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1993-01-20
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~~ LazerTalk ~~ Full Duplex External Chat System for the Atari ST
The Midas Development Team (c)1992
John Carolin Keyop Troy
QueST BBS, QuickBBS-ST Support UK Magnum BBS
Fidonet 2:255/303 NeST 90:1008/102 Fidonet 2:255/313 NeST 90:1008/101
+44-422-381164 +44-274-547006
Purpose
=-=-=-=
LazerTalk is an external replacement chat program for most Atari ST
BBS systems that offers a split screen chat facility. It is the first
of its kind to operate in BOTH VT52 AND ANSI!
The screen is split in two giving the SysOp and the user their own
window allowing text to be entered simultaneously by each participant.
If the user has ASCII or something else selected then a standard chat
routine is provided, but with many enhanced features. Depending on
the users graphics mode the SysOp may freely toggle between split
screen and standard modes during the chat.
If a user is operating at LESS than 1200 baud with VT52/ANSI selected
LazerTalk will NOT use split screen. This is because split screen
operation is very IO intensive and will become too slow. If it becomes
too slow even at 1200 baud, then the SysOp can switch to the standard
chat routine at the press of a key.
How it works
=-=-=-=-=-=-
Firstly a word about the command line LazerTalk requires to run.
Failure to pass it the correct parameters will result in an error
message or LazerTalk functioning incorrectly. The command line follows
QuickBBS conventions.
SysOp's using other BBS software should execute LazerTalk from a
batch/script file and use macro's or system variables to give it the
information it needs.
Please do not panic! Even if you know the BBS software you use cannot
run LazerTalk with the right parameters... read on.
LTALK.PRG <1> <2> <3> <4> <5> <6>
1. This is the 'yell' parameter. It indicates that the user paged with
a value of 1, or the SysOp broke in to chat with a value of 0.
2. Simply the baudrate of the current user online in standard format,
i.e. 1200,2400... 19200 etc.
3. Current users first name.
4. Current users last name.
5. This indicates what graphics mode the current user has selected.
The values are:
0 - Ascii
1 - VT52 Mono
2 - VT52 Colour
3 - VT52 Standard (-Unused-)
4 - ANSI
6. Users record number in USERS.BBS. This is strictly a QBBS only
parameter and is no longer used by LazerTalk. For completeness this
must still be present. Simply give it any value you wish such as 0
or 1.
If LazerTalk if being used with QBBS, QBBS will spoon feed it with
exactly the above command line. Therefore the above information is
only given for SysOps who run other BBS software to help get LazerTalk
installed and working. If absolutely necessary you can cheat a little,
for instance you could make parameter no. 2, the baudrate, permanently
2400.
'Feeders'
---------
On its own LazerTalk cannot be installed to correctly run with
///Turbo BBS because it is unable to supply LazerTalk with all the
parameters it needs.
To overcome this a series of 'Feeders' will become available. The idea
behind these is that instead of running LTALK.PRG a feeder is run that
finds the information LazerTalk requires from system files of the BBS
software it was written for and then executes LTALK.PRG with the
correct command line.
A feeder for ///Turbo BBS is already available. The filename is
LT_TBBS2.LZH and should be available from the same place you got this.
It includes three programs and documentation that explains the very
simple installation process to get LazerTalk and ///Turbo BBS working
in perfect harmony!
If you can't get LazerTalk running with your particular BBS package
then PLEASE feel free to contact us and ask about the possibility
of a feeder being written for it and we'll see what can be done!. We
want LazerTalk to be compatible with all ST BBS systems available!
Configuration File
------------------
A configuration file called LTALK.CFG must live in the same directory
as LTALK.PRG. This file contains many config commands, some optional,
some essential that configure LazerTalk to your system.
The format of the file is one command per line, followed by a ':'
colon, a space and the options/text for the command.
i.e. SYSOP: John Carolin
REASON-TO-CHAT: ON
Please view the example LTALK.CFG included in this archive to get a
better idea.
The commands currently implemented are -
SYSOP
-----
Usage: Name of SysOp.
Desc : Specify name of SysOp, this is displayed in the split screen
mode to indicate who's window belongs to who.
REASON-TO-CHAT
--------------
Usage: ON or OFF.
Desc : If this is set to ON, when a user pages you he will be asked
for a reason to chat. He may give a 1 line reply which is
then displayed on screen while LazerTalk pages you to help you
decided whether to bother answering the page or not!
SHELL
-----
Usage: Path and filename.
Desc : Specify program to execute when ALT-J is pressed.
YELL
----
Usage: Path and filename OR 'BELL'.
Desc : You may either specify a filename of an xbios 32 compatible
yelltune to play upon a page, or enter 'BELL' and LazerTalk
will use the ST's bell to get your attention. You may use any
of the QBBS paging tunes here.
PAGE-LENGTH
-----------
Usage: Time in seconds.
Desc : Specify how long LazerTalk should attempt to page you.
NOT-AROUND
----------
Usage: Path and filename.
Desc : Specify a text file to display to the user if you do not answer
a page request before the 'PAGE-LENGTH' time expires.
SCROLL
------
Usage: ON or OFF.
Desc : When a window is full of text it will scroll with this set to
ON. Setting to OFF will result in the window being wiped and
having the cursor returning to the top.
*** ALL ABOVE COMMANDS MUST BE PRESENT ! ***
LOG-RTC
-------
Usage: ON or OFF.
Desc : If this is set to ON LazerTalk will write the reply the user
enters to the reason to chat prompt in your system log. This
command is only required if 'REASON-TO-CHAT' is set to ON.
SYSLOG
------
Usage: Path and filename.
Desc : Specify the path and filename of your system log. This command
is only required if the 'LOG-RTC' command is ON.
PAGE-STARTMSG
-------------
Usage: One line message.
Desc : This message will be displayed to the user when LazerTalk goes
into chat from a user page.
i.e. "Hi, How can I help?". This command is optional.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
PAGE-ENDMSG
-----------
Usage: One line message.
Desc : This message will be displayed to the user when LazerTalk
exits after a user page. This command is optional.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
BREAK-STARTMSG
--------------
Usage: One line message.
Desc : This message will be displayed to the user when LazerTalk goes
into chat from a SysOp break in.
i.e. "The SysOp bursts in". This command is optional.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
BREAK-ENDMSG
------------
Usage: One line message.
Desc : This message will be displayed to the user when LazerTalk
exits after a SysOp break in. This command is optional.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
FUNWORD
-------
Usage: findstring<>replacestring
Desc : This is where the good stuff starts! Both findstring and
replacestring may each be any number of words. When the
findstring is typed by the SysOp or the user, the text is
backspaced over and overwritten with the replacestring.
i.e. LazerTalk<>LazerTalk, simply the BEST chat system!
FUNWORD definitions are optional.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
FUNMODE-DEFAULT
---------------
Usage: ON or OFF.
Desc : If this is set to ON when LazerTalk first goes into chat the
funmode will be active. This may be later toggled by ALT-F
within chat. This command is only required if you have defined
any FUNWORD's.
FUNMODE-CASE-CHECK
------------------
Usage: ON or OFF.
Desc : Decides whether the funmode should be case sensitive.
i.e SysOp<>System Commander
If this is set to ON, ONLY 'SysOp will trigger the funmode, if
it is set to OFF 'SYSOP', 'sysop' etc will trigger it. This
command is only required if you have defined any FUNWORD's.
F1 - F20
--------
Usage: Function key string.
Desc : These commands are used to assign text/messages to the function
keys. F11 - F20 are accessed with SHIFT F1 - SHIFT F10.
The '|' (pipe) character can be used to give a carriage return.
PRG1 - PRG10
------------
Usage: Path of program to execute, followed by parameters in quotes.
Desc : These commands can be used to define some external programs to
run from within LazerTalk. They are accessed from the keyboard
by ALT-1 (PRG1) ALT-2 (PRG2)...... etc ALT-0 (PRG10).
If any parameters need passing to the program they should be
placed in quotes.
i.e. Program on its own:
PRG1: C:\XYZ.TTP
i.e. Program with parameters:
PRG2: C:\XYZ.TTP "-c"
The special string '*INPUT*' may be placed anywhere within the
quotes.If this is done, when the program entry is run LazerTalk
will ask you to enter a line of text to PLACE IN THAT POSITION
on the command line for that program.For example to send a file
using XYZ.TTP you could use -
PRG3: C:\XYZ.TTP "-c -u *INPUT*"
and the filename you give would be placed neatly in the desired
position on the command line.OR if you wish to enter the entire
command line of a program yourself at runtime, you can use -
PRG3: C:\XYZ.TTP "*INPUT*"
WAITMSG
-------
Usage: One line message.
Desc : Used to specify a line of text to display to user when the chat
pauses for a moment while a help screen, config editor or
external program is used.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOME CONFIGURATION COMMANDS ARE ONLY OPTIONAL DEPENDING ON THE SETTING
OF ANOTHER COMMAND. (I.E. LOG-RTC IS ONLY NEEDED IF REASON-TO-CHAT: IS
SET TO ON) MISSING COMMANDS WILL GIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE FROM LAZERTALK
OR LAZERTALK MAY FUNCTION INCORRECTLY. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO MODIFY THE
INCLUDED EXAMPLE LTALK.CFG FOR YOUR NEEDS.
LTALK.CFG may contain blank lines, tabs and comments. Each line may be
up to 255 characters long, alowing some pretty impressive funmode and
function key definitions!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Usage
=-=-=
Installation
------------
1. Copy all LazerTalk files into the same directory, plus any feeder
programs if they are needed.
2. Modify the supplied LTALK.CFG to suit your system or create your
own.
3. QBBS-ST: Edit the "External Chat" field in QCONFIG and enter the
path and filename to LTALK.PRG.
OTHER : Create a batch/door file to execute LTALK.PRG and give it
the command line it requires or setup a Feeder for it if
there is one available.
Functions Available - Being Paging
----------------------------------
When you are being paged, '*' can be pressed to halt the paging tune, but
continue with the paging itself. This is best reserved with annoying users
and helps avoid the risk of turning the monitor volume down and forgetting
to turn it back up. Any other key starts the chat. These options are shown
on your screen upon a page.
While the paging is still happening, the user may abort it by pressing
his space bar. This option is displayed to the user.
Functions Available - In Chat
-----------------------------
Functions available to the SYSOP:
> UNDO : Exit LazerTalk
This key exits LazerTalk funnily enough!
> INSERT : Switch Mode
Toggles between split screen/standard chat. This will only work
from the standard chat mode if the user is using VT52 or ANSI.
> HELP : Help summary/display status
Pressing HELP displays a comprehensive help screen showing all the
available functions of LazerTalk. Note than when this screen is
displayed all chatting will halt but continue from exactly where you
left off when you return. Pressing any key returns to the chat.
> ALT-H : Disconnect User
Instantly disconnect a user and exit to QBBS.
> ALT-J : Execute Shell
This executes the program specified in the config file under
SHELL. This can be used to create a jump to dos facility in
LazerTalk.
> ALT-U : Uppercase Killer
Don't you just HATE PEOPLE SHOUTING, turning the uppercase killer
on stops the effect of the users shift or caps lock.
> ALT-I : Toggle Remote I/O Lock
A very nasty function! If a user is really getting on your nerves or
simply won't shut up, activate this. It prevents the user typing
ANYTHING, and sends a bell back to him for each keypress he hits.
> ALT-F : Toggle Funmode
This will enable/disable the Funmode facility, depending what the
default in LTALK.CFG is set to.
> ALT-L : Chat Logging On/Off
Activates/Deactivates chat logging. In normal mode, the conversation
will be saved in LT_CHAT.LOG. In split screen, the conversation will
be saved as 2 seperate files, one for each window. They are saved as
LT_SYSOP.LOG and LT_USER.LOG respectively.
> ALT-R : Redraw Screen
This will redraw the split screen and clear each of the windows.
It affects both the SysOps AND the users screen. This is best
used if the screen becomes corrupted in some way by line noise.
> ALT-W : Wipe Your Window
This simply wipes your window of text.
> ALT-K : Show Function Keys
Displays a screen showing the current contents of F1-F20. Any key
returns to chat.
> ALT-S : Scroll Toggle
The initial setting of this depends upon the SCROLL line in your
configuration. Pressing ALT-S will toggle the scrolling/wiping mode
accordingly.
> ALT-C : Configuration Editor
LazerTalk allows you to edit its configuration while on-line. This
can be used for the adding/removal of Funwords, Function Keys or any
other aspect of LazerTalks configuration. When ALT-C is pressed the
menu below is shown.
LazerTalk Configuration Editor, Available Functions -
1] [V]IEW - Displays current LTALK.CFG.
2] [A]DD - Add line to LTALK.CFG.
3] [D]EL - Deletes given line from LTALK.CFG.
4] [R]EPLACE - Replace a line in LTALK.CFG.
0] [E]ND - Re-load configuration and return to chat.
View : Shows the current contents of LTALK.CFG.
Add : Prompts for a line to append to LTALK.CFG.
Del : Prompts for a line that matches the line in LTALK.CFG you
wish to delete. Wildcards may be used with this function.
i.e. a '?' (question mark) can be used to represent any
single character, and a '*' asterisk can be 1 used to
represent any number of characters. For example, to delete
Function Key 15, you could enter "F15: *".
Replace : Prompts for a line to find which may contain wildcards. It
then asks for a line to replace this with, if found.
End : Configuration will be reloaded and the conversion can
continue with any changes taking immiedate effect.
Functions available to the USER:
> CTRL-R : Redraw Screen
Redraws the split screen and clears both windows, this
function affects both the SysOps and the users screen.
> CTRL-W : Wipe Users Window
Wipes the users windows of text.
Points to note
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
You will find operating in ANSI is slightly slower than VT52. This is
because the necessary ANSI codes are on average 2 bytes larger than
their VT52 equivalents. At the users end the screen may suffer from
cursor jumping. This is unavoidable as after great investigation I
have been unable to find an ANSI code to turn off the cursor. If you
know such a code let me know!
LazerTalk is NOT free!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
LazerTalk is SHAREWARE. You are free to use it for the evaluation
period of 31 days. If you continue to use it after this time you are
obliged to become a registered user. There are many plans for
enhancements to LazerTalk in the coming months but this won't be
possible unless we receive your full support.
As a registered user you will receive a key that will personalise your
copy of LazerTalk, and remove all "Unregistered Copy" messages, along
with the screen that is displayed for 5 seconds whenever LazerTalk
exits. Once you have registered you have 3 options how to receive your
key:
1. Delivery by mailer if you have a network ID on Fidonet or NeST.
2. Downloaded from my BBS.
3. Sent on disk, but you must supply the disk.
The registration fee is 10 English Pounds or the equivalent in your
currency. This can be paid by Cheque if you are within the UK or by
International Bank Draft the rest of the world made payable to J. M.
Carolin. Send this, along with your Name, Address and BBS details
(Name, network addresses etc) to :
John Carolin
331 Moor End Road
Mount Tabor
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX2 ORD
England
Remember to specify how you wish to receive your key.
If you have ANY queries or problems regarding registration then please
contact John Carolin by netmail at (2:255/303) or (90:100/113) and
we'll try and work something out, we want as many registered LazerTalk
users as possible!
Under NO circumstances should a key be passed onto anyone else but the
registered user the key was created for.
Copyright
=-=-=-=-=
The program(s), documentation and any other related files to this
project are copyright of The Midas Development Team 1992. Each piece
of software maybe the sole work of John Carolin, Keyop Troy or a joint
production. Copyright is held by the respective author(s). ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED.
This software may be freely distributed if:
1. No charge is made for this software by a third party.
2. No modifications to the documentation or executables are made.
3. The contents of this archive are not changed in any way.
Feedback
=-=-=-=-
If you have any problems or suggestions for new features in LazerTalk
PLEASE get in touch with us at the systems on the top of this document
and we'll see what can be done. If you are unable to install LazerTalk
for your BBS software, again contact us at the systems listed at the
top of this document.
Remember, we are busy people and only registered users get priority!
Messages can be left for us in the QUICKBBS.ST echo and most Fidonet
and NeST SysOp echo's.