SLAM is for SLBBS V.2.15+ And is *NOT* compatible with any version prior
to version 2.15...It was tested with 2.15C, 2.25 and 3.0 Beta, but should work with any other 2.25X, 3.XX ugrade version. I strongly recommend you switch to the LATEST version of SLBBS to be sure. SLAM optionally writes to ALIAS.DEF, depending on the Sysops needs.
The basic purpose of SLAM is to automatically add a user's REAL name to the
Alias field in SL's USER.SLX data file. For this system to be effective, you
should modify your STRINGS.SYS file to inform the user of your Alias format.
What I did was to change the "Enter Your Name, or type NEW" line to read:
Enter your Name/Alias, or type NEW
Next, I changed the line in the New User registration process. It originally
prompts for "Name" and thus I changed it to read "Alias <OR> Full Real Name"
thereby giving the user the OPTION to either use a REAL NAME or an ALIAS
NAME.
SLAM was written as an ADDITION to another program I released
called RENAME. Anyone familliar with Glen Johnson's SLRENAME program
will recognize RENAME's purpose -- to change Alias names to Real names
on EXPORT and Real names to Alias names on IMPORT to the SL subboards.
RENAME uses the Config.Slx file as a DATA file in changing the
names in the .MSG files. Previous versions of SLAM had SUPPORT for
SLRENAME...This is no longer the case. From v.1.7 on, SLAM will
ONLY work with RENAME. Glen Johnson never has shown support for a
utility for SLRENAME, so I have DISCONTINUED support.
SLAM is a simple little program that will save Sysops who allow ALIASES alot
of time. I don't like the idea of MANUALLY adding a user's name AND alias
to a the Aliases.Txt file EACH time a New User registers.
SLAM does it automatically. SLAM is a simple program which can be placed
in the NEW USER autodoor or Autodoor BATCH FILE to question the user
about an alias. SLAM will send the sysop a message with the info
(Users real name and Alias) and add the User's REAL NAME to the Alias
field in the USER.SLX file.
As well, it OPTIONALLY adds the Alias to the Searchlight ALIAS.DEF file.
It will also check for a DUPLICATE name before adding that name to the
files. Simple.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Setting up SLAM
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Setting up SLAM is SUPER-EASY. You only need to pass it five parameters:
(Use the NEW USER Autodoor or place it in a BATCH FILE)
Param 1: Users Name (Use %U)
Param 2: C, M or N Ansi (Use %G)
Param 3: The Sysop's account name (Spaces replaced by underscores)
Param 4: Y or N for whether you want SLAM to add the Alias to ALIAS.DEF
Param 5: The DIR/PATH of ALIAS.DEF file
Param 6: The DIR/PATH of the CONFIG.SLx and other SLBBS data files
(You *MUST* use a trailing backslash after the DIR\PATH of
parameters 5 and 6)
Set the COMM Support to STANDARD, ABORT method to TERMINATE or
REBOOT and WRITE PROTECT to NO. If you have trouble with SLAM
hanging when carrier is dropped, you may have to EXPERIMENT with
the COMM and ABORT methods based on your configuration.
** ALIAS.DEF NEED ONLY BE CREATED IF YOU WANT SLAM TO ADD THE NEW USERS
ALIAS TO ALIAS.DEF (Fourth command-line parameter) **
EXAMPLE #1:
SLAM %U %G SYSOP Y C:\BBS\ C:\BBS\
^
Don't forget the trailing backslash at the
end of the path!
--This will load SLAM with the current users name, graphics mode, send the
message to SYSOP and will look for and use the ALIAS.DEF file and SL
data/config file in C:\BBS\. It WILL Add the users Alias
to ALIAS.DEF as indicated by the "Y" as the fourth parameter.
EXAMPLE #2:
SLAM %U %G MERLIN_THE_MAGICIAN N D:\SLBBS\NODE1\ C:\BBS\
--This will load SLAM with the current users name, graphics mode, send the
message to MERLIN THE MAGICIAN and will look for the ALIAS.DEF
file in D:\SLBBS\NODE1\. It WILL NOT Add the users Alias to ALIAS.DEF,
as indicated by the "N" as the fourth parameter. Again, in this case,
the SL config/data files are located in C:\BBS\.
EXAMPLE #3 (Batch File--Loaded by the NEW USER Autodoor):
NEWUSER.BAT
@Echo Off
CLS
SLAM.EXE %1 %2 SYSOP Y C:\BBS\ C:\BBS\ <--- Make sure you call NEWUSER.BAT
with %U %G on the line
Ex: NEWUSER.BAT %U %G
That's it. Pretty straight-forward.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The SYSOP Account
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Dont forget: If you use a name with more than one word, such as MERLIN THE
MAGICIAN, you *MUST* replace the spaces with underscores. So that SLAM
reads the WHOLE name. Don't forget now...
=-=-=-=-=-
Sysop Mail
=-=-=-=-=-
SLAM automatically sends the sysop a notice that the new user has chosen to
use an alias, and provides that ALIAS as well as their REAL name.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Future of SLAM
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hopefully there wont be a future for SLAM. I would much rather have an
ALIAS routine BUILT-IN to SLBBS. Let's all bug Frank some more, ok? :-)
SLAM and RENAME go hand-in-hand. If you do not have RENAME, you can
get it from any of the Addresses listed at the end of this DOC.
-=-=-=-=-=-=
DRDOS USERS:
-=-=-=-=-=-=
It may be necessary to load SLAM in the following manner when dealing with
DRDOS. First, indicate your COMMAND.COM path and load SLAM with the /C
option, or just add .EXE to the end of SLUF and it should run.
EX: (Using the example format above)
C:\COMMAND.COM /CSLAM %U %G SYSOP Y C:\BBS\ C:\BBS\
<<OR>>
SLAM.EXE %U %G SYSOP Y C:\BBS\ C:\BBS\
(Apparently DRDOS needs the .EXE extension of the filename.)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Error Messages:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In the event that the Searchlight Config files cannot be found or are
damaged, SLAM will inform the user by flashing the appropriate message.
Standard messages that may be displayed in the event of an error are:
CONFIG FILE ERROR -- CONTACT SYSOP
SUBBOARD ERROR -- CONTACT SYSOP
These will only be displayed if the files are DAMAGED or are NOT FOUND.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Disclaimer:
-=-=-=-=-=-
While this program may not be completely bug-free, I have done significant
testing to ensure that all MAJOR bugs have been squashed. I do NOT
guarantee that this software will run properly, nor will I be responsible
for any damage that may occur to your computer hardware or software while
using SLAM. I feel that SLAM is relatively safe to run. All the
safeguards possible have been installed to provide maximum security for your
system and files while SLAM is in operation.
SLAM was tested ONLY with MSDOS 5.0, if you encounter problems with SLAM,
please discontinue using the product and inform me. I will do my best
to correct the problems. SLAM *SHOULD* run fine under IBM DOS
and MSDOS 3.0 or later. DRDOS users, please see the section ABOVE about
loading SLAM under DRDOS.
-=-=-=-=-=-
About SLAM:
-=-=-=-=-=-
I have been programming in Pascal for several years. It started with my
first introduction to Turbo Pascal 4.0 in High School and I have continued
to enjoy (sometimes!) programming various personal utilities and programs in
my spare time. I have tried virtually every SL 3rd party utility in
existance. I HATE messing with ALIAS programs, and I wanted a quick and
EASY solution to the current ALAIS hassle. So, here it is! Thankfully
there is already a good RENAME utility to do all the dirty work (RENAME).
As you might have guessed, SLAM is written entirely in Turbo Pascal
version 6.0, and incorperates several TPU's from Frank LaRosa's great
SL Programmer's Library kit.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Word About 3rd Party-ware:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Over the last couple of years, I have noticed more and more authors
DEMANDING payment for programs they create. While I understand the work put
into these BBS 'helpers' I am distressed by the fact that BBS operators
should have to CONTINUOUSLY and NEVER-ENDINGLY pay for these utilities.
That's why I choose to write FREE-WARE. I support the idea of a bbs, where
utilities and programs are shared. Bbs operators are an amateur group
of hobbyists and I don't believe a BBS operator should have to continuously
pay for a hobby he/she already pays enough for. The BBS operator is a fine
species..One who allows people he/she doesn't even know to gain access to
their system, out of the goodness of his/her heart. I ask all you authors
who are so valuable to the Searchlight community to join me in providing
all our fellow SL sysops with quality FREE-WARE. Donate some of your time
and expertise to the cause...It'll make the BBS community a much better
place!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Closing Comments:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
SLAM is FREE. COMPLETELY FREE. I ask no fee for using this software, but I
do however ask that you do NOT modify the file, or crack (dis-assemble) the
code in any manner. If you find this program of value, and you want to
contribute something, by all means send whatever you feel is fair. My real
payment is that you find this program of value, and I thank you for taking
the time to read about SLAM. If you have any problems, bug reports, general
questions or concerns, please address them to the following address:
Greg Belanger
3241 Doverville Crescent S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
CANADA
T2B1V1
...Or contact me at any of these Network Addresses:
1:134/48 -- FidoNet
201:5500/48 -- MetroNet
99:9305/48 -- EggNet
250:420/750 -- SL_Net
...Or Call my bbs at (403) 273-3503 (24 Hours & HST)
