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C O L L I E THE "STATE OF THE ART" BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE FOR THE IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER COPYRIGHT (C), 1985/86 by Dan P. Plunkett June 15, 1986 è 1 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 IMPORTANT NOTICE 1 1.2 DISCLAIMER 1 1.3 COPYRIGHT NOTICE 2 1.4 CREDITS 2 1.5 SPECIAL THANKS 2 2.0 COLLIE HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS 3 2.1 MODEMS 3 2.2 MODEM SWITCHES 3 2.3 NUMERIC RESULT CODES 3 2.4 MODEM INITIALIZATION 4 3.0 COLLIE FILES 5 3.1 SYSTEM FILES 5 3.2 HELP FILES 5 3.3 MENU FILES 5 3.4 MESSAGE FILES 6 3.5 WELCOME FILES 7 3.6 BULLETIN FILES 7 3.7 USER INTERFACE FILES 7 3.8 OTHER SUPPORT FILES 8 3.9 BACKUP FILES 10 4.0 THE COMMAND LINE 11 4.1 DEFINITIONS 11 4.2 EXAMPLES 14 4.3 BATCH FILES 15 5.0 GETTING STARTED 16 5.1 DEFAULT DRIVE 16 5.2 CONFIG.SYS FILE REQUIRED 16 5.3 RUNNING COLLIE THE FIRST TIME 16 5.4 SETTING UP THE SYSTEM FILES 18 5.5 SETTING COLLIE' ENVIRONMENT 19 6.0 USING THE QUESTIONNAIRE 20 7.0 COLLIE NETWORKING 23è 2 7.1 NET-MAIL DESCRIPTION 23 7.2 GETTING A NET/NODE NUMBER ASSIGNED 24 7.3 HOW IS THE NET/NODE SYSTEM ORGANIZED? 24 7.4 NET-MAIL OPERATION 25 8.0 THE FUNCTION KEYS 27 8.1 DEFINITIONS: 27 9.0 THE ALT KEYS 29 9.1 AVAILABLE KEYS 29 9.2 DEFINITIONS 29 10.0 EXTENDED KEYS 34 10.1 AVAILABLE KEYS 34 10.2 EXTENDED KEYS EXPLAINED 34 11.0 THE SCHEDULER 35 11.1 HOW TO ACCESS THE SCHEDULER 35 11.2 SCHEDULES EXPLAINED 35 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 12.0 MAIN MENU EXPLAINED 36 12.1 MAIN MENU EXAMPLE 36 12.2 EXPLANATION 36 13.0 MESSAGE MENU (MMS) EXPLAINED 39 13.1 MESSAGE MENU EXAMPLE 39 13.2 EXPLANATION 39 13.3 SPECIAL COMMANDS FOR SYSOP STATUS 40 14.0 FILE MENU EXPLAINED 41 14.1 FILE MENU EXAMPLE 41 14.2 EXPLANATION 41 15.0 SYSOP MENU EXPLAINED 43 15.1 SYSOP MENU EXAMPLE 43 15.2 EXPLANATION 43 16.0 THE SYSOP'S "UPDATE MENU" EXPLAINED 46 16.1 UPDATE MENU EXAMPLE 46 16.2 EXPLANATION 46 17.0 COLLIE TECHNICAL REFERENCE INFORMATION 48 17.1 RECORD STRUCTURE FOR "USERS.BBS" 48 è 3 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 1.0 INTRODUCTION COLLIE is a bulletin board program written in Borland's Turbo Pascal. Designed on an IBM Personal Computer, COLLIE is compatible with the IBM PCjr and other IBM "Compatibles" like the Tandy 1000. COLLIE is distributed under the "Userware" concept. You are encouraged to distribute this software to others as long as you DO NOT charge, in any shape or form, for this program. 1.1 IMPORTANT NOTICE Thank you for taking the time and expense to obtain COLLIE. We're sure after you've had a chance to look COLLIE over, you'll agree it is a powerful bulletin board program which combines both speed and finesse. This program, like many others, is distributed under the "Userware" concept. Since COLLIE is not a program which appeals to a mass market, like a communications program for example, we depend on you --- the lonely sysop --- to support our undertaking. It's important to note that very few users of Public Domain programs ever actually send the author their registration or donation. Being a sysop, your rewards for running your board are often a simple "thanks". I hope after you've used COLLIE, and have chosen it over the many other programs available, you'll show your support with a simple donation. We could have offered gimmicks like full documentation, telephone support, etc., in exchange for registration. We didn't. Instead, we're depending on you, the Sysop, to help keep our program growing by showing your support and sending in your registration. Many of you will have COLLIE running 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This is more than any other program you'll use, and during that use, we're confident we'll earn your support. Registration is easy. Send a $50.00 (or more) donation to: Dan P. Plunkett 9526 Ashbourn Dr. Burke, VA. 22015 In any case, feel free to distribute COLLIE and to send us any comments or suggestion via net mail. 1.2 DISCLAIMER è 4 Dan Plunkett and Chuck Gorish shall not be held responsible for any damage incurred by the user to hardware, software, or peripheral devices while running COLLIE. All responsibility lies with the user of the software. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 1.3 COPYRIGHT NOTICE COLLIE is Copyright (C) 1985/86 by Dan P. Plunkett. COLLIE and affiliate programs distributed with it are not to be modified or distributed in modified form without the express written consent of Dan P. Plunkett. COLLIE is NOT to be sold, used or modified for or with illegal intent under the penalty of law. 1.4 CREDITS COLLIE version 1.00 Development Team consists of the following individuals: Dan P. Plunkett, Chuck Gorish and Shane O'Neill --------------------------------------------------- Many hours have been spent in the development of COLLIE -- finding bugs, changing formats, and testing things like the Networking and File areas. A lot of dedicated people have run up a lot of healthy phone bills just so COLLIE could be brought to you. We would like to mention some of those people here: o Dr. Sherwood Tucker of Dental Connection o Jim Gifford of Rialto BBS o Ryan Katri of MIT COLOSSUS ∩á Plu≤ thσáman∙áothe≥ Alphß anΣ Betß Testers! Thanks, guys, for your help! 1.5 SPECIAL THANKS The following sysops have registered their copies of COLLIE by sending in the $50.00 donation. We wish to thank them publicly for their support. If it weren't for them, we might just say, "The Hell with it, let's go chase some girls." (Not that we don't do that now, mind you, but we could be spending more time mastering the craft!) SYSOP NAME BOARD NAME PHONE NUMBERè 5 Jesse Levine Atlantic Palisades 718/238-7855 Dalσ Barne≤ Ziggy'≤ P├ 713/821-1391 Racor Computer Products Please Support these boards with your calls. Pretty short list, huh? Wouldn't you sleep a lot better at night if your name were added to it? COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 2.0 COLLIE HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS The following are considered the minimum "Baseline" requirements for running COLLIE: A. 256K Memory B. Two Disk Drives C. Modem D. Monitor 2.1 MODEMS COLLIE automatically determines your incoming callers' baud rates. In order for this to work, your modem must be able to send numeric result codes, support the Hayes Command Set, and support DTR (Data Terminal Ready). The following modems have been tested to work with COLLIE and are believed to be compatible: A« Qubiσ Internal/Externa∞ (madσ afte≥á Augus⌠ 1985) B. Rixon PC212A Internal/External C. US Robotics Courier 2400 & Model 312 D. All Hayes E. Prometheus 2.2 MODEM SWITCHESè 6 Your modem switches should be set as follows: 1. DTR Normal (UP) <under software control> 2. Display numeric result codes (Down) 3. Result codes displayed (Down) 4. Modem does not echo. (Down) 5. Auto answer is on. (UP) <optional> 6« Carrie≥ Detec⌠ i≤ Normal« (UP) <no⌠ alway≤ on> 7. Single phone line. (UP) 8. AT Command set is normal. (Down) 9. Escape Code (+++) will not disconnect. (Down) The above settings are provided for reference only. The numbers and positions of your modem switches may differ. 2.3 NUMERIC RESULT CODES COLLIE determines the baud rate of incoming calls by receiving the numeric result code from your modem when the modem establishes carrier detect. Check your (Modem) owner's manual for these numeric codes. As space permits we will list the codes for some of the more popular modems below. Note that these codes need to be placed in your COLLIE configuration file when you run COLLIE. COLLIE defaults to the Courier 2400 or Hayes codes listed below: COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 USR COURIER 2400: ARK 2400 : 300 Baud # 1 300B # 11 1200 Baud # 5 1200B # 5 2400 Baud # 10 2400B # 10 NOTE: Some modems require that their "extended" result codes be initialized before they will display different result codes for connection between 300, 1200 and 2400 bauds. Some Hayes modems require an ATX1 sent to the modem. Therefore, if you are using this modem, you MUST place the ATX1 command in your MODMINIT.BBS file! See below. 2.4 MODEM INITIALIZATION COLLIE automatically sends an "ATZ" pauses 1.5 seconds and then sends an "AT" to initialize the modem after each call. This procedure seems to work fine for most modems. However, for internal modems, or modems that require an "extended" result mode, this procedure will not work. For this reason, COLLIE allows the sysop to send a special initialization string to the modem INSTEAD of the "ATZ" and "AT" noted above.è 7 COLLIE will look for a file called "MODMINIT.BBS" in your main COLLIE directory. If the file is found, COLLIE will read each line and send that line to the modem until it encounters an End-of-File. A "MODMINIT.BBS" file might look like this: ATM0 { Turns off the Speaker } ATH1 { Takes phone off hook during init } √ NOTE ┴ BLAN╦ LIN┼ CAUSE╙ COLLI┼áT╧ WAIT 2 SECONDS! } ATX1 { Turns On Some modems "Extended" result codes} ATS0=1 { Answer Modem on first ring } √áThi≤ái≤ no⌠ needeΣ iµ yo⌡áusσárinτ detect } ATVO { Forces Numeric Result Codes } ATS7=30 { Set number of seconds the modem will wait for carrier } ATH0 { Turns modem speaker back on } Any legal command YOUR modem will accept will work in the environment. I can't stress enough that you CONSULT YOUR MODEM'S OPERATING MANUAL to see what special commands it may need. Taking the phone OFF HOOK is very important so that the modem will not answer the phone while digesting its instructions. If it is allowed to answer the phone, COLLIE will miss the result code sent and will not respond! Some modems require extra time to digest certain codes. In that case, place a blank line after the code to give the modem 2 seconds. I use a blank after ath1, send the rest of my codes, give a blank line again then ath0. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 3.0 COLLIE FILES There are two types of files that comprise COLLIE and allow it to function. The first type is SYSTEM FILES. System Files are mandatory for COLLIE's operation and MUST reside in your main COLLIE directory or on the RAM disk from which you run COLLIE. These files are accessed frequently by COLLIE during program operation. The second type is SUPPORT FILES. Though these files are not required to run COLLIE, I'm sure you'll find them invaluable in your operation. 3.1 SYSTEM FILESè 8 COLLIE.COM - Main System Program COLLIE.000 - 006 System Overlay Files NOTE: Overlay files MUST be located in the COLLIE Root Directory along with other System files. Overlay files are used to store Functions and Procedures which COLLIE can call at any time. They are not held in memory all the time and therefore must be available for use. 3.2 HELP FILES You may edit these to fit your personal taste. MAIN .HLP - Main Menu Help File MMS .HLP - Message Menu Help FIle FILES .HLP - Files Menu Help File SYSOP .HLP - Sysop Menu Help File PROTOCOL.HLP - Extra help with Uploads/Downloads 3.3 MENU FILES Menu files contain all the information needed for COLLIE to dynamically build each caller's Menu, dependent on his security level. COLLIE displays a function only if a caller's security level is high enough to access it. Therefore, a caller doesn't necessary see every possible choice in a given menu. This places you in control and allows you to tailor your board for your individual needs. The format used for Menu file entries is: Command Letter, Command Description,,Security Level, Command Identifier Knowing the above, let's use the following example: B,ulletins,,5,A COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 --- The "B" is the Command Letter. This will be the letter your caller must type to access Bulletins. --- "ulletins" is your Command Description. This is how your file entry will be displayed in your menu on the screen. --- "5" is the minimum Security Level required to for theè 9 caller to access this function...or even see it! --- "A" is the COLLIE Command Identifier (CCI) and should NEVER be changed. The CCI is constant in COLLIE'≤ programing« Thi≤ lette≥ wil∞ bσ DIFFERENT for every command. With one quick look, you'll realize that COLLIE allows you to design your menus to suit your own personal taste. There are only two rules: You CANNOT change the Command Identifier (CCI) from what it now is in an unchanged menu! You CANNOT assign the same Command Letter to two commands in the same menu! Therefore, if you wanted, you could change Bulletins to read: P,eg Board,,5,A Or, Better yet... A,<A>nouncements,,5,A Just remember: NEVER change the CCI (the last character on each entry line), and NEVER use a Command Letter more than once in each menu. COLLIE uses the following Menu Files: MAIN .MNU - Main Menu MMS .MNU - Message Menu FILES .MNU - Files Menu SYSOP .MNU - Sysop Menu UPDATE.MNU - Sysop System Menu You can use EDLIN, or any word processor that can create ASCII files, to edit these files. 3.4 MESSAGE/USERS FILES The following files are used as system files by COLLIE. If they are not found, COLLIE will create them. MESSAGES.BBS - All messages are contained here. MESSAGES.PTR - Message pointers for scans, etc. USERS .BBS - Users profile & statistics è 10 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 3.5 WELCOME FILES To create these files, you can use your favorite word processor, EDLIN, or any of several programs designed to make Graphic Welcome Screens. Even though these files are not mandatory, they give your board originality. PRELOG.BBS - This screen is displayed before welcome1. WELCOME1.BBS - The screen displayed when callers first connect. ALL.BBS - This file is displayed to all after login but before welcome2. WELCOME2.BBS - The second screen displayed after your caller logs-in. NEWUSERS.BBS - Displayed to new users on their first call. 3.6 BULLETIN FILES Bulletin files are designed the same way the welcome files are created, using either EDLIN or a word processor. BULLETIN.BBS - Main Bulletin screen, lists the available bulletins. BULLETx - Where x = 1 - 32767. This number should correspond to your bulletin listed in BULLETIN.BBS NOTE: If you are using ansi grafix you must call the files BULLETIN.CLR and BULLETx.CLR. To fully support all users, you should offer both sets of files. 3.7 USER INTERFACE FILES These files are used to help the sysop interface with users in an efficient manner. [seclevel].BBS-This special feature was added so the sysop could send a special notice to all users of a certain security level. This file is not automatically erased. [1..?] .BBS - This special feature was added so theè 11 sysop could send a SPECIAL MESSAGE to an individual user. Example: John Doe is User Record number 128 on your system. If you have a file called "128.BBS", COLLIE will dump and erase this file right after 128.BBS is displayed the next time John Doe calls. Your callers log will have a notation that the special message was sent. LIMITS .BBS - If you would like to set different DAILY time limits according to the user's security level, you want to use this file. The syntax is : Security Level, Daily Time <RET> COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 Example: 5,10 { 5 Security, 10 Minutes/Day } 10,20 { 10 Security, 30 Minutes/Day } 25,30 { 25 Security, 30 Minutes/Day } RATIO .BBS - It's seldom (if ever), a caller's uploads exceed his downloads. That's par for the course. However, some users get in the habit of take, take, take, and NEVER give a thought to uploading. This file works when /Bx is set on the command line. It will display your words of wisdom when this situation presents itself. ALIAS .BBS ALIAS2 .BBS - ALIAS.BBS contains a list of all names you don't want to allow on your board. Names like: The, Hacker, Dr., Mr., PC, Killer, All, Etc. COLLIE reads this file line-by-line and compares the names in the file against the caller's first and last name. If a match is found, then ALIAS2.BBS is dumped to the screen and the caller is logged off! è 12 3.8 OTHER SYSTEM FILES You may also add the following files to your system: EDTORIAL.BBS - File which is shown to callers when they request the Editorial from the main menu. GOODBYE .CLR - Color version of Goodbye.bbs GOODBYE .BBS - This file is displayed when a caller logs off the system. FILES .BBS - Used in the File Sub-Directory for listing files available for download in that area. (See "Creating File Areas") QUOTES .BBS - Quote for the day for your callers during log-on. COLLIE indexes this file, searching for a blank line between each quote. ALT-A .BBS - ALT+A dumps this file to the screen, logs the caller off, and LOCKS him out on future calls. Works great on problem callers. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 NO300 .BBS - Dumps this file to 300 baud callers, when 300 baud callers are not allowed. Displayed only when /3 is on the Command line. C .BAT - Batch file used to invoke COLLIE. Also contains the necessary commands for sysop's remote drop to DOS. REMOTE .BAT - Required if you want to drop to DOS from remote on some systems. This file is NOT required for most. SHELL .BBS - This file must contain a list of your programs available from the <O>nline Programs command. See Section 12.2. SHELLSYS.BBS - This file is for Sysop level usersè 13 and should list online programs in shell.bbs as well as your special sysop only programs. F8 .BAT - This file is dumped to the screen when you terminate a call. Could say: "Sorry, the sysop needs the computer! Please call back later!" MAILER .LOG - Contains all your Net-Mail activity. MODMINIT.BBS - This file is sent to "initialize your modem" after each caller. See Section 2.4 PAGED .BBS - Displayed when a caller pages the sysop, who either has the page feature turned off, or simply doesn't answer the page. The file could contain your office hours, or suggest that the caller leave a message or comment. ABOUTCOM.BBS - Some sysops have special policies about not replying to Comments to the Sysop. This is because the sysop normally has to write down the caller's name and question, exit Comments, and move to the Messages Section, just to enter a reply. (Whew.). As an alternative to all that labor, this file can be displayed when a caller selects <C>omments at the Main Menu. DROP.DO╙á- Thi≤áfilσ shoulΣácontaiε instructions fo≥ thσ use≥ ho≈ t∩ returε t∩ COLLIE wheε finisheΣ iε DOS« Iµ i⌠ doe≤ not exist¼ COLLIE wil∞ defaul⌠ t∩ ß standard message. 3.8a ABOUT DISPLAY FILES As you can see, COLLIE allows you complete flexibility when it comes to displaying files. The sysop has nearly total flexibility in making his board as unique as he wants. There are a couple of features built into the display file routines which give you even more control. They are: CTRL-B - Toggles More Prompt. è 14 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 CTRL-C - Toggles the callers' ability to interrupt the screen with Ctrl-K or Ctrl-C. Place these characters in your display file. Remember it works like a toggle. When COLLIE sees the first one, it turns the function OFF and leaves it OFF until it sees another toggle. COLLIE defaults to Interrupt ON and Screen <M>ore Prompt ON. 3.9 BACKUP FILES & CRITICAL LOGS When you perform sysop maintenance like Packing the Message Base or Packing the Users file, COLLIE will first make "Backup" copies for you. You don't need to have these files in your COLLIE root directory after they're made. If space is a problem on your board you could copy the backups to disk or discard them. They are: MESSAGE.PBK - Message Pointer Backup File MESSAGE.TBK - Message Base Backup File USERS .BAK - Users Backup File COLLIE also keeps track of critical errors incurred during program operation. These are stored in a file called "CRITICAL.LOG". If you're having problems running COLLIE, and you're sure you've tried everything, report your version number and all the information included in your CRITICAL.LOG file to any of the boards listed in the 800 net. We'll do everything possible to correct the problem or explain to you why you're getting the errors! è 15 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 4.0 THE COMMAND LINE The Command Line (CL) can be used to make COLLIE start-up with different parameters. The Command Line and its various parameters are what you type at the DOS Prompt (or send to the program from a batch file) when you boot COLLIE. /C - Define the CD Mask /D - Set the Daily Time Limit /F - Set the Time Limit for New Users First Day /L - Set Logon Time Limit (time per logon) /K - Set Daily Download Limit in amount of K /2 - Use the Com2 Port /N - Phone Number Needed (in user log) /P - Mandatory phone number entry as second password. /R - Invoke a Pre-Registered System /W - Allow Sysops to drop to DOS /S - Default Security Level /Q - Mandatory first-time caller Questionnaire /U - Activate your Quote file at sign-on /3 - Disallows 300 baud callers /M - Modem Type /I - Initialize the Modem (For Ark Modems) /O - Allow time compensation for Uploads /B - Download/Upload Ratio Warning /Z - Seconds the modem waits for Carrier Detect. 4.1 COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS EXPLAINED: /Cx (x=1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256) -------------------------------- This Switch tells COLLIE where the Carrier Detect Bit [CD] is located on your modem. If you have one of the KNOWN supported modems listed in the Hardware Needs section, do not use this. First, try COLLIE without this option. Then, if it does not answer the phone when called, find out your CD MASK, and put it in. COLLIE defaults to 128, which is used on the more popular modems. A CD carrier detect bit located at bit 64 would be: COLLIE /C64 /Dx (x=1 to any #) ------------------ This switch sets the Daily Time Limit for all callers. The default Daily Time Limit is 60 minutes. If a user uses all of his Daily Time Limit for a particular day, he will be logged offè 16 and will not be able to log back on that day. If a user has a 60 minute Daily Time Limit, he could sign on the system as many times as he wanted until the 60 minutes was used up, or until a day had passed. The following will set the Daily Time Limit to 100 minutes: COLLIE /D100 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 /Fx (x=1 to any #) ------------------ The /Fx switch sets the New Users First Day Time Limit. If you wish a new caller to have a lower time limit, then you can set that time with this switch. If you wish, you can set the New Users Caller Limit the same as the Logon Limit [see below] so a new user has the same amount of time as a veteran caller. If the Fx switch is not used, then it is automatically set to 30 minutes. The following will set the New Users First Day Limit to 45 minutes: COLLIE /F45 /Lx (x=1 to any #) ------------------ This switch sets the Time Limit per Logon. If the Daily Limit is set to 100 minutes, and the Logon Limit is set to 50 minutes, the user could use 2 full log-logons. This means a user can use 100 minutes that day, but only 50 minutes maximum for each logon. If this parameter is not used, the Logon Time Limit will default to 45 minutes. The following will set the Logon Time Limit to 86 minutes: COLLIE /L86 /Kx (x=1 to any number) ----------------------- This switch sets the amount (in thousands of bytes [K]) a user may download in one day. If he exceeds his limit, he will not be able to download any more files that day. If this parameter is not used, the K Limit would be set to 1000. The following will set the K Limit to 200k. COLLIE /K200 /2è 17 -- If used, this switch will tell COLLIE to use the Com2 port. Only use this if your modem is installed on Com Port 2. /P -- This switch will set COLLIE to ask all callers for their home phone numbers as a second password. /N -- This switch will set COLLIE to ask all new callers and any existing callers for their home phone numbers if it is not in their user record. Once the phone number is put into the user record it will not ask the caller again. /Rx (x=Nul, 1, 2, or 3) ----------------------- This switch will set COLLIE to function as a RESTRICTED system. There are also 4 options to set up a restricted system. Here is a list of the available options for the /R command: Nul(just enter /R): Restricted System. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 1 : First-Time Caller is forced into to leave a comment when he gets to the Main Menu (but he can <A>bort it w/o leaving one). 2 : First-Time Caller is forced to fill out a Questionnaire when he gets to the Main Menu. 3 : Immediate log-off The caller is NOT entered into users.bbs. It is your responsibility to enter him. /W -- This switch allows remote sysops to drop to DOS. By invoking this switch, a remote sysop can sign on his own system and, by entering a specific command, can then drop to DOS. /S -- This switch allows the sysop to set his default Security Level for First-Time Callers. The default security level is 5 if thisè 18 switch is not used. The entry below would set a user's security level to 12 upon signing on for the first time: /S12 /Q -- Using this switch will force a first-time caller to fill-out a questionnaire before entering the system. This is an option for use on a RESTRICTED system, but can be used with a Public System as well. /U -- Activates QUOTES.BBS. This file displays a different quote-for- the-day each time a user signs on. /3 -- If you want to limit your board to callers with 1200 or higher speed modems, you can restrict access so that 300 baud callers receive a message "300 baud is not allowed at this time". Also, if you have the file 300.BBS available, that file will be dumped to the screen. /Mx (x=0, 1, 2, or 3) -------- One of the toughest obstacles we have had to overcome is dealing with all the different modems. For this reason, we have had to make COLLIE flexible enough to work with a broad range of modems. The /M parameter helps provide that flexibility. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 /M0 - Answer by ring detect, determine baud by numeric result codes. /M1 = Answer by ring detect, determine baud by C/R's. /M2 = Answer by Carrier Detect, determine baud by Numeric result codes. /M3 = Answer by Carrier Detect, determine baud by C/R's NOTE: As our experience grows with all the different modems available, we gain the ability to add special modem commands toè 19 fit your needs. If you can't get your modem to respond correctly, tells us about your modem type, and we'll try to help! /I(300,1200,2400) ----------------- Ark 2400 Modems must me initialized at 2400 baud in order for them to receive 2400 baud calls. Therefore, we have added a switch to do this. As we have more experience with all the different modems, we may learn that this switch is or is not needed for modem brands other than ARK. ARK 2400 owners must put the following on the command line: /I2400 /Ox (X = 1,2,3..32767) ---------------------- Allows Time Compensation for uploads. With /O1 set callers will receive 1 minute credit for every 1 minute spent UPLOADING. With /O2 the caller would be credited 2 minutes for every one, etc. /Bx (X = 1,2,3..32767) ---------------------- This feature will warn the caller that their Download Ratio is Too High. If /B5 is set, then callers will be warned when they have downloaded more than 5 files to everyone they uploaded. This switch must be on the command line if you wish "RATIO.BBS" to be displayed after the warning. 4.2 COMMAND LINE EXAMPLES A>COLLIE /D60 /L40 /K350 /P These switches can be used in any order, and none need be used. The Command Line above would set your system [in order] for a 60-minute Daily Time Limit, 40-minute Logon Limit, 350k download limit, and the Caller must enter his phone number before entering the system. Enter your command line from the DOS prompt or from a batch file. (See below.) COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 4.3 BATCH FILES è 20 It is advisable to use a batch file when running COLLIE. Here are some advantages: - If an error occurs, it will reset with a batch file - If there is an power outage, batch files could set up COLLIE again. - Prevents errors and cramped fingers when typing the Command Line Of course, batch files are not a MUST, but we recommend them. See sample c.bat enclosed with your COLLIE start-up kit. This will set COLLIE up with the proper parameters we discussed in the Command Line section, and, if for any reason COLLIE drops to DOS, it will reboot itself. Batch files can be named any legal DOS name, but must have a .BAT extension. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 5.0 GETTING STARTED If you're like I was, what you really want to do is put the documentation aside, and get started running COLLIE. Well, let's do just that. As you begin to get comfortable with the operating system, you can refer back to this guide to explain in further detail some of the features available in COLLIE. 5.1 DEFAULT DRIVE If you're using a floppy-based system, then you'll want to have all the COLLIE files located in drive A. Later, after you learn your way around, you can set up COLLIE so the overlays and other files can be located in a RAM Disk. But for now, let's have all the files resident on drive A. If you're running from a hard disk, then make a main sub- directory for COLLIE. Place all your COLLIE files in this sub-directory. 5.2 CONFIG.SYS FILE REQUIRED As you begin running COLLIE, we feel you'll quickly agree it's lightning FAST! COLLIE is a complicated Communications program which requires several files being opened at the same time. For this reason, you'll need to have the following files and buffers set in your computer's CONFIG.SYS file, located in your root directory. If you are unfamiliar with how CONFIG.SYS works, consult your DOS manual, or ask any COLLIE Testers.è 21 NOTE: COLLIE WILL NOT work properly if this is not done! CONFIG.SYS should have the following settings: FILES=20 BUFFERS=50 5.3 RUNNING COLLIE THE FIRST TIME After you have all the COLLIE files located on your default drive, all you have to do to get things running is type: "COLLIE" at your DOS prompt. Don't type the quotes! Your DOS command line should look like this: A>COLLIE Then, press RETURN. For a quick listing of your keyboard commands press HOME. The help screen will appear. Press any key and it will disappear. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 Next you'll see COLLIE loading up and building your System files. When you see the prompt "COLLIE ready for calls at....", the program is ready to run.... Almost. First, though, let's set up your configuration file. This is done by holding down the ALT key AND pressing the F key (we refer to this action as ALT+F). You should see the configuration menu: Parameter Default 1. Messages must be proofed before users can read them.....No 2« Usσ SYSO╨ specia∞ password≤ fo≥ emergencies.............No 3. COLLIE Node #...........................................0 4. COLLIE Net #............................................0 5. SYSOP 1st Password.......................................System 6. SYSOP 2nd Password.......................................Operator 7. Should COLLIE make long-distance calls at mail time?....No 8. All messages must be public.............................No 9. Security level to be considered a SYSOP.................50 A. Character (s) returned for 300 baud connect..............1 B. Character (s) returned for 1200 baud connect.............5 C. Character (s) returned for 2400 baud connect............10 D. Drive and / or Directory path for messages.............. \ If you need to change any defaults to match your configuration,è 22 see section 9.2 for a complete explanation of this menu. When you've finished entering all the above information, press the ESC key to save your changes and return you to COLLIE. Next, to sign-on locally, you need to hold down the ALT Key and type the letter "S". COLLIE will place your modem "Off Hook" and prompt you for your First Name. Now, since you're the sysop, you can simply type SYSOP at the prompt and continue. If you prefer to use your own name then you can do that, also. Just keep in mind that this is how you'll be signing on locally to do Sysop Maintenance. Also, when you send a message, this will be the Name imbedded in the FROM column in the message area. Let's assume you just enter Sysop. Next COLLIE prompts you for you last name. Press the RETURN (or ENTER) key. Now COLLIE asks if all the information you've given it is correct. If so, answer "y." At the prompt for a password, type in a word you'll never forget and no one else will ever guess. COLLIE asks you to retype your password for verification. Do it, and press ENTER again. This will take you to the Main Menu. At the Main Menu, hold down the Alt key and type the letter "N" (ALT+N). You should see "Enter New Security Level". At this point, enter 999. This will give you high enough security level to access all of the SYSOP Utilities. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 Now, hit the ENTER key once and you'll see the Main Menu reappear, this time with the tilities for Sysop listed. 5.4 SETTING UP THE SYSTEM FILES The very next thing we must do is configure the System files. Type 'U' at the Main Menu for "Utilities for the Sysop." Next you'll see the Sysop Menu which includes "<4> Update System Files." Select #4 and hit ENTER. Next, the Update Menu will appear, which looks like this: è 23 Update Menu: <A>Net message system toggle Net file system toggle <C>reate/read a system file <D>ownload file path <F>ile security Message Description <J>File Description <L>ist system file <M>essage security <Q>uit to MAIN MENU <S>ave system file pload Path Let's start by creating the first system file. This is done by selecting 'C' for "Create/read a system files". COLLIE will respond with "System Number:". You respond by typing 1 and return. COLLIE will respond with "Creating System Record #1." Now to get an understanding of what we're setting up, type L for "List System File". You'll see the following: System Record #1 Message security..0 File security.....0 Upload Path....... Download Path..... Msg description... File description.. At this point, some general explanations are in order. Each system record contains the minimum security level required for a caller to access the files and message board associated with that system record. The Upload & Download path are any legal DOS pathnames telling COLLIE where it can find the files associated with the file description. You can set uploads to go into a single "Upload file" area, or to different areas, which you could specify by subject. Here are a few examples of upload/download paths: The following would send all the uploads to a sub-directory called "UPLOADS" and allow the caller to download programs from a sub-directory called "GAMES". (Note: COLLIE is the parent directory.): COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 Upload Path.......C:\COLLIE\UPLOADS Download Path.....C:\COLLIE\GAMES The next example would send both uploads and downloads to the same sub-directory: è 24 Upload Path.......C:\COLLIE\GAMES Download Path.....C:\COLLIE\GAMES If you're running on a floppy-based system with your uploads and download files on drive B, and not using sub-directories, you could do the following: Upload Path.......B: Download Path.....B: Even if you do not plan to use a files section for this area, be sure to set a 'dummy path' to somewhere in the system that really does exist, otherwise you're callers log will be filled with 'invalid file path' messages when callers try to do searches. Lastly, you need to enter descriptions for these areas. These descriptions are displayed when the caller wants to see what different message and file area available on your board. Other options include toggling a message or file area for net- working. When you're done, and the record is the way you want it, BE SURE TO SAVE THE RECORD BEFORE CONTINUING ON! Type "S" for save and hit ENTER. If you forget to do this, COLLIE will prompt you if you try to quit before saving. A system record doesn't need to contain BOTH a File AND Message area. You can have a File area and no Message board assigned to that record. Simply set the message security high enough so the caller can't access it. 5.5 SETTING COLLIE ENVIRONMENT Some of you may want to place COLLIE.COM and the overlay files in a RAM disk. This can be done by setting COLLIE' environment through a DOS call. The syntax would be : A> SET COLLIE= C:\ Assuming Drive 'C' is the location of your RAM disk. Now you can place the .COM, .000, .001,..006 files in RAM, and watch it FLY! BE SURE THERE ARE NO SPACES BETWEEN COLLIE AND THE = SIGN! If there are, COLLIE will NOT BE ABLE TO FIND ITSELF! è 25 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 6.0 USING THE QUESTIONNAIRE COLLIE uses a simple procedure to generate the Questionnaire. Questionnaires are simple text files that are interpreted by COLLIE. There is a very simple line-oriented pseudo-language that interprets these scripts. There are only a couple of "commands", and only two crude conditionals. The answers to the questionnaire are put in a separate file, without the questions. They are also normal ASCII text, but in a fixed field format with field characters, to make post- processing of the questionnaire easier. The questionnaire consists of two files: QUESTION.BBS The questionnaire script ANSWERS.BBS The answers Answers are appended to the end of the answer file; it is created if it does not exist. The first character of each line tells COLLIE what to do with the line. This first character is a normal printable character. If the first character is not one of the known commands, the line is merely displayed. The questionnaire commands are: /<prompt string> Display <prompt string>, then input a single line of text. Maximum line length is 78 characters. The usual editing is available. The inputted text is written to the answer file. * Put user info to the answer file: name and last (current) sign- on time and date. Useful for the "what kind of system ..."-type questionnaires. Leaving this out allows confidential questionnaires, as there is no other record of which caller filled one in. +N <prompt string> Multiple choice. The single digit number N is the number of possible choices (1 - 9). If an illegal number is entered, or the number is missing, the number of choices defaults to one (also known as the Soviet Multiple Choice Question), but at least the system won't hang up. The choice entered by the user is checked for in range 1 to N, and saved in the answer file.è 26 There is a special feature of multiple choice: an internal flag is set if the last choice (choice N) is selected, that can be tested by the ! command, described below. ! To be used ONLY after a multiple choice question. If the last choice of a multiple choice was selected, this terminates the COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 questionnaire. Allows asking "Do you want to fill this out (1) yes (2) no". _ (Underscore) Unconditionally clears the conditional flag. Below is an example of a new user questionnaire: NEW USER INFORMATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are required to Register to this System. Please fill out the following questionnaire. Your access will be upgraded within 48 hours. Thank you for your cooperation! * +2Have you Registered with COLLIE Country Before? (1)No (2)Yes ! / What is your real name (first & last): / What is your Street Address: / City, State, Zip: / What is your voice phone no.: / Where did you hear about this board: / What is your age: Your ANSWERS.BBS would contain an ASCII file with the user's answers to your questionnaire. The answers would look like the following: 1:-----John Doe 2:1 3:John A. Doe 4:1234 Any Street 5:Any town, ST, 12345 6:555/555-5342 7:On The Brink 8:23 è 27 Each time the questionnaire was invoked, the answers would be appended to ANSWERS.BBS. Note, if the caller had answered "2" to the first question, the questionnaire would have been terminated. One of the easiest ways to read your answer files, is to Drop to DOS (ALT+D) and copy ANSWERS.BBS to your printer. Then you may exit back to COLLIE and not disturb the program's System Status Report. If a caller selects <Q>uestionnaire from the Main Menu, and you do not have a file called QUESTION.BBS in the main COLLIE directory, your caller will receive the following message: "Sorry, No questionnaire today" If you are not going to have a Questionnaire on your bulletin board, we recommend you raise the access level in the MAIN.MNU COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 file high enough so that the prompt will not even show in the menu. This keeps the screen clean, and will not confuse your callers (or waste their long distance dollars). 7.0 COLLIE NETWORKING Before we get started talking about how COLLIE handles its network system, we must give you a little history about this process. First, this whole network concept was dreamed up by a man named Tom Jennings, who, among other things, is responsible for a bulletin board program called "FIDO". Tom had a wonderful idea of connecting these bulletin boards together at a predetermined time to send mail, or packets, to each other. We thought enough of Tom's idea to include his FIDONET concept in COLLIE. It's important to note however, that Tom doesn't release his source of "FIDO", much like COLLIE, therefore we simply took Tom's idea and worked out the code in Turbo Pascal. We have spent a great amount of time and effort to ensure the two systems are compatible. Therefore, COLLIE can send mail to Fido nodes and Fido can send mail to COLLIE Nodes. 7.1 NET-MAIL DESCRIPTION (NOTE: Many of the following notes were taken out of Tom Jennings's "FIDO'S Complete Operating Manual".) The purpose of this net mail concept is to link COLLIE- andè 28 Fido-based Bulletin Board systems together for automatic message transfers. This Net system is a true dial up packet switch network system that supports many different topologies. It supports routing, message forwarding, scheduling and uses a tuned collision detection algorithm over normal phone lines, for the lowest possible cost and highest efficiency. The simplest scheme, and the one to set initially, supports point-to-point messages. Most major geographical area have a host that will accept mail for itself and its local nodes. After you have contacted any other COLLIE (or Fido) sysops in your area, you can tie into their local network, and take advantage of the lower cost. Each local area runs things differently, and their policies cannot be covered here. If you can't find your local region or host, contact COLLIE 800/1 at 703/569-6747, where you can find the latest node list and other files to help steer you in the right direction. The original FidoNET design was built around the current Bulletin Board architecture which is basically: an unknown number of completely independent, stand alone systems, with extremely low overhead in both maintenance and cost. The COLLIE Net System was designed to be compatible with this, in that it should involve: 1. No extra work for the SysOp. 2. No effect on normal BBS operations. 3. No unexpected extra costs. 4. No effect upon system reliability. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 COLLIE handles this totally automatically, and requires no extra work, once set up. Other than the effect of allowing Network-wide message traffic, the only other affect upon the current BBS is that it is "down" to normal traffic (regular callers) during the National net time of 1am to 2am (PST). Costs, if any, are controlled by the sysops. Unless specifically enabled, mail will not be sent out from a node. Remember, sending mail costs money; receiving packets is free. COLLIE provides accounting and cost limitation functions (all automatic) to prevent unauthorized mail from being sent. There can also be "free" traffic to non-toll call nodes as well as limitations put on long distant calls. The usual privilege levels can be applied to each of the mail commands, to control their use. Net-mail success/failure does not in anyway affect BBS operations. Failure to make a connection and transmit a packet,è 29 or errors during incoming packets, affect only the mail sent or received. In the case of transmission, the message will not be sent, nor will charges (if any) be applied to the sender's credit account. For a paying system, the sysop must occasionally set the user's credit, using the "Utilities for the SysOp" section and crediting the user's account. If reasonably large sums are used as a minimum ($5.00 or more), this will not need to be done more than once every few weeks. 7.2 GETTING A NET/NODE NUMBER After you have COLLIE successfully running you should set your NET number to 800 and your NODE number to 9999. These numbers indicate your board is currently waiting to be assigned an official classification, and has been assigned temporary numbers. Next, you should call On The Brink @ 703/569-6747 and read the bulletin regarding "Getting a COLLIE Net & Node Number". Be prepared to answer the following questions: 1. Board Name 6. City, State, Zip 11. Board's Theme 2. Board Number 7. Hours of Operation 12. Your Age 3. Sysop Name 8. Type of Computer 13. 4. Voice Number 9. Modem Type 14. 5. Address 10. Baud Rates Available 15. This information will help us to know more about you and your board, in the event you ever have the need to contact us. This information is necessary if you wish to be assigned a NET/NODE number, and if you plan on using the Net-Mail feature. If you don't want numbers assigned to you, then the above information is not necessary. 7.3 HOW IS THE NET/NODE SYSTEM ORGANIZED? After trying to analyze why people use the Net-Mail feature of COLLIE I came up with one common reason: "Location". More than any other reason, my callers used the system because they wanted to contact a person in a certain area of the country. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 For this reason, Nets will be assigned by State. Note, the COLLIE Development Sites are all listed in Net 800. Testing sites are listed in Net 801. This is so you have easy access to the one closest to you for help and assistance, and, should the need arise, a place to report the ugly bugs! (YUCK.)! è 30 Nodes are Systems within each net. Each Net can hold up to 32767 nodes before we have to open another Net number. 7.4 NET-MAIL OPERATION Within COLLIE is the Net-Mail module which is run as specified by the scheduler. This module is a time driven system, and the national time slot is at 1:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, 4:00 AM for you on the east coast. During normal COLLIE operation, users can enter messages, and, during the Net-Mail time, these messages are made into packets and sent to the right destination. The messages may be destined to any one or more of the available remote nodes in the nodelist. At the predetermined time, the Net-Mail module takes control. Within 5 minutes of the scheduled event COLLIE will automatically drop DTR so users do not get on the system. If a user is on the system, COLLIE will inform them of the upcoming scheduled event and give them a chance to log-off, or, if needed, COLLIE will log them off just as if they exceeded their time limit. The Net-Mail module then (if enabled) creates mail packets, one per node, containing the messages for each node. If there is no mail to a node, no packet is created, and no call is made to that system. After the outgoing packets are made, COLLIE alternately waits for calls and attempts to place calls. Mail packet transfers are done on a collision detection basis. After the first few collisions, the network synchronizes. If there are a number of nodes to send mail to, each one is called in turn, until all are sent, or mail time is over. If it fails with one node, it goes on to the next, and repeats the failed one only after trying all of the others first. In between outgoing calls (if any) COLLIE delays a random interval, during which it waits for incoming calls. This interval, along with the redial algorithm, synchronizes the net after the initial collisions. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 If an incoming call is detected, it attempts connection with it. The baud rate is determined (same as for a normal caller in COLLIE), a message to human callers is displayed (warning them that the board is accepting only other COLLIE or Fido Nodes), and a synchronization process is started. This process must complete within 60 seconds, or the call is terminated. Once synchronized, the packet transfer is made. The receiver just stores that packet for later use, and then disconnects. Whenever an incoming call is received, COLLIE calls outè 31 immediately afterwards (assuming there are calls to be made), since there is a high probability that the line is now clear. This helps synchronize the network. To place an outgoing call, the sender dials the number, performs the sync process mentioned above, and transfers its outgoing packet. (Messages to a given node are again checked against the node list at mail time; if they do not match, the packet is not sent, and an error is logged.) If the transfer was successful, the destination node number is deleted from the sender's list of nodes to call. The collision detect algorithm is optimized such that during the first few minutes of mail time, there are many collisions, after which the net synchronizes, and none or few collisions occur. When mail time is over, COLLIE deletes all its outgoing packets that were assembled, and for each one that was sent successfully, marks those messages (in the mail area) as SENT, so the originator can tell if they went out or not. Then, the incoming packets are unassembled, and the messages placed sequentially in the mail area. These packets are then deleted. If any mail at all was sent, the user credits are balanced. This is somewhat unsatisfactory, as it balances the accounts even if the mail was not sent. This is to prevent extremely long processing time necessary to account for each message and user. (Users lists run upwards of 600 entries typically; on a floppy- based system, this would become unworkable.) Net-Mail then terminates, and, if there were no fatal errors, invokes COLLIE for another day. Messages received are then accessible like any other message and placed in the message area marked for Net-Mail. All of your Net Activities are recorded in a file called "MAILER.LOG" which can be viewed with any listing type program or by using the DOS command TYPE. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 8.0 THE FUNCTION KEYS F1 - Take five minutes from user F2 - Give five minutes to user F3 - Toggle Printer [on/off] F4 - Toggle Sysop Available [yes/no] F5 - Toggle Sysop Page Bell [on/off] F6 - Toggle Screen Attached [on/off] F8 - Terminate Caller F10 - Exit to DOS è 32 8.1 DEFINITIONS: F1 (Take five minutes from user) -------------------------------- If a user is ONLINE and you wish to deduct five minutes from his time left on the system, you can do so by pressing F1. This is helpful if you want to get on the system and a user has lots of time left. F2 (Give five minutes to user) ------------------------------ If a user is ONLINE and you wish to add five minutes to the time he has left on the system, you can do this by pressing F2. This is helpful if you want to give a user more time, or you are just feeling generous that day. F3 (Toggle Printer [on/off]) ---------------------------- All of the information that is written to the CALLERS.LOG file (e.g. Time on/off, Downloads made, messages written, etc. by users) will be printed by your printer if 1) You have a printer, and 2) If you have the Printer Toggle ON. If the Printer Toggle bottom of the screen. You can at any time toggle the Printer OFF or ON by pressing F3. NOTE: If you have the printer toggled ON, and your printer is "OFFLINE" COLLIE will freeze up, until you either place your printer "ONLINE" or turn the printer off. F4 (Toggle Sysop Available [yes/no] ----------------------------------- By toggling this parameter [ON or OFF] the sysop can decide whether or not he can be paged. If the Sysop Available is ON, the word "Avil" will appear at your 5-line window at the bottom of the screen. Then the Sysop can be paged. If the Sysop Available is OFF, the word "Avil" will disappear from the 5-line window, and a user will not be able to page the sysop. To toggle it ON or OFF, just press F4. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 F5 (Toggle Sysop Bell [on/off]) ------------------------------- By toggling this parameter, the sysop can choose whether or notè 33 sound will be made when he is being paged. This function will only be in use if the Sysop Available is ON. If the Sysop Available is ON, but the Sysop Bell is OFF, then the sysop can be paged, but no sound will be made. But if the Sysop Bell is ON, sound will be made in an attempt to attract the sysop's attention. To toggle it ON or OFF, press F5. F6 (Toggle Screen Output [on/off]) ---------------------------------- When the Screen Output toggle is OFF, nothing that is fed to the screen is shown. But if it is ON, everything is shown. This is handy to have when you go away for a while and there is no reason to have the screen ON. When you return, you can simply press F6 and all data will show up on the screen. NOTE: Your monitor does not have to be ON for COLLIE to turn the screen toggle on, however, you will not see it until you turn the monitor on. F8 (Terminate Connection) ------------------------- If a user is ONLINE and you wish to disconnect him, simply press F8 and the connection will be terminated. If you have a file called "F8.BBS" created, this file will be dumped to the caller. This file could contain, "Sorry the sysop needed to use the system. Please call back later." F10 (Terminate COLLIE) ----------------- Pressing F10 will terminate COLLIE. 9.0 THE ALT KEYS COLLIE uses the ALT key in combination with a letter key for many of its commands. Here is a list of the ALT keys used by COLLIE: 9.1 AVAILABLE KEYS *O* ALT+C - Force a user into Chat Mode *A* ALT+D - Exit to DOS and load COMMAND.COM *W* ALT+F - Configure System *W* ALT+G - Set Caller Number *A* ALT+K - Keyboard Toggle [on/off] *O* ALT+N - Changes Callers Security level On line *A* ALT+S - Sysop Sign-On/Sysop Next *W* ALT+F - Toggles Sysop increases Caller Countè 34 *O* ALT+A - Screen dumps "ALT+A.BBS" locks caller out *W* ALT+R - System Status Report Key --- *O* - User must be ON-LINE to perform *W* - COLLIE must be "Waiting for calls" to perform *A* - Can be used anytime COLLIE is running To use an ALT+Key, the ALT key and the appropriate letter key must be pressed simultaneously. (First, press down the ALT key, then, while holding the ALT key down, press the letter key.) 9.2 DEFINITIONS ----------- *O* ALT+C (Force Chat) ------------------ If used, this ALT+C would force a user into Chat mode. Once finished in Chat mode, just press CTRL-Z to get out of Chat mode. A user must be ON-LINE to perform this function. *A* ALT+D (Drop to DOS) ------------------- This ALT+Key is VERY useful. When this function is activated, COMMAND.COM will be loaded into memory, and you will be taken to the DOS prompt. You then may load any other programs [provided you have enough memory], or perform any other DOS functions you care to. You can load up your Qmodem, edit a file, etc. Then, when you are ready to run COLLIE again, just go back to the drive or sub-directory where COLLIE is located, and at the DOS prompt type EXIT. COLLIE will flash back on-screen in the exact place you left off. A very useful function. Note that the cursor changes to a large block to remind you that COLLIE is awaiting your return. *NOTE: You MUST return to the drive and/or sub-directory where COLLIE is located before typing EXIT. *W* ALT+F (Configure System) ----- After you activate this function, a configuration menu will appear. These menu items configure parts of your system. Definitions -----------è 35 <1> "Proofing Parameter" ------------------------ If set to "No", this parameter will allow users to read mail that has NOT yet been proofed (read) by the sysop. But if this parameter is set to "Yes", then every Public message that is left by a user will be set to Private. Then, after the sysop has proofed the message to make sure it contains legitimate information, he can change the message status to public. If a private message is left by a user to another user, it does not have to be proofed by the sysop. <2> "Use SYSOP special passwords for emergencies" --------------------- This toggles one of the most useful functions for a sysop doing maintenance remotely. If a system file such as users.bbs gets corrupted, no one can log on. However, with this option the sysop can log on and correct the condition by dropping to dos and copying over a backup users file or uploading a new one from the files section. This function does not use the users log at all and the only file written to is the callers log with the upper-case name of SYSOP. <3> "COLLIE Node Number" -------------------------- When you receive COLLIE, a Node Number will be assigned to you. With this Node Number, you will be able to send/receive mail from other COLLIE BBS Systems. If you set your Node COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 Number to something other than what is assigned to you, your board will be excluded from receiving or sending COLLIE Networking Mail. Set this parameter to the Node Number that is given to you. (See section 7.0) <4> "COLLIE Net Number" ------------------------- When you receive COLLIE, you are also assigned a Net Number. Set this parameter to the Net & Node Number that is assigned to you. (See section 7.0) <5> "Alternate Node Number" --------------------------- Since COLLIE has a Net Number within the Fido Network, Fido BBS sysops can send mail to COLLIE Boards. If you were running a Fido board before you switched to COLLIE, you can still keep your Fido Node/Net Numbers. That way, you can still receive mail from the other Fido Boards. To keep your Fido Node Number, just put it as the Alternate Node Number. Same holdsè 36 true for the Alternate Net Number, place your Fido Net Number in as your COLLIE Alternate Net Number. <6> "Alternate Net Number" -------------------------- See above. <7> "Long Distance Calls" ------------------------- If you would rather COLLIE NOT make long distance calls to other COLLIE Boards when it sends Net-Mail, then set this parameter to "No". But if you would like COLLIE to make long distance calls during the sending of Net-Mail, then set this parameter to "Yes". Remember: Long distance calls cost money! If you answer "No", you do not have to give a user credit to send local net mail. Simply edit the nodelist to 00 price for those boards you will allow 'no charge calling', and be sure to remove the area code (replace it with spaces) if its a local number. <8> "All messages must be public" --------------------------------- If you want your complete message area to be public, and NOT allow private messages you can toggle it here. <9> "Security For Assistant Sysops" ----------------------------------- If you want selected individuals to be able to read sysop messages as well as private messages left from user to user, you may set the security level required here. Any caller with this security level, or greater, will then be able to read those messages. For example, with the security level set to 50, callers with a security level of 50 (or greater) would be able to read all the sysop messages and all private messages. This is ideal for allowing assistant sysops to help monitor your message base. (NOTE: The "chief" sysop of a COLLIE system requires a security level of 100 or higher. A three-digit security level permits access to a far greater range of sysop maintenance utilities and should be assigned to anyone other than yourself with extreme caution. ALSO, This assistant security level allows OVERWRITING OF FILES!) COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 <A> "300 Baud result codes" --------------------------- Enter the number or character your modem will return when connected at 300 baud. è 37 "1200 Baud result codes" ---------------------------- Enter the number or character your modem will return when connected at 1200 baud. <C> "2400 Baud result codes" ---------------------------- Enter the number or character your modem will return when connected at 2400 baud. <D> "Enter message Drive and / or Path Name" ---------------------------------------------- This may be any legal DOS drive or path. Example for floppy users: B:\ . Or for hard disk users: C:\ or C:\COLLIE\ . You have 20 characters available for the path. *W* ALT+G (Set Caller Number & Board Start Date) ---------------------------------------------- If you were running different board software before you began to run COLLIE, you can set your Number of Callers back to what it should be instead of starting over again at 0 [ugh!]. Or if you erase your SYSINFO.000 (where your Caller Number is kept), you can use ALT+G to set it back to what it was. Simply invoke ALT+G and then enter your Caller Number to do this. This function will also ask for the original Start Date of your board. You may enter any sting up to 20 characters. DO NOT ENTER COMMAS WHEN ENTERING THE NUMBER OF CALLERS!!! COLLIE will do that for you. *A* ALT+K (Keyboard Toggle) ----------------------- This ALT+Key allows the sysop to prevent any characters from appearing on the screen if the sysop accidentally presses some keys. If activated, the word "Kybd" will appear at the 5-line window on the bottom of your monitor, and all characters will be allowed to appear on your and the users screens. If NOT activated, the word Kybd will NOT be present at the 5-line window, and all characters typed at your console will be filtered out and will not appear on your or the users' screens. *O* ALT+N (Upgrade Security on line) -------------------------------- If you have a caller online and you wish to change their Security level, you may do so with this command. Their new Security level becomes permanent when they log-off, therefore if you want to give them the higher access for just a short period of time, lower their security level before they log off. The caller is unable to see you make any of these changes! è 38 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 ALT+S (Sysop sign-on/next) -------------------------- This ALT+Key can be used is two ways: <1> If you wish to sign-on the system as the sysop. <2> If a user is using the system and you wish to sign-on next, after he logs off. If you use this while a user is online and you change your mind, simply press ALT+S again to abort. *O* ALT+A (Screen dump & Caller Lockout) ------------------------------------- If you have a problem caller, whether it be a Security problem or just a pest, you can send the contents of a file called "Alt-A.BBS to the screen and then perform a permanent lockout. *A* ALT+R (System Status Report) ---------------------------- COLLIE is the only Bulletin Board software which displays to the sysop, at any time, a complete system status report which is in real time, updated every minute of every hour of every day. The System status is displayed as follows: --- System Status Report --- Number of minutes since system reset . . . . . .1000 Number of minutes of actual system use . . . . .500 Total system operating efficiency . . . . . .50% Number of minutes since last caller logged on . . .10 Total Number of callers since system reset . . . .17 Number of 300 baud callers. . . . . . . . .8 Number of 1200 baud callers . . . . . . . .6 Number of 2400 baud callers . . . . . . . .3 Total number of messages left . . . . . . . .7 Total number of comments left . . . . . . . .12 Total number of files uploaded . . . . . . . .3 Total number of files downloaded . . . . . . .17 Total number of kilobytes uploaded. . . . . . .20 Total number of kilobytes downloaded . . . . . .600 Last callers's name. . . . . . . . . .Shane O'Neill I'm sure you'll find this one of your most used utilities. You may only access this screen when no one is online. è 39 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 10.0 EXTENDED KEYS EXPLAINED COLLIE also has some special "extended" keys for special use by the sysop. 10.1 AVAILABLE KEYS "Home" - Displays a help Screen "PageDn" - Extended User Statistics 10.2 EXTENDED KEYS AVAILABLE "Home Key" ----------- Displays a quick summary of all of the keys available to the sysop. "PageDn" ---------- Displays extended user statistics when a caller is online. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 11.0 THE SCHEDULER This section explains scheduled events in greater detail. 11.1 HOW TO ACCESS THE SCHEDULER The scheduler is accessed from the update menu. <1> will list the schedule events; <2> will create an event; and <3> will Remove, Disable, or Enable. 11.2 SCHEDULES EXPLAINED Schedule "A" ------------ Schedule A will invoke the Net-Mail option. This schedule should be set to run in the national net-mail time slot of 1am Pacific time, 4am Eastern time. The window length should be 60 minutes and should be set to run every day. è 40 Schedules "R - X" ------------ These schedules allows you to automatically Drop to DOS. COLLIE will set the ERRORLEVEL. The C.BAT file included with COLLIE includes instructions. You may call the program name directly and when it is done, the C.BAT file will automatically bring COLLIE back up. If you must call a batch file, be SURE to call C.BAT at the end of the batch file. This is because batch files do not return to the calling file at the end of execution. Schedule "Z" ------------ This schedule will automatically pack your message base for you. This is just like compacting then from the Sysop Menu. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 12.0 MAIN MENU EXPLAINED The Main Menu is the first focal point your callers will arrive at after they have visited the Bulletins (that is, if your board supports bulletins). For the purpose of discussion, each menu displayed will be as if the sysop (with the highest security level) was viewing it. In this case the main menu would look like this: 12.1 MAIN MENU EXAMPLE Main Menu: ulletins <E>ditorial <C>omments to the sysop <G>oodbye and logoff <F>iles section <L>ocate a User nitial welcome message <O>nline Programs <M>essage section <Q>uestionnaire age the Sysop tilities for the Sysop <S>tatistics <#>List active users <X>pert toggle <?>Help with Commands <!>User Status 12.2 EXPLANATION Above are all the possible selections available. Remember, these menus are dynamically built. That means a caller will only see the options available to them, as defined in MAIN.MNU by their security level. (Review section 3.3) è 41 ulletins: Access files BULLETINS.BBS and BULLET1, BULLET2, etc. These are normal ASCII files containing information pertinent to your board's topics, location and theme. BULLETIN.BBS is the main bulletin file listing all of the bulletins available. If the file is absent, the "No bulletins available" is displayed when the user accesses it. This will be true even if there are ansi bulletins with the .CLR extension available if the graphics option is turned off. <C>omment to the Sysop: This feature allows the caller to leave private messages to the sysop. It has the same look at the message entry, however the output is appended into an ASCII file called COMMENTS.BBS. (If the file is not present COLLIE creates it.) This file can be read from the Sysop Menu, or you can drop to DOS (ALT+D) and copy it to your printer. <F>ile Section: Transfers callers to the File Menu. nitial Welcome Message: Dumps the file WELCOME1.BBS back to the screen. <M>essage Section: Transfers callers to the Message Menu. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 age the Sysop: Pages the sysop for 20 seconds if the sysop has his page function (F4) on. If the function is OFF, the caller receives a "Sysop not available" message. <S>tatistics: Displays the date COLLIE first started running, number of messages currently in the message area, and the current system date and time. <X>pert toggle: Displays shorter menus for experienced callers. <E>ditorial: Displays the contents of EDTORIAL.BBS to the screen.è 42 <G>oodbye & Logoff: Displays the file GOODBYE.BBS and drops DTR. <L>ocate a user: Searches to see if the name entered is in the users log. <O>nline Programs: This one requires some explanation. Please note that references to shell.bbs also apply to shellsys.bbs (the sysop file). These were explained in an earlier section. First, make sure COMMAND.COM is located in the main COLLIE directory, along with the file SHELL.BBS, which is the ASCII file displayed to the screen when <O> is selected. SHELL.BBS may contain information about the programs available for use. Please note that all program names MUST BE IN CAPITAL LETTERS. eg: ADVENTURE, CHKDSK, etc. If the program is called directly, it MUST be capable of handling i/o redirection to the serial port itself, unless you wish to have that particular program display only to the console (running it locally from within COLLIE). To run a program successfully from remote, a few things need to be defined. 1. The program MUST NOT do direct screen writes. Sometimes you will have to test the program with a caller to see if it shows up on your screen rather than his. 2. Even if you are only going to run the program locally, if it requires command line options, place it in a batch file. 3. For remote, the batch file should be set up like this. filename for this example is RCHKDSK.BAT. SHELL.BBS calls RCHKDSK. Contents of rchkdsk.bat are as follows: CTTY AUX {some may have to use com1 or com2 instead} CHKDSK { run the program } PAUSE { some programs will exit too quickly for you to see it remotely so the pause is needed } CTTY CON { a MUST!!!! } Comments in {} are mine and should not be included in the file. You should be aware that batch files can be broken with ^C so you should run one of the break drivers available such as ibmaux20, which are public domain programs which toggle break off. the command break off at dos level simply won't do it. DO NOT CALL C.BAT AT THE END OF THESE FILES!!!! The program will automatically return to the main menu. When a user executes an online program, a file is written called INFO.BBS which includes the following: callers name baud rate comm port usedè 43 user record location time left for current session code segment address for collie If you are adventurous and are planning to write an online prg., this information can be valuable, allowing you to keep track of the user's time left,etc. You should terminate him gracefully when he has 1 or 2 minutes left so he can exit COLLIE properly. That way, he cannot over stay his welcome and will not get a time limit exceeded message when returning to COLLIE. NOTE: Once an online program is executed, COLLIE is in suspension until the program is completed, so if the online program does not keep track of time, the caller will have to, otherwise he could stay all day! <Q>uestionnaire: Invokes the questionnaire, QUESTION.BBS. Answers are placed in the file called ANSWERS.BBS. You must drop to DOS (ALT+D) to read these answers using either the TYPE or COPY command. tilities for the Sysop: Transfers callers to the Sysop Menu. <#>List active users: Displays users' names, last date & time called, and city and state they reside. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 <?>Help with commands: Displays MAIN.HLP which contains a brief explanation of all the commands. <!>User Status: Allows the caller to change his password, location, scrollback, ansi graphics and view their vital statistics. COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 13.0 MESSAGE MENU (MMS) EXPLAINED The Message Menu is the point from which your callers take part in mail interaction. The first time they visit this area COLLIE will check to see if they have any NEW messages since there last date called. If they do, COLLIE will ask them ifè 44 they wish their mail to be MARKED for reading later. If the caller selects this option, call their mail is flagged, and when they select the <R>ead messages function, they may select <M>arked and read those messages first, skipping everything in between. COLLIE also displays the highest message the caller has read, plus the total number of messages available. 13.1 MESSAGE MENU EXAMPLE Message Menu: <C>HANGE BOARD <R>EAD MESSAGES <F>ast Scan Messages <S>can Messages <E>NTER A MESSAGE <L>IST & CHECK ALL MAIL <K>ill a Message <T>ext Search <Q>uit to MAIN MENU <G>oodBye <X>pert mode toggle <?>HELP WITH COMMANDS 13.2 MESSAGE MENU EXPLANATION <C>HANGE BOARD: Allows the caller to move from one message area to another, or to select ALL BOARDS which will allow them to read from every board they have access too. <F>ast Scan Messages: Displays the message number, description, and board number assigned to each message. <E>NTER A MESSAGE: Prompts the caller to enter a message. <K>ill a message: Requests message number to kill and marks that message for deletion. <Q>uit to MAIN MENU: Transfers caller to the Main Menu. <X>pert mode toggle: Toggles expert mode on/off. è 45 COLLIE BULLETIN BOARD SOFTWARE JUNE 15,1986 <R>EAD MESSAGES: Requests message number to start reading from. Reads only the messages in the current message section unless the caller has switched to ALL BOARDS. <S>can Messages: Scans message number, date written, to, from, subject, and board number. <L>IST & CHECK ALL MAIL: Starts at message number 1 and displays all the messages has addressed to the caller or written by him. Messages are also marked for quick retrieval. <T>ext Search: Search for matching text in the Name or Subject of a message. <G>oodBye: Displays GOODBYE.BBS and drops DTR. <?>HELP WITH COMMANDS: Displays MMS.HLP to the screen. 13.3 SPECIAL COMMANDS FOR SYSOP STATUS The Message section has a few "Special Commands" for sysop- privileged users. It's important to note that only the sender and receiver can "Kill" messages, except for users with sysop security privileges, who can read and kill any messages. Next is the <M>ove command. Sysops can also move a message to another board area. This is a great feature and comes in handy when a caller leaves a message in the wrong board. Just be sure not to move a general message to the Net-Mail area, and make sure you're moving the message to a board area that actually exists! Lastly is the ndelete command. Anyone with sysop privileges will automatically be able to read all the messages in the message system, even if they have been deleted. If you see a message which has been marked for deletion you may UN-DELETE it by using this command. Your callers will not be able to readè 46 deleted messages unless their access level is considered sysop level. 14.0 FILE MENU EXPLAINED The file area is one of the most active areas on a bulletin board. COLLIE currently supports 4 file transfer protocols: 1) ASCII, 2) Xmodem, 3) Xmodem/CRC, 4) Ymodem, 5) Quit. 14.1 FILE MENU EXAMPLE File Menu: <C>HANGE FILES AREA <L>IST FILES <S>tatistics of Files <G>oodbye <D>OWNLOAD FILES PLOAD FILES <X>pert Toggle <?>Help with Commands <N>ew Files Search <M>atch on File Name or Desc. <H>elp Downloading/Uploading <Q>uit to MAIN MENU 14.2 EXPLANATION <C>HANGE FILE AREA: Prompts the caller to change from the current file area, or press the ENTER key to list the areas they have access to. <S>tatistics of Files: Displays the available disk space for uploads, total number of Upload & Download kilobytes. Also, if the caller has uploaded any files, COLLIE will display the ratio of Uploads to Downloads. <D>OWNLOAD FILES: Prompts the caller for the download file name, checks to see if it's in the current file area, requests the transfer protocol, then displays the number of blocks and estimated time for the download to be completed. <X>pert Toggle: Toggles expert mode on/off. <H>elp Downloading/Uploading: Displays the file PROTOCOL.HLP which gives detailed instructions for uploads and downloads. PROTOCOL.HLP was written by Rick Heming (KernCom). è 47 <L>IST FILES: Displays the file FILES.BBS listed in the current file area. This file is also appended if this is the path on an upload. <G>oodbye: Displays GOODBYE.BBS and drops DTR. PLOAD FILES: Prompts the caller for the Upload file name. If the file is found the caller is told "File is already cataloged". If not, COLLIE requests a transfer protocol and sets up to receive the file. Upon successful receipt, the caller is prompted for a file description which is append to FILES.BBS assign to that Upload path. If the user has SYSOP ACCESS as defined in Alt-F menu, and a file exists, he will be prompted with: "That file exists. Overwrite? [y/N]", and will be allowed to overwrite the file. <?>Help with commands: Displays the contents of FILES.HLP. <N>ew Files Search: This is a super fast routine which searches for files added since the caller's last time on. The caller may also enter a date for the search to start with. In any event, the date entered or last late date on is compared with the date listed in FILES.BBS starting with character #24. Note the format should be as follows: 0---------1---------2---|-----3---------4---------5-------6..8 FILENAME.EXT 100,000 12-15-85 Description of the file.... <M>atch of File Name or Desc.: This is another search function which is used when your callers want to see if a particular file is on your system. The string your callers enter is checked to see if it appears anywhere on the File Data Line. If a match is found, the entire line is displayed. <Q>uit to MAIN MENU: Transfer to the Main Menu. 15.0 SYSOP MENU EXPLAINED Almost all the sysop utilities are contained in COLLIE. No external programs are need to do normal, day-to-day maintenance. 15.1 SYSOP MENU EXAMPLEè 48 Sysop Menu: <1>List active events <2>Create events <3>Update Events <4>Update system files <5>Modify users <6>List Comments <7>List Callers Log <8>Pack users file <9>Pack Messages files <A>Delete Comments Delete Callers file <D>rop to DOS rint Users File <Q>uit to MAIN MENU <?>Help! 15.2 EXPLANATION <1>List active events: Lists the current events set in the scheduler. Displays the event number, starting time, window length, schedule letter designation, and displays whether it is ENABLED or DISABLED. <2>Create events: COLLIE is a time driven program. One of COLLIE's main goals is to be maintenance free (or require very little upkeep on the part of the sysop). The scheduler is the function which keeps track of all the duties to be perform. When you select this function, COLLIE will prompt you for the event number. These numbers must be in chronological order (i.e., 1,2,3,4, etc..). After you have selected a number, you'll need to enter the starting time. This time MUST BE ENTERED IN MILITARY TIME with the hour and minutes separated by a colon. For example 3:15pm would be entered as 15:15, or 4:00am would be entered as 04:00. Next COLLIE will ask for the Window length. Simply put, this is the time you would like the event to last in MINUTES. So a Window length of 60 minutes would be entered as 60. Next you need to tell COLLIE which days you want the event to happen. You may select Monday thru Sunday or All. Below is the chart for easy reference: 0 = MONDAY 2 = WEDNESDAY 4 = FRIDAY 6 = SUNDAY 1 = TUESDAY 3 = THURSDAY 5 = SATURDAY 7 = ALL DAYS Last is the scheduled event (A..Z). As of this writing, the following events may be activated: SCHEDULE "A" : Net-Mail (See section 7.0) SCHEDULE "R - X" : Halt, set Errorlevel (see c.bat). note that for these schedules, set window length to 1 minute and let the program or file executed take è 49 care of the time. (most prgs take 1 minute to execute. if not, use a prg. like 'waituntl.com' to delay the balance of the window length. SCHEDULE "Z" : Auto Pack Messages, invokes the pack messages routine, the same as #9 from the Sysop Menu. SEE SECTION 11.0 ON "SCHEDULES" <3>Update Events: Allows you to update events which have ALREADY been created. You may Enable, Disable, or Remove an event, and also quit. Your choice is displayed as <E>nable, <D>isable, <R>emove, <Q>uit. <4>Update system files: See section 5.3 "Setting up the System Files". <5>Modify users: This is the area where you'll perform most of your Sysop Maintenance. When you select this function, your first user record is displayed. <R>ecord ---- Jumps to that record position <F>ind ----- find a caller's record. Enter both First & Last Name <Q>uit ----- return to the Sysop Menu <N>ame ----- is used to change the caller's name. <1>From ----- City, State they're Calling From assword -- is for changing a caller's password <T>elephone - If /P is used. <C>redit ---- credits a caller's account used for Net-Mail transactions. <S>ecurity -- change a caller's security level <L>ock ----- toggle a caller for lockout <D>el ------ is used to mark a caller for deletion <6>List Comments: List comments left by callers from the Main Menu. <7>List Callers Log: Displays the most recent caller's logon, and activity. <8>Pack users file: Packs the user file. Purges the callers marked for deletion.è 50 <9>Pack Messages files: Packs the message file. Purges the messages marked as killed. <A>Delete Comments: Deletes the Comments file. Delete Callers file: Deletes the Callers log. <D>rop to DOS: Used only for remote sysop. For extra security protection, you MUST have /W on the COLLIE command line to allow dropping to DOS. When invoked, COLLIE normally shells command.com or calls up a batch file called "REMOTE.BAT" which should contain the following: CTTY COM1 ECHO Welcome to COLLIE Drop into DOS Function ECHO Return to your COLLIE Root Directory and... ECHO Type C.BAT to return to COLLIE Be sure your C.BAT file contains "CTTY CON" as the first statement and that COMMAND.COM is in your main COLLIE directory. To return to COLLIE, be sure to return to the main COLLIE directory and type the word "C.BAT" NOTE: the above instructions are to be used ONLY if drop to dos cannot be made to work properly within c.bat. The remote.bat file does not shell a copy of command.com and redirects the parent command processor. This is needed for some systems with limited memory. Please also note that this is the more 'dangerous' of the 2 ways because the extra time required to load the remote file can allow a break before the ctty command. If that happens, the system will remain at the dos prompt on the console. <Q>uit to MAIN MENU: Returns you to the Main Menu. rint Users File: Prints the callers file to the printer. Be sure to have your printer toggle "Lptr" light on. <?>Help! Displays the contents of the file "SYSOP.HLP" 16.0 THE SYSOP'S "UPDATE" MENU EXPLAINED The Update Menu is mainly used in setting up COLLIE for the first time or changing some of your board's Message and Files areas. Once you have set up a few areas, it will all fall into place. è 51 16.1 UPDATE MENU EXAMPLE Update Menu: <A>Net message system toggle Net file system toggle <C>reate/read a system file <D>ownload file path <F>ile security Message Description <J>File Description <L>ist system file <M>essage security <Q>uit to MAIN MENU <S>ave system file pload Path 16.2 EXPLANATION <A>Net message system toggle: When a message area is used as your Net-Mail section, this function will flag the message area for Net-Mail transactions. When a message area is flagged as the Net-Mail section, a "*" will be placed next to the Message Description when the boards are listed from the Message Menu. This function will place the comment "Net Message Area" under the system record when listed. Net file system toggle: At this time COLLIE doesn't support files transfers in the Net System. The file transfer "Telink" is currently in development and once finished will allow automatic files transfers between COLLIE Nodes. It will also allow automatic Uploads and Downloads (*.*) between COLLIE and Your terminal. <C>reate/read a system file: This function allows you either to create or read a system file. Note System Files contain the following information: System Record #1 Message security.. File security..... Upload Path....... Download Path..... Msg description... File description.. If the Message or File area is flagged as the Net Section, the following comments will be placed at the end of the System record: Message Net Area File Net Area <D>ownload file path: Is the path where COLLIE will look for the files described in the file description. For example, if you're using a hard disk and the COLLIE files are listed in a sub-directory calledè 52 "\COLLIE" and all the games are in a sub-directory called "\COLLIE\GAMES" your download path would be C:\COLLIE\GAMES. <F>ile security: Minimum security level required to access (and see) the file area associated with this system record. Message Description: Description of the message area associated with the system record. <J>File Description: Description of the file area associated the this system record. <L>ist system file: This function will display the current system record. <M>essage security: Minimum security level to access (and see) this message area associated with this system record. <Q>uit to SYSOP MENU: Return to the Sysop Menu. <S>ave system file: Very important. If you change a system record, YOU MUST SAVE YOUR CHANGES before you change system records or return to the Sysop Menu. Should you forget, COLLIE will prompt you. pload Path: Any legal DOS Path you would like your uploads directed to. 17.0 COLLIE TECHNICAL REFERENCE INFORMATION We do not plan on releasing the source code for COLLIE, however we do feel some information may be of use to our sysops to help them understand how COLLIE works, and how it handles certain routines. If there is something you would like to know which is not covered in the documentation, please drop us a message via Net-Mail to any of the development boards in net 800. We'll consider adding the information to this section. 17.1 RECORD STRUCTURE FOR "USERS.BBS"è 53 SEE FILE CALLED COLLIE.REC for the structures used. E N D O F F I L E 54