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-
- LASTON Version 5.9
- Copyright 1991-1993 Douglas DeLonay
- SYSOP of The Home of ZIGGY
- (414)264-3220
- 1200-9600 Baud V.32bis V.42
-
- Graphics screen design-there are now 3 user definable screens for
- LASTON. They consist of 3 lines each..
- in following format....
-
- *****name/handle**************From*******baud*****time-on***Date**
- * * * * * *
- ******************************************************************
- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^Column 68
- line 1 column 21 column 41 column 50 column60
- the 3 files are named LASTON.ANI, LASTON.ASC, and LASTON.SCR..
- The above would be an example of a screen design for no graphics.
- The screen must be 68 colomns and 3 rows to show what you want to
- surround the information about last callers..No more than 3 lines!
- For the ASC and ANSI screens you should first design your ASC screen
- as above.. when you got it the why you want it you can start adding the
- color codes for the ANI screen.. Use a ANSI draw program such as THEDRAW
- to add color to the ASC file to make it a ANSI file. Only Normal ANSI is
- allowed. No animation.
- make sure you have NO SPACES in the first and last lines of
- the screen as that will throw your screen out of wack..
- also remember 68 colomns and the spaces between info
- dividers... look at the included sample screens to help guide you..
- only 3 lines each!
- If you change the files make sure you remove the old files from the
- PATH!!
- For easy setup use the SETUP command line parameter. This will make your
- .CFG files(s) for you. Easy to follow menu's and selections. Can also edit your
- .CFG files, and make/edit your .BAT files for you. the SETUP procedure will
- make your LASTON commandline from the options you pick in SETUP menu's. SETUP
- also lets you change the comports base address & IRQ lines for all 8 ports.
- Though the SETUP utility should be easy to follow that doesn't mean you
- shoulnd't read the DOCS for a better understanding of commands. Type from
- directory LASTON will be run (can be run from other directory, but that isn't
- the safest way)
-
- LASTON SETUP
-
-
- the PAUSE command. This command will pause
- the output at the end of display for remote callers. Since the main.mnu of
- RyBBS does not put a PRESS ENTER prompt at the return from a program call
- this command will solve that problem. If you run from the bulletin
- menu (first.bbs) you won't need this. dorinfo1.def users may find this useful
- also.
- LASTON PAUSE
-
- Also new in 5.4 is the FOSSIL and FOSSILU commands. LASTON will now use a
- fossil driver if you wish. when using the fossil commands LASTON will try and
- use a fossil driver if resident. If LASTON can't find and init the driver it
- will attempt to use it's own internal port interrupt routines. The difference
- between the 2 commands are the following.
- LASTON FOSSIL -Will leave fossil active on port when it exits
- LASTON FOSSILU -Will unload fossil on exit(deactivate port),
- and leave fossil resident
-
- Work on com routines for better responce on high speed modems.
- also changed the multi-node commands a bit, see appropriate section,
- and/or new.doc
-
- Now will display node number if use multi-node BBS.
-
- Fix bug were MNP connections would list
- as local connection. Add another commandline option LOCKEDRATE. If you have a
- high speed modem and want to use the lockedrate add this to the commandline
- line.
-
- LASTON LOCKEDRATE
-
- Otherwise it will use the actual connectrate. It always used the
- lockedrate before if you had a high speed modem and locked the port. Another
- big benifit is the ability for you to pause, stop output even if a remote
- user is on. Hitting <ENTER> will now continue output also to be more like
- RYBBS screen output.
-
- LASTON can now use the DORINFO1.DEF file!.. DORINFO1.DEf users can
- disregard the LASTON.SCR (comment file, look ahead) as DORINFO1.DEF only
- detects for 2 choices-ANSI or not ANSI. Only the *.ANI and *.ASC screen files
- apply to DORINFO1.DEF users. Still need both LASTONCM.* files.
- Some of the commands listed do not apply to dorinfo1.def users. Commands
- that DO NOT apply to DORINFO1.DEF users will have a "**" next to them.
-
- It will build a LASTON.DAT file from the dorinfo1.def file, adding to it
- untill it reaches the default 10 users for unregistered version. You'll have
- to run it a few times as above before you notice the laston screen starts to
- build. You will have to run it as above as a log-on program to keep an
- updated callers list. You can also run it at a menu for users to view without
- updating the callers log- refer to the MENU command below.
-
- If you don't use the DAT file and get an MOT ENOUGH USERS IN CALLERS.LOG
- message you can use the LOGP/n command to increase the amount of the
- callers.log the program reads. By default LASTON has n=5, which means it
- reads 500 bytes for every user you list in LASTON. In the unregistered
- version it starts reading 5,000 bytes from the end of the file. The default
- setting should be good for most setup's. If you get the above mentioned error
- try testing it at slightly higher setings till the error disappears. you
- might try something like
-
- ** LASTON LOGP/7
-
- If you have very small amount of events and startup's and shutdowns you
- could try decreasing the the number to increase speed, though I wouldn't
- recommend lowering it. Decreasing it wouldn't increase speed that much. A
- setting of LOGP/0 would read the entire file. Setting it too high will also
- read the whole file, say you set n=400 and your callers.log has only 300,000
- bytes in it. If you use the DAT command you don't need to worry about this.
- It will read the entire CALLERS.LOG the first time to set up the LASTON.DAT
- file, and after that it doesn't need the callers.log anymore.
-
- More versatility for LASTON!!.. The LASTON.DAT file is back, but only if
- you want it!! To use the LASTON.DAT file just enter DAT on the LASTON command
- line, as follows
-
- ** LASTON DAT
-
- This will cause LASTON to make a LASTON.DAT file on the first run then read
- and update it thereafter. The major benifit to using the DAT file option is
- speed. On my XT for the default 10 user list it cut the display time by 2-3
- seconds, which is a pretty decent percentage. Of coarse the disadvantage
- (to some) is that you have to run it in FIRST.BAT (log-on batch file) to
- update the LASTON.DAT file.
- Of coarse since the .DAT file is back the MENU command is back also. When
- using the .DAT file and you want to run LASTON from a menu you must put the
- command on the LASTON command line. as follows, The MENU command assumes use
- of the LASTON.DAT file
-
- LASTON MENU
-
- You can add a 3 line comment to LASTON.. this is optional. To add
- a comment simple write a 1 to 3 line file in exactly the form you want it to
- appear. LASTON will not center, and spaces are accepted. To make an ANSI
- comment simple use THEDRAW or similar program to add colors and attributes
- you want. The file names are LASTONCM.SCR for the pure text or ascii file,
- and LASTONCM.ANI for the ANSI comment file. To have LASTON add the comments,
- just add COMMENT to the command line.. NO ANIMATION lowed in ANSI files!!
-
- i.e. C:\RYBBS\LASTON COMMENT
-
- The Time display has the option to display in 24 hour military format,
- or in the 12 hour AM/PM format. AM/PM format is on by default.to change to
- 24 HR format just add "24HR" to the command line. i.e.
-
- C:\RYBBS\LASTON 24hr
-
- LASTON has a screen pause option. Just add Pn to the command line to
- to pause screen at end of display n seconds. i.e.
- LASTON P5
- will pause screen approximately 5 seconds after screen is displayed.
- default is o seconds.
- LASTON screen is now user abortable. NEW (P)ause, (C)ontinue, or (S)top
- option to accomadate those speed demon users!... SYSOP can also pause, stop
- the display for a remote user if local echo is on.
-
- Laston will show as many callers as memory and size of callers.log will
- allow to your system in the form..(DORINFO1.DEF users doesn't use
- callers.log).
-
- Name * City state * baud rate * time logged on*Date(month and day)
- for multi-node version node number will be displayed before name in first
- column like so
-
- 1 Name *City State..etc. etc.
-
- ** LASTON will now adjust the number of users shown if callers.log doesn't have
- enough users, or memory isn't sufficient to list amount of callers you specify.
- Must register to change amount of callers listed.
- unRegistered form will show the last 10 callers
-
- The DOS command line option allows for easy run from DOS without playing
- with curruser.bbs(x). Will make your LASTON.CFG file for you registered users.
- unregistered users can still make one and be ready when they register. Will
- give you the option to use default CURRUSER.BBS(x) or DORINFO1.DEF file..
- Curruser.bbs file is whatever file from last user is. curruser.x is hard coded
- in the program. It will no longer show the caller that has just logged on as
- the last user on.
-
- A command line option in the registered and unregistered version
- is the local screen off mode... put OFF in the command line to stop echo
- to local screen.. will still show on local screen when you are on locally.
- to turn off local echo just put in FIRST.BAT (or menu .bat file) file
- like so..
-
-
- LASTON OFF
-
-
- Local echo is on by default..I would recomend having it off if you run
- a XT since this will speed up the display to your users..
- In the registered version you will need to make a .CFG file.
- If you want the options that is.
- call it LASTON.CFG < use DOS command line option to make this file.>
- C:\RYBBS\CURRUSER
- 0
- The Home of ZIGGY
- yellow,
- cyan,
- magenta,
- cyan,
- white,
- red,
- green,
- 101
- 4 mNEW/d,5 e
-
-
- The first line is to tell RyBBS the path and filename of door file you're
- using. RyBBS SYSOP's enter just filename without extension. DORINFO1.DEF
- file users enter enter filename and extension.
- the second line is for your registration number which activates the rest of
- the registered options.
- the third line is for your BBS name. whatever you put here will replace
- the <UNREGISTERED> string in the header when registered.
- The fourth line is the color your BBS name will be displayed in.
- the fifth line is the Name color.
- the sixth line is the City,State color.
- the seventh line is the baud rate color.
- the eighth line is the time called color.
- the ninth line is for the DATE color.
- the tenth line is for the node color.
- the eleventh line is maximum amount of users to list in LASTON.dat.
- it shoule be one more than the maximum you want to display. Enter a
- number even if you don't plan on using the LASTON.DAT file option.
- the twelfth line is for choosing display options by security.. you can chose
- to not have certain security level entered in the list-'e' command.
- to not have the screen display to certain users-'d' command.
- to have users marked as '-NEW'-'m' command.
- NEW.. you can now mark as anything you want.. to mark as new just type
- in NEW right after the 'm' command ending the string with a '/'.. to
- mark a certain security as a subscriber you might enter 'mSUB/' as part
- of the display option for the security level...make it short as the
- name will get truncated to make room for the string you enter to mark
- the user security with. Maximum length accepted is 10 characters.
- there is a 255 character limit to the amount of security selections you
- can make. it must be in the format above.. security level followed by a
- space followed by display options followed by a comma if there is more
- security selections. if you make no selection just enter a 0 with no
- preceding characters or characters following it.
-
- the colors accepted are-
- foreground colors -Blackf, redf, greenf, yellowf, bluef, magentaf
- , cyanf, and whitef
- background colors -Blackb, redb, greenb, yellowb, blueb, magentab
- , cyanb, and whiteb
- action commands -off, bold, reverse, blink.
- off turns off all ansi attributes, bold makes colors bright, reverse is
- reverse video, and blink makes text blink. Any attributes added are in
- effect for selected field only. All ansi color and action commands must
- be followed by a comma(,), including the last one. i.e. to make a field
- blink blue you would put
- blink,bluef,
- the colors must be spelled correctly as above with no extra spaces or
- punctuation allowed!
-
- also the option to change the # of users the program shows.
- as many users as your memory capacity will allow with the registered version!
-
- LASTON /15 OFF
- MUST have the '/' before number of callers to display with no spaces.
- this will list 15 callers and turn off local echo... 10 callers is on
- by default. Unregistered users don't get this command line option-get
- default 10 user listing.
- The screen will clear on the local screen when RyBBS regains control,
- but remains on the remote screen. When on locally the screen will pause
- till you hit <ENTER> to give you a little time to look it over.
-
- LASTON DOS
-
- Use the DOS parameter to run from dos .
-
- The program will search for these files(CURRUSER.BBS, CALLERS.LOG,
- LASTON.CFG) in the currrent dir and in the path.
- LASTON /35 OFF -unregistered version leave out '/35'..
- This would list the last 35 callers to the remote user and turn off local
- echo...
-
- LASTON now has direct node support. All you need is the LASTON command
- line and when run from firt.bat and menu batch file use %1NODE on the
- command line! You must have %node in the menu command line to pass node
- number, dorinfo1.def users refer to your docs for the correct syntax for
- you to pass node number to the batch file running LASTON.
- srun,5,5, [P]revious callers,*LASTON %node -menu for RyMULT
-
- LASTON %1NODE -batch file
-
- SHARE.EXE must be loaded for the Multi-node version to work. Supports
- file-locking.
-
- In the batch file for RyMULT users only use %1NODE batch file. Must have
- something listed in first line of LASTON.CFG file for LASTON to find the
- correct node correctly, without it it will assume single user and abort
- when a CURRUSER.BBS(x) isn't found.. i.e.
- You must use a post V6.8 RyBBS RyMult for it to work from FIRST.BAT
- as 6.8 and earlier does not pass the NODE number to FIRST.BAT . For it to
- work correctly from menu RyMULT users need to use V 7.51 or later. This is
- more reliable than previous version of finding NODE number. make sure you
- DELETE your CURRUSER.BBS if you have it laying around from a previous version
- file before converting the .bat file! or it will use the same CURRUSER.BBS
- file over and over again! Node version can now be run from DOS.
- NOW run's on COM's 1 - 4!!!! it uses the 'Standard' addresses for COM3 &
- COM4-$3E8 & $2E8 respectively. If you use other address for COM3 & COM4 let
- me know what they are and I can make a special copy with them for you-if
- you register, I've put to much into this little project with very little
- return.. I need money for tuition badly!!
-
- easy command line referance section
- LASTON Pn <pause screen n seconds>
- LASTON COMMENT <will display appropriate comment file.>
- LASTON OFF <Turns off local display for faster remote display>
- LASTON /n <registered version only. Display n users>
- LASTON DOS <Use to create .CFG file when register or to run
- from dos>
- LASTON 24HR <displays time in 24 Hour military time>
- LASTON DOR <Uses the DORINFO1.DEF user file instead of CURRUSER.(x)>
- LASTON %1NODE <A must for Multi node users- Takes the correct node # in
- FIRST.BAT, and all batch files. MUST be first parameter>
- LASTON PAUSE <will pause output at end of display>
- ** LASTON LOCKEDRATE<Will use the locked rate instead of actual rate for high
- speed connections>
- ** LASTON LOGP/n <only set if you don't use DAT command and you get a NOT
- ENOUGH USERS IN CALLERS.LOG error. n=5 by default.
- Increase from n=5 till error disappears>
- ** LASTON DAT <Tells laston to make(if not present) and use the
- LASTON.DAT file>
- LASTON MENU <For use with DAT command when run from a menu>
- All parameters are optional EXCEPT for the %1 parameter for multi-node
- users. Parameters can be used together in any order.
-
- REGISTRATION BENIFITS are- Add your BBS name to header, get rid of the 3
- lines of advertisement before list(will still display copywrite notice after
- display), ability to change amount of users listed, ability to mark users as
- new, paid, or whatever you want, change field colors- i.e. change color of
- name, baud, etc...
-
- This program was written for RyBBS on a 386 AT and tested
- on a XT clone... it was tested using COM ports COM1 & COM2 & COM3..
- Can also use Dorinfo1.def file!!
- It was also run successfully on a 486... if you test this on
- anything else successfully not listed here- other machines Please let me
- know!.. why not try some other programs such as
- ANSED, DOORECHO, NECKTI!...... available on RYBBS homebase!(RyBBS specific)
- (414)962-1097 9600 baud
- and on EXEC-PC (414)789-4210 over 200 lines!
- The Home of ZIGGY (414)264-3220 9600 Baud
-
- To register for the added options send $15 to
- Douglas DeLonay
- P.O. BOX 72112
- Milwaukee, WI 53212
-
- along with any suggestions or comments you may have.
- also indicate if you want you registration number sent
- by US mail, E-MAIL on Homebase or on The Home of ZIGGY
- (414)264-3220
-
- Thanks for your support!
-
-