ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 Shareware Freeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)

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Text File | 1990-02-11 | 39.1 KB | 641 lines

FEATURES IN RBBS-PC CONTENTS 1. General 2. Messaging 3. File System Management and Exchange 4. The User Interface 5. SysOp Protection 6. SysOp Functions, Features, and Support 7. System Access Management 8. Communications *9. Multi-User/Network Support Over the years RBBS-PC has received many accolades. PC World says "For electronic mail and bulletin board applications, the RBBS-PC software is the best choice." EDP Analyzer says "RBBS-PC is the easiest to use." RBBS-PC was the origin of PC Magazine's "Interactive Reader Service." PC Magazine writes that RBBS-PC "is one of the most popular BBS programs for the IBM PC" and has called RBBS-PC "an industry standard." INFOWORLD, in a comparison of the most popular PC-based bulletin board systems rated RBBS-PC the highest. Almost as if in confirmation, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Bureau of Standards report on Electronic Bulletin Boards (publication NBSIR 86-3356) is devoted entirely to RBBS-PC. RBBS-PC CPC17-3 is a significant enhancement to RBBS-PC and will be the 36th release of RBBS-PC CPCxx since July of 1983. RBBS-PC's policy of freely distributing the source code and continually expanding it's range of capabilities throughout these last five years represents not only the very best that is embodied in the concept of "users helping users" but an expectation of excellence that NO product in the PC industry has ever even approached. Here is a brief summary of the major features of RBBS-PC. RBBS-PC is the Remote Bulletin Board System for the IBM (or compatible) personal computer. One of it's two primary purposes is to foster the free exchange of information by allowing a microcomputer to be turned into a "host" computer that people can "dial" into and use. It is a full featured Bulletin Board System that supports: o bulletins o electronic mail (public and private) o file exchange (uploading and downloading) o on-line questionnaires based on "scripts" written by the SysOp o access to other applications from RBBS-PC (i.e. "dooring"), and o letting authorized callers drop into the operating system to run programs remotely from the caller's computer. RBBS-PC is unique among host communications programs in that it is made available under a limited license which requires that no charge for RBBS-PC be levied -- only a minimal copying fee is permitted. RBBS-PC is unique also in that ALL the source code for each release is also made available. Those who wish to make contributions for RBBS-PC are asked to contribute enhancements to RBBS-PC itself or make contributions to the Capital PC Users Group. The authors and contributors neither ask for, nor accept, money for RBBS-PC. Upgrades, which average about three a year, are free. There is no extra charge for a multi-user version. In fact, there is only one version of RBBS-PC released! It runs either single or multi-user. The purpose of this section is to provide a check list of RBBS-PC's major features. After all, being free and including source code means that RBBS-PC is the "industry standard" against which systems with similar functions can be judged by end-users. RBBS-PC has been around since 1983, and many people may not realize just how extensively it has evolved and been enhanced over these last six years. One advantage of distributing source code is that those who run RBBS-PC systems are able to contribute improvements to it. Many people have contributed to RBBS-PC over the years -- over 80 are listed in the RBBS-PC documentation itself. The check list of major features and enhancements that follows are just part of this on-going tradition. 1. General ----------- Number of different "conferences" or messages areas -- unlimited Number of messages that can be left -- unlimited Number of files that can be uploaded or downloaded -- unlimited Number of bulletins that can be posted by the SysOp -- unlimited Number of different file transfer protocols supported -- unlimited Number of external applications that can be "DOORed" to -- unlimited Number of on-line questionnaires -- unlimited Number of questions in on-line questionnaires -- unlimited Number of levels of security -- 66,536 Number of registered callers -- 32,767 Maximum number of characters in a single file -- 32,767 Maximum baud rate supported -- 19,200 Maximum number of characters in a single message -- 6,128 Maximum number of lines in a single message -- 99 Maximum number of simultaneous callers or users -- 36 Maximum number of communications ports supported on a one PC -- 8 Donation to CPCUG for a copy of RBBS-PC (4 diskettes) -- $16 Is the multi-user version included in the price -- yes Is technical support included in the price -- yes Is ALL source code distributed with each release -- yes Are fixes and patches promptly made available -- yes Is extensive technical documentation (220+ pages) including file descriptions and record layouts distributed with each release -- yes Is there an OPTIONAL -- but professionally written and published (Bantam Books ISBN 0-553-34552-4), startup guide (430+ pages) for first time bulletin board system operator (SysOp) -- yes 2. Messaging ------------- Within a conference or message area: The user's last message read is remembered -- yes A user's security level can be unique to each conference -- yes User's "preferences" (expert/novice) can be unique -- yes A user can have privileges different from other areas -- yes Conferences can be: Public (anyone can join) -- yes Private (only pre-registered users can join) -- yes Semi-private (users with sufficient security can join) -- yes Each conference or message area can have unique or different Bulletins -- yes News -- yes On-line help files -- yes Files available for downloading -- yes mixtures of commands -- yes menus -- yes "Doors" (i.e. external applications that are exited to) -- yes When callers log on they can (at the SysOp's option) be Automatically notified of all mail waiting for them -- yes Automatically notified of only NEW mail waiting for them -- yes Automatically notified which conference has mail for them -- yes ONLY notified of mail in conferences the caller belongs to -- yes Automatically notified of the messages that they have left -- yes Automatically notified of the files they uploaded -- yes Automatically notified of the files that they downloaded -- yes Automatically notified of their profile of preferences -- yes Automatically notified of any new "bulletins" -- yes Automatically notified of any new files -- yes Immediately download files -- yes Immediately list the new bulletins -- yes Immediately go directly to a specific area (turbo logon) -- yes Specific messages can be: Public (readable by all) -- yes Private (to a specific individual) -- yes To a "group" (readable by a specific collection of users) -- yes Password protected (readable by supplying the password) -- yes Public but available to others after the SysOp reads it -- yes Private but available to addressee after the SysOp reads -- yes Read by only those with a high enough security level -- yes "Quick" scanned by subject only -- yes "Quick" scanned with 69 messages displayed at a time -- yes "Scanned" by sender, addressee, date, subject, and date/ time it was received by the addressee -- yes "Scanned" with 23 messages displayed at a time -- yes Read while "quick" scanning -- yes Killed (i.e. deleted) one at a time -- yes Killed in multiples -- yes When a message is read the software provides Name of caller who entered the message -- yes Date and time the message was entered -- yes Name of caller to whom the message is addressed -- yes Date and time the message was received -- yes Subject of the message -- yes Minimum security level needed to read the message -- yes Conference the message is in -- yes Messages can be searched via "threads" (for specific strings) By message subject only (i.e. "static" threading) -- yes By sender, receiver, subject, or (i.e. "dynamic" threading)-- yes By text within a messages (i.e. "turbo" threading) -- yes And read while threading without disturbing the search -- yes Messages can be read Forwards -- yes Backwards -- yes Singularly, by specific message number -- yes Multiply, by specifying a series of message numbers -- yes While "static" threading (i.e. matching on subject) -- yes While "dynamic" threading (i.e. match on all header info) -- yes Matching on a string in the header or body -- yes That are only addressed TO the caller -- yes That are only FROM the caller -- yes Or re-read immediately after the last screen of a message has been read (useful for long messages) -- yes Messages can be Forwarded to others -- yes Re-edited after being saved -- yes When entering or replying to a message The message subject can be edited -- yes The sender is notified if the addressee has not logged on -- yes The caller can see if the mail has been received -- yes After replying only the message header is displayed -- yes After replying the caller can re-read the message -- yes After replying the caller can kill the message replied to -- yes The built-in message editor has Automatic "word-wrap" -- yes Allows any character as a separator for replacing strings -- yes Text files to be uploaded remotely as a message -- yes Text files to be imported by the local SysOp -- yes Block deletion of lines -- yes Character strings to be searched and replaced -- yes Margin widths that can be set by the caller -- yes Supports downloading from over 10,000 subdirectories -- yes Sub-second look up whether file exists for up to 32,767 files -- yes 3. File System Management and Exchange --------------------------------------- The software automatically maintains a list of files available to callers containing: -- yes Name of the file -- yes Size of the file -- yes Date the file was created -- yes One-line description of the file -- yes Extended (multi-line) file description -- yes Unlimited number of categories in which to classify files -- yes Categories can have multiple line descriptions -- yes A file can be associated with multiple categories providing the capability of having a complex, tree classification system for files -- yes Callers can search the list of files available -- yes By category -- yes By date (most recent first) -- yes By match on a string in one-line description -- yes By match on a string in extended description -- yes By "wildcards" -- yes Callers who upload files can be asked to: Categorize the uploaded file -- yes Provide a one-line description of the file -- yes Provide an extended description of the file -- yes Authorized callers can add file descriptions without uploading-- yes On an unsuccessful upload, the partial file is deleted -- yes Files may be made available for "personal downloads" (i.e. limited to a specific user or security level) -- yes Archived files in ZIP, ARC, PAK, LZH format may be viewed by the caller before downloading -- yes Can install support for viewing any library format -- yes Files may be separated into different DOS subdirectories for callers to download from -- yes The software can search 7,000 file descriptions in 60 seconds -- yes Files can be downloaded when searching the list of files -- yes File can be downloaded when listing the file descriptions -- yes File listings can be resumed after a download -- yes Multiple file downloads/uploads can be requested -- yes The software supports a "LIBRARY" file subsystem in which: files of the same name are in different DOS subdirectories -- yes files within a single DOS subdirectory can be .ARCed together into a single file and downloaded -- yes PC-SIG's CD-ROM can be made available for downloading -- yes The software allows file transfers with both "Internal" protocols (handled by RBBS-PC source code): ASCII -- yes Xmodem (checksum) -- yes Xmodem (cyclical redundancy check) -- yes Ymodem -- yes and "External" protocols (i.e. handled by separate .EXE files): Xmodem (checksum) -- yes Xmodem (cyclical redundancy check) -- yes Ymodem -- yes YmodemG (used when MNP exists in the modem) -- yes Imodem (used when MNP exists in the modem) -- yes Windowed Xmodem -- yes Kermit (as defined by Columbia University) -- yes Windowed Kermit (as defined by The Source) -- yes Zmodem (batch) -- yes Sealink (by System Enhancements Associates) -- yes Megalink -- yes Unlimited number of external protocols can be added -- yes Uploads can be made unavailable to callers for downloading -- yes The SysOp can specify: A caller's minimum security level required to: download files -- yes upload files -- yes overwrite existing files -- yes categorize files -- yes view uploaded files -- yes An upload time credit be applied to a caller's session time for time spent uploading -- yes To apply the upload time credit to the maximum time per day-- yes To automatically track the ratio of uploads/downloads for all callers -- yes for no callers -- yes for each of the 65,000 security levels -- yes To base the ratio of uploads to downloads on the number of files transferred -- yes or characters transferred -- yes To allow callers access to file downloading based on the caller's ratio of uploads to downloads -- yes To allow callers to download files only after they have been logged on a certain number of minutes in each session -- yes 4. The User Interface ---------------------- The interface shown to the caller allows the SysOp to: Substitute any letter for any command -- yes Disable commands -- yes Restrict specific commands to some security levels -- yes Only show callers the commands available to them -- yes Group commands into any sections -- yes Specify how callers can move between sections -- yes Group all commands into a single section -- yes Create whatever prompt required to request user commands -- yes Create any on-line help files -- yes Create and design all menus -- yes Make commands words (i.e. ENTER to enter a message) -- yes Make commands single letters (i.e. "E" to enter a message) -- yes Make commands a number (i.e. "1" to enter a message) -- yes Make commands "macros" (i.e. a series of valid commands) -- yes Make any item on a menu a "sub-menu" (i.e. selecting the item displays another menu) -- yes Have an unlimited number of submenus -- yes Highlight strings found in searches with colors -- yes Support colored prompts -- yes Allow the prompts to be different colors -- yes Allow menus to be ASCII, graphic, or colored/animated -- yes Provide personalized text files (help, etc.) -- yes User "friendly" features are that the software Allows callers with unusual names (hyphenated) -- yes Allows callers with similar names (J. Joe and J. M. Joe) -- yes Allows the SysOp to accept callers with the same names (i.e. two John Jones) and still distinguish between them by and field in the user record (e.g. city/state) -- yes Allows the prompt for the caller's first and last name to be configurable by the SysOp -- yes Addresses the caller by the first name -- yes Thanks the caller for uploads -- yes Thanks the caller for messages -- yes Thanks the caller for calling -- yes Shows all defaults with [] (i.e. brackets) -- yes Allows callers to "see and do" (i.e. not have to back out of current section or command to do something) -- yes Allows users to choose "novice" or "expert" modes -- yes Provides short reminders of the commands in prompts -- yes Provides on-line help for any command -- yes Provide different help levels for "novice" and "experts" -- yes Allows "command stacking" -- yes Accepts unlimited type ahead from remote users -- yes Provides a fast logon (directly locates the user's record) -- yes Automatically pages the SysOp when a specific user logs on -- yes Prevents text from scrolling off the top of a user's screen-- yes Wipes off prompt for next screen when caller continues -- yes Takes the phone off the hook (so callers get a busy signal) when the SysOp is on locally doing maintenance -- yes Informs the caller who "pages" the SysOp of the times that the SysOp is normally available -- yes Automatically logs off a caller who is inactive based on a time period set by the SysOp -- yes Allows callers to see log of others who called that shows: Name, date, and time other callers logged on -- yes City and state other callers were from -- yes The software remembers the "preferences" set by the caller for: Preferred file transfer protocol -- yes Type of displays to be shown (ASCII, graphic, colors) -- yes Lines per page (or screen) at the user's terminal -- yes Margin width when entering messages -- yes Upper case only or upper & lower case -- yes A prompt bell with each command prompt -- yes Padding end of lines with nulls (for hardcopy terminals) -- yes Sending a line feed after every line -- yes End-to-end echoing of characters (normally turned off by a caller using networks that have relay delays like PC-Pursuit) -- yes "TurboKey" - acting on first letter entered at prompt -- yes Reviewing files immediately upon logging on -- yes 5. SysOp Protection -------------------- Because a SysOp is absolutely and personally responsible for what is communicated, the software protects the SysOp by: Recording all caller activity by caller, date, and time -- yes Recording all communication among callers -- yes Allowing the SysOp to preview messages between callers -- yes Allowing the SysOp to preview files that are uploaded before they are available to other callers -- yes Automatically locking out callers who attempt to break the system -- yes Automatically denying access to callers who use names that the SysOp deems unacceptable -- yes Allowing the SysOp to "chat" directly on-line with a caller -- yes Preventing callers from chatting directly on-line with each other outside of the SysOp's control -- yes Assigning each caller a specific security levels -- yes Designating the minimum security level to use each command -- yes Allowing the SysOp to assign security levels to commands -- yes Allowing the SysOp to assign security levels to callers -- yes Allowing the SysOp to change any caller's security level -- yes Allowing the SysOp to assign a security levels to files or groups of files that a caller must have in order to access them -- yes Allowing the SysOp to require callers to know specific passwords to access files or groups of files -- yes Allowing the SysOp to require callers to have BOTH a specific security level AND know a specific password in order to access a file or a group of files -- yes Allowing files to be protected (by requiring a password and/or a minimum security level to access) based on any combination of subdirectory, -- yes disk drive, -- yes fully qualified names, -- yes file extensions, -- yes "wildcards" -- yes Allowing "personal" files (i.e. files that only a specific caller can access -- yes Allowing each command to have a specific security level that designates the minimum security level needed to use the command -- yes Automatically paging the SysOp when a specific caller logs on (without the caller knowing it) -- yes Instantaneously allowing the SysOp to lock out and immediately disconnect an on-line caller -- yes Enabling the SysOp to display the on-line caller's profile (i.e. all the information about the caller) anytime a caller is on-line without the caller being aware of it -- yes 6. SysOp Functions, Features, and Support ------------------------------------------ The software can be set to automatically drop to DOS at a specific time of day (i.e. to do system maintenance, etc.) -- yes The software can support and interface with store-and-forward electronic mail systems (i.e. FIDO, BINKLEY TERM, SEADOG) -- yes From the local keyboard's function keys, the software allows the SysOp to: Exit to DOS -- yes Toggle on or off if callers can "page" the SysOp -- yes Toggle the local print on and off -- yes Log on locally to the system without calling in -- yes Cause the system to immediately answer the phone -- yes Enter input from the local keyboard on the caller's behalf -- yes Grant a caller temporary SysOp privileges -- yes Temporarily increase or decrease a caller's security level in increments of one or five -- yes Permanently change a caller's security level -- yes Temporarily change the elapsed time of the current caller's session by one or five minutes -- yes Display on the local screen what the caller sees -- yes Invite the caller to "chat" with the SysOp -- yes Immediately lock out and log off the caller -- yes Automatically log the SysOp on next after current caller -- yes The commands a SysOp can execute locally or remotely are: Exit to DOS -- yes Toggle on or off if callers can "page" the SysOp -- yes List the comments that have been left to the SysOp -- yes List the log of the caller's activities that shows Name, date, and time a caller logged on -- yes City and state the caller was from -- yes Date and time a caller logged off -- yes If the caller was logged off due to inactivity -- yes If the caller was logged off due to carrier lost -- yes Baud rate and communications parity caller used -- yes Files downloaded and uploaded -- yes Success or failure of file transfers -- yes Protocol used for file transfers -- yes Number of characters transferred -- yes Which bulletins a caller read -- yes Which conferences a caller entered -- yes Which messages a caller read -- yes Which messages a caller left -- yes Which messages a caller killed (i.e. deleted) -- yes If the caller left a comment -- yes If the phone was answered but nobody logged on -- yes Caller was a newuser -- yes A newuser changed their name/address -- yes If caller changed password (and to what) -- yes Questionnaire answered by the caller -- yes Restore a message that was killed (i.e. deleted) -- yes Erase the comments file -- yes Maintain the file of users by: Adding a user -- yes Listing the file of users -- yes Printing the file of users on a local printer -- yes Deleting a specific user's record -- yes Scanning every user record for a specific string -- yes Scanning every user record for a specific user -- yes Modifying a specific user's password -- yes Modifying a specific user's graphics preference -- yes Setting a specific user's security level -- yes Changing the beginning of a user's subscription -- yes A SysOp can identify callers by: Any field in the user's record (i.e. account code) -- yes Supplying a configurable prompt for the field used to uniquely identify callers (i.e. employee number) -- yes Allow interior blanks in caller's names -- yes A SysOp can have on-line questionnaires that All users are required to answer -- yes Only new users are required to answer -- yes Are unlimited in number -- yes Contain an unlimited number of questions within each -- yes Record all answers to a different file -- yes Automatically raise or lower a caller's security level based on the caller's answers -- yes 7. System Access Management ---------------------------- The SysOp can specify: A maximum time per session for callers -- yes A maximum time per day for callers -- yes A different session time be allowed for each of the 65,000 different security levels -- yes A different maximum time allowed callers on the system each day based on the caller's security level -- yes A minimum baud rate for new callers to logon with -- yes A different minimum baud rate for existing callers to logon-- yes A different maximum time per session based on time of day (hour and minute) the user logged -- yes A maximum time per day that is different from the maximum time per session -- yes To allow callers access to other applications (i.e. doors) only after they have been logged on a certain number of minutes in each session -- yes To allow all callers access to the entire system (open) -- yes To allow only pre-registered calls access to the entire system (closed) -- yes To allow automatic and instant access to the system for for new users without pre-registering them based on information pre-loaded into the system (i.e. account codes, employee numbers, etc.) and issued to callers before they access the system -- yes The software provides an optional subscription management system that: Is built-in -- yes Is automatic (i.e. requires minimum SysOp effort) -- yes Is optional -- yes Bases the subscriptions on the date of the caller's first access to the system -- yes Subscribers are given temporary, date-limited, "trial periods" that allow them to access more features -- yes The number of days prior to a caller being warned that the subscription expires can be SysOp-specified by -- yes Automatically warns subscribers before their sub- scriptions expire -- yes Automatically reduces the subscribers system security level upon subscription expiration -- yes 8. Communications ------------------ The software will automatically answer the phone and adjust to a caller's communications settings -- yes allow the modem to adjust to the caller's communications settings while maintaining a higher data transfer rate (19200 baud) between itself and the modem to which it is attached -- yes recognize a caller who calls at: 300 baud -- yes 1200 baud -- yes 2400 baud -- yes 4800 baud -- yes 9600 baud -- yes 19200 baud -- yes recognize the MNP (automatic error correction) protocols built into the modem it is attached to -- yes recognize Hayes' pseudo LAP-B (automatic error correction) protocol if the modem it is attached Hayes is a Hayes modem with such protocol -- yes recycle if no calls are received in a specified period -- yes switch to N/8/1 for binary file transfers without disconnecting the user -- yes The software will allow a 300 baud caller to shift to 450 baud while on-line without disconnecting -- yes The software supports modems that do not handle modem commands but which can automatically answer the phone -- yes The software handles "flow control" via: Clear-to-send (CTS) -- yes XON/XOFF -- yes The software supports attachment directly to a private branch exchange (PBX) -- yes a public data network via an X.25 PAD -- yes The software has optional, configurable modem commands to: initialize the modem's firmware -- yes initialize the modem each time the software recycles -- yes set up the modem to answer the phone on each recycle -- yes set the number of rings to answer the phone -- yes answer the phone -- yes take the phone off the hook -- yes The software can be configured to wait a specified number of seconds: after initializing the modem on recycling -- yes wait after issuing a modem command -- yes before logging off an idle caller -- yes after answering the phone for a carrier -- yes The SysOp can set the number of rings the software answers on -- yes The software can be set to wait to issue modem commands when the phone is not ringing -- yes The software can utilize external communications drivers (for communications ports not supported by BASIC) -- yes 9. Multi-User/Network Support ------------------------------ Supports multi-tasking under MultiLink (Version 4.0 and earlier) -- yes DESQView -- yes Windows -- yes DoubleDos -- yes Under multi-tasking, minimizes its resource demand by freeing resources when waiting under DESQView -- yes DoubleDos -- yes Supports file and record locking in MultiLink (Version 4.0 and earlier) -- yes OMNINET from Corvus -- yes PC-NET from Orchid -- yes DESQview from Quarterdeck -- yes 10NET from Fox Research -- yes any environment compatible with NETBIOS -- yes