lm02:rm80:pp66:pg64:cn1:cm:Paperclip 128 format EDS BULLETIN BORED SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION EBBS 64 written by Ed Parry - update:860910 cm:name, registration number, date sold goes here... (c) EZ ware - 1986 cn0 Quick Start Notes: 1) Make a back-up of the original EBBS program disk and store the original in a safe place. Use the copied version for your "work" disk. 2) Insert the program/work disk. Load and run the "64 fm" file. Follow prompts. This file will format your disk & create necessary EBBS system files for you. 3) Re-insert PROGRAM disk. Load & run "64 config" file. This file allows you to customize your EBBS by setting certain configurations. 4) Format additional disks if required. (For additional disk drives.) 5) Re-insert PROGRAM disk. Load & run "ebbs64". Follow prompts. 6) The Main BBS program will prompt you from here on. GENERAL NOTES: EBBS 64 is menu driven. It is very easy to run and understand. As a Sysop I suggest that you go online and explore. This will familiarize you with the software much better than trying to remember the documentation. When possible I have made EBBS self explanatory. I personally find software more satisfying when it is friendly towards it's user. When you are unsure of what to enter at a prompt simply hit a carriage (RETURN) or question mark (?). A question mark will display a help menu if one exists. In most cases aborting text output can be done by pressing your SPACE bar or pressing the "a" key. Pausing is done by pressing the asterisk (*) key. In the message base(s) pressing "n" or RETURN while a message is displaying will skip to the next message. Keep in mind that aborts, pausing and skipping occur at the end of a text line. Aborting can also be done to exit a userfile search by pressing the SPACE bar. Sometimes you will access a section you didn't really mean to enter. If you are prompted for text input, hitting return will generally abort the function. For example, if you accidently entered the email section and you are being prompted for a name, hit RETURN to drop back to the main menu. At prompts that want a YES or NO answer keep in mind that you generally may enter either a "Y" (for yes) or a "N" (for no) or an "A" (to abort). Keep in mind that 1571's and 1541's are limited to 143 directory entrys per disk. This is VERY important when deciding the capacity of your message bases. Be sure to keep a close watch on directory entrys via the DIR COMMAND option. Sysops should note that NOT all Sysop features are available to remote callers. The "forbidden" commands are to prevent any sort of mishap or system crash. NON remote commands include DISK wedge, DIR commands, read feedback and delete feedback. SYSOP FUNCTION KEYS: F1 : Chat on. Sysop can come "online" most anywhere. Halts "online" timer. F2 : Chat off. Re-starts "online" timer. F5 : Jump to Sysop Menu regardless of level. F8 : Re-RUN system. Effectively hangs up with most modems. (Except 1670). fp CONFIGURATION FILE INFORMATION: The file "64 config" allows the System Operator (Sysop) to set up his EBBS as he desires without having to do modifications to the software. Following is an explaination of HOW to set up your system's configuration file: The first thing you must do is LOAD the config file maker. Type load "64 config",8 Next, list the config program screen full at a time and edit in changes that you would like to make regarding your EBBS. The config maker program is heavily REMarked for your convienance. You should have no problem setting up your system as desired. Following are some helpful notes: The "mt" variable stands for modem type. Acceptable values are 1 to 4. 1 = Commodore 1650 or compatible, 2 = Commodore 1670 ONLY, 3 = ADC, Cermetek, Misc. RS232 and 4 = Any modem via custom configuration. If you have choosen or needed to set the "mt" variable to 4 in the config maker program then the following information will come in handy: RI : RI stands for ring indicator. This is what is used to determine if someone is calling your phone line or not. This value should be 0 or 8. CA : CA stands for carrier detect. This value is used to determine whether or not a carrier still exists when a user is "online". If there is no carrier then the system must log the user out and reset itself to avoid a "crashed" or "down" state. This value should be either 0 or 16. AA : AA stands for Auto Answer. Most modems answer the call and determine what the callers baud rate is. Since this can be effected by modem type or interface type (if using and RS232 modem) then this variable will determine if the system must manually determine the callers baud rate (via prompt method) or will auto matically determine the callers baud rate via pin 12 (from modem)/pin j (user port). Baud rate can be detected via bit 5 at location 56577 if supported. OK : OK simply means the modem is in a "ready" state to operate with EBBS. Differant modems require differant OK values. Generally 6, 16, 32 & 38 seem to work best. (Depending on modem type.) MS : MS stands for modem speed (baud). This value is the value used by auto baud rate determining config's. It should be either a 0 or a 32. The "os" variable stands for OPEN SYSTEM. Setting this variable to any number higher than zero indicates the system will be OPEN to all callers. The value assigned to this variable will also be assigned as the new users access level. Acceptable levels are 0 to 255. See also SYSTEM LEVELS further on. The "au" variable stands for AUTOMATIC UPDATE after an upload. Setting this variable to a 1 will cause the system to update the download files after a user uploads a file. Setting this value to zero means the Sysop will have to manually update the download files themselves. Drive configurations: d1 = Email drive. Valid drive numbers are 8 to 11. d2 = Upload/Download drive. Valid drive numbers are 8 to 11 also. hd(#) = Message base host drives. # = 8 to 11. The "mb%" variable designates the current number of active message bases on your system. Valid numbers are 1 to 4. The "ul" variable designates whether or not a user is first required to upload a file (20 blocks or more) before they will be allowed to download files. Setting this variable to 1 means a user IS required to UL 1st. Setting this variable to a zero means no upload is required 1st. fp The "xf" variable determines whether the UL/DL section is to be OPENED or CLOSED. Some Sysop's prefer to not have an active UL/DL section and concentrate on message base activity. Message base names can be up to 20 characters long. Be sure that you put quotes (") on each side of the message base name. The "mm(#)" variable designates each message bases capacity. # = 5 to 100. Keep in mind that each drive has a limit of 143 directory entrys per disk. The "po(#)" variable designates the maximum number a user can post a message in that base during their current online session. # = 1 to 9 Download section names should be no more than 10 characters. 3 system variables can be preset from the 64 config program as well. sy$ = the name of the system operator or simply "System Operator" as many prefer to leave it. bn$ = Board Name. ci$ = EBBS City or Board name again. None of the three variables should exceed a length of 20 characters. The "tl%" variable allows you to adjust or modify the default amount of time allowed for general users to stay online in minutes. Suggested times 30 minutes minimum, 60 minutes maximum. Once you have edited the 64 config program re-save it to the PROGRAM disk for storage: save "@0:64 config",8 Once the file has been resaved, re-RUN the 64 config program. Choose option 2 and insert your pre-created SYSTEM FILES DISK and press the return key. After the drive light go's out and if it's NOT blinking then your config file has been savd to the files disk and you are set to go. If you encounter an error type "?ds$"(return) to determine the problem. Correct the problem and try again. SENDING DISK COMMANDS: Sysop disk commands are standard "wedge" commands. Wedge commands should be entered as though you have just entered open15,(drive #),15,"0:command". The drive number you wish to send the command to will be prompted for BEFORE you send the disk command. Drive numbers 8 through 11 are acceptable. Some examples are as follows: >n0:format,id : Complete (re)format. >n0:format : Header disk. Clears all files on disk. "Quick" (re)format. >s0:scratch : Scratchs disk file named "scratch". >s0:??SY* : Scratchs all "SYSOP" feedback files. >s0:??msg* : Scratchs all system msg files. >i0 : Initializes disk in drive 0. >ui : Internally resets disk drive. >v0 : Validates drive 0. fp SENDING DIRECTORY COMMANDS: The drive number you wish to display the directory of will be prompted for before you are promted for the DIR command. Drive numbers 8 through 11 are acceptable. Following are some useful "Directory" ($) commands: * : Show all files on disk. *=s : Show all SEQ files. *=r : Show all REL files. *=u : Show all email (USR) files. *=p : Show all PRG (program) files. ??msg* : Show all msg files. ??SY* : Show all SYSOP feedback files. $ : Show free blocks on disk. The Directory command is LOCAL only and customized to show the total amount of directory entrys displayed. This is because the amount of DIR entrys is as important as the number of blocks free when running a BBS system. Maximum disk directory entrys may not exceed 143. Watch this carefully. SYSOP MAINTAINED FILES: Some system files will need to be re-written or altered by you. This is where the EBBS load/edit function and write file function come in handy. The WRITE file editor allows entry of up to 99 lines of text. All text input uses the same editor. DO NOT use wildcards (? or *) when entering the filename you will be writing. TEXT files are stored on disk as tA to tZ. Note the small "t" and the large second letter (A thru Z). Also when a text file is added, ensure to load and edit the "tm" (text menu) file as required. (By adding in the text file's title.) Other system files: 1) id : Pre-logon info. Contains system name, hours, city, etc. I request you also include "Written By Ed Parry" at the end of the ID file. 2) nulom : New users message. Displayed when usership is applied for. 3) tm : Systems "text menu" file. Edit when you add text files. 4) mm : Main Menu File. Customize as desired. 5) sm : Sysop Menu file. Customize as desired. 6) ob : Current Opening Bulletin. Displayed AFTER logon. 7) date : Don't touch this one. Holds system date. If this file needs resetting : oP2,8,2,"@0:date,s,w":pR2,860901:clO2 8) index # : Holds high msg number for each base in NUMBERIC form. To reset message bases and index's : oP2,8,2,"@0:index 1,s,w":pR2,0:clO2.Then scratch off all the "msg" files from the bases host drive via the disk wedge: >s0:?1msg*. The number of files scratched will be displayed. This example reset message base number one. 9) users : Holds all the pre-defined user files. 10) dl # : # = 1 to 3. Download control file. Holds DL file data. 11) xfer : Read it to see who's been doing what in the xfer section. Simply scratch the "xfer" file when it grow's to large. It re-creates itself. 12) bul # : # = 1 to 4. Message base bulletins. 13) sys bul : Sysop bulletin. Handy for relaying info to Co Sysops. fp 14) bul x : File transfer section bulletin. 15) cfg.64 : System CONFIG file. Modify via "64 config" module. 16) last caller : Contains LAST CALLER and CALLER # data. To reset LAST CALLER file: oP2,8,2,"@0:last caller,s,w":pR2,"User Name":pR2,0:clO2 Most of the above files can be read via the READ FILE function. Do NOT use a wildcard (? or *) when using LOAD/EDIT as the filename will be reused when you resave the file. A resave uses the save w/replace so the old file will be overwritten. Note that email files cannot be loaded, edited & resaved. EDITOR COMMAND SUMMARY: Abort : This quits the editing function without saving the file. Continue : Allows the user to resume inputing text if room allows. Delete : Allows the user to delete single lines of text at a time. Edit : Allows "search & replace" method of inter-line editing. Insert : Allows user to insert single lines of text into the existing text. List : List's the text file for purpose's of editing. Preview : Display's the text as it will appear when displayed. Rewrite : Allow's the user to completely re-enter a line of text. When in edit mode Sysop's should note that an * will pause and the SPACE bar will abort the output & drop you back into the editor. SETTING DATE & TIME: Date and time should be entered in military format when re-entered. Examples: 860701 is July 1st, 1986. Year, month, day. 1325 is 1:25pm. 0100 is 1am. 24 hour clock. Hours/minutes. HANDLING USERFILES: User files are automatically assigned when a new user applys for the first time. U can also manually add users to your userfile as well via option "a" in the userfile editor. The system has a capacity of 200 userfiles. After you hit "U" from the Sysop menu you will see a prompt. You can enter 4 differant types of data here for 3 differant purposes: 1) Partial names : Entering ED PAR would find & display the first userfile that's left 6 characters matched the entered "ED PAR" text. Useful if you forget how to spell a last name. Minimum characters entered is four for pattern matching. 2) Full names : Entering ED PARRY will find the user file (if existant) for the user named ED PARRY. 3) # : Entering a number from 1 to 200 will display THAT userfile number whether it's empty or not. 4) * : Searchs for and displays the first empty userfile. Useful for adding users in manually. fp USERFILE FIELDS: Name : User's name. 6 to 18 characters Password : System password. 3 to 10 characters. Level : Current system access level. 0 to 255. (See SYSTEM LEVELS) From : City, place of Business or BBS name. (If Sysop) Phone : Area code (optional if local) and phone number. Last On : Last date online. USERFILE/DOWNLOAD FILE EDITOR COMMAND SUMMARY: A : Add or Edit. Hitting a return leaves the field as is. D : Delete. If userfile will delete email also. N : Displays next file. M : Return to Sysop Menu. P : Pick. Allows Sysop to search for another file. The above commands apply to the Download file editor as well. If you need a help menu, hit a question mark. DOWNLOAD FILE FIELDS: The userfile editor and download file editor are basically the same. The differance is the number of fields and titles of the fields: Filename : Max of 16 characters. No illegal characters like ?, *, @, : Filetype : MUST be a S for SEQuential or P for PRoGram file. Blocks : Actual length in disk blocks. 1 to 3 digits. User : User that uploaded the file. RETURN = SYSOP's name. Date : Date the file was uploaded. RETURN = current EBBS date. Descript : 10 to 38 character description of the file. SYSOP COMMAND SUMMARY: @ : Send disk command. See above section SENDING DISK COMMANDS. $ : Send directory command. See above section SENDING DIR COMMANDS. B : Displays Sysop bulletin. (sys bul) D : Reset system date. 6 digit Military format. 860815 = August 15, 1986 H : Hardcopy system file. Wildcards okay. K : Delete feedback files. Displays number of feedback files deleted. L : Load/Edit System file. No wildcards. No email editing. 500 line limit. M : Read/Reply to feedback. Local only. R : Read/Display system files. Wildcards okay. T : Reset system time. 24 hour Military format. HHMM. 1320 = 1:20pm U : Enter name, partial name, userfile # (1-255) or * (empty file search). W : Write system file. No wildcards. 500 line limit. X : Download file editor. Enter section (1-5) then enter file # (1-25). ! : Return to Main menu. Up arrow works also. (Note that major section JUMP commands are also available) fp MAIN MENU COMMAND SUMMARY: A : Access message base section. B : Re-displays Opening Bulletin in case user aborted to hastily. C : Display recent callers log. Last on, first out. D : Display system date & time. E : Send Email. Enter partial names, full name or user #. F : Send the Sysop feedback. (Same as sending Sysop email). O : Displays "online" time. Note this ISN'T elapsed online time. P : Change password. Q : Logoff, quit, goodbye. Delete's email, updates caller log/userfile. T : Switch to text menu. Hit ? for text menu. Enter letter A to Z. U : User search. Displays Name, City/From and last date online. V : Displays current version number, update & EBBS info. X : Access system file transfer section. * : Toggle Auto pause on/off. ! : Access Sysop Menu. Up arrow works as well. FILE TRANSFER MENU COMMAND SUMMARY: # : Switch from one UL/DL section to another. # = 1 to 3. B : Displays file transfer bulletin. D : Download a file by number. F : Free blocks for uploading. L : Lists download files by number. (1 to 25) M : Returns to Main Menu U : Upload a file. MESSAGE BASE COMMAND SUMMARY: # : Switch from one base to another. # = 1 to 4. B : Displays current base bulletin. C : Read new messages without pausing in between. M : Return to Main Menu. N : Read new messages and pause in between them. (see READ COMMAND's) P : Post a message in the current base. R : Displays high and low message numbers. Enter number to read. MESSAGE BASE "READ COMMAND" SUMMARY: A : Abort & return to message base menu. C : Toggle continuous read on/off. D : Delete message (Sysop's only). E : Send email reply to message. I : Read Individual Message by number. M : Return to Main Menu. N : Read next message. RETURN works also. O : Read message over. P : Read previous message. R : Reply via public message. # : Read referance message. * : Toggle auto pause on/off. USER SEARCH COMMAND SUMMARY: # : Display and individual userfile. * : Display all system userfiles : Name/From/City C : Search & display userfiles via CITY pattern matching. M : Return to Main Menu. P : Search & display userfiles via pattern matching. (Search's name) fp ASSIGNING SYSTEM LEVELS: System levels are assigned by adding the following values for the section you wish to give each particular user access to. This is referred to as "exclusive leveling" because a Sysop can decide which of eight possible "doors" are open to the user. Programmer's might note that this system uses "bit testing" to check and see whether a bit (door) is set (open) or whether a bit (door) is off (closed). Valid user level's range from 0 to 255. Add the levels together for each section you want the user to have access to: (The total will be that user's level.) 1 - Message base 1 (open to all if level > 0) 2 - Message base 2 4 - Message base 3 8 - Message base 4 16 - Download sections 1 & 2 32 - Download section 3 64 - No time limit 128 - Sysop Access (local)/Co-Sysop Access (Remote) Examples:You (The Sysop) should assign yourself the first userfile. You will want full access so your level would be 255. 15 = MB1, MB2, MB3, MB4, Time limit. 127= Everything except sysop access. Message base one is open to anyone having access to the system (Any levels higher than 0). Users with levels of 64 and higher have a 99 line input limit vice a 50 line input limit. PROGRAMMERS NOTES: I recommend that if you intend to do modification's to the software then you run the 64 cross referance program. Also hardcopy the basic code for referance. I have made the code so extra message bases, extra DL sections and most modifications should be rather easy. Programmers should note that there already is a text output routine that can be used to add files say at logoff or off the main menu. See how the text section uses the routine if desired. For compiling I HIGHLY recommend Blitz for the C64. It's fast, time tested and efficient. The EBBS basic code compiles w/out error as it sits on the disk. If BLITZ displays an error after modification of the basic code then go back and correct the error and re-BLITZ. fp A FEW NOTES OF THANX: Thanx to Ron Prawdzik who has taught me more than he realize's and wrote the original EBBS ML support. Much thanx to Steve Punter for writing the best file transfer protocol I've ever encountered. Thanx to Don Weinman for being such a supportive friend and my wife and kids for their extreme patience. Also thanx to all the sources of information I've ever consulted: Transactor, Compute and Compute's Gazette, TPUG, & RUN magazines, Programming the 64 by R.C. West, Mapping the 64 by S. Leemon, 128 Internals by Abacus, 64 Programmer's Referance Manual, etc. that have made it possible to write, enhance, correct and modify EBBS's. EBBS updates are $10 on our disks to registered EBBS sysops. Also EBBS64/EBBS128 source code/doc's can be purchased for $60 together as a package. Registered EBBS64 Sysops can buy EBBS128 source code/doc's for $20 additional. EBBS 64 is FREEWARE in COMPILED form. Please feel free to pass it around to your friends and/or donate a fair amount of money equal to the useage you get out of EBBS. To buy the latest EBBS 64 basic code, ML source, documentation/note's and become a registered EBBS sysop then send $40 to: Ed Parry/EBBS128 2114 Jannetta St. Burbank, CA 91504 1-818-843-1265/COD:Ask for Fred 1-818-846-8083/Corewars BBS