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MINIHOST - Host Bulletin Board System For the IBM Personal Computer Copyright 1985,1986 by Don Mankin ASCII Computer Enterprises 8125 Sunset Ave #128 Fair Oaks, CA 95628 DATA 916-622-4300 Why another BBS --------------- The original purpose of MINIHOST was to allow the consultant or programmer to call his office from his clients and retrieve programs inadvertently forgotten. It was to be a simple program with only a few features. But.. as happens with programs of this kind, you keep thinking, 'I wonder what it would be like if I did it this way?' So, changes are been made for a better MINIHOST. Public Domain ------------- This program is not public domain but may be used by anyone, anytime. We make no promises, and will not be held responsible for lost data. Source code is not available. Updates ------- New versions are not guaranteed to be upward compatible. It is a good idea to use and modify the necessary files provided with each new version. Acknowledgements ---------------- I want to thank Rod Cole, Jimmy Nord, Matt Wakeley, Ted DeCastro, Chuck Childers, and Lysle Eddy for the help they have provided. Their help includes suggestions, coding, and system documentation. It is truly appreciated I use PIBASYNC routines accumulated from: Philip Burns (i.e., PIB) Alan Bishop C.J. Dunford Michael Quinlan A special thanks to those above. Hardware Requirements --------------------- This program was written to support an IBM PC (or PC clone), Hayes (or 100% compatible) modem, 192K RAM, and PC-DOS 2.X or higher. It REQUIRES 8 data bits, No parity, and 1 stop bit. It can be used with floppies, but was written specifically for hard drives. A printer may be used to log calls. Clearance Level --------------- This is the Security Level (i.e., what level of security or clearance that is needed to access a particular function). If a clearance level of 9 is required then a user with a clearance or security level of 5 cannot choose that item from the menu or download that particular file or change to that particular sub-directory (see the PROTECT= items below). As the SysOp (System Operator) you will determine the level of security for each item and specify that level in MINIHOST.CNF. SYSOP Local Mode ---------------- MINIHOST may be entered from the keyboard by pressing RETURN from the 'Waiting for Call' screen. You will then need to answer the 'User Name:' and 'Password:' prompts just as if you had called from a remote. An entry with your name and password MUST have been placed in the configuration file prior to using this command. Quitting MINIHOST and Exiting to DOS ------------------------------------ To return to the DOS prompt, you must press RETURN at the 'Waiting for Call' screen, then press RETURN again at the 'User Name:' prompt. MINIHOST will then terminate and you will be back at the DOS prompt. This can only be done from the LOCAL MODE while at the keyboard. Time Limit ---------- There is no time limit. Files ----- The following files are used by MINIHOST. MINIHOST.COM - main program MINIHOST.CNF - configuration MINIHOST.DES - created for file descriptions MINIHOST.HLP - help file MINIHOST.T00 - file displayed after carrier MINIHOST.T01 - new user file MINIHOST.LOG - created for caller log and comments MINIHOST.DOC - this file MHJUMP.BAT - used for remote DOS access MESSAGES.MH - created for public messages USERNAME.MH - displayed when user named calls where 'username' is the first 8 characters of first+lastname WATCHDG1.COM - public domain program to monitor carrier detect WATCHDG2.COM - port 2 of above program MINIHOST.DES, MINIHOST.LOG, and MESSAGES.MH will be created by MINIHOST when they are needed. The sysop DOES NOT create these two files. These files grow dynamically and must be purged ocassionally. System Configuration Switches ----------------------------- System configuration is determined by the following keyword option switches within the MINIHOST.CNF configuration file. It can be edited with your favorite editor. PORT=1 Selects the serial port 1. If you are using serial port 2, this number should be changed to reflect that. BAUD=1200 Selects initial baud rate. Usually this is set to Highest then the modem should then move down to the correct speed at connection. For example, if you are using a 2400 baud modem, then you should set this switch to 2400. It has been brought to my attention that the Multi Tech 2400 should be set to 300 as it moves up to the correct speed. ALLOW300=Y If set to N (for no) then 300 baud callers will not be allowed. COLOR=Y Selects color mode. Select Y if you are using a color monitor with a color graphics adapter. Select N otherwise. LOGFILE=Y Directs tracking output and comments to a diskfile. If you specify Y then everything that a user does is recorded in the file MINIHOST.LOG. This file is created by MINIHOST. Once created, all subsequent actions by users are appended to the file. This is an especially good idea for OPEN systems. It enables the sysop to see who uploaded/downloaded what and when. PRINTER=Y Directs tracking output and comments to the printer. Same as LOGFILE but output goes to the printer attached. RINGBACK=Y This allows you to use MINIHOST on your dedicated voice line. If Ringback is specified, MINIHOST will not answer until a second call has been placed at least 10 seconds after the first call and not longer then 60 seconds after the first call. CLOSEDSYSTEM=Y If set to Y (for Yes), a caller not found in the MINIHOST.CNF file will not have access AT ALL. If set to N (for No - meaning an OPEN system), then a new caller will have the security level designated by the command NEWUSER= in the configuration file. Level 0, the default, provides access to (M)essage to SysOp, U)pload a file, and (G)oodbye menu items only. Setting this parameter to N allows a newuser to let you know that he would like to access your system but prevents him from doing much else other than upload, leave message or log-off. NEWUSER=0 Sets new user security level to 0 if CLOSEDSYSTEM=N. With this switch you could also give newusers full access by setting the NEWUSER security level to 5 or 9 or whatever it takes for full access to your system. Careful consideration should be given to a completely open system where everyone has access to every subdirectory of your harddisk. DEFAULTS=9 This sets protection defaults for DRIVES and DIRECTORIES not specified by a PROTECT= designator. It enables a SysOp to allow access to specified drives or directories inclusively. A caller with security level 5 may only access drives or directories whereby each drive or directory had a PROTECT= of 5 or less, ie, PROTECT=A:;5 or PROTECT=C:\GAMES;5. A specified PROTECT=C:\GAMES,5 would allow a user with a security level of 5 to change to that directory even though a DEFAULTS=9 exists within the .CNF file. That same user could not change to a directory NOT LISTED WITHIN THE .CNF FILE as that directory would default to a security level of 9. PROTECT= HAS A HIGHER PRECEDENCE THAN DEFAULTS=. RETRIES=2 If set to 2, the caller may attempt 2 tries each at the "USER NAME:" and "PASSWORD:" prompts. You may set this to 1, 3, 4, etc. INITSTRING=ATE0M0Q0V0X1S0=0S1=0 This is the initiation string sent to the modem. It breaks down as follows: AT ---> Attention. E0 ---> Echo OFF. M0 ---> Speaker OFF. Q0 ---> Result codes sent. V0 ---> Send numeric result codes. X1 ---> Extended result code set. S0=0 -> Do not auto answer. S1=0 -> Count 0 rings. &Q1 --> Select Hayes codes if using Multi Tech 2400 modem. This information is provided to enable technical users to program non- Hayes compatible modems to respond properly. 100% Hayes compatible modems will work with the INITSTRING as given above. To have the system operate at the correct speeds you must be sure that the initialization string is sending the right codes and that the system is receiving the correct result code digits (see your modem manual). For example: On a Hayes 2400 and a U.S. Robotics 2400 modem, for the system to operate at 2400, MINIHOST must receive a result code of 10 when 2400 is connected. But on a Multi Tech the factory default result code for connect 2400 is 9. So if you are using a Multi Tech 2400, you must add the following to the INITSTRING: &Q1 this will initialize the modem for the correct Hayes 2400 result codes; you can add this string just before the "Q0" that is already there. If you are using a different type 2400 and the system will work at 1200 and 300 but not 2400, check your manual for the correct result code of 10. If other speeds do not work, check all the result codes against the Hayes standard codes. ANSWERSTRING=ATA This string causes the modem to answer. RESETSTRING=ATZ This string is sent to the modem before returning to DOS. DIALSTRING=ATDP This string tells MINIHOST to use ATDP, indicating dial pulse, as a dialing prefix. Use ATDT for touch tone. This configures the modem for use with the Buzz Back feature explained later. SLOWMODEM=N Some semi-Hayes Compatibles require extended delays between commands. If your system is not answering properly, then switch this to Y for yes. MULTILINK=Y Used when operating under Multilink to release CPU time during loops. MINIHOST can operate under Multilink without selecting this option as well. DOUBLEDOS=Y Used when operating under DoubleDOS to release CPU time during loops. MINIHOST can operate under DoubleDOS without selecting this option as well. START=C:\NEWSTUFF Directory where the MINIHOST will start from. This allows you to run the program from one directory, and start up in another. For example, you may not wish for users to have access to the subdirectory or drive that contains the MINIHOST program files. You could then put MINIHOST in sub-dir \MINIHOST but once it started up, it would change sub-dir to \NEWSTUFF if that was your START parameter. Another option would be to boot from drive A: but have the START switch to drive B: (i.e., START=B:\). UPLOAD=C:\UPLOAD Directory where you want your uploaded files to go. MENU=ANSI,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (A)nsi Color. If you wish to disable color,v specify a higher security level than users have. For example: MENU=ANSI,50 where users have a level of 9 or 10. MENU=BUZZBACK,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (B)uzz Back. Selecting this option will instruct MINIHOST to call the user back at the number placed in the configuration file. MENU=CHANGEDIR,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (C)hange Directory (i.e., sub-directory). MENU=DOWNLOAD,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (D)ownload a File. MENU=ENTERMSG,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (E)nter Message (to other users). MENU=FILES,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (F)ile Directory. This specifies whether the user can get a listing of the filenames and sizes of the sub-directory or drive where he is located. MENU=GOODBYE,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (G)oodbye. This should be low so users can log off properly. MENU=HELP,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (H)elp with HOST. This should be low if you are running an OPEN system and let newusers have access. MENU=JUMPTODOS,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (J)ump to DOS. This option, when enabled, must be used with discretion. A batch file, MHJUMP.BAT, is executed at DOS level if not in the local mode. A path MUST BE SET to point to MHJUMP.BAT if the jump to DOS is to be successful!!! MHJUMP.BAT is provided with this package. As written, MHJUMP.BAT batch file enables WATCHDOG, a public domain program that monitors carrier detect at DOS level. MINIHOST sends MHJUMP.BAT a parameter to inform MHJUMP.BAT to run the proper version of WATCHDOG, depending upon the port selected. I highly suggest you use this file as is. One change might be to change the line with COMMAND to the name of the program of your choice. This would not allow DOS access. It would execute the program, then return to MINIHOST. Keep in mind that many (MANY!) programs write directly to the screen, or intercept the keyboard directly. These programs will not operate correctly under the DOS shell, and could hang up the system. MENU=LOGDRIVE,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (L)og New Drive (i.e., allows user to change from drive A: to drive B: C:, etc.). MENU=MSGTOSYSOP,10 A user needs at least a security level of 10 to select menu option (M)essage to SysOp. MENU=OPERATOR,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (O)perator Chat. MENU=PROGRAM,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (P)rogram Descripts. MENU=READMSG,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to be able to read public messages. MENU=READLOG,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to be able to read the log containing private messages to the SysOp and dayfile. MENU=SEARCH,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (S)earch for File. MENU=UPLOAD,10 A user needs at least a clearance level of 10 to select menu option (U)pload a File. PROTECT=A:,10 A user could not select drive A without a security level of at least 10. PROTECT=*.CNF,10 ALL programs or files with a CNF extension cannot be downloaded without a security level of at least 10. PROTECT=DATA*.*,10 ALL programs with the first 4 characters being DATA cannot be downloaded without a security level of at least 10. PROTECT=DATA?.*,10 ALL programs with the first 4 character being DATA, followed by any one character, then a period and any extension cannot be downloaded without a security level of at least 10. PROTECT=C:\MINIHOST\SOURCE,10 A user could not select directory C:\MINIHOST\SOURCE without a security level of at least 10. USER=DON MANKIN ,ZAXXON ,Y,9 ,622-4300 : : : : : : User Format: Username,Password,ANSIcolor(YN),Security level,BuzzBack # This is your user entry. It must be formatted EXACTLY as above. The best way to be sure that you enter users correctly is to follow exactly the examples as given in the MINIHOST.CNF file that you got with the program; DO NOT DELETE the examples given until you have entered your own users and your name and password. Field lengths are delimited by commas. Only 50 PROTECT entries are allowed. You may have up to 100 USER entries. MODEM SWITCH SETTINGS --------------------- The following MODEM switch settings are recommended: UUDDDUUD Switch Function: 1 UP. DTR controlled by pin 20. Required. 2 UP. Verbal messages. Optional. Set by MINIHOST software. 3 DN. No result code display. Optional. Set by MINIHOST software. 4 DN. Modem does not echo. Optional. Set by MINIHOST software. 5 DN. Auto Answer suppressed. Optional. Set by MINIHOST software. 6 UP. CD controlled by pin 8. Required. 7 UP. Single line connection. Required. 8 DN. AT command recognition. Required. I use the above switch settings for ALL my communications software, i.e., Qmodem, Procomm, etc. AT cable configuration ---------------------- AT nine pin DB 15 ----------------------- 1----------CD---------8 2----------RD---------3 3----------TD---------2 4----------DTR-------20 5----------SG---------7 6----------DSR--------6 7----------RTS--------4 8----------CTS--------5 9----------RI--------22 FUNCTION KEYS ------------- Function keys are available from the WAITING FOR CALL and Main Menu. If the sysop presses F1, he will see the system status. You will get a listing on screen of how the system is configured and what the security levels are for the menu items. Pressing the following Function Keys will do the following: F1 - Display the program status F2 - Set Ringback status toggle. F3 - Log Toggle. (turn user log on or off) F4 - Printer Toggle. (turn printer log on or off) F5 - Closed System toggle. Make Closed or Open system. F6 - Slow modem toggle. F7 - Color (on or off). F8 - Initial baud rate toggle. F9 - Security -1. Allows sysop to drop security level of user while he is connected by one level for each press of the F9 switch. F10 - Security +1 Allows sysop to upgrade security level of user while on-line so that user will have temporary access to functions not other- wise avaialble to him. Each press of F10 add one level of security to the user. SF1 - Allow 300 Baud toggle. The above items are toggles and work while you are on-line. These are temporary "toggles". Once you exit MINIHOST and come back on-line, all items are set to the configuration as specified by MINIHOST.CNF. MENU OPTIONS ------------ The following menu options are available to the caller provided the necessary security level has been obtained by the SysOp. (A)scii Color - on/off ---------------------- This command, when enabled, will allow color on those systems properly configured. There are three requirements before this will work. First, the caller must have set his communication parameters to 8 bits, no parity. Secondly, he must be running software which supports this option. Qmodem, Procomm, and Pibterm are three such examples. Most require that ANSI.SYS be installed on the home system. This can be done by putting the line DEVICE=ANSI.SYS in the CONFIG.SYS file. Thirdly, he must have a color monitor. NOTE: A SysOp using a composite monitor with a color graphics adaptor may not enable this feature. (B)uzz Back ----------- This command, when enabled, will instruct MINIHOST to buzz you back at the call back number placed in the configuration file. It is not likely you will have this option available to you. (C)hange Directory ------------------ This command allows a caller to move within the hard drive. A knowledge of path and sub-directory protocol is advisable. Entering '\' alone would change to the root directory. Typing '\games' may change to the 'games' directory, if one exists. By pressing (F)ile Directory while you are in the "ROOT" directory, you will see most of the sub-directories that are available; they end with the filename extension of ".DIR" . Due to security restrictions you may not be allowed in a particular sub-directory. You may NOT enter a drive specifier here. (D)ownload File --------------- Entering 'D' from the menu will allow you to download (send) a program from this system. Xmodem (checksum & CRC) and ASCII protocols are supported. You may NOT enter a directory or drive specifier here. You must have specified the correct drive and/or sub-directory prior to selecting the D for download. When you select D for download, the system will prompt you for the filename. After you enter the filename and if the file is found, the system will then prompt for the protocol. You will see: 0 - EXIT will abort the download. 1 - ASCII this is for the ASCII protocol. This should ONLY be used with text files. It is not to be used with programs, source code, or squeezed/compressed or ARChived (i.e., .ARC extension) files where error correction is necessary. 2 - XMODEM (CRC or CHECKSUM). Minihost will determine whether you have requested CRC or Checksum protocol. If you choose to have error correction using Xmodem, just press the number 2. Next, from your end your must choose between CRC or Checksum protocol. Minihost will respond appropriately. (E)nter Message --------------- This option will allow you to enter a public message or a private message to a fellow user. It is limited to 20 lines of text. If there is already a message waiting, your message will be appended to the other message. When the named user calls in, the message is displayed right after log-on. Use (P) to pause the display/playback of the message or use (S) to completely halt the display and have MINIHOST resume normal operation. (F)ile Directory ---------------- This option will give you a listing of the various files and directories on the system. The file size will follow the directory entry. Size is rounded to the nearest 'K' (1024 bytes). Directories will end with DIR, DBASE.........DIR would be a valid directory. (G)oodbye --------- Self explanatory. Logs off the caller. (H)elp with Host ---------------- Displays this text file. (J)ump to DOS ------------- Allows the caller DOS access. It is not likely this option will be implemented. (L)og New Drive --------------- This is the provision for changing the default logged drive. (M)essage to SysOp ------------------ A message to the SysOp is left in the file MINIHOST.LOG. Anyone with security clearance to read MINIHOST.LOG can read these messages. One approach is to enable new users (with CLOSEDSYSTEM=N) and allow them limited access to the system as follows. If a NEWUSER wished to access to the system, they could choose this option and leave the following information for the SysOp: 1. Real First and Last Name 2. Address (include city, state, and zip code). 3. Home phone number 4. Work phone number 5. Type of computer system 6. Hours that you can be reached by phone After approving the request, the users security clearance would be increased accordingly. (O)perator Chat --------------- Selecting this option summons the SysOp and if answered, will provide for real-time conversation via the keyboards. The system will beep at the Sysop. If he is available, he can press any key to enter chat mode. To exit the chat mode the either end can press the ESCape key. (P)rogram Descripts ------------------- The file listed by this option is created when a program is uploaded by a caller. It can be edited by the sysop to reflect the proper subdirectory the uploaded file was transferred to. (R)ead Messages --------------- This selection allows the caller to read public messages. (S)earch for File ----------------- This selection will search EVERY subdirectory for the wildcard / filespec you specify and give the path if found. (U)pload File ------------- This function is similar to the Download option, except the file is sent from the caller to the host system. A provision is made for entering a description of the uploaded file. (*)-Read Log File ----------------- This selection allows the caller to read the private messages to the Sysop and see what other users have done while on the system and what files they have uploaded/downloaded. Depending upon how the SysOp has configured the system, you may not have clearance for this option.