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****** ****** * * ***** ***** ***** *****
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**** * ******* * * * * * * ******
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****** ****** * * ***** ***** ***** * *
Echodor version 2.80
By Scott Baker
Documentation by Jonathan Woods
If you should happen to find this program useful, Please send
a contribution to:
Scott Baker
6433 N. Tierra Catalina #48
Tucson, Arizona 85718
(602) 577-3515
For the latest version of echodor, you may call
Not-Yet-Named bbs (Fidonet 1:300/9)
(602) 577-3650
300,1200,2400 baud
No Parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
Or
Exile's Gate (RBBSNET 8:911/101)
(714) 370-4211
1200/2400/9600HST
FREQable as ECHODOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................1
Installation......................................2-4
ECHODOR.ART configuration file....................5-8
ECHODOR Operation & main menu commands............9-10
Reading Messages..................................11
Writing Messages..................................12
Line Editor.......................................12
Full Screen Editor................................13-14
Keyboard Emulation................................15
File Requests.....................................16
File Attaches.....................................17
Automessages......................................18
General Information...............................19
Revision History..................................20-22
Next Version......................................22
Registration......................................22
Disclaimer........................................22
Guarantee.........................................23
Credits...........................................23
Mach-10 BBS Information...........................24
INTRODUCTION
Echodor is offered as a replacement to Bob Wescotts NETMAIL
door. It is a full featured echomail conference processor
that incorporates features found in many door programs, and
bulletin board systems. The Echomail community has for some
time been lacking a really good echomail door. It is due to
this lack that Echodor was created.
Echodor may be used on several bbs systems. It is
configurable to run under RBBS-PC Ver CPC 15.1 through 17.1,
PCBOARD 14.1, and Quickbbs. The difference between these bbs
systems is the way they handle passing information to a Door
program. RBBS 15.1 puts the information in the first record
of the message file. RBBS 16.1+ creates a small text file
called DORINFOx.DEF. (the 'x' being the node number that
called the door program). PCBOARD creates a random access
file called PCBOARD.SYS. Quick basic passes all the
parameters on the command line that calls the door.
The information that is passed includes the Users Name, the
Communications Port, the baud rate, the graphics type
selected, the time remaining, and the sysop name. This
information is used by Echodor to monitor the carrier of the
appropriate port, and to control various other functions of
echodor.
If you don't have echomail currently operating, you probably
dont have a need for this program. If you are adding
echomail to your system, and haven't completed installing it
yet, STOP.. go back to the echomail programs, and get that
working FIRST! You should set up echomail to work in a set
of subdirs like FIDO, OPUS, and the rest of the netmail
bulletin boards. If you are using RBBS, DO NOT USE RBBSMAIL!
Rbbsmail puts the echomail messages in your rbbs conference
files! Echodor can't support this feature!
If you are using pcboard or quickbbs, the installation
procedures are the same as for rbbs.
Thus far PCBOARD does not support a netmail front end
processor due to the fact that it does not allow parameters
to be passed on the command line. To support echomail using
PCBOARD, BinkleyTerm has to be run in the "MAIL" mode as an
event from PCBOARD each evening. Due to this, PCBOARD sysops
cannot support Crashmail, and MUST run as a POINT NODE.
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 1
INSTALLATION
If you already have Bob Wescott's netmail door running, the
installation will be very simple. If you dont run the netmail door,
some explanation is in order.
Echodor uses FIDO type messages. IE: each message is a separate file
(1.MSG, 2.MSG etc..) The messages in each echo area (Conference) are
stored in their own Subdirectory. EG:
C:\------ RBBS
|
+--- MAIL ------- PRIVATE
|
+--- BAD_MSGS
|
+--- HUMOR
|
+--- RBBS-PC
|
+--- CHATTER
|
+--- POLITICS
You Need to get Echomail processing to toss all your incomming
messages to subdirs like these. (With confmail, this is accomplished
in AREAS.BBS) if you dont know how to do this, refer to the CONFMAIL
Documentation.
Set up this structure BEFORE proceeding to the next section!
1. Get Echomail working perfectly OUTSIDE your BBS!
2. Un-arce the echodor files into a dos sub-dir (preferably \echodor)
3. Invoke echodor with "Echodor /C"
A) Enter your own name as the sysop
B) Enter your BBS name
C) For best operation, I suggest setting the prompt colors to 15,1,and 15
D) Select your monitor type (color/mono)
E) Select rbbs-16.x+ ONLY as your bbs type Unless you are running
PCBOARD or QuickBBS.
F) Select 'Variable' for the Communications Port.
4. Load up a plain text editor and edit the file "Echodor.art"
A) Enter your own net and node numbers
B) Enter your name under "Sysopname"
C) Enter your name under "Commentname"
D) Edit the 2 tables to your own echomail areas. The comments in the
file should explain how to do this. See also the section titled
MORE ON ECHODOR.ART.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 2
INSTALLATION CONTINUED
5. Set up a door batch file to something like the following:
IF EXIST C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.TXT DEL C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.TXT
IF EXIST C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.ARC DEL C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.ARC
CD \Echodor
copy \rbbs\dorinfo*.def
echodor %1
PKARC /A C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.ARC C:\RBBS\DOWNLOAD\USERMAIL.TXT
CD \rbbs
(SEE the Example Batch file called ECHODOR.BAT)
Note: make sure that your batch file does copy dorinfo*.def to the
echodor directory. This is a very important file.
6. Test the door in local mode with "echodor /L" to make sure it is
working
7. Your batch file will need to be changed. You need to modify it so that
CONFMAIL DOES NOT RENUMBER THE MESSAGE BASES. It needs to run echodor in
maintenance mode before renumbering. Your batch file will
probably contain something like:
Confmail RENUM -S -D 10 C:\binkley\pascal -R c:\binkley\pascal
You need to change this statement to:
Confmail RENUM -S -D 10 C:\binkley\pascal
8. Insert a "echodor /M" statement (make sure it is a capitol 'M'). This
will invoke echodor's internal delete old user routine and adjust user
last-read pointer. It should be run RIGHT AFTER YOU HAVE USED CONFMAIL
RENUM'S DELETE OLD command (the batch file line listed above). The
echodor /M only needs to be executed once. After running Echodor you need
to run confmail again to renumber. Example:
:Renumber
Confmail RENUM -S -D 10 C:\binkley\pascal
Confmail RENUM -S -D 10 C:\binkley\C_echo
Confmail RENUM -S -D 10 C:\binkley\Sysop
Echodor /M
Confmail RENUM -R C:\binkley\pascal
Confmail RENUM -R C:\binkley\C_echo
Confmail RENUM -R C:\binkley\sysop
goto start
That is a sample out of my binkley.bat file. Your's should be pretty
simple, but not identical.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 3
NOTE: You may also call echodor with the syntax "Echodor x" where X is the
node number that the copy is being run on. The only difference between this
and the previous way echodor worked is that echodor would look for
"DORINFOx.DEF". There is no guarantee as to how echodor will work in a
network environment, but this is at least an important step forward.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 4
MORE ON ECHODOR.ART
Echodor.art is Echodor's master config file. All
communication between you and Echodor is through this file.
Node Number, Net Number, Sysop name, and many more parameters
get their default values from this file. The example file
that was distributed with echodor Version 2.50 is well
commented. For ease of use, the parameters are listed and
defined here.
NET <xxx>
This parameter specifies either a Fidonet NET number or a
RBBSNET net number. It should be 3 digits in length.
NODE <xxx>
This is your Fidonet or Rbbsnet node number. It usually is
between 1 and 3 digits in length, and SHOULD NOT include a
point address IE: (100.0) leave off the point information.
ORIGIN 'your origin line from your areas.bbs file'
This is the origin line that will be appended to all messages
entered with echodor. It should look the same as the one in
your AREAS.BBS file (part of the echomail system) It MUST be
enclosed in single quotes
MONO
Use this option if you are using a monochrome system but
still want your users to see color ansi screens on their
side.
PROMPTCOLOR <xx>
This sets the color for all echodor prompts. The 2 digit
number numeric color code as defined in IBM Basic. EG: 15 =
high inten White... you can add multiples of 16 to the
number to add a background color if you like.
MSGTEXTCOLOR <xx>
This is the color set when displaying or entering message
text.
HILIGHTCOLOR <xx>
The Highlight color should be the same as the "prompt answer
color" set in the Config menu (ECHODOR /C) for the best
results. It is set when entering text at Echodor Prompts.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 5
SCANBARCOLOR <xx>
This is the color set on the top line of the scan message
display.
SCANLINECOLOR <xx>
This is the color set for each line displayed after the
scanbar line during the Scan Messages function.
DEFAULTFORE <xx>
Everything else is displayed in this color
MENUFILE <FileSpec>
This is the 7 character name of the main menu file. It
should be a maximum of 7 chars, as it will be appended with a
"G" for ascii graphics users, and a "C" for Ansi graphics
users.
HELPFILEPREFIX <Drive:Path\HelpFilePrefix>
This is the prefix for all help files. (Also can will be
appended with a "G" or a "C". It should be 7 chars in
length.
NUMHELPFILES <x>
This is the number of help files (Not including the menu!)
SYSOPNAME 'Firstname Lastname'
Enter one statement for each person you wish to access to the
sysop conferences. Each name must be enclosed in single
quotes. For more than one sysop, enter multiple statements.
COMMENTNAME 'Firstname Lastname'
Enter the one and only name of the person who will receive
comments to the sysop.
COMMENTAREA <x>
This is the message area as defined in the AREATABLE that
will hold all comments to the sysop.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 6
NOCOMMENT
This option will disable the comment feature.
NOIGNORE
This will disable the ignore command. The ignore command is
used to exclude certain areas from the message check. This
is useful if you have a lot of echos, and checking them all
would take a very long time.
NOSETNATIONAL
By default, Echodor will set everyones ignore status to
ignore national echos. This option will set All echos to be
checked.
WELCOME <Filespec>
This is the name of the welcome file that is to be displayed
each time a user accesses the echomail door. The filename
should be 7 characters with no extension. A "G" or "C" will
be appended to the file if the user is using ascii or ansi
graphics modes respectivley. If the graphic version of the
file does not exist, then the non graphic version will be
used by default.
USERAREALIST <filespec>
This is the file displayed to the user when the L)ist areas
function is selected.
SYSOPAREALIST <Filespec>
This is the file displayed to the SYSOP when the L)ist areas
function is selected.
DELETEUSER <xx>
This is the number of days that inactive users will remain in
the user file.
NODOORMODE
This disables certain features of ECHODOR. If you use
echodor as your primary message base handler, use this
option.
OUTBOUND drive:\path
This is the full drive and path of your outbound directory
MAXUSERTIME <xx>
This is the max session time in Mins.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 7
MAILFILE <Drive:path\filespec>
This is the file name (and path) where you wish mail packed
for download to be placed. It should be in a directory that
the files section of your bbs can access.
ARCMAILFILE <drive:path\filespec>
This is the same as the mailfile, but contains the arced
version of the packed mail for quicker downloads. It should
end with the "ARC" extension.
NOPACKMAIL
This disables the packmail feature.
See the sample ECHODOR.ART file for proper usage of the
AREATABLE, and DESCTABLE parameters.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 8
ECHODOR OPERATION
Echodor operations is simple. It has been designed to look
like part of your BBS. the menufile can be changed to look
line the rest of your system as well. The command letters
may NOT be changed.
The valid commands from the main menu are as follows:
J
Change Echomail area. When this function is selected, the
user is presented with a prompt asking for the echomail area
number, or the name, or 'L' to list the areas. If you have
defined a description table in your ECHODOR.ART file, the
description table will be listed. If you are using the
USERAREAFILE, and the SYSOPAREAFILE, parameters, the
corresponding file will be displayed. If graphic versions of
the file exist, they will be displayed if the user supports
ansi or ascii graphics.
C
Check personal mail. When this function is selected, the
users is presented with a prompt that asks him/her to verify
that he wants to check for mail. During the check, only
conferences that have been selected in the IGNORE EDITOR
will be checked. The user can abort the scan of any
conference by pressing 'S'. when a message is found,
the header record will be displayed.
F
Full screen editor toggle. This function allows the user to
turn on the full screen editor or turn it off regardless of
his/her graphics setting. See the FULL SCREEN EDITOR
reference section for instructions for its use.
H
Help. This invokes the help system. See the HELP SYSTEM
reference section for information of the help system.
I
Ignore editor. This editor allows the user to include or
omit any conference from the 'check personal mail' function.
K
Erase/Kill mail packet file. This allows the user to erase
any messages he may have captured or packed.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 9
L
Leave a comment. This feature can be disabled if you already
have a comment section on your bbs. It is provided to
support the possibility of using echodor for your MAIN
message proccessor. See the NOCOMENT parameter in the
ECHODOR.ART section for more information.
M
Create your Ctrl-N Macro. This feature allows all users to
set up a special macro that will be processed when echodor
receives a Ctrl-N sequence. It is primarily useful for
storing signatures.
P
Add current conference to USERMAIL.TXT. this function adds
all messages in the current conference to the usermail.txt
file. This file can be downloaded after the user exits
Echodor.
R
Read Messages. This function allows the user to read & reply
to the messages in the current echomail area.
S
Scan Message Headers. This function allows the user to
display a list of message headers. (IE: To....From....Sbj)
Etc.
E
Enter/Write a Message. Echodor users may select a line
editor much like most bbs's, or a Full screen editor. This
full screen editor is the same editor found in PRODOOR. (The
PCBOARD Door). See the full screen editor section for more
information.
X
Expert Toggle. This turns on and off the main menu display
Just like most BBS's.
Q
Quit Echodor. In local mode this function will return you to
the dos prompt. In On line mode, this function will return
the caller to the bbs.
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 10
D
Modify Message Header and Attributes. (Sysop Only). This
function allows you to change the attributes of any message.
You can alter the file attach, file request, private, kill
sent, and all other valid message attributes. You can also
modify the message header. Including the TO, From, and Cost
fields.
Z
Move Message. This function allows the Sysop to move a
message from one conference to another.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 11
Reading messages
----------------
After activating the message-read command, you will be first shown the
message in the base where your lastread pointer is set to. At the bottom of
the screen, a small prompt line will be shown which will give you the
following options:
Next- Attempt to go to the next message in the base. If possible, the
message pointer will be incremented to the next message in the
area. It will be displayed to you and the prompt line will once
again be shown to you.
Prev- Attempt to go to the previous message in the area. If possible, the
message pointer will be decremented to the message preceding the
one that you just read.
#- Jump to message number. Don't actually type a number sign (#), just
type the number of the message you want to go to. If possible, the
message pointer will be set to that value.
Reply- This will allow you to enter a reply message to the message that you
are currently reading. For more information on entering messages,
please see the next help file.
Quit- Quit to message menu. This will bring you back to the main menu of
the message system.
Kill- If the current message is either to or from you, then you will be
presented with the kill option. The kill option will physically
erase the message from disk. It will be no longer readable and
CANNOT BE UN-KILLED.
Capt- This will capture the current message to the usermail.txt
file
Edit- If the current message is either to or from you, then you will also
be presented with this option. It will allow you to change the content
of the current message.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 12
Writing messages
----------------
There are two ways to write messages:
1) With the full-screen editor
2) With the line editor
Each of these methods will be described separately below. If you are using
IBM ANSI graphics, then the full screen editor will be chosen for you. If not,
then the line editor will be chosen.
Line Editor
-----------
The line editor is the simplest of the two editors. You will just have to
type your message. The lines will be wrapped automatically for you. You can
a blank line to exit the entry mode. After exiting the entry mode, you will
be presented with a small menu consisting of these options:
Cont- Continue the current message. This will simply place you back into
the line editor's entry mode.
Insert- This will allow you to insert a line anywhere into the message
where you want.
Delete- This option will let you delete any line in the message.
Visual- If you are using ANSI graphics, this will let you re-enter the
visual editor.
Quote- If you are entering a reply, you may quote lines directly from
the original message. With this option, you can also list the
original message.
Abort- This will quit the message editor without saving.
Save- This will quit and save your message.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 13
ECHODOR FULL SCREEN EDITOR
The echodor full screen editor is the same editor that appears
in PRODOOR (Thanks Sam!). It provides full-screen visual
editing for on line message entry. Visual editing requires
ANSI terminal emulation. The Visual editing commands are
WordStar-Like control characters. If your terminal program
provides ANSI keyboard emulation, you will also be able to
use the indicated function keys. Here is a brief summary of
the editor commands:
<< Cursor Motion >>
Ctrl-S Move left 1 character (Left arrow key)
Ctrl-D Move right 1 character (Right arrow key)
Ctrl-E Move up 1 line (Up arrow key)
Ctrl-X Move down 1 line (Down arrow key)
Ctrl-A Move left 1 word
Ctrl-F Move right 1 word
Ctrl-I Tab cursor to next tabstop (Tab key)
Ctrl-P Move cursor to line end (End key)
<< Scrolling >>
Ctrl-R Move up a page (PgUp key)
Ctrl-C Move down a page (PgDn key)
<< Delete >>
Ctrl-G Delete (gobble) character under cursor
Ctrl-H Delete character to the left of the cursor (Backspace)
Ctrl-T Delete the word following the cursor
Ctrl-Y Delete the current line
Ctrl-J Join current line with next line
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 14
<< Miscellaneous >>
Ctrl-B Reformat paragraph. A paragraph ends with the first line that is
blank or that has leading spaces.
Ctrl-L Clear screen and redisplay. (Home key)
This also scrolls the screen so the cursor line is in the middle
of the display.
Ctrl-N Insert a RETURN. Splits line at the cursor.
Ctrl-O Review the text of the Original message you were reading or replying.
You may also quote selected lines from the original message.
Ctrl-Q Quit visual mode and return to the Message Entry Command prompt.
Ctrl-V Toggle insert/overtype mode. (Ins key)
Ctrl-W Display message header information (date, to, from, subject, etc.)
ESC Exit visual mode and return to the Message Entry Command prompt.
Insert Mode versus Overtype Mode
--------------------------------
In insert mode, all characters typed are INSERTED before the cursor. The
ENTER key splits the line and BACKSPACE can re-join lines.
In overtype mode, characters "type over" what was on the screen before.
Overtype mode also disables the automatic line SPLIT / JOIN available in
insert mode. Use ^N(split) and ^J(join) to manually split and join
lines while in overtype mode.
Keyboard emulation
------------------
The easiest way to control the cursor in Visual Edit mode is to use your
cursor keys. Most popular terminal programs provide some sort of
keyboard emulation. Unfortunately, this emulation is either incomplete
or requires you to go through an involved configuration process.
The WordStar* command set was chosen as a control-character command set
because it can function on virtually any keyboard and with any terminal
emulation mode. It also has the advantage of leting you keep your
fingers on the "home" keys while moving the cursor around.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 15
How do file-requests work?
--------------------------
When a file request is generated, two files are created and placed in
the outbound directory. The first file contains the name of the file(s) that
you are requesting from the remote system. The second file specifies how and
when the transfer will take place. (i.e. crash-mail, normal, direct, etc.).
The stem for each of these files is made up of two four-character hexidecimal
numbers specifying the net and node number that the request will be sent to.
The first file created is the .REQ file. If this file already exists
then it will be appended to. The name of the file being requested is simply
placed in the file in plain-ascii.
The second file created will have the extension of ".FLO", ".CLO",
".DLO", or ".HLO". This tells the front-end processor how and when the
file will be transfered. The various methods are summarized below:
Name Ext Description
----------- --- ----------------------------------------------------------
Normal FLO Normal transfer. It will occur at national mail hour
Crash-mail CLO The request will be processed at the soonest possible time
Hold HLO Hold-for-pickup. The remote system must poll your system
in order to receive the request.
Direct DLO (I have no idea what this does)
Echodor generates file-requests with the "/GET" option. On the command
line, you simply need to specify the filename and and the node that you want
to request from.
Examples:
Echodor /GET echo280.arc from 300/9
This generates a file request to a system for the file "ECHO280.ARC".
It will send this request to node 300/9. Since no other method was
specified, it will default to normal and generate a ".FLO" file for
the request (as well as a .REQ file). This transfer will take place
at national mail hour.
Echodor /GET echo280.arc from 300/9 C
Like the above example, this will request the file "ECHO280.ARC" from
300/9, but it will generate a ".CLO" file instead of a ".FLO" file.
Therefore, this transfer will take place at the soonest available time.
Echodor /GET echodor from 300/9 H
This example demonstrates a "magic" request. Magic requests are
special type of request where you specify a magic file name (in this
case, "echodor"). The file must be set-up as a magic file on the
receivers end as well. The advantage to a magic filename is that
the sysop usually has it reference the most recent version of the
file you are requesting -- that means you don't have to worry about
the exact version number/filename. The "H" on the line specifies
that the request will be marked as hold-for-pickup. The request will
not be sent out at all and the remote system must call your system
for the request to be processed. (This is not usually done)
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 16
File-attaches
-------------
A file attach is a method of sending a file from your system to any
remote system. It is very similar to the file-request feature in operation,
but no .REQ file is generated. Instead, the filename and path is placed in
the FLO/CLO/DLO/HLO file.
Echodor generates file-requests with the "/SEND" command line option.
The syntax is very similar to file-attaching with a few differences shown
in the examples below.
Examples:
Echodor /SEND c:\files\echo280.arc to 300/9
This sends the file echo280.arc to node 300/9. The file will be
defaulted to normal (.FLO) and sent at national mail hour. The file
to be sent (Echo280.arc) is located in the c:\files directory. This
an important difference from File-requesting -- With a file-attach,
you MUST specify the full path of the file.
Echodor /SEND c:\files\echo280.arc to 300/9 C
This is the same as the above option except the mail will be set
to crash-mail (.CLO) and sent at the first available time.
Listing file-requests and file-attaches
---------------------------------------
Echodor has the capability to produce a summary of all of your file-
requests or attaches that are presently in your outbound directory. This is
currently a command line option of echodor, but will soon be implemented
from a sysop-menu inside echodor to allow easier usage of the function.
To produce a list of current outbound file-requests:
Echodor /REQLIST [INTO <filename>|PRINTER]
The INTO parameter is optional and if specified will allow you to send the
list to either the printer or a disk-file.
To produce a list of all outbound file-attaches:
Echodor /ATTACHLIST [INTO <filename>|PRINTER]
The INTO parameter functions the same as above. upon the execution of this
command, Echodor will list all of the file-attaches excluding normal arcmail
packets (.MOx Files).
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 17
Automessages
------------
The automessage ability of echodor is a very powerful feature that allows
you to post news updates about your system in a special area. When a user
calls your system, all of the automessages that he has not read will be
displayed to him. Since the automessage area is treated by Echodor as a normal
mail area, it is very simple to enter automessages.
To set up an automessage area, simply create a directory like you would
for any other echomail area. Then, add an entry to Echodor's area table
for the automessage area. The entry should be just like a regular message
area except set it's type to "A" for automessage. You should also set it
to sysop-only to prevent your users from posting in it.
Next, you must set your bbs to shell out to Echodor durring the users
logon process, preferably right after he checks his mail. I'm not sure
how to do this with RBBS, but there must be a way somehow -- you'll have to
check out RBBS's doccumentation. You need to call echodor with either
"Echodor Node-num /AUTO" or "Echodor Node-num /AC" where node-num is the
same as the node-number used when you call echodor as a door. The "/AUTO"
option will simply display all new automessages and the "/AC" option will
display all automessages and then ask the user if he wishes to check for
new echomail messages.
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 18
General info about the door
1. Commands can be stacked (r;123 for read msg #123, a;2;r;4;q;a;3 switch to
area #2, read message 4, quit to main, and switch to area #3)
2. There are 3 command switches:
/L load up the door inlocal mode
/M Run daily door maintenance
/C run the door mini-config utility
3. The system will check for loss of carrier and out of time
4. A user will not be kicked off due to time in the middle of a message.
5. you should only log on for a max of 120 minutes at a time. You might be
able to log on longer, but the elapsed time functions might have
some trouble.
6. I haven't written the help files yet so you might want to write them
yourself
7. The local ansi emulation isn't perfect, so animated screen might not look
right, but it will look fine remote. (specifically, screens made with
THEDRAW. Ansidr30 screens will look great)
8. THE ARCMAIL SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHANGED!
Echodor no longer shells to dos to arc the mail, it must be done externally
in the batch file. THIS IS IMPORTANT. You batch file would look something
like the one below:
Cd \Echodor
copy \rbbs-pc\dorinfo.def
echodor
PKARC /A USERMAIL.ARC USERMAIL.TXT
cd \rbbs-pc
rbbs
This should save memory enough to allow the mail to be arced.
9. You MUST have a fossil driver to run this door, I suggest X00, but opuscomm
should work just as well.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 19
Revision history
----------------
1.00 -Very primitive - simple editor, included line editor and
read/scan features
2.00 -Added Sam H. Smith's visual editor
-Rbbs-pc and qbbs door code added
-Welcome file added
-Help files written
2.10 -Fixed minor bugs
2.20 -Added ignore system, Packmail support, Comment feature.
2.30 -Bug in QBBS and RBBS-16 mode fixed
-Removed hard/word wrap option from message editor
-New rbbs-pc option support: networking
By specifying "Echodor x" where x is the node number of
the node accessing the door (between 0-9). Echodor will then
look for "dorinfoX.def" rather than just "dorinfo.def". I'm still
not sure how echodor will handle having more than one copy
run at a time, though.
2.40 -Pcboard support added (note that time limit fixed at 40 mins)
-New menu structure - menus are now kept in a text file called
"echomen". Ascii-graphics and color menus may be put into
the files "echomeng" and "echomenc" respectfully.
-The "Full-Screen Editor toggle" option has been added for those
users who have their graphics preference set to "none" on the
bbs to avoid the time delay of ansi usage, but still wish to
use the Full-Screen editor.
-When read is selected, you are now prompted for the starting
message number.
-The message "Returning to <bbs-name>. Standby..." has been added
on termination of echodor.
-eXpert toggle is now available
-Areas may also be selected by name instead of just number. The
user must type in the name entered into the "listed tag" field
of the area table in order to have the area selected in this
manner.
-The [N]etmail option has been removed from area-select. You must now
select it by number.
-Seen-by lines are now stripped in systems that don't hide them
with CTRL-A
-A bug in the scan option has been fixed.
-Ignore now offers an option to resume checking of all national
echos.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 20
2.41 -Hopefully having time-left working in PC-Board mode
2.50 -Macro record feature, "M" at main menu
-Sysop chat, ALT-C
-Sysop current system info (baud rate, etc), ALT-I
-Sysop pop-up help, ALT-H
-The arcmail system has been changed. Please observe point #8 above
and new batch files
-Local users (i.e. sysop) may print the current message by typing
"H" at the read menu.
-Users may record the current message to the pack-file by selecting
"C" at the read menu.
-The pack-file may be reset with "K" from the main menu
2.60 -Added Full screen editor toggle from main menu.
-Fixed bugs in PCBOARD 14.0 support
2.70 -Added Spelling checker using Turbo Lightning to Full screen editor
-Added D & Z options to main menu
-Added graphics Toggle.
-Will recognize only first letter at each input prompt.
Changes to version 2.80
-----------------------
- Fixed lastread option in scan and dump options
- Fixed "highest message in area" message. When the user reads
beyond the last message in the area, the last message will no
longer be displayed repeatedly.
- added SEND,GET,HELP,REQLIST,ATTACHLIST,and POLL command line
options. Use the HELP ooption for more info.
- added "B" option from main menu to set search strings
for the read option.
- added sysop "X" option from read menu to carbon-copy a
message
- For the file request capability, the "OUTBOUND" parameter has
been added to the configuation file. It must specify the path to
your outbound directory. If it does not, then all file request
and file attach files will be placed in the current dir.
- the "MAXUSERTIME" parameter has been added to limit the amount of
time that a user may be in the door. It accepts one integer value
specifying the maximum number of minutes that the user may be on.
- the "N" command from the main menu has been added to allow users
to check what areas have messages in them that the user has not
read.
Echodor Version 2.80 Page 21
- the SIZEGRAPH and UTILGRAPH options have been added for
statistical analysis of the echo areas. See the HELP option
for more information.
- The messages "of xxx/x" and "@ xxx/x" are now stripped out
when displaying the message header. This makes everything look
a lot cleaner.
- Revised automessage and mail-check options (/AUTO,/CHECK,/AC)
to allow the use of the node parameter the same way that the
Plans for next version
----------------------
Also included (hopefully) will be enhanced code for multi-node systems. In
order to add this much-needed code, I must first have a multi-node system to
test echodor on. That requires me to raise the money for a LAN card. If I can
raise the required amount in donations (approx $360), then hopefully, I can
get network support up and running.
I am also considering adding file-request/file-attach commands. These will
either be in a sysop-section of echodor or perhaps a whole other door program
dedicated to this function.
Statistics - Wouldn't it be nice to see a nice report of which areas get
most of the activity? That ability might be coming in a newer version of
echodor.
Registration
------------
Echodor represents MANY hours of work and if you find it useful, I would
appreciate your sending in a donation of $20 or more. I will send you back
a DSDD 5.25" disk with the latest copy of echodor and perhaps a few other
small utilities that will fit on it. My address is in this document
somewhere if you decide to send in a donation.
Disclaimer
----------
This program is being distributed under the following conditions:
1) This code or any of the files associated with it may not be distributed
in modified form in any way.
2) You may not use any portion of the code distributed with this package
in any other program without my written permission.
3) This software and/or code may not be distributed for a profit.
4) I am in no way responsible for any damage that may be caused due to the
use or misuse of this software.
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 22
Guarantee
---------
There is absolutely no guarantee, warranty or promise of any kind made
with regard to the performance or quality of the Mach-10 software, utilities,
documentation, or any associated files. Any problems, risks, damages,
disasters or lack of them are purely you're responsibility. By using the
Mach-10 software, documentation, utilities, or any associated materials,
you acknowledge this in full.
Credit where credit is due
--------------------------
The following persons have assisted me with the development of this
software either through the programs that they have written or help that
they have given me in testing/developing the software.
Jerry Cain - Beta-Testing and helpful suggestions
Jonathan Woods - RBBS-PC support, Beta Testing, Documentation.
Sam H. Smith - Visual editor and associated routines
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 23
Mach-10 bbs advertisement
-------------------------
In the past month, I have written a bbs program called mach-10 bbs. As of
yet, I have not released it yet, but I plan to do so within a month. It
offers many advantages that other bbs programs do not even come close to
Here is a few of them:
- Totally Dynamic menu structure - of Mach-10's 90 commands, you
may put any of them on any of 10 menus. All of this is
done in an easy to read table (plain-ascii). The individual
options may be protected by security level, validation level,
post ratio, or upload ratio.
- An enhanced version of the echodor message system. There are
many extensions including improvements to the PackMail system.
- Batch protocols - up to 30 files at a time!
- Protocols are external meaning that you may add any number of
protocols, up to a maximum of 255.
- Rbbs 16.1 door support - the dorinfo.def file is created
providing compatibility with many of the door programs
available.
- Auto Call-Validation. Users can validate themselves by
having the bbs call them. A great time-saver for the
sysop.
- Extensive use of color -- it looks neat!
- Fast loading and operation - All parameters and tables are loaded
into memory allowing mach-10 to operate very fast.
- Overlays - The mach-10 system uses Turbo Pascal's overlay system
allowing an almost infinite number of commands to be written
without any memory problems.
- Very powerful file-maintenance, the sysop can ARC files, kill
them, move them between area, test/view/read archives, Benchmark
protocols, and more! all in an easy to use menu.
- Total remote sysop compatibility - EVERY option can be used remotely
allowing you to almost run the system without a local sysop!
Mach-10 will be available pretty soon, I am getting beta-testers to start
it up presently. The only thing that really remains to be completed is the
documentation. Give my bbs a call and check it out! (note that I'll have to
validate most of you since auto-validation is local only)
- Scott M. Baker, Author of Echodor and Mach-10 bbs
Echodor Ver 2.80 - Page 24