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▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ ▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ HOST3 - The Most Advanced Host/BBS System for Telix Version 4.4 Date: October 26th, 1990 Copyright 1989, 1990 by Host Software Products Host Software Products 15837 Windrose Way San Diego, CA 92127-2066 Daniel E. Horn - President T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction ......................................... 1 Registration .................................... 2 System Requirements ............................. 4 Installing HOST44 .................................... 4 Configuring HOST44 ................................... 5 Host Upload Directory ........................... 5 System Password ................................. 5 User Comments Sent To ........................... 5 Screen Blank Time Limit ......................... 5 Chat Starting Time .............................. 5 Chat Ending Time ................................ 5 Time Per Access Level ........................... 5 Level of Uploads ................................ 6 Log Off New Users ............................... 6 Delete Bad Archives ............................. 6 Number Of Downloads ............................. 6 Access 1 Download Limit ......................... 6 DOORWAY Command Line ............................ 6 Telix Config File ............................... 6 Configuring the Modem ........................... 7 Configuring System Colors ....................... 7 Configuring Bulletins ........................... 7 Configuring Doors ............................... 8 Configuring Archives ............................ 8 Configuring Macros .............................. 9 Main Menu Options .................................... 9 Message Menu Options ................................. 11 File Menu Options .................................... 12 Sysop's Keyboard Commands ............................ 13 Adding Files to the File Base ........................ 14 Doing it manually ............................... 14 Using ADDFILES.EXE .............................. 15 Adding Doors to HOST44 ............................... 15 Adding Bulletins to HOST44 ........................... 16 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ----------------------------------------------------------------- Using The User Editor ................................ 16 Using H44COMP.EXE Manually ........................... 18 Using Marshall Dudley's DOORWAY.EXE .................. 19 What's New in this Version? .......................... 20 What's Planned for the Future? ....................... 22 Thanks and Appreciation .............................. 23 Technical Support .................................... 24 Appendix A - H44DOOR.SYS Format ...................... 25 Appendix B - Writing Your Own Converter .............. 29 Appendix C - Files: Required, Optional, Created ...... 31 Appendix D - System Variables ........................ 35 Page: 1 WHAT IS HOST3? HOST3 is a line of fully functional remote systems that can be used as a complete BBS, or as an advanced remote access system. HOST3 has been created and designed to be fast, friendly, and extremely flexible, allowing even the most novice computer user to have it up and running in minutes, yet having the power to be completely customized for each persons tastes. HOST3 has some of the most advanced features found in a BBS system today! HOST3 has the ability to handle multiple doors (and even handles doors for other BBS systems!), multiple bulletins, and a complete message base system with built in full screen editor. HOST3 has been written for the Telix (C) communications program and is written entirely in SALT (Script Application Language for Telix) which is the most powerful and extensive script language available. If you do not use Telix as your everyday communication program, you should. Telix is the most advanced package available and is easy to use! Page: 2 This program is distributed under the Shareware concept. Non-Registered users of HOST44 are granted a limited license to use it for a 4 week trial period, in order to determine it's usefulness to you. ANY other use of HOST44 after that period is strictly prohibited. WHY REGISTER? * Registration allows you to use HOST44 on a regular basis. * Registered users will receive mailed notification of updates to the program. * Registered users will also receive top priority in any help or comments they have/need. * Registered users receive copies of program which has the "UNREGISTERED" statement removed and replaced with one which says "REGISTERED TO:" and which gives their names. * Registered copies of HOST44 have the limit on messages and files raised from 50 (current limit on UNREGISTERED versions of HOST44) to a higher limit of 29,999 messages and 999 files, as well the limit on Bulletins and Doors is raised from 10 to 999. * Registered users receive two additional support programs: H44UEDIT.EXE : A true full-screen external user editor allows editing of ALL user information, as well as easy addition of new users. MENUEDIT.EXE : A full-screen Menu Editing program which allows Reading and Writing to each specific menu. Thus enabling the sysop to personalize the different menus. As well the new version has the ability to change the HOST44 menu key commands. * Registered users will be able to join the beta test process, and will receive previews of all new software if they want. Registration is US$25.00, plus US$2.50 (US$3.50 OverSeas) for shipping and handling and covers all of the above features. To Order, Make check or money order out to: Host Software Products 15837 Windrose Way San Diego, CA 92127-2066 Page: 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please send: HOST44 Registration .............. $ 25.00 _____ Shipping and Handling include $2.50 ($3.50 Overseas) Disk Size: 5.25" ______ 3.5" ______ { Print } Name :______________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Day Phone:(____)______-_______ Evening:(____)______-_______ Current version I have ______ Comments:_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ { Optional } Computer Type:________________________________________________ Modem Type And Speed:_________________________________________ Color display [Y/N]: __ Where did you hear about (and/or receive a copy of) HOST44? { } BBS Name______________________ Ph #(____)______-_______ { } Sig Name________________________________________________ { } CompuServe { } Friend { } Other ____________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page: 4 This program evolved from the original HOST.SLC/HCONFIG.SLC programs, and then the later revisions by Jon Flemming found in HOST2.SLC/H2CONFIG.SLC. HOST3 was written as a sort of pet project of mine, in order to enhance the HOST2.SLC program, written by Jon Flemming. I felt that although he had made some superb changes to Colin's original HOST.SLC, there was SO much more that could be done to make the program even better. So, I began working on it. Over time I I have made uncountable changes and have ended up with the latest version of HOST3, version 4.4. I hope you enjoy it! DISCLAIMER This program is provided as is, and is to be run at your own risk. There is NO warranty of any kind or form covering this program. Exis Inc., Colin Sampaleanu, and the author are not in any way responsible, or liable for any damages of any kind that may arise from the usage of this program, or that of any programs or files associated, or included with it. TELIX.EXE, SALT, HOST.SLC, HCONFIG.SLC: Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 by Exis Inc., and Colin Sampaleanu. Used with permission. DOORWAY.EXE Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989 by Marshall Dudley. Used without permission. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS HOST3 requires a minimum of 350k memory and requires Telix 3.12 and DOS version 3.0 or later. INSTALLATION To install HOST44 simply place all the files contained in HOST44 archive in your Telix directory. Run Telix, and then hit ALT-G. Then type in HINSTALL.SLC, HINSTALL will then be run and will give you the default data directory (\TELIX\HOST), this directory is where HOST44 will keep all of its data files at. If you wish to change this do so now. HINSTALL will then place the different files into their correct directories. If HINSTALL finds any data files from previous versions of HOST it will ask you if you wish to convert them, if you say yes HINSTALL will run the convert program and then will place the newly converted data files into the data directory. Once HINSTALL has finished running it will allow you to either start HOST44 now or quit. If you choose tostart HOST44 it will automatically run HOST44 for you. Page: 5 CONFIGURING HOST44 When run for the first time HOST44 will immediately run the Configuration program so that it can create the HOST44.CFG file. Here you can make changes to the HOST44 that deals both with the actual operation of HOST44 and also change it's "Look and Feel". Following is a list of all the configuration items available and a short description of their uses. Note that some items involve the operations of HOST44 and thus might refer to another location for a more in depth description. NOTE: Those options listed under the heading CONFIG PAGE 2 can be edited by pressing PgDn (or the character they are accessed by). To get back to the first page press PgUp. Also those options which have their own sub menus will be listed under their own titles. CONFIGURATION PAGE 1 Host Upload : This is the directory that all uploads will Directory be placed in upon completion. System Password: This is the password that is needed to shut down the system as well as shell to DOS. User Comments : This is the name of the person to which any Sent To comments will be sent to, it defaults to Sysop. Changing this will allow the sysop to log on under a different name but still receive the comments. Screen Blank : This option allows you to change the number Time Limit of minutes before HOST44 will automatically blank the main call screen. Chat Starting : This is the time that you would like the Time "Chatting Times" to start. Chat will come at this time. (Chat can also be forced on or forced off at any time by pressing F1). Chat Ending : This is the time that you would like the Time "Chatting Times" to end. Time Per Access: This is the number of minutes allowed on Level the system per access level (Example: If it is set to 10, A Level 2 user would get 20, while a level 6 user would get 60 minutes, respectively). Page: 6 Level of : This is the access level to which a file is Uploads set to when uploaded by a user. If set to a 1 then all access levels will be able to see the file, while if set to 8, only level 8 and 9 users could see the file. Log Off New : This switch determines the status of new Users users after completing the logon section. If turned on all new users will be logged off the system after completion of logon. CONFIGURATION PAGE 2 Delete Bad : This switch determines the status of files Archives which fail to pass the archive test after being uploaded. If On all files failing to pass the test will be deleted. If Off they will be added to the database as a private file to sysop with a note about the status. Number Of : This is the number of downloads (per one Downloads upload) that a user can make. If they try to download more they will be told the need to make an upload. Access 1 : This is the limit (in Kilobytes) that users Download Limit with level 1 access can download per logon. DOORWAY Command: This is the command line string sent to Line DOORWAY.EXE (if used) when a user does a online shell to DOS. Note that the option can contain any of the System Variables and will automatically be used. (See Appendix D System Variables for more information). Telix Config : This option contains the name of the TELIX File configuration file being used, this should be changed if you are using HOST44 with a separate TELIX configuration file. Since HOST44 uses information found in the file it is important that this is set correctly. Reset Default : If chosen this option will reset all of the Options configuration options to their original default values. Page: 7 CONFIGURING THE MODEM Modem Answer : This is the string which is sent to the String modem when a RING is detected. The default is "ATA" and should work for most modems. If it does not work for you try turning on Modem Auto Answer Mode. Modem Pickup : This is the string which is sent to the String modem when going offhook (in conjunction with Pickup Modem in Local and Utils). This string will make the modem pickup and cause a busy signal. Pickup Modem In: This option determines if HOST44 should Local pickup the phone (go offhook) when doing a local log on. Having this turned on would cause any callers to get a busy signal when in the local mode. Pickup Modem In: This option determines if HOST44 should Utils pickup the phone (go offhook) when running any of the utility programs. Modem Auto : This option if on will cause HOST44 and the Answer Mode modem to use the modems Auto Answer Mode. This option should only be used if HOST44 fails to answer the phone when a call is being received. CONFIGURING SYSTEM COLORS Choosing this option will allow you to configure each of the different color selections used in HOST44. When choosing a color (in color menu box) using the Up/Down keys will go to the previous/next color, and pressing the PgUp/PgDn keys will allow changing the background colors. Choosing the Use Default Colors option will reset all colors to their default values. CONFIGURING BULLETINS This option will allow you to add/delete/edit the different bulletins allowed in HOST44. Pressing the Right/Left arrow keys will rotate through the different information screens while PgUp / PgDn will scroll through all the bulletins. The following options are available in the bulletin config section: Page: 8 Add A Bulletin : This option will allow you to add a bulletin to HOST44. Delete A : This option will allow you to delete a Bulletin bulletin previously input. Edit A : This option will allow you to edit a Bulletin bulletin previously input. Jump To A : This option will allow you to jump to Bulletin specific bulletin number. Exit To Main : This option will exit you back to the Menu Main configuration menu. CONFIGURING DOORS This option will allow you to add/delete/edit the different doors allowed in HOST44. Pressing the Left/Right arrow keys will rotate through the different information screens, while PgUp/PgDn will scroll through all the doors. The following options are available in the door configuration section: Add A Door: This option will allow you to add a door to HOST44. Delete A : This option will allow you to delete a door Door previously input. Edit A : This option will allow you to edit a doors Door information previously input. Jump To A : This option will allow you to jump to a Door specific door number. Exit To : This option will exit you back to the main Main Menu configuration menu. See the section entitled "Adding Doors to HOST44" for more information on adding doors to HOST44. CONFIGURING ARCHIVES This option will allow you to change the 10 archives which are accepted by HOST44. These 10 different archive listings contain the information on the archive extension, program to run when working with that extension, and the View, Extract, and Test strings which are passed to the unarchiver. To edit one of the unarchivers, place the scroll bar (using Up/Down Page: 9 arrow keys) on the archiver you wish to edit, then press return, H44CONFIG will then allow you to edit each of the options in turn, during editing pressing ESC will allow you to keep that option unchanged. Below is a list of the five options: Extension : This is the acceptable extension for this archive. Program name: This is the file to run to work with this archive, note that the file must be in your path. Test Line : This is the command line sent to the file (Program) in order to run a test on the archives. View Line : This is the command line sent to the file (Program) in order to view the files in the archives. Extract Line: This is the command line sent to the file (Program) in order to extract files from the archives. CONFIGURING MACROS This option will allow you to display the macros assigned to certain keys, edit/assign macros to keys, and also save the macros to disk. To display macro's assigned to a key choose the Display Key option "A", and then press the key you wish to display. If the key is a HOST44 systems key a message is displayed saying the key is being used by HOST44. To edit or assign a macro to a key choose the Edit Key option "B", press the key you wish to edit, then type in whatever you want the macro to be. Note that only ASCII characters (no ALT keys) can be used in macro's, and CTRL characters can be used by placing a carat "^" in front of the character (for example a RETURN would be "^M", a tab is "^I" etc. To save any macros you have changed choose the Save Macros option. MAIN MENU OPTIONS This is a list of all user commands available from the Main Menu section. Each option will be followed by a list of all user access levels this option is available to. (M)essage : This option allows the user to go to the message System base system. Page: 10 Levels : ALL (F)ile : This option allows the user to go to the File System Base System. Levels : ALL (P)age : If the sysop is available, this command will ring a bell calling you to chat, otherwise it will print a message saying that the sysop isn't available. When the sysop is not available, the user has the option of leaving a private message to him. Levels : ALL (B)ulletin: This option shows a list of bulletins accessible by the user and allows them to choose one to view. Levels : ALL (Y)our : Lets the user change their address, city, zip, Defaults state, choose a default protocol, and turn the pause function on or off. Levels : ALL (C)omments: This option will allow the user to write a To Sysop private message to the "Sysop" (Message is sent to name of user defined in the configuration program. Levels : ALL System : This shows the user the daily usage log. Hitting (L)og Ctrl-P will pause, and Ctrl-X will abort. Levels : 7, 8, 9 (X)pert : This function allows the user to change their expertise level, to one of three levels: NOVICE : Gives a menu of commands. INTERMEDIATE: Gives the command letters as part of the input line. EXPERT : NO help whatsoever! Levels : ALL Run : This option shows a list of the doors which are (D)oors available to the user. Levels : ALL (S)hell to: This lets the user shell to DOS. If the user is DOS remote (not keyboard) then they will be prompted for the system password, if they fail to enter it, they will not be able to shell. Page: 11 IMPORTANT!: There is NO current way to check on the status of the carrier. Due to this fact, if the carrier is lost while a user is in DOS (via remote) then the SYSTEM WILL HANG!. The only solution if this happens is to reboot the computer. Levels : 7, 8, 9 (G)oodbye : Log's the user off. Levels : ALL Control-Z : This lets the user shut down the system. The user is prompted for the system password. If they fail to give it, the program will continue running. Levels : 9 MESSAGE MENU OPTIONS This is a list of all user commands available from the Message Menu section. Each option will be followed by a list of all user access levels this option is available to. (R)ead : This allows the user to read the messages in the Message message base. Following is a list of commands available in the Read Message Mode: (A)gain : Read current message again. (N)ext : Read next message. (P)revious: Read previous message. (R)eply : Reply to current message. (K)ill : Kill current message (allowed only to the sender, receiver, or level 9 user). (Q)uit : Quit reading messages. Levels : ALL (W)rite : This allows the user to write a message to a Message user (either Public or Private). Levels : ALL (P)ack : This allows the user to do a pack of the message Database base (it is an interface to the H44COMP.EXE program). Levels : 9 (Q)uit to : This allows the user to go back to the main Main Menu menu. Levels : ALL Page: 12 FILE MENU OPTIONS This is a list of all user commands available from the File Menu section. Each option will be followed by a list of all user access levels this option is available to. (F)iles : This shows the user a listing of the files which List are available at their level. Levels : ALL (X)tended : This allows the user to see a listing of the File List files available at their level, but includes the uploader, aprox. time for transfer, and more. Levels : ALL (U)pload : Allows user to upload a file (if not already in the file database) to the system. Levels : ALL (D)ownload: Let's the user Download files. Level 1 can only download a specified limit. Levels 7,8,9 can download from ANY directory. Levels : ALL (V)iew : Lets the user view an archive. Levels 7,8,9 can Archive view archives in ANY directory. Levels : ALL (E)xtract : This lets the user extract files from an archive Archive the file is then archived (using PKZIP), into a temp file called (TEMPARC.ZIP). It is deleted when the user hangs up. Levels : 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 (S)how a : Allows user to do a listing of the files in Directory directory, given by the directory name and a Listing filespec to list. Levels : 7,8,9 (C)hange : This option allows the user to change the file File information in the database. Levels : 9 (R)emove : This option allows the user to remove a file File from the database. Levels : 9 (P)ack : This allows the user to do a pack of the file Database base (it is a interface to the H44COMP.EXE program). Levels : 9 Page: 13 (Q)uit to : This allows the user to go back to the main Main Menu menu. Levels : 9 SYSOP'S KEYBOARD COMMANDS This is a list of the commands available to the sysop. Not all commands are available at all times. WHEN NO USER IS ONLINE F1: This turns chat on or off. The line in the status box shows the current condition of chat. (If chat is forced on or off then the chat status will be a different color then normal). (See "CONFIGURING HOST44" more detail on Chat Hours). F2: This brings up the user editor. Note that there must be at least ONE user, otherwise the user editor will NOT work. (See "USING THE USER EDITOR" for more information on the user editor). F8: This allows the sysop to turn the status line of HOST44 on or off. Having it off will increase the size of the viewing screen by three lines. U: This will run the user compressor program, which will delete any old or deleted users. NOTE: There must be at least one user in the user file, or the compressor will not run. ALT-J: This allows the sysop to do a shell to DOS. ALT-A: Run the Editor Configured in Telix. ALT-O: This runs the configuration program. ALT-Z: This brings up a box giving all the online commands. ALT-X: This will exit the program and go back to Telix. WHEN A USER IS ONLINE F1: Turns chat on or off (same as above) F2: Runs user editor (same as above) F3: Temporarily lowers the user's access. F4: Temporarily raises the user's access. Page: 14 F5: Temporarily lowers the time allowed by five minutes. F6: Temporarily raises the time allowed by five minutes. F8: Toggles Status Line (same as above) F10: Chat with user. ALT-J: Shell to DOS (the user can not see) ALT-H: Terminate user. ALT-X: Exit program to Telix. ALT-Z: Bring up the help box. ADDING FILES TO THE DATABASE Doing It Manually With the release of HOST41, HOST now uses a file database system of files as opposed to earlier versions (HOST3, HOST31) which just let users have files in a specific drive/directory. While the old system was simple to use (If you wanted a new file to be downloadable you just put it in the directory) it was not only unsafe (no control over who downloaded what) but it also had no descriptions of the file nor of who uploaded it. The new database system allows the sysop to have files from ANY drive/directory, and is also access level orientated (meaning a file could be seen/downloaded by only a specific access level (or higher) user) Plus, it also allows for descriptions of files, and keeps track of who uploaded the file. Because of the new system, the sysop can not just copy the file into a directory and have it be available. The file must be added to the database. The simplest way of doing this is just to do a local logon and then do a upload of the file (just like any user might do). If the file is in the uploads directory then it will be checked, and then HOST44 will ask you for the description of the file. If a file that is not in the uploads directory needs to be added to the database all that is needed is to just upload the file with it's FULL path in front. Example: C:\DOS\ZIPS\GAME.ZIP This would add the file GAME.ZIP to the database and when a user downloaded, or viewed it, the exact path would be used. Just as if the file had been in the uploads directory. Page: 15 Adding multiple files to the database is just as simple. If you have five or six files to upload in a directory other than the uploads directory, just upload the directory name and "*.*". Example: C:\DOS\ZIPS\*.* HOST44 would go through and ask you if you wanted to upload each file available in the directory until all the files have been processed. Using ADDFILES.EXE There is also a new external program called ADDFILES.EXE that you can use to add files to the database. ADDFILES.EXE allows you to tag files from any drive or directory by pressing the Space Bar on the file to tag it (Space Bar again will untag the file). F2 will allow you to change drives. Once you have tagged all the files you want added, press F1. ADDFILES will then show you the information for each file, you may change any information as you want (Make sure you hit RETURN each time you change before going to the next item). To add the file to the database you must press F2. If you press F2 and a beep sounds this means that the file is already present in the database. If you wish to skip the current file just press F1. You may press F10 to exit the program at any time. ADDING DOORS TO HOST44 With the release of HOST44 the sysop now has the ability to set up multiple external door programs for users to run. These door programs can do a multitude of things from being games to play, to having specific functions to do (like a Call Back Verify door). These doors can be set to be access level orientated (ie. a door available to only level 9 users) and can be one of four types of programs (EXE, COM, BAT, SLC). HOST44 also has direct direct support for PCBoard 14.x, GAP, QBBS, RBBS, Remote Access, and DOORWAY.EXE doors just by choosing the correct converter. To add doors to HOST44 is fairly simple process, but it does require some work. First off you must install the door (Follow the instructions contained in the Doors documentation). If the door requires a directory that the BBS's system files will be located in, then put in the path that the door resides in (For example if you had the door in C:\DOORS\GAMEDOOR, and the door needed the path for the BBS files you would put in C:\DOOR\GAMEDOOR). If the door requires commands passed to it then write them down, you will use them when installing the door into HOST44. Once you have correctly installed the door itself, then run the HOST44 config program and choose the "Configuring Doors" option. Now choose the "Add Door" option. HOST44 will ask you what the program name Page: 16 is to run, here you want to put the FULL path and filename to the door (example, if it was DOOR.EXE in the previous directory, you would place C:\DOORS\GAMEDOOR\DOOR.EXE in here). Once you have entered the name press ENTER. Now HOST44 will ask you for the command line, if you need to pass information to the door via the command line then type in the information needed here, note that you can use the System Variables (See Appendix D) here where they are needed. When finished (or if not needed) press ENTER. HOST44 will now ask for a description for the door, here you need to put in a description of the door, this is what the user will see when they are shown a list of the available doors. Next HOST44 will ask for the Access Level required to run the door. This is what access level a user must have before they can run the door. The last thing HOST44 will ask is what (if any) converter is needed for the door. Here you need to choose the BBS program the door is written for, if the door is written for HOST44 then choose the "No Converter" option. Once you have chosen the correct convert routine then you are finished. Try running the door in the local mode to make sure it works, if not look over all the information you've placed in HOST44 about the door and check to make sure it is correct. If you have made a mistake you can easily edit the information by choosing the "Edit a Door" option. If it still doesn't work check to make sure you have installed the door up correctly. ADDING BULLETINS TO HOST44 HOST44 now has a full screen bulletin configuration section which replaces the old ASCII text file implementation of the bulletins. The new routines will allow you to easily input a bulletins information. To add a bulletin to HOST44 run the HOST44 configuration program and choose the "Configuring Bulletins" option, and then choose the "Add a Bulletin" option. HOST44 will now prompt you to input the name of the bulletin. Here you need to input the FULL path and filename of the file (for example if you had the file BULL1.TXT in the C:\TELIX\BLTS directory you would input C:\TELIX\BLTS\BULL1.TXT as the filename). Once you have input the filename press ENTER. Now HOST44 will ask for the description you want the bulletin to have, this description is what is shown to the user when they view the bulletin list. Next HOST44 will ask for the access level. This is the access level which is required for the user to be able to view that specific bulletin. Once you have input that then the bulletin is input into the system. If at any time you make a mistake you can edit that information by choosing the "Edit A Bulletin" option. USING THE USER EDITOR The User Editor will allow you to change some information Page: 17 about the user. There are two sections in this part. One is about the different functions in the Editor, the other is about the different categories. MOVEMENT There are some special keys in the Editor that will move you around. Up Arrow : This will move you up one category. Down Arrow : This will move you down one category. Home : This moves you to the top of the categories. End : This moves you to the end of the categories. Page Down : This moves you to the next user. Page Up : This moves you to the previous user. CATEGORIES User's Name: This is the user's name. User's Password: This is the user's password. User's Access: This is the user's access level. User's Flag: This is the users status flag, A is Active, D is Delete, and B is Blacklist. User's Phone: This is the user's phone number. User's Address: This is the user's street address. User's City: This is the user's city. User's State: This is the user's state. User's Zip: This is the user's zip code. User Comment: This is a place to put in a comment. Last on: This shows when the user was last on Downloads: This shows how many downloads the user has made Uploads: This shows how many uploads the user has made NOTE: There must be at least one user in the user file, or the Editor will not run. Page: 18 USING H44COMP.EXE MANUALLY This program will allow you to compress the three different data files. The three are the user data file, the message base data file and the file base data file. The program may be run either from within HOST44 (User Compressor, and Pack Base commands in both Message Base and File Database), or from the DOS Prompt. By typing H44COMP at the dos prompt you will be shown a listing of the different commands. Briefly those commands are: P - Path To Data files: For when you are running the program from a directory OTHER then the directory the data files are in. Example usage: H44COMP p\TELIX U - Compress User File: This command runs the user compressor it has one extra optional switch which is: D:(x) - Days since last call Where (x) is a number of days allowed for users to have last connected. If it is not used the program will default to 30. M - Compress Message Base: This command runs the message base compressor. It has two extra optional switches: K - Kill Private This switch will delete *ALL* private mail which has been read. D:(x) - Days to allow Where (x) is number of days allowed to keep old messages. Default setting is 30 days. F - Compress File Database: This runs the file base compressor it has three extra optional switches: D - Sort By Date This switch will do a sort based upon the file date as opposed to a normal alphabetical sort. R - Reverse Sort Page: 19 This switch reverses the sort routine making it sort the greatest (be it in date or alphabetically) first and the smallest last (ie files would be Z-A) K - Kill files not found This switch causes the program to run a check on each file to see if it is actually there. If the file is NOT found, then it will be removed from the database. USING MARSHALL DUDLEY'S DOORWAY.EXE DOORWAY.EXE is a program written by Marshall Dudley, which allows a online user to Shell to DOS and not only run all of the DOS commands but also to run almost ANY program online. DOORWAY redirects the input and output of the programs to the com port as well as to the console allowing not only the user to see what is running but also to allow the sysop to view it as well. To use DOORWAY.EXE with HOST44, you must be running ANSI.SYS (Or any ANSI program with the exception of FANSI-Console) and you need to place the DOORWAY.EXE program into your Telix directory. Once a user shells to DOS then DOORWAY.EXE will run. The user can now use any DOS commands they want. If the user wishes to run a program they will first need to turn on the DOORWAY mode on their own terminal program (ALT = for Telix) (Have user check for other communications programs) once they are finished in DOS they may type EXIT (just as if in a DOS shell) and they will be returned to HOST44 (If they have invoked their terminal into DOORWAY mode they will need to turn it off before they will be able to use any of it's functions again). If during anytime while the user is in DOS they hang up or loose carrier somehow, DOORWAY.EXE will do a reboot of the computer automatically. If you have any problems running DOORWAY.EXE you can change the command line which is sent to DOORWAY.EXE in the configuration program (Option "T"). This will allow you to change it until you fix whatever problems might occur. NOTE: When running DOORWAY.EXE under Telix/HOST44 there might be a minimal amount of RAM available, which might not allow a user to run certain programs. Page: 20 WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION? o Increased number of user levels to 9 from previous 4. o Improved FSME (Full Screen Message Editor), added insert and delete line commands, and speed up the editor. o Added Non-Full Screen Message Editor. o Added full screen QUOTING of original reply messages! o Added DOOR support! You can now have up to (10 in the non registered version) different doors and HOST44 supports PCBoard 14.x, QBBS, RBBS, GAP/DOORWAY doors as well! o Added more message support! Now the registered version of HOST44 can have up to 29,999 different messages! o Added a trashcan list support. Now you can have a text file list of names you don't want on your system! o Added a bunch of system variables for use in the doors and the DOORWAY command line when shelling to DOS remotely. o Rewrote logon procedure, now HOST44 has "Quick Logon's", if you logon on using the format ANSWER{NAME{PASSWORD, (ANSWER is either a "Y" or a "N" for ANSI screens), then HOST44 will log you on quickly. o Added support for all (except BiModem) external protocols that have been added to Telix to be used in HOST44! o Added full keyboard macro support! Now you can have your own macro's when using HOST44 in the local mode! o HOST44 now keeps track of the users time on per day, now if the user has 60 minutes a day and uses 45 on his first call when he calls back he only has 15 minutes left! o Improved the ADDFILES.EXE program, now it has automatic tag scroll, no longer requires ENTER to save input, and accepts 400 files per directory, and 100 tagged files, and ADDFILES now has MOUSE support! o Fixed Bug in the Modem Answer, which was causing HOST43 to go into a loop of hanging up and then answering the phone, also fixed bug that was causing HOST43 to not answer the phone at all. Page: 21 o Added support for Modem Auto Answer mode, if HOST44 built in answer method doesn't work for you, then you can now switch HOST44 into Auto Answer mode (having Modem answer for HOST44). o Fixed Bug in HOST43 which was causing it to connect at bad baud rates (for example 1200, even though it should have been 2400). o Added better kill message routine, now any user can kill a message to them/from them, and level 9 users can kill ANY message. o Added ability to add/edit the archives which are allowed to be uploaded. Now you can add up to 10 different archive programs! o Rewrote all of the external programs (like H44COMP.EXE) so they require less memory and run even faster then before! And that is just a FEW of all the new and exciting changes to the newest version of HOST3, version 4.4. Please read the WHATS.NEW file for more changes and better in depth descriptions. Page: 22 WHAT'S PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE? Multiple Bases: Multiple message and file bases are in the works for future versions. This will allow the sysop to have different bases for other topics, file types, etc. Expanded Editor: I'm working on expanding the functions the full screen editor can do, new additions will include more lines available, back wrap, paragraph reformatting, and possible block commands. BBS List: A full working BBS listing program, where the a user can add information about other BBS's. Time Savings Door: A door which will allow users to save any extra time they might have. BiModem Door: A door to interface BiModem and HOST44 to allow users to download/upload using BiModem but still keep HOST44 security systems intact and safe. Multiple Events: Multiple external / Internal events with full sliding capabilities. Page: 23 THANKS AND APPRECIATION There are a few people to whom I would like to give special thanks to, for their help and cooperation in my endeavor to create this program: Marvin Blackburn: My *FIRST* registered user and my most important beta tester, his input and support have done the most for HOST! Thank you VERY much Marvin! Tony Gentile: My friend and C "teacher" who taught me the basics of the C language, which helped a GREAT deal when working on this program. Thanks Tony. Richard Fry: One of my best friends who is always giving me support and comments about HOST. Some of his best ideas have made HOST what it is now! I'll Always Be Grateful Rick! Bill Parfitt: The sysop of dBored (619-748-3644), who not only gave me a LOT of support, but gave me a good place to put my program as well, but also gave me my own conference! VERY special thanks to you Bill! And of course to all the beta testers: Steve See, Jack Gordon, Lloyd Burt, Harry Smith, Steve Walcher, Jay Hanna, Jerry Mecray, and the rest! Thank you for all the hard work guys, you've done a good job! And finally, Colin Sampaleanu, For the extremely hard work and numerous, uncounted hours that he has put into creating Telix, which is the best telecomm program around! As well as putting up with my questions, bugging them about problems and all around giving them a hard time! EXTRA thanks to you Colin! Page: 24 TECHNICAL SUPPORT If you have any suggestions or ideas for the next version, or any problems, or, (God forbid), bugs. You may get a hold of me at these locations: BEST WAY!-> dBored of San Diego, (619) 748-3644 (Prodoor Conf. HOST3) BEST WAY!-> PCRelay (RIME), HOST-BBS Conference If your PCRelay Board does not carry our support conference ask them to! Ask for: HOST-BBS - RelayNet Master Number #203 Telix Support BBS, (416) 439-9399 PCRelay (RIME), Communications conference PCRelay (RIME), Telix Conference FIDO Net Telix Conference InterLink Telix Conference Call us voice at: (619) 674-1549 Business Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm PST Or write us at: Host Software Products 15837 Windrose Way San Diego, CA 92127-2066 Page: 25 APPENDIX A - H44DOOR.SYS FORMAT This file is written out when HOST44 runs a door program. This file contains information pertaining to both the user's status and also to the status of certain variables in HOST44. Following is the file format of the H44DOOR.SYS file and then a short description of the different variables and their use. Following is the file format for H44DOOR.SYS: NOTE: Each of the Positions given are actual locations in the data file, as referenced by the Fseek() function in SALT. These positions might not be exactly the same (but should be) in any other language. The following is information on the data type formats used in the H44DOOR.SYS file. Str: Straight ASCII string of up to (Length) size. Chr: Integer changed into a string using the Itos() function to use it as a integer use the Stoi() function. Int: Integer number (0-255) stored as a character value. To use this as an integer use the SubChr() function to get the ASCII character value as an integer. Position Length Type Title ──────── ────── ──── ───── 0 1 Int Local Mode 1 5 Str Baud Rate 6 5 Str DTE Rate 11 1 Int Error Correcting Connection 12 1 Int Auto Baud Detect 13 1 Int Status Bar Location 14 6 Str Time User Logged On (Seconds) 20 6 Str Seconds Remaining This Call 26 3 Str User Number 29 1 Chr User Access Level 30 20 Str User Name 50 35 Str User City, State 85 18 Str User Phone 103 10 Str User Password 113 10 Str User LastOn 123 1 Chr User ANSI 124 1 Chr User Pause 125 1 Chr User Experience 126 1 Str User Protocol 127 3 Chr User Uploads 130 3 Chr User Downloads 133 1 Int ANSI_1 Page: 26 134 1 Int ANSI_2 135 1 Int ANSI_3 136 1 Int ANSI_4 137 1 Int ANSI_5 138 1 Int ANSI_6 139 1 Int System Color 1 140 1 Int System Color 2 141 1 Int System Color 3 142 1 Int System Color 4 143 1 Int System Color 5 144 64 Str Host Data Directory This is a list off all information in the data file and a brief description of each: Local Mode = This is a Integer which if '1' means that HOST44 is in a Local Test Mode (sysop has done a local logon). A '0' means there is a user online. Baud Rate = This is the baud rate which the user has logged on at. Note that this rate may not be the same rate that the local modem is running at, especially in the cases of high speed modems like the USRobotics HST. In any case of baud change done by a Door, the DTE Rate SHOULD be the rate that is used. Any attempt to change the baud rate of a High Speed modem to a rate that is different then the DTE Rate will cause a disruption of communications between Telix and the modem and will thus cause a loss of the carrier. DTE Rate = This is the actual operating speed of the modem. It should always be given preference over the Baud Rate See above for more details. Error = This is an integer which represents if there is an Correcting MNP (Error Correction) connection established. This Connection is for doors which might do things that require having that type of connection. Auto Baud = This is an integer which represents if HOST44 should Detect change the baud rate on a call (Locked DTE Rate). If a zero, HOST44 leaves the baud rate alone (the DTE is locked), a one specifies HOST44 to change the rate. Status Bar = This is a integer showing the current location of the bottom line of the HOST44 status bar. If the status bar is off, this will be 1, if one it will be a 4. This is given so that any script doors may be able to write to the screen without disturbing the status information if it is written to do so. Page: 27 Time User = This is a integer containing the time the user Logged On logged on the system, in seconds from midnight. Seconds = This is the time the user has left on the system Remaining based in seconds. User = This is the current user's User Number in the user Number data file, it is used to locate the users different information in the file quickly. Note however that this is NOT an actual location in the data file, but is a reference number which is used to calculate the data's true location in the file. User Access= This is an integer which represents the users access Level on HOST44, this can be a number between 0 and 9. User Name = This is the user's full name. User City, = This is a combination of the user's city and state and State they are calling from in the format "CITY, STATE". User Phone = This is the user's phone number, note that there is no special format for the phone number as it is input as a string of 18 characters in length. User = This is the user's password. Password User = This is the date the user was laston. The format of LastOn the date is "MM-DD-YY". User ANSI = This is an integer representing the user's current ANSI status. A '1' means ANSI is on, and a '0' means that ANSI is off. Note however, that the ANSI_x variables will contain the ANSI color the user has chosen regardless of this status. This variable should always be checked before using ANSI color. User Pause = This is an integer representing the status of the pause function. If it is a '1' then Pause is on and the screen should be paused every 23 lines. A '0' is off and the screen should not be paused. User = This is an integer representing the user's current Experience help level. A '0' is the Novice level, '1' is Intermediate, and '2' is Expert. User = This is the user's current default protocol. Protocol Page: 28 User = This is an string which contains the total number Uploads of uploads the user has made to the system. User = This is an integer which contains the total number Downloads of downloads the user has made from the system. ANSI_1 = These six integers contain the colors chosen by the ANSI_2 user as their default color. They should be used ANSI_3 where a specific color is not required. Note that ANSI_4 these will contain the color number even if the User ANSI_5 has specified ANSI to be off. The program should ANSI_6 ALWAYS reference the USER_ANSI variable to check if ANSI is on or off! Color1 = These 5 integers are the five system colors that Color2 have been chosen by the sysop for the system sided Color3 options. These colors are provided only for the Color4 ability for the door programs to make themselves Color5 "Blend" into HOST44 in operation and to provide a more constant interface of the doors and HOST44. Host Data = This is the directory where the HOST44 data files Directory are located at. This is for doors that may need to access file data, as well as giving a location where a door may place it's data files at. Page: 29 APPENDIX B - WRITING YOUR OWN CONVERTER This section gives a brief listing of the "Special" format for a HOST44 Door converter (For those of you who would like to write your own converter). The converters are standard Telix scripts with a few "Extra" specific details about the script. Following the description is a SMALL example (no actual code) for a converter script. Note that the compiled script must have a extension of H44, and should be placed in the HOST data directory. If you have a converter you have written please share it with us! The special format of the converters is a combination of items, in order to run multiple functions and also interface with HOST44 The first specific characteristic is that the FIRST (not counting notes) compilable line MUST be a string definition (global) of 12 characters in length telling what BBS systems it works for, in the format below STR ConverterName[12] = "EXAMPLE"; Note that it is not necessary for the actual string to have an exact 12 characters but it must not be more. The second specific characteristic is that the script have two passed variables declared in MAIN(). The first is a string that contains the path where the converted data file will be placed in and the second is a integer defining if the data file should be created, or should be erased. Since the converter MUST do both it is important that it knows which to do, below is an example: Main(Str Path_Name, Int EraseFiles) Note that if you attempt to run the converter from outside of HOST44 it will not run. The third and final specific characteristic is that the converter must create / erase the data file based upon the value of the passed integer. If the integer is a zero then the script must create the data file, if a one it must erase it. Following is a short example (template) for a script, note that it does not have any specific code except for the initial variable declaration and the branching based on EraseFiles. Also note that this example does not have to be followed in any way with the exception of the initial variables and the Main() variable declarations. Page: 30 ///////////////////// EXAMPLE CONVERTER ///////////////////////// STR ConverterName[12] = "EXAMPLE"; // DEFINE ALL OTHER NEEDED GLOBAL VARIABLES HERE Main(Str Path_Name, Int EraseFiles) { // DEFINE ALL NEEDED LOCAL VARIABLES HERE If(EraseFiles) { EraseTheFile(); // RUN USER FUNCTION TO DELETE DATA FILE Return; // RETURN TO HOST44 } GetData(); // RUN USER FUNCTION TO GET DATA FROM // H44DOOR.SYS WriteData(); // RUN USER FUNCTION TO WRITE DATA TO THE // DOOR SYSTEM FILE Return; // RETURN TO HOST44 } //////////////////// END OF EXAMPLE CONVERTER /////////////////// NOTE: This is not intended to be a lesson in writing scripts. If you do not know how to write scripts, or are not proficient at writing scripts then PLEASE do not attempt to write your own converter. It is possible to destroy important information if you make a mistake. This information is intended solely for those people who are Programmers, or proficient in SALT. If you want/need a converter but don't want to write your own, we will be more then happy to write one for you. Give us information on the format for the system file and we will help you out! Page: 31 APPENDIX C - FILES: REQUIRED, OPTIONAL, CREATED Below is a list of all the files that are required by HOST44 as well as those which are purely optional, and those that are created and maintained by HOST44. REQUIRED FILES TO RUN HOST44 HINSTALL.SLC - This is the installation script. Once used it may be deleted. HOST44.SLC - This is the main program, it is the script which you call in order to run HOST44. H44UTILS.SLC - Utilities script, it contains all of the utilities. It is called by the HOST44.SLC program. It can also run by itself by typing H44UTILS after pressing ALT-G. It will be placed in your script directory by HINSTALL. H44ARCS.SLC - Archive script overlay, contains all of the archive handling routines and functions. It will be placed in your script directory by HINSTALL. NOTE: H44ARCS.SLC can be deleted if you do not wish to use any of the archive functions (View/Extract/Test). H44MSGED.SLC - Message Editor script overlay, contains all of the message editor routines. It will be placed in your script directory by HINSTALL NOTE: H44MSGED.SLC can be deleted if you do not wish to use the message editor. (No message base). MENUS44.DAT - This is the file which contains all of the menus for each of the levels as well as the sections. It will be placed in your HOST data directory by HINSTALL. H44COMP.EXE - This is the file which does all the data file compression. It can be run via DOS and the command line, or internally using the provided user interfaces. It will be placed in your HOST data directory. (see section entitled "USING H44COMP.EXE MANUALLY") Page: 32 *.H44 - Door Converter overlays, contain all the information to convert to the different BBS systems. They will be placed in your HOST data directory. Current converters: GAP.H44 - GAP BBS/DOORWAY.EXE PCB14.H44 - PCBoard 14.x QBBS.H44 - QBBS/RBBS/Remote Access NOTE: If you do not wish to have support for a specific BBS type, then you may delete the converter for that BBS. HCONVERT.EXE - This program will allow you to convert your HOST41, HOST42, or HOST43 user data files into the new HOST44 data format. It is used by HINSTALL.SLC and may be deleted after you have installed HOST44. OPTIONAL FILES ADDFILES.EXE - This program will allow you externally to tag files on any drive/directory and then add the tagged files to the file database. It should be placed in the Telix directory. (See section entitled "ADDING FILES TO THE BASE" for more information). *.ANS/*.ASC - These are eight (four *.ANS / four *.ASC) files which you may create yourself. If found in the Telix directory they will be displayed to the user at certain times as follows: LOGON.* - This file is displayed when a user logs on the system. NEWS.* - This file is displayed after the user has logged on the system for the first time each day. BYEBYE.* - This file is displayed when the user logs the system. NEWUSER.* - This file is displayed to all new users. IMPORTANT! : The input buffer for these files is set at 255 characters per line. If you files have more then that amount per line they might not be sent correctly! Page: 33 HSHELL.BAT - This batch file if in the Telix directory will be run automatically if a online user does a shell to DOS. It will override ALL other shell options. The order in which the shell options take precedence is: HSHELL.BAT DOORWAY.EXE CTTY COMx DOORWAY.EXE - This fine program by Marshall Dudley, if in the Telix directory, will be used in the shell to DOS unless it is overridden by the existence of HSHELL.BAT. (see the section entitled "USING MARSHALL DUDLEY'S DOORWAY.EXE" for more information) TRASHCAN.DAT - This ASCII text file if found in the HOST data directory is used to determine if any name given by a new user is acceptable. It contains names which you do not want listed on the BBS. Any attempt to use a name that is listed in this file is not allowed. The format for TRASHCAN.DAT is a name on each line, for example: BADDUDE JOE BLOW If these two names (one on each line) where found in the file then any attempt at using these names would not be allowed. CREATED FILES USER44.DAT - This is the file that holds all of the user information, it is created by HOST44.SLC. It is located in your HOST data directory. HOST44.LOG - This file is created by the HOST44 program, it is a log of all user logon's, and what each user does when on the system. It will be located in your HOST data directory. FILES44.DAT - This is the file that holds all of the file database information, it is created by the HOST44 program and is located in the HOST data directory. Page: 34 HEADER44.DAT - These two files are the files that contain MSG44.DAT all of the message database information. They are created by HOST44 and are located in the HOST data directory. DOORS44.DAT - This file contains all of the information to run the door programs. It is created by the HOST44 program and is located in your HOST data directory. BLTS44.DAT - This file contains all of the information on the bulletins. It is created by HOST44 and is located in the HOST data directory. Page: 35 APPENDIX D - SYSTEM VARIABLES There are a few system variables that can be placed in any of the Door Command Lines and the DOORWAY Line. These variables if found in these lines will be replaced with the information that they represent and then will be passed to the programs. Following is the list of variables, their names and a description of the information they will be replaced with: %C - Comm Port Number : Current Comm Port Number %P - Port Address : Current Comm Port Address In Hex %I - IRQ Line : Current Comm Port IRQ Line %B - Baud Rate : Current Baud Rate %D - DTE Rate : Current DTE Rate %M - Minutes Left : Minutes User Has Left On System %S - Seconds Left : Seconds User Has left On System %L - Location Of System : Location of the BBS Door System File : File(s). These variables are available for use when running Door programs that require any of the above information but can not be replaced with a "Standard" value (for instance the current baud). As well they can be used (in the case of %P %I) in conjunction with doors to specify a non standard comm port (For instance if you have the IRQ for Com1 different from the standard value).