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*
The Virtual BBS/NET
Version 6.10
(C) Roland De Graaf 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
4246 Elisabeth Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
*
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ VBBS Doors Documentation ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Written By: Kevin Klunk, aka Lord Doomslayer 2@5081 VirtualNET ║
║ Edited By: Thom Harris, aka Da'Chief 1@6171 VirtualNET ║
║ Format By: Sam Fleming, aka O. F. 1@2056 VirtualNET ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(1) General Information
1.1 - Dropfiles
1.2 - FOSSIL Drivers
(2) Preparation, Installation, and Execution
2.1 - Game Files
2.2 - Batch Files
2.21 - Game Batch Files
2.22 - Maintenance Batch Files
2.3 - Interfacing with the BBS
2.31 - VBBS Door Configuration Menu
2.32 - Script Installation
2.33 - Function Block Installation
(3) Programs and Utilities
3.1 - DoorWay
3.2 - DoorMaster
3.3 - VReturn/WWIVDoor
3.4 - Virtual ToolKit
(4) Miscellaneous Information
4.1 - Enhancements
4.2 - Copyright Information & Distribution Sites
4.3 - Final Comments
NOTE: The words DOOR and GAME are used interchangeably throughout this
document.
VBBS Doors Documentation -- 2
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ (1) GENERAL INFORMATION ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
1.1 - Dropfiles
═══════════════
Dropfiles (DF) are the link between the BBS and the game
itself. A DF contains all of the required info for the game to
operate properly. This includes the user's "handle" (so he al-
ways uses the same slot in the game), the user's COM port & speed
(so the game knows where to send the data), and other miscellan-
eous info - the BBS name, sysop name, user's time remaining (on
the BBS), etc.
Here is a list of many of the common dropfile formats:
Types Original BBS format VBBS Supported?
----------------- ---------------------- ---------------
CALLINFO.BBS Wildcat! 2.x No
CHAIN.TXT WWIV Yes
DOOR.SYS Wildcat! 3.x & Others Yes
DORINFOx.DEF QBBS / RBBS Yes
PCBOARD.SYS PC Board No
SFDOORS.DAT Spitfire No
At the present time VBBS supports the CHAIN.TXT,
DORINFOx.DEF and DOOR.SYS dropfiles. They are fairly simple to
use; the only one needing an extended explanation is the
DORINFOx.DEF. All the dropfiles are created in your \VBBS di-
rectory.
The 'x' in DORINFOx.DEF is the node number that the user is
logged in on. On a single-line system this will always be a '1',
the normal local node would be a '0', and node 2 would be a '2'.
Many of the newer games that are coming out allow for multiple
players in the game at the same time, and some even allow inter-
action between the players. Almost all of these games require
the DORINFOx.DEF dropfile.
The DOOR.SYS dropfile is a fairly generic dropfile accessible to
many games and is VERY common. It requires no special work to
use with a game. The CHAIN.TXT dropfile is used predominantly by
WWIV-based doors, and most can be used with VBBS (see section 3.3
for more information.)
1.2 - FOSSIL Drivers
════════════════════
FOSSIL drivers are external TSR's that handle carrier de-
tection routines for programs that cannot do it themselves. You
do not HAVE to use a FOSSIL driver for all games, so you do not
have to load one at start-up (unless your modem configuration
requires one.) Sometimes they are required if you are using a
high-speed modem, but this DOES vary.
VBBS Doors Documentation -- 3
The two most commonly used FOSSIL drivers are BNU and X00. Both
allow installation before running a door and removal afterwards.
See section 4.2 for information or where you can get these pro-
grams. You will want to go through the documentation files on the
FOSSIL driver for specific installation information, as the setup
varies widely based on the hardware used.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ (2) Preparation, Installation, and Execution ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
2.1 - Game Files
════════════════
Installing the game onto your system is the first step to-
wards getting it to work. The first thing you should do when you
get a new game is unZIP/deARJ/unPAK/whatever the compressed file
is into its own directory. Then load up your favorite text edi-
tor/viewer and read the sysop documentation. Almost all ques-
tions can be answered with the docs included with the games.
While you are reading, take note of the following information:
Installation - does this program self-install?
- does this program need to be in a special
directory to run?
- does this program have a configuration file
that needs to be made / altered?
- how do you initialize the game files?
Dropfiles - does it use one of the 3 supported by VBBS
or does it require a special dropfile?
FOSSIL Driver- Is one needed for this program to run?
Command Line - Quite often there are MANY switches that
can be used on the command line. Make SURE
that you note ALL the possible switches.
- Major switches to look for are:
Dropfile Type Dropfile Path
FOSSIL (Y/N) Node Number Info.
Configuration Filename Local Play Mode
Before you continue, make sure the game will support one
of the three dropfiles that VBBS supports (either DOOR.SYS,
DORINFOx.DEF, or CHAIN.TXT.) If it does not then there are two
other ways you can get the game to run with your BBS.
1> Get a Door Converter program - these programs allow you to
take a dropfile that you already have (ie DOOR.SYS) and run
it through the converter to produce a different dropfile for-
mat (see section 3.2 for more detailed information).
2> Some games allow you to create your own dropfile for use with
the game. If it is possible to do so then all you need to do
is write down the information that has to appear in the file
and the order it must appear. You can then either write up a
script or a batch file to create the new dropfile for the game.
VBBS Doors Documentation -- 4
If neither of these options are available then place the game on
a floppy for storage and check to see if any local (or network)
sysops can give you a hand. The most important rule when setting
up a game is 'Ask Lots Of Questions.' If you cannot find the an-
swers in the docs, then you NEED to ask someone else. Do not give
up on the game if it does not seem to work when it is first in-
stalled, many games require a bit of fine-tuning to match your
specific system setup.
At this point run any installation program (if supplied)
and fill in the required information. Remember to write down any
information that the program gives you during the installation.
Most doors require you to modify a configuration file. You can
do this with your favorite text editor and make a