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1990-07-08
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525 lines
EchoFix St
-* Areafixer for Atari ST series *-
Copyright Rinaldo Visscher (2:282/320.3)
English Users Manual
for version 1.0
Its recommended that you read this text
before starting, or at least print it out
and lay it next to your computer before
using the program for the first time.
This program is free to copy for use on every BBS. It is forbidden to sell
this program for any profit. This program may
not be distributed to or through commercial PD services. Also, any,
commercial use or reproduction of this program can only be made with
the explicit approval of the author.
This archive ECHOFIX.ARC must contain the following files.
ECHOFIX.DOC This document
ECHOFIX.PRG Areafixer
EFIXINST.PRG Installation program
INSTALL.RSC Resource for installation program
This document contents
1. WHAT IS ECHOFIX
2. WHAT IS NEEDED
3. HOW DO I START
A. Enter fake number
B. Areafixer
C. Pasword file
D. Controlfile
4. HOW TO CALL ECHOFIX
A. -C option
B. -B option
C. -M option
5. WHEN I START WHAT HAPPENS
6. HOW MUST A POINT OR NODE WRITE A MESSAGE TO ECHOFIX
7. HOW TO MAKE A PASWORDFILE
8. WHAT IS THE CONTROLFILE
9. HOW TO MAKE A CONTROLFILE
10.CAN I SEND A MESSAGE WITH THE CONFIRMATION REPORT
11.HOW CAN I SEE WAT IS HAPPEND
12.ERRORLEVELS
DISCLAIMER
1. What is EchoFix.
-------------------
The program connect and disconnect message areas. It's easy to use and very
fast. You can make private message areas for local use etc. The program
works with 3d and 4d addressing. It's programmed only for users that have
The-Box as mailer. It reads your netmail if there's any message for
EchoFix. How to write a message to EchoFix will be explained later.
2. What's needed.
-----------------
a. You must have a nodenumber
b. The-Box as mailer. (This program reads TB.CFG)
c. The file AREAS.BBS (Also readed)
d. A control file (Explained later in this manual)
e. Netmail area.
3. How do I start.
-----------------
First start EFIXINST.PRG. There are some question's for you in a dialogbox.
a. Enter your fakenet.
There you must enter which fakenumber or 3D number you are using. If your
points using 3D number 6320 enter 6320. Why, if your point writes a
message to EchoFix using 3D adres this program needs this number to convert
it into a 4D message. If there is no number entered this message will be
skipped. If there is a message found with 3D number 6320/<pointno> then
the number will be converted to (if you are node 2:282/320.0) to
2:282/320.<pointno>. This 4D number will be used if the programm makes a
confirmation report (Later more about reporting) and write it back to
the netmail.
b. Areafixer.
Enter the name of the areafixer. If you enter here for example Echofix your
points and nodes must write there message to Echofix. The program regonize
that this message is to connect or disconnect some areas. You can enter
Areafix. A message must than be written to Areafix. Any other name will
be skipped.
c. Paswordfile.
This is the filename of your paswordfile. (The format explained later)
You can use the full pathname or only the filename. For example
ECHOFIX.PRG is in C:\THE_BOX folder and your pasword file NODES.PAS is in
the C:\FIX folder, than you must enter C:\FIX\NODES.PAS
If the pasword file is in the same directory and folder as ECHOFIX.PRG
then you can enter NODES.PAS thus without path.
d. Controlfile.
This is the filename of the controlfile. (The format explained later)
Also you can use the full pathname or filename only. See Paswordfile
Click if you have entered all on SAVE. The installation program writes a
file named ECHOFIX.CFG to disk. This file MUST be found in the same
directory and folder as ECHOFIX.PRG. If you click on ABORT then the program
quits whithout saving de configuration.
4. How to call ECHOFIX.PRG
--------------------------
This program can be called from desktop (not recommended) and from a
commandline interpeter. There are a few parameters you can give to the
program.
a. -c If you using for example .<point> in your AREAS.BBS the program
surch and write your points as .<point>. For example (In AREAS.BBS)
<PATH> <AREA> <BOSNODE> .<point> .<point>
The program looks into this line and surches for .<point> instead of
a full nodenumber. Let's look again (Assuming your ID is 2:282.320.0)
C:\INMAIL\0001 MYAREA 2:282/301.0 .2 .3 .4
If point .3 wants to disconnect from area MYAREA the program founds his
number in this line and disconnect him from this area. If you not using
-c than the program don't find the .3 because now he is surching for
2:282/320.3 and he is not as that listed in the AREAS.BBS. That's the same
if point .5 try's to connect to this area. If the -c option is not used
then the program writes his full nodenumber even if he has already
connected to this area. Use -c always if you have the .<point> format in
your AREAS.BBS. Other nodes wil not be cruched. If node 2:281/202 try's
to connect to area, this line is as followed after the session
C:\INMAIL\0001 MYAREA 2:282/301 .2 .3 .4 2:281/202.0
The -c option don't work if an other node write a message to your
areafixer and writes his full nodenumber down.
b. -b
This option tells the program to read the netmail backwards. I.e. the
program begins to read at the last message. If your netmail counted 100
messages the program start's at message 100 to 1. The newest messages will
be first readed.
c. -m[#messages]
-m tells the program to read to a max. of #messages. If you gives as
parameter -m20 the program reads the first 20 messages and stops. If you
using -bm20 the program reads the last 20 messages. For example if your
netmail counted 100 messages and you using -bm20 the program reads
messages 100 - 81 and than it stops. If there is less than 20 messages
the program stops at the last message. There is no problem with that.
If you are using all parameters one '-' is enough. (-cbm10)
5. When I start, what happens?
------------------------------
ECHOFIX reads first TB.CFG and surches for you netmailpath, nodenumber and
you logfile. If one of this three not exist the program stops. Than it
reads your netmail if there is any message for ECHOFIX. If there is a
message found it reads the AREAS.BBS, the paswordfile, controlfile and
ECHOFIX.CFG. If any of the above programs doesn't exist the program stops.
It also stops if there is no netmail. The message shall be readed.
It try's to connect or disconnect the areas that's found in the message.
The original message will be DELETED and RECEIVED. The confirmation report is
PRIVATE and KILLSENT.
6. How must a point or node writes a message to ECHOFIX.
--------------------------------------------------------
If there have a message editor like LED than start as followed.
Enter a message to for example EchoFix (That the the name you have given
in de EFIXINST.PRG in Areafixer). The topic must contain there pasword.
If point 2:282/320.3 has as pasword ATARI the the name ATARI must be
entered in the subject line.
a. How to connect a area.
If he wants to connect to area MYAREA he must type
myarea OR
+myarea
b. How to disconnect from a area
If he wants to disconnect from area MYAREA
-myarea
Example how to connect and disconnect areas at the same time.
-myarea
+otherarea
-an_area
+quickbbs.st
+zmodem
If this is found in one message he wil be disconnect from areas
myarea and an_area
and he will be connected to areas
otherarea, quickbbs.st and zmodem
This line is wrong.
-myarea +otherarea
All areas must be started at a new line. This forces the program to give
'Area myarea +otherarea doens't exist'
7. How to make a paswordfile
----------------------------
That very simple. You need two thing's : Who's is polling me and what is
his pasword. If you have node 2:282/320.0 and you have the following
points and nodes :
2:282/320.2 ( point )
2:282/320.3 ( point )
2:282/320.4 ( point )
2:282/301.0 ( node )
2:281/202.0 ( node )
the structure of your paswordfile (plain ASCII) is
2:282/320.2 <pasword>
2:282/320.3 <pasword>
2:282/320.4 <pasword>
2:282/301.0 <pasword>
2:281/202.0 <pasword>
The program reads the paswordfile and compares the topic to the pasword
that's in the pasword file. If 2:282/320.3 write a message to ECHOFIX as
followed
from : Rinaldo Visscher on 2:282/320.3
to : Echofix on 2:282/320.0
topic: ATARI
than the pasword file is as followed for 2:282/320.3
2:282/320.2 <pasword>
2:282/320.3 ATARI
2:282/320.4 <pasword>
2:282/301.0 <pasword>
2:281/202.0 <pasword>
The program found his nodenumber (2:282/320.3) in the paswordfile and
compares his pasword. If this is correct the program continue.
If the pasword is not correct the program write down a error message
in the logfile (see later). Also if a node is NOT in your paswordfile
than the program stops and write down an error message. (UNLISTED)
The paswordfile is will not be readed into the memory.
8. What does the controlfile
----------------------------
Simple, the program looks into the controlfile if a node or point may
connect to an area. There can be found if a node or point may have access
to some areas. In that file is also the area description found.
9. How do I make a controlfile
------------------------------
The control file is a plain ASCII file. First it must contain the areas
you have with the node and point number behind it.
You can copy your AREAS.BBS to for example ECHOFIX.CTL (See installation)
Remove all pathnames in this file and delete all node and point number.
Than you have for example :
ASSEMBLER.028
ATARI.028
BASIC.028
STOCKS.028
CQUESTIONS.028
These are all echomail areas.
You can type now the node and point numbers that have acces to the areas.
For example : (assuming you have node 2:282/320.0)
ASSEMBLER.028 .2 .3 .4
ATARI.028 .2 .4
BASIC.028 .3 .4 .5
STOCKS.028 2:282/301 .2 .3 .5
CQUESTION.028 2:281/202 .2
You see now that are point and nodenumbers after the echomailarea.
What do it tells the program ?
Simple, it tells him that points .2 .3 and .4 have access to ASSEMBLER.028
but point .5 doen't have access to this area. Also in area ATARI.028
only points .2 and .4 have access but points .3 and .5 don't have
access to this area. In area STOCKS.028 node 2:282/301 have access and
points .2, .3 and .5.
How to make a area discription ?
Simple place a ';' after your point or node numbers. For example:
ASSEMBLER.028 .2 .3 .4 ; This is assembler echo
ATARI.028 .2 .4 ; Hai atari echo
BASIC.028 .3 .4 .5 ; Basic
STOCKS.028 2:282/301 .2 .3 .5 ; International stocks
CQUESTION.028 2:281/202 .2 ; C questions
Why. ?
After every session the program writes a confirmationreport. It written
in the net mail. If point or node that echofix have been used poll
again he gets a report than as followed.
(example point .3 See in example controlfile)
You are connected to BASIC.028
ASSEMBLER.028 ; This is assembler echo
*BASIC.028 ; Basic
STOCKS.028 ; International stocks
You are connected to 1 echomailarea.
Total available 3 area(s)
You see that the ';' is used to look where the areadiscription is.
I have many points and nodes that's polling by me. How can I manage that?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The control file have some keywords so that you don't have to write all
node and point numbers after the area. The following keywords are
avaiable. (In order of priority)
1 -> ALLNODES
2 -> OURPOINTS
3 -> OURNET
4 -> FOREIGNNET
5 -> ONLYNET
6 -> ONLYNODE
7 -> LOCAL
8 -> NOPOINT
ALLNODES
--------
This tell the program that all nodes and points have acces to this area.
The nodes must be listed in the pasword file. Example
ASSEMBLER.028 ALLNODES ; This is assembler echo
ATARI.028 .2 .4 ; Hai atari echo
BASIC.028 .3 .4 .5 ; Basic
STOCKS.028 2:282/301 .2 .3 .5 ; International stocks
CQUESTION.028 2:281/202 .2 ; C questions
All points and nodes have access to ASSEMBLER.028
OURPOINTS
---------
All your points have access to this area.
OURNET
------
If you have for example node 2:282/320.0 your net number is 282. Nodes
with the same netnumber have access to that area. Node 2:281/201.0 don't
have access to this area. Thus only nodes (not points) whithin net 282
can connect them to that area.
FOREIGNNET
----------
This is the opposite of OURNET. If you are in net 282 than nodes within
net 282 can't have that area. 2:281/202 can have acces to this area.
ONLYNET (<zone>:<net> <zone>:<net>)
-----------------------------------
You can tell here which direction an area can go. If you have for example
nodes in net : 281, 282, 283, 284 and 285
than you can tell which nets have access to an area. Example :
ONLYNET (2:281 2:282 2:285)
Only nodes which are in net 2:281, 2:282 and 2:285 have access to that area.
Nodes 2:283 and 2:284 don't have access to this area.
ONLYNODE(<node> <node>)
-----------------------
Here you can tell wich nodes in the same netnumber have acces to the area.
If you are in net 282 and other nodes for example 2:282/100 2:282/301 and
2:282/315 than you can tell that only 2:282/100 and 2:282/301 can have
acces to this area. Example
ONLYNODE(100 301)
Tells echofix that only 282/301 and 282/100 have access. The nodes must be
in the same net as you. 2:281/301 has NO access because he is in net 281.
LOCAL
-----
This area is local and can not be accessed by other nodes. Only points
have acces to that area.
NOPOINTS
--------
Points don't have acces to this area. This can be used for private use.
This is the opposite of ALLPOINTS.
Example of a control file
-------------------------
DBASE.028 ALLNODES
DELTA.028 ALLNODES
FORTH.028 ALLNODES
GFA_E ONLYNET (2:282 2:283) .2 .4
ATARI.GER ONLYNODE (301 202) .3 .4 .5
HAM-PA.028 OURNET OURPOINTS .
MSDOS.028 FOREIGNNET ONLYNODE( 301 ) OURPOINTS
FIDO_ST ONLYNET (2:281) ONLYNODE( 202 ) NOPOINTS
PASCAL.028 OURNET ONLYNET(2:281)
PENPAL ALLNODES
MYAREA LOCAL NOPOINTS
POINTAREA LOCAL ALLPOINTS
SOMEPOINT LOCAL .2 .3 .5
Everybody have access to DBASE.028.
Only nets 282 and 283 and points .2 and .4 have acces to GFA_E
To FIDO_ST has only node 2:282/301 access.
MYAREA is for example for private use (BBS area only)
POINTAREA is only for your points.
SOMEPOINT is only for points 2,3 and 5
'OURPOINTS NOPOINTS' in the same line has no effect. The first that will
be readed is ALLPOINTS as you can see in the priority order.
(OURPOINTS have a priority of 2 and NOPOINTS have a priority of 8)
All keywords must be in CAPITAL.
10. Can I sent a message with the confirmation report.
-----------------------------------------------------
Yes, there are 2 possebilities. One GENERAL text and one PRIVATE text.
How to make a GENERAL text ?
First type at the first line of the pasword file 'generaltxt'
In the same line you enter the name of the text file you want to attched to
the report. For example :
generaltxt "c:\mail\mytext.txt"
2:282/320.2 <pasword>
2:282/320.3 <pasword>
2:282/320.4 <pasword>
2:282/301.0 <pasword>
2:281/202.0 <pasword>
The textfile 'c:\mail\mytext.txt' will be attached to every report. Thus
every node and point get this file in his report.
There is a posebilitie to make a private text for every point or node.
For example :
generaltxt "c:\mail\mytext.txt"
2:282/320.2 <pasword>
2:282/320.3 <pasword> nodetxt "c:\mail\private.txt"
2:282/320.4 <pasword>
2:282/301.0 <pasword>
2:281/202.0 <pasword>
All the nodes and points gets the file 'c:\mail\mytext.txt' and only
2:282/320.3 get the textfile 'c:\mail\private.txt' in his report, all
other nodes don't see 'c:\mail\private.txt'.
The text file must be normal ASCII.
11. How can I see what is happend ?
-----------------------------------
ECHOFIX.PRG write a logfile. It's the in the same file where the_box
write's his log. ECHOFIX uses 'ECF' where the-box use 'BOX'. You
can read which node of point has make use of ECHOFIX.PRG and which
areas he has connected and disconnected. It don't look to the loglevel.
12. Errorlevels
---------------
ECHOFIX exits always with a errorlevel. Here are the errorlevels.
0 = Perfect, everything is correct
1 = Can't find ECHOFIX.CFG
2 = There is no netmailpath in your TB.CFG
3 = Pasword error. Wrong pasword.
4 = Not listed in the pasword file
5 = Can't find logfile in TB.CFG
6 = Can't find your address in TB.CFG
8 = Out of memory.
10= Can't find TB.CFG
Errorlevels 1,2,3,4,5,7 and 8 can be found in the logfile if they occure.
DISCLAIMER
----------
This program is tested over and over again under several conditions.
If this program makes any mistakes I don't take responsebility for it. If
you have any suggestions or comments to improve ECHOFIX.PRG write
a netmail message to Rinaldo Visscher at 2:282/320.3 or to
2:282/320.0
Your AREAS.BBS may not have more than 250 lines and each line may not be
greater than 32 Kbytes. Also your controlfile may not
have more than 250 lines and each line is not greater than 32 Kb. This files
will be readed into memory. A maximum of 250 lines in the message is allowed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like this program very much please send me a nice picture post card
of the place were you live with your name and fido address to
Rinaldo Visscher
Banneplein 68
1034 DM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
A lot of thanks to the persons who have tested it :
Johan Ansems Dutchman BBS Amsterdam 2:282/320
Theo Runia Quickbbs Leeuwarden 2:282/301
Joop Koopman Quickbbs Haarlem 2:281/202
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes made :
Version 1.1
Echofix keep reading until end of file is reached. The program don't stop
if there is a message found and the confirmationreport is written.
Version 1.2
Read also -DAYS in areas.bbs