the IBM font sets,
the menu will display properly.

The system now expects you to select your class of service. The SysOp class
is not listed for security reasons. SysOp class access is gained by pressing
the H key.

Press the H key now.

You are now fully logged on and able to access the available options
as defined by the default configuration setup. The menu being displayed
is the main menu.

Press the G key.

The system will prompt you for whether you want to log off.

Press the Y key.

The system automatically gives each caller an opportunity to leave feedback
to the SysOp prior to logoff. You are the SysOp so Press the N key in response
to the prompt.

You are now logged off.

LESSON: Create a Message Base

MEBBSNet is shipped with a very simple, pre-defined configuration. It is almost
guaranteed that you will be creating, deleting and juggling your message
bases throughout your career as a MEBBSNet SysOp. MEBBSToss will create your
network echomail bases automatically. The remaining message base types, however,
must be created by you.

The following message base creation lesson is based on the assumption that
the Line Manager (MEBBSBase) is running and that you have added MEBBSNET:C/
to your path search definition.

EXERCISE 4:

Type MEBBSCfg from the shell.

The MEBBSCfg window should open. Refer to Appendix A for more information
on how to use MEBBSCfg.

Select Edit Message Areas from the opening MEBBSCfg window.

Double-click message area 2 in the selector window.  The Message Base Options
window should be displayed.

Fill out and set each of the fields in the window as follows:

Name:     General Interest
Path:     MEBBSNet:Mail/GenInterest/
F Tag:    [ LEAVE BLANK ]
Max Msg:    200
Hi Net:    0
Min Acc:     2
Sub Op:     0
Hi Msg:     1
Sig No:     2
Lo Msg:     0
Menu Pg:     3
Zone:    0
Net:     0
Node:    0
Point:    0
Type:    Local

Note that the Path field includes the trailing backslash.

Once these fields are filled out and toggled as noted, select the Create button.
The dialog box should display the word Done...

Select the Pick button.

The selector window will now display the name of base 2 rather than its base
number. Double click on the General Interest selection in the selector window.

Select the Return button.

Select the Quit button.

MEBBSCfg will shut down.

Type CD MEBBSNET:Txt from the shell.

Use your text editor to edit MEBBSNET:Txt/MsgList2.TXT which is used to display
a list of message areas in SIG 2. Edit the file using the existing format as
a guide. Refer to Appendix B for a listing of the tilde codes and their meanings.
The text which should be added to MsgList2.TXT consists of the following:

    ~vs2 [2]General Interest (to SysOp) ~vu2 ~vt

Log on to the local line and respond to the prompts such that you are
positioned at the main menu. The title of the menu should be

    The Mechanical Engineers' BBS.

Press the E key.

The system will display the contents of MsgList2.TXT along with a prompt
which is asking you which message area to select.

Press Return and log off.

LESSON: Create a File Catalog

MEBBSNet, as-shipped, consists of a single pre-defined file catalog area.
You will definitely want to offer your callers more than one catalog from
which to choose. The following file catalog creation lesson is based on the
assumption that the Line Manager (MEBBSBase) is running and that you have
added MEBBSNET:C/ to your path search definition.

EXERCISE 5:

Type MEBBSCfg from the shell.

Select Edit File Areas from the opening MEBBSCfg window.

Double-click file area 2 in the selector window.

The file catalog editing window should be displayed.

Fill out and set each of the fields in the window as follows:

Name:     Amiga Sample Catalog
Path:     files/AmigaSample/
Access:     2
Sig No:     2
Menu Page:    2
Sub Op:     0
Check Integrity:     NO

Be sure to set the first device field which contains mebbsnet: to YES and
all remaining device fields to NO.

Note that the Path field includes the trailing backslash.

Once these fields are filled out and toggled as noted, select the Create button.
The word Done... should display in the top left corner of the window.

Select the Pick button.

The selector window will now display the name of base 2 rather than its
base number. Double click on the General Interest selection in the selector
window.

Select the Return button.

Select the Quit button.

 MEBBSCfg will shut down.

Type CD MEBBSNET:Txt from the shell.

Use your text editor to edit MEBBSNET:Txt/FileList2.TXT which is used to display
a list of catalogs in SIG 2. Edit the file using the existing format as a guide.

Replace (2) IBM Utilities with (2) Amiga Sample Catalog and remove the other
file areas listed in the file. These were provided for illustrative purposes
and will no longer be needed. When you have finished editing the file it
should consist of the following:

    *** FILE Areas on the MEBBS ***

(1) AMIGA Utilities    (2) Amiga Sample Catalog

    [B] for VERBOSE listing of new files
    [N] for CONDENSED listing of new files
    [Q] to QUIT
    [D] to DOWNLOAD marked files

LESSON: Create an Access Level

There are four standard, three subscription and one SysOp pre-defined access
levels defined in the as-shipped MEBBSNet configuration. There is nothing hard
and fast about this setup. The definitions are offered as examples only.
As usual, MEBBSBase must be running. Previously noted paths and assignments
are expected to exist.

EXERCISE 6:

Type MEBBSCfg from the shell.

Select Edit Access Levels.

Pick Unused 4 from the selector window.

Fill out the fields in the user editor window as follows:

Calls Per Day:     10
Mins Per Call:     30
Mins Per Day:     90
DL/UL Ratio:     4
Netwk Credits:     44
Byte Ratio:     10
Free Bytes:     40000
Message Limit:     20

Select the Privilege Bits button.

Turn the following switches on:

Pvt Mail
Doors
UserList
NetMail
EchoMail
May Add File
Text Menu ON
Del OWN Upld
Anonymous Msg Attach Files

All other switches should be off.

Select the RETURN button.

Select the File Read Bits button.

Turn the following switches on:

Amiga Utilit
Amiga Sample

Note that the catalog names are truncated to fit the button sizes. All other
switches should be off.

Select the RETURN button.

Select the File Write Bits button and turn on the same switches as in the
File Read Bits window.

Select the RETURN button.

Select the Message Read Bits button.

Turn the following switches on:

E-Mail
General Inte

Note that the message area names are truncated as with the file bit switches.

Select the RETURN button.

Select the Message Write Bits button and turn on the same switches as in the
Message Read Bits window.

Select the RETURN button from the Message Write Bits window.

Select the RETURN button from the access level editor window.

Select QUIT from the opening MEBBSCfg window.

MEBBSCfg will now be shut down.

Type CD MEBBSNET:ConfigFiles from the shell.
Use your text editor to modify the file named AccName.CFG so that it includes
the newly created access level. Replace the line Unused 4 with Standard 4.
Your AccName.CFG should now read:

New User 0
Probation 1
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 4
Unused 5
[ ... etc ... ]
SysOp 31

From the shell type MEBBSCfg.

Verify that the new access level, Standard 4, is displayed in the selector
window when you choose the access level editing option.

Shut MEBBSCfg down.

LESSON: Logon as a New User

New users will ordinarily log on to your BBS through the active lines.
You can also log on as a new user via the local line. Many SysOps keep one
or more alternate accounts with different levels so that they can browse
through messages undetected. Once the recipient of a message has read a message
addressed to him, the message is marked as having been received. You may want
to read messages addressed to SysOp and not have them marked as received. This
can only be done if you log on with an alternate account. The purpose of this
exercise is not to establish an account specifically for your use but rather
to illustrate what the new user will see.

CAUTION: Once the account in this exercise has been created make absolutely
certain that you limit the privilege of the account or delete it altogether.
There are thousands of MEBBSNet SysOps each of whom has a copy of this manual.
It is reasonable to expect that at least one person will attempt to access
your system through this account. If you have set this account with SysOp
privileges one can only guess what damage to your system will occur.

EXERCISE 7:

If you have shut the system down, launch MEBBSBase and MEBBSNet Line 0.

Log on to line 0 and when prompted for logon ID, enter New.

A brief explanation of requirements will display and the system will prompt
you for your First and Last name.

Enter Bob Dole

At the Handle / Alias prompt enter Bobby

Complete the remaining prompts as follows:

Phone Number:    123-123-1234
Password:    Robert
Street Address:    1996 President
City/Town:    Washington DC
State/Province:    DC USA
Postal code:    91991
Terminal Columns:    80
Screen length:     22
Editor:    0
Computer Type:     1
Graphics:    0
Clearing Codes:     Y
Hotkeys:    Y

If you have accurately entered this information, enter 0 to continue.
Otherwise, select the item you need to edit and correct as necessary.

Complete the questionnaire as follows:

Where did you learn about this BBS?
: Jim's BBS
Are you a MEBBSNet registrant?
: Yes SIR!
Who is your MEBBSNet Customer Service  Representative?
: Don't know

When prompted for your user ID, enter ME1

Respond Y to the prompt on whether your name is Bob Dole.

Enter Robert at the Password prompt.

Continue with the logon until you get to the status option window.

Enter U to continue logging in as a new user.

Log off by using the G (Goodbye), Y (Yes, logoff) and N (No, do not leave
feedback to the SysOp).

LESSON: Validate a New User

Now, you have one new user whose access level has been set to 0 by MEBBSNet.
The new user should be validated as quickly as possible. Do not let a day go
by without checking for new users and validating them immediately.

Since this lesson includes launching the user editor, it is a good time to
edit your own account and set it with your name, handle, password and other
pertinent data.

Consistent with previous exercises, MEBBSBase is running and a shell is open.
Unlike previous exercises, it is mandatory when editing user accounts that
no caller is logged on. The line windows may be open and awaiting callers
but it is not permissible to have a caller logged on when the user editor
is in use. Refer to the section in Appendix A for more information on the use
of MEBBSUE.

EXERCISE 8:

Type MEBBSUE from the shell.

Select the Find Access 0 button.

You should see the account created for Bob Dole and the information should
match what was entered when the account was created.

Select the text box next to the Access Level label and press the
Right-Amiga-X keystroke combination to clear the contents of the text box.

Enter 2 in the Access Level box.

Select the Update Access Level button.

Select the Next Record button.

Select Yes in the Save edited user data requestor.

The account established by Bob Dole is now set to access level 2 and he has
been validated. He can now log on to your BBS and access the system with
privileges set for access level 2 callers.

Select the text box adjacent to the User Last Name label.

Enter Owner in the box.

Select the Do Search button.
The Owner account will display in the account editor window. Edit each of
the fields according to your own personal information. This is your SysOp
account and once set, should not be changed. If you change residence it
is fine to edit but try not to change the name or handle. It may be necessary
to change your password which is also perfectly alright.

Select the Update Access Level button.

Select the Save User Record button.

Select Quit.

Select Exit from the opening MEBBSUE window.

Select Yes in the indexing requestor window.

Log on to line 0 using the information you entered to edit your SysOp account.

Log off.

LESSON: Enter a Message

At this point, there are two active accounts in the user data file. Mr. Dole
has decided he is going to run for President of the United States in 1996.
Not only did he tip his hand when he logged on and defined his account in
his not-so-subtle fashion but you have been listening to the AFRTS stations
in Antarctica. The news readers have mentioned the coming race for the
Presidency so you are fairly certain it is going to happen.

You are a staunch Republican and hope to see Mr. Dole win his bid for the
Presidency. Since you are his MEBBSNet SysOp and he never seems to call when
you are around, the only way you can wish him well is through the message bases.

EXERCISE 9:

Unless they are already running, launch MEBBSBase and MEBBSNet Line 0.

Log on using your SysOp account.

From the main Mechanical Engineers' BBS menu, enter E which will display
the two existing message bases as options from which to choose.

Enter 2 at the New message area prompt.

Enter E at the message base menu prompt.

Enter N in response to the anonymous prompt.

Enter Bob Dole at the To prompt.

Enter Y to indicate that this is a private message.

Enter Good Luck in the Subject field prompt.

You are now ready to compose your message. Go ahead and compose your message.
It should be from 4 to 10 lines long. Use the /? keystroke combination to
see the help options. All commands must be entered in column 1 of any line.

Try several of the formatting and editing options. Once you have your
message composed, use the /s keystroke combination when the cursor is in
column 1 of any line. This will save the message in the storage area.

Once the message has been saved, log off.

LESSON: Reply to a Message

Magically, your identity has changed and you are now Bob Dole. It has been
nearly a week since you called the BBS down in Antarctica. The campaign
for the Presidency is just getting started and you want to make sure all
possible voters are exposed to you. You have just cranked up your trusty
Amiga, turned on the modem and dialed the number for that BBS down in
Antarctica.

EXERCISE 10:

Log on to the local line using the account data for Bob Dole.

NOTE: Use ME1 or Bob Dole as logon ID and Robert for the password.

Step through all the prompts until you are asked whether you want to
read your waiting messages.

Enter Y to read your waiting mail.

The message written by the SysOp account will be displayed.

Enter ? at the Message Command prompt.

Enter R to reply to the message.

Enter Y to make the message private.

Press return to keep the subject the same.

Use the /q keystroke sequence to quote the original message.

Use the /l keystroke sequence to list the message contents.
Compose your reply to the message.

Use the /s keystroke sequence to save the reply.

Enter Q to return to the status selector menu.

Log off.

LESSON: Adopt a File

MEBBSNet gives your callers access to specific files which you make
available to them. Before the files are available, however, you must
include their names and locations in the MEBBSNet catalog management
system. This lesson will make use of MEBBSFL to adopt files into the
catalog you created in the earlier exercise. This catalog is for
illustrative purposes only. It will be deleted later on.

EXERCISE 11:

MEBBSBase must be running and a shell must be open.

The following commands will copy the contents of the MEBBSNet:TXT directory
into the file storage directory you created during the exercises.

From the shell, type

    CD MEBBSNet:TXT

Type

    COPY #? MEBBSNet:Files/AmigaSample/

Type

    CD MEBBSNet:Files/AmigaSample

Type

    DIR

Type

    MEBBSFL

You should now see the MEBBSFL opening window. Refer to Appendix A and the
section on MEBBSFL for more information on using this utility.

Select the Pick button on the MEBBSFL opening window.

Select the Amiga Sample Catalog from the Selector Window.
The MEBBSFL dialog box should display:

Working area: Amiga Sample Catalog Loaded: Amiga Sample Catalog / 0 records

Select the Config button.

Complete the configuration fields with the following information:

Uploader:    [ Enter your name here]
Description:    Uploaded by MEBBSFL and PROUD of it!
File List:     RAM:FileList
List Dscr:    List of file available on the [your BBS name]
List Header:    [ Leave blank ]
Privilege:    0
Default FPath:    0
Editor:        sys:tools/memacs

Select the Default Flags button.

Set the toggles as follows:

Adopt Files ALL:     No
Files On Disk ALL:    No
Add Filenotes ALL:    No
Update Size ALL;     No
Sort Files ALL:     No
Sort By:        Name
List By:        All File Areas
Validated:     Yes
New Sizes Up Today:    Yes
Free Download:    No
Use AmigaDOS 'COPY':     Yes
Language:     Custom
Interlace Screen:     No

Select the RETURN button.

Select the SAVE button.

Select the RETURN button.

From the opening MEBBSFL window, select the Adopt button.

Select the first ten files listed in the Multi-Selector window. This is
accomplished by using the left mouse button to single-click on the file
names. Names which are selected will be highlighted.

Select the OK/QUIT button in the Multi-Selector window.

Select the Quit button from the MEBBSFL opening window.

You have now successfully adopted ten files into your Amiga Sample Catalog
file catalog area.

LESSON: List Files

Now that you have a few files ready for download on your MEBBSNet BBS,
it would really be nice to show them off. Bob Dole is your favorite caller
and he hasn't seen these files you have available for him to download.
Even though he has called a few time and checked the catalog listings only
to find them empty, you are confident that he will call again and check.

EXERCISE 12:

Log on to the local line as Bob Dole.

NOTE: Bob had his access level upgraded and the U key is no longer
appropriate. The S key corresponds to callers with Bob's access level.
Use the S key at the status selection menu and that will bring up the
standard access level main menu.

Select the F key to proceed to the list of catalogs.

Enter 2 at the File library prompt.

Enter S at the file catalog menu prompt.

Enter A to list all files in the catalog.

Enter V to signify that you want to view a file.

Enter 10 at the Filespec prompt.

The contents of file number 10 should be displayed.

Enter Q to quit the listing mode.

Enter G and complete the logoff sequence.

LESSON: Find a File

As your catalogs grow, locating files will be very difficult if each of
the catalogs is viewed with the listing commands. Imagine catalogs which
total 20,000 files and trying to locate a file by listing. MEBBSNet offers
several search options including locating a file by entering a portion of
its name.

EXERCISE 13:

Log on to the local line using your SysOp account.

Proceed to the file catalog menu by entering an F from the main menu.

At the File Library prompt, enter 2.

Press the F key at the File Manu prompt.

Press the V key to indicate you want a verbose listing.

At the Listing Mode menu, enter T on the Search Option prompt to tell
MEBBSNet you want to search for files on a text string basis.

Enter TXT at the Search string prompt.

Step through the displayed files by pressing RETURN and note that the
displayed catalog entries contain TXT somewhere in either the file name
or the file descriptions.

When you have finished stepping through all of the files, log off from the
file library menu.

LESSON: Set Debug Mode

MEBBSNet displays numerous files from several storage locations. These files
are all editable which gives you nearly infinite control over customization
of your MEBBSNet BBS. After you have gone through the tutorial and familiarized
yourself with MEBBSNet, you should start with the customization of your BBS.
The most significant customization will be accomplished through editing of
the displayed files. Ordinarily, neither you nor your callers will be aware
of what files are being displayed. Only the contents are displayed with one
file following another.

The Debug mode of operation is offered to give you an idea of what file
is going to be displayed immediately before it is used. Debug mode only
functions on the local line and should not normally be used.

EXERCISE 14:

Launch MEBBSCfg from an open shell. As usual, MEBBSBase must be running.

Select General Information 1 from the opening MEBBSCfg window.

Set the Debug switch so that it reads Debug ON.

Select RETURN from the General Information 1 window.

Select QUIT from the opening MEBBSCfg window.

Log on to the local line using your SysOp account.
MEBBSNet will halt well before it has in your other exercises. You will see
a line on the window which says..

File name: mebbsnet:txt/Banner.TXT

This is followed by a prompt asking you to Press Return.

The Debug mode of operation is telling you that a file whose name is
Banner.TXT and whose storage location is MEBBSNet:TXT/ is about to be
displayed. This file name and its storage location are hard-coded and will
always be displayed at this specific point in the logon procedure.

Press the RETURN key.

The contents of Banner.TXT will display but progress will be halted again
with another instance of a file name and path which will be displayed.

Step through the prompts and continue with the logon procedure. Each file
name be shown immediately prior to when it will be displayed.

Once you have logged on, go through the system and observe the names of
files. This file name listing will continue to function until you set the
Debug switch to off.

Log off.

Launch MEBBSCfg and turn the Debug switch off.

LESSON: Check Log File

MEBBSNet maintains several log files. Each line including the local line
sends information regarding activity to a log file located in your assigned
MEBBSNET directory. The activity log files are named MEBBSNetX.LOG where X will
be replaced with the line number.

EXERCISE 15:

Activate a shell and type

CD MEBBSNET:

Use your text editor to view the file named MEBBSNet0.LOG. Note the
activity record which shows the date and time along with what the caller
was doing. These log files will become fairly large in a short time
especially since your BBS will be very popular. It is strongly recommended
that you delete your log files after no more than three days activity.
You may want to store them if you are operating a subscription pay system.
Store them in a location different from the assigned MEBBSNET directory and be
sure to rename them appropriately.

This completes the local line familiarization tutorial. It is suggested that you
log on using your SysOp account and browse through the system. Use the Debug
option and customize as many of the files as you feel comfortable with.
If you have done any customization at all, now would be an excellent time
to make a backup of your storage system. Get into the habit of making
regular backups.

MEBBSNet makes extensive use of nearly all of the capabilities of your computer.
Errors in configuration or problems with controllers and other hardware will
manifest themselves very quickly once you open your doors for business.
Regular backups are the only salvation in many cases so make sure you are
not caught with a failed hard-drive and no backup.

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