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Welcome to PcConnect version 3.00 P c C o n n e c t "the alternative BBS" Version 3.00 (August 1989) R E F E R E N C E M A N U A L Gary Smith 6122 Cedar Wood Drive Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 740-5880 (301) 596-1180 The Programmer's Corner DC Line (301) 995-3744 Baltimore Line WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM? This program is an electronic bulletin board system. It allows other computer users to call your system and leave messages, and exchange files. PcConnect is a full-features BBS that supports multiple nodes (phone lines), all popular file transfer protcols, and large message (32,000 per message area) and user (2 Billion users) capacity for even the largest bulletin board systems. It also has a powerful file search and retrival system that allows users to find files quickly and efficiently. PcConnect supports most multi-taskers, and is compatable with all local area networks that provide MS-NET share file sharing, and with Novell networks. 9600 Baud modem support, along with MNP error-correcting protocols are also supported. Copyright (c) 1897, 1988, 1989 PC All Rights Reserved This version of the documentation, software and copyright supersedes all previous versions of PcConnect. Aug 1989. PcConnect software copyright (C) 1987, 1988, 1989 by Gary Smith All rights reserved. This document copyright (C) 1989 Gary Smith All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. Most of the hardware names in this manual are trademarks or trade names of specific manufactures. LICENSE This version of PcConnect is NOT public domain or free software, but is being distributed as "shareware". PcConnect is copyright (C) 1987, 1988, 1989 by Gary Smith Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited license to make an evaluation copy for trial use on a private, noncommercial basis, for the express purpose of determining whether PcConnect is suitable for their needs. At the end of this trial period, you should either register your copy or discontinue using PcConnect. What does all this really mean? If you regularly use this program - i.e., once a week or more - then you should pay for your copy. That way We'll be able to provide you support, updates and stay in business. A PcConnect registration entitles you to use the program on any and all computers available to you, with the following restriction: If other people have access to this program or may use it, then you should purchase a site license. See the following section for information about site licensing or quantity discounts. All users are granted a limited license to copy PcConnect only for the trial use of others and subject to the above limitations. This license does NOT include distribution or copying of this software package: 1. In connection with any other product or service. 2. For general use within a company or institution. 3. For any consideration or 'disk fee'. 4. Distribution in modified form, i.e., the file containing this license information MUST be included, along with the full PcConnect documentation. Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) are encouraged to post PcConnect for downloading by their users, as long as the above conditions are met. If you are the distributor of a public domain or user-supported software library, then you may be eligible to distribute copies of PcConnect. You must meet all of the above conditions and acquire written permission from Gary Smith before doing so, however. Please call or write for details. DISCLAIMER Use of this program acknowledges this disclaimer of warranty: "This program is supplied as-is. Gary Smith disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness of this program for any purpose. Gary Smith assumes no liability for damages direct or consequential, which may result from the use of this program." TRADEMARK MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PC-DOS is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Inc. Tandy 1000 is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation. ORDERING INFORMATION A PcConnect registration licenses you to use the product on a regular basis. Registration includes notification of updates and telephone support. Users need register only one version of PcConnect; registration includes licensed use of all upgrades. Registered users can always get the most current version of the program at a nominal fee ($10.00 as of this writing) by calling or writing PC Individual registrations for PcConnect come in two forms. The first, registration only, costs $75 and assumes you have already received a copy of the program from whatever source. We will also send you the next major upgrade of PcConnect when it is released. Alternatively, if you so specify, we will send you the current version of the program. We also offer PcConnect with a printed manual. For $100.00 we will send you the current version of PcConnect, along with a printed manual. CORPORATE SITE LICENSES AND QUANTITY PURCHASES All corporate, business, government or other commercial users of PcConnect must be registered. We offer quantity discounts starting at the second copy. Corporate or site licensing is also available. For single unit orders, use the enclosed order form. We accept purchase orders in amounts over $150 only. All other orders should be prepaid. Please call or write for quantity discount pricing. Corporate site licensing agreements allow duplication and distribution of specific numbers of copies within the licensed institution. Duplication of multiple copies is not allowed except through execution of a licensing agreement. Site license fees are base upon estimated number of users. Note that with a site license, only one copy of the program will be sent. You will be responsible for distributing additional copies. Please call or write for site licensing pricing. ALL PRICES AND DISCOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Discounts are not cumulative; they apply to single orders of like products only. Unit prices are the same as for individual users. WARNING: YOU MAY NOT USE PcConnect WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION WITHOUT A PRIOR PURCHASE OR LICENSE ARRANGEMENT. Please use the enclosed order form when placing an order. Sorry, no C.O.D. orders will be accepted. Educational institutions, full-time students can apply a 20% discount on all prices. PLEASE include your educational institution letter head (with your title) or a photocopy of your most recent registration slip,along with any other relevant information. CUSTOM VERSIONS We can produce custom versions of PcConnect, for your private or commercial use (i.e., to be distributed with your software). Give us a call. Our prices are very reasonable. Please direct all inquiries to: Gary Smith 6122 Cedar Wood Drive Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: (301) 740-5880 6:00 - 9:00 EST ONLY. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION FEATURES SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS QUICK START APPENDIXES WONDERFUL WORK OF ARCHIVERS PcCONNECT EDITORS ABOUT THE AUTHOR INTRODUCTION This manual describes the use and operation of PcConnect, a full-featured Bulletin Board System for the IBM PC and compatible computers. The manual includes installation instructions, an overview of PcConnect's major features, and a reference guide for all of PcConnect's commands. You may be asking, why another BBS package? This is a good question, and one I hope I can answer. The main reason that I set out writing PcConnect was because I was frustrated with the existing BBS packages. I was basically a Sysop who had tried lots of BBS software, but all of them had serious problems in my eyes. Because I am the type who feels I can always write a better system, I set out to do that. At first I only wanted to provide myself with a powerful, yet flexible system, however I quickly got a several messages from my users asking when I would be releasing PcConnect. Well at first I wanted to keep it to myself, but have since decided to share my work with others. PcConnect's personality is heavily influenced by the goals set in developing PcConnect. These were and are: - Fast operation. Above all else, PcConnect was designed to operate quickly, especially in these areas: - Message reading and searching - File listing display and searching - Multiple Node access while multitasking - Greater speed when using multitaskers - Accessing communication ports - Ease of use. This version of PcConnect incorporates many features not available with other BBS software. The main focus in its design was making the initial user log-on as painless as possible. - Compactness. Every effort was made to keep the code size as small as possible. Even though memory is getting cheaper all the time, we didn't want PcConnect to require any more memory than absolutely necessary. FEATURES These are some of the many features you will enjoy while using PcConnect: - VERY FAST! - Reliable - Easy to use - Very easy for first-time users SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS PcConnect will run on the IBM PS/2, PC/AT, PC/XT, PC, and on IBM compatible computers including the Compaq 386/20, Tandy 1000, and Epson PC's. Minimum requirements are: 300 KB of memory (although PcConnect will use up to 640 KB if it is available). PC-DOS or MS-DOS 2.0 or greater. One 10 Meg or larger Hard drive . Either a color or a monochrome monitor with 80-column display. QUICK START We have tried to make using PcConnect very simple and straightforward. - Getting Started After running SETUP.EXE, all user areas and records will be written and created. Setup will ask you where you want to place all of PcConnect's files and it will then move them to that drive. The actual directory tree and a list of all files that belong in each directory is at the end of the documentation. Setup will also ask you some information about yourself, such as phone number,password, etc. These are used if you log on remotely, and can be changed at any time using the user editor. At this point you will only need to run the actual program PCC.EXE, either from the command line or in a batchfile (P.BAT) that would look like this : C: - Change to correct drive SET DSZLOG=\PCONNECT\SYSTEM\DSZLOG.PCC - File log directory Cd \PCONNECT - Change to correct directory pcc.exe - Run PcConnect if errorlevel 2 goto done - exits batch file if F10 was pressed while in PcConnect. P.BAT - Start Over when user leaves : done This file is included and placed in the \PCONNECT directory during the setup procedure. Although PcConnect does not need to be run from a batch file, it increases the reliability of the software. For example if there was a run-time error (Heaven Forbid!), PcConnect would log the error, alert the current user and exit to DOS after cleaning up. This is the safest way to reliably allow the system to resume operation. Hit the ESCape key to log on locally and as the Sysop you will log in as either user number one, or as SYSOP. After a quick run through, you will realize that several files will need to be generated or created by the Sysop. These include: 1) Any bulletins you may want. These are in the format: BULLETIN.(Bulletin Number) - Simple text file BULLETIN.AN(Bulletin Number) - Ansi file 2) LOGIN.TXT - Displayed immediately at log-in. 3) NEWUSER.TXT - Displayed immediately to a new user. 4) GOODBYE.80 and GOODBYE.ANS - which are displayed to the user at log off. 5) All the help files for the Menu Command Prompts. These are in the format: MenuName.( 80 and ANS ) For example Welcome.80 and Welcome.Ans. Those that are need are: FILEMENU MAINMENU MESSMENU QSTMENU TRIVIAME VOTEMENU WELCOME Sample menus are provided that you may customize. 5) Any Questionnaires that maybe wanted. These are in the format : QUEST( Questionnaire Number ).QST Use an Alt-232 at the spot in the Questionnaire where you want the user to input data. This symbol is Φ A sample QUEST1.QST is provided that may be modified for your application. 6) Any Trivia questions that you would like to enter. Use * to enter the sysop menu. 7) Any Voting Booths that you may want. Again, use * to enter the Voting Booth sysop menu. - In PcConnect All Sysop commands can be reached with an * at the menu prompts. Only the Sysop has access to these commands. - Getting Out To get out of PcConnect, simply type L at the main command level to log-out. This will recycle the board and wait for the next log on, or the next local log on. Alternatively you may hit F10 at any time to leave cleanly and exit the batch file and return to the DOS prompt, or F9 to instantly drop carrier and recycle the board. The F9 and F10 can be used either while logged in locally or when a user is logged in remotely. - Modem Configuration One of the most painful and most difficult part of setting up a BBS is trying to get a none Hayes modem to work with a BBS. PcConnect was designed to be used with a wide range of modems, as long as they are Hayes compatible. Mainly we are looking for the ability to return verbal result codes, and provide for auto-answer. The modem most also provide true Carrier Detect and DTR. For example if your modem is not connected to another, carrier should be false. Also when DTR is dropped your modem should drop carrier and then return back on line. If you have problems with a specific modem, please upload or send a copy of the documentation and we shall try and work things out. To start with, follow these guidelines : 1) In your modem initialization string, which can be changed with the CONFIG.EXE program, use AT followed by the required commands. For example, AT S0=1 X4 M0 You want to have : E1 - Echo ON, displays commands, usually the default setting. M0 - Turns speaker OFF, saves your ears. Q0 - Quiet OFF, returns codes, usually default. S0=1 - Turns on auto-answer V1 - Returns codes in verbal format, usually default. X1 or higher - Specific to modem, set at highest usually. Tells modem to return full Hayes Verbal comments. Must return Connect, Connect 1200, and Connect 2400 if using 2400 baud modem. Some modems : &D and some number tells the modem to follow DTR. Refer to modem manual. &C and some number tells the modem to perform carrier checking, refer to modem manual. So basically, you must have AT E1 Q0 S0=1 V1 X1 for PcConnect to work. If some of these are the modem's default, you may (and should) leave them out. For example for : US Robotics 2400 - AT S0=1 X4 M0 Ven-Tel 2400 - AT S0=1 X4 M0 All FastComm modems - AT S0=1 X4 M0 - High speed modems At this time PcConnect should work with most 9600 baud modems, and MNP error correcting modems. PcConnect has been tested with all FastComm modems, and several other 2400 MNP modems. If PcConnect does not recognize the error correcting protocol, please get in touch with us, and we will try and add support for your modem. When the serial port speed is set at 9600 baud or higher, it will lock in at that speed. This requires that the modem perform automatic speed syncing with the incoming call. All popular error-correcting modems will do this. - Understanding the Basics PcConnect is very similar to most BBS system currently in circulation, but also is different in several ways. I will try my best to explain the differences, but I will assume that a potential PcConnect Sysop has experience in running a BBS, or at the very least has used one of the more popular systems and become familiar with their structure and operation. The first major difference you may notice is that when a user logs on remotely, the user is asked for the last four digits of their phone number along with the usual password. This is added as an extra protection against unauthorized entry under another users account. If the user is logging on for the first time, they will be sent to a new user area where they are required to fill out basic information (i.e. Name, password, phone number, etc.). From there the user is greeted by the usual welcome screen which will be an ANSI screen if color is enabled, or a straight text file if color is not requested. It is at this point that the user reaches the main menu. One of the strongest features of PcConnect is the file area. Files are separated by category and stored in separate directories that correspond to a unique file area created by the Sysop. For example a Sysop may group all of his Utility files in a file area called Utility Files which are all stored in the directory c:\utility: Communication File - c:\comm Pascal Source - d:\pascal C Source - c:\csource etc.. In your FILE directory a file called DIR(File Area Number).PCC lives. This file lists all of the files contained in that File Area's directory. Along with the file name, a description, who uploaded the file, how many people downloaded it, and the date it was uploaded are also included with other important information about the file. This allows rapid access to a given file by many different methods. PcConnect controls unwanted downloading via a system of file points. Each file is assigned a file point status, which represents the number of points required by a user to download that file. File points can be assigned by the Sysop, earned through uploading, or won by playing Trivia. This feature is completely optional, yet does provide a powerful method of controlling a specific upload to download ratio. PcConnect also supports a rich set of transfer protocols including Zmodem, Ymodem, Xmodem, Wxmodem, Sealink, Kermit, 1K-Xmodem, JModem, and Megalink. All of these protocols are accessed through a separate external module that is shelled out to. PcConnect operates this way so that highly specific protocols can be included. These transfer modules are not written by the authors of PcConnect, and are included with the full documentation provided by their individual authors. These programs are shareware and if used they must be registered with their respective authors. External protocols are not supplied with PcConnect, they must be downloaded from the system where you downloaded PcConnect from, or they can be downloaded from my board, The Programmer's Corner. These programs should be placed in the systems directory, and named: DSZ by Chuck Forsberg - DSZ.EXE Megalink by P&M Software Company - MLINK.COM PKXARC & PKARC by PKWARE Inc. - PKARC.COM and PKXARC.COM PKZIP & PKUNZIP by PKWARE Inc. - PKZIP.EXE and PKUNZIP.EXE CLINK by System Enhancement Associates - CLINK.EXE PCKERMIT by Jan A. van der Eijk NUS Corporation - PCKERMIT.EXE JMODEM - JMODEM.COM The message area is similar to the file area in that specific topics or subjects are broken into unique areas that group topics. For example a sample BBS may have three message areas : Area #1 General - General messages between users Area #2 Pascal - Messages concerning Pascal Area #3 C - Messages concerning C Users can enter messages to other users both as an open message, or as a private message which only the sender and receiver can view. Users can also request to read a message in a variety of ways. All messages areas use a unique indexing scheme that prevents messages from becoming corrupt if power is lost. Powerful sysop functions allow you to delete ranges of messages, add message areas, and transfer messages from one area to another. Voting Booths are provided, which allow users to state their feelings on questions posed by the Sysop. Users can either enter new choices, or vote for a selection that has already been entered. Selections are saved along with the user name in an ASCII file for later analysis. Questionnaires allow the Sysop to collect information on users. The Sysop generates an ASCII files that lists individual questions, followed by the ASCII character 232 Φ This symbol tells PcConnect to collect the following input as the answer to the previous question. This data is saved in an ASCII file along with the user name. The Trivia Area is included to provide a little entertainment. The sysop can enter trivia questions under specific categories, if the user answers correctly, bonus points are awarded. This module is completely optional, and can be eliminated through access levels from the CONFIG program. CONSOLE COMMANDS The last two lines of the display are devoted to displaying to the sysop information about the caller who is presently logged on. To summarize: Yell: This displays Y if currently in chat hours, N if not. TLeft: The amount of time the user has left for today. TOn: The amount of time the user has been on this session. Logs: The number of times the user has logged on. Lvl: The users current access level. Age: What else, the users age. DL: The number of files the user has DownLoaded from your BBS. UL: The number of files the user has UpLoaded to your BBS. Posts: The number of messages left by the user on your BBS. number: The users IDNum. username: The users name. city, state: Where the user is calling from. LCall: The last time the caller visited your board. There are several commands that can be used from the console while as user is logged on. Besides your ability to just enter any characters, the sysop may also enter the following commands. Alt-A Adds Two Minutes to the users time for the day. Alt-S Subtracts two Minutes from the users time for the day Alt-X Activates Sysop Chat mode. F8) Redraws the screen in case of bleedthrough using a multitasker. F9) Instantly hangs-up on user, does not clean up all files. F10) Gracefully logs current user. YELL When a user Yells, Alt-X will answer the yell and enter chat mode. When finished, simply enter Alt-X to return to the board. Alt-X at any time will pop up the sysop chat window. MENUS This version of PcConnect includes a simple system of command menus. These menus display most of the commands offered at the current level, at the commands are activated by the first letter of the command. For example if the menu was : Main Command [ Message, File, Bulletin ] M would enter the message area, F the file area, etc. For casual users, new users, or for seldom used commands, this system is hard to beat. When or if a user decides he no longer needs these menus, a simply typing X at the main command for eXpert will prevent the full menus from being displayed. For more intensive help, typing H for Help will display a text file with the appropriate help. These helps screens must be written by the sysop and can be regular ASCII or ANSI files. A Command Overview PcConnect's main command line is where the user first gets to make his first decision. The possible choices are: Comment - Leaves a comment to the sysop in a private message. This allows a user to easily leave a message to the sysop with out having to enter the message area. The message will be sent immediately to the sysop, and the message will reside in the main message area. Files - The File Area is where all Public Domain files are held, and available for download. Files can be both uploaded or downloaded via many protocols, those that are available include Kermit, Xmodem, 1K-Xmodem, Ymodem, Sealink, Megalink, Wxmodem, and Zmodem. Individual files in archived files can be displayed or downloaded with out sending the entire file. Files can be assigned a point total so that file accounting may be maintained. This prevents unwanted user downloading to specific files. Messages - PcConnect supports a full-featured message area that includes an easy to use message editor that includes the ability to easily include color into message. Message Areas can be created to separate messages into a logical framework. Included in the message area is a unique error-prevention system that provides for a robust message system that provides full message integrity in case of power outage while users are on the system. Bulletins - Bulletins are supported via either a simple user selection menu, or through the use of time stamps. If a bulletins text file has changed, the system senses this, and if the sysop wants, all users will be shown the bulletin at log-in. Setup - User setup allows the user to change certain system setups such as password, phone number, ANSI preference, etc. Log Off - Logs user off, the preferred method of exiting PcConnect, however loss of carrier will also cause the system to log the user off. In addition the Sysop can either use F9 or F10 to log of the current user. F10 will display the log-off message, while F9 will just drop carrier. Questionnaire - PcConnect supports several questionnaires that are generated by the sysop. Answers are saved to a file, available to the sysop as a text file. The sysop can choose to force the user to answer the questionnaire, or let them choose it at will. Trivia - This was provided as a relaxing change of pace. The sysop or a sysop designated user enters the questions, and users try to answer the questions in order to get time and file points. Vote - This allows the sysop to pose controversial questions to his users and provide a running total of who voted for what, and what the total number of votes cast are. Xpert - Switches between full menus or partial menus. Allows users to decide the amount of help that they want. Yell - Allows the user to Yell for the sysop. If the Sysop is available, (Sysop Hours can be set with the CONFIG program), a loud beep will be heard for 30 seconds, or until the Sysop answers the page. Z - Prints the opening screen that shows what has occurred on the BBS since the users last call. Help - Provides full help and information to the user about a given area. This file is created by the sysop so that he may tailor make it for his board. The Sysop functions available from the main command menu are: Sysop Edit - Enters external user editor if memory allows and Sysop is logged on locally. Otherwise, the Sysop will enter the built in user editor. Both editors allow the Sysop to edit an individuals user information. Bad File List - This function allows Sysops to specify files that are not allowed to be uploaded. This is useful to block known pirated files, or old copies of popular programs. This file is kept alphabetically, and the sysop can add and delete files. An explanation of the why the file is blocked is also provided. In the File Area, the commands are: Area Change - All files are held in file areas, use this command to switch between the various areas. File List - Displays all files in the current file area. Allows partial listing by specifying a range of files. Upload - Allows users to upload files, supports most current file transfer protocols. Adds file points to user if sysop selects file point accounting. Download - Allows users to download files, supports most current file transfer protocols. Subtracts file points to user if sysop selects file point accounting. Search - Search through all file areas for the specified file. Supports full wildcards with the same specifications as DOS. Files are found quickly even in the largest of file collections. New Scan - Lists all files uploaded or added since the users last login, or by a specified date. Useful in finding new files without having to search many areas. Quit - Returns to main menu. View Archive - Shows user the individual files that comprise a given archived file. Also allows the user to display or download an individual file belonging to an archived file. At this time only ZIP and ARC files are supported, other compression programs will be added as they are developed. WhereIs - Where Is is a very powerful command. It allows the user to search for a keyword or phrase in the file area. It will search all file names, descriptions, and uploaders. It is fully optimized, and can find any one instance in thousands of files in mere seconds. Z - Shows user statistics such as time remaining, files uploaded, and files downloaded. Help - Provides help in the file area. * - Enters external Sysop utility if memory allows and Sysop is logged on locally. Otherwise the user enters the built in file editor which commands are: Add File - Adds a file to the current file area. Change File - Allows the Sysop to change certain information concerning a file. Delete File - Deletes a file from the current area. Edit Area - Allows the Sysop to change certain information concerning an area. New Area - Creates a new area for files to be stored. Remove Area - Removes a file area. Transfer File - Transfers a file from one area to another. Quit - Returns to File command menu. In the Message Area, the commands are: Area Change - Messages are kept in message areas in order to logically separate messages into common groups. This command allows the user to move between these groups. Delete - Prompts the user for a message number to delete. A user can only delete a message is To or From himself. The sysop may delete any message. Enter - Allows the user to enter a message that can be either to a specific person or to a group of people. Messages can also be sent privately which only allows the sender or receiver to view the message. Others are open messages that all can see. The message editor commands : Control-S - Skips a line and prints the users signature. Control-Z - Ends the message. | - followed by a number from 00 to 15 selects foreground color @@ - followed by a number from 00 to 07 selects background color For example: @@00 and |00 are Black @@01 and |01 are Blue @@02 and |02 are Green @@03 and |03 are Cyan @@04 and |04 are Red @@05 and |05 are Magenta @@06 and |06 are Brown @@07 and |07 are Light Gray |08 is Dark Gray |09 is Light Blue |10 is Light Green |11 is Light Cyan |12 is Light Red |13 is Light Magenta |14 is Yellow |15 is White And the Edit Menu commands are: Abort - Aborts the message and does not send it. Continue - Allows the user to continue writing after typing Control-Z. Save - Saves message and sends to receiver. Replace - Allows a word or phrase to be replaced. List - Lists the message as the receiver would see it. New Scan - Allows user to scan all new open and private messages to them since last login. Also can be used to view all mail from a specified date. NewScan pointers are based on the last message read, not from the last time that the user logs in. Read - Prompts the user for a message to read or to display all new messages in the current area. Read commands are : Again - Re-displays the last message shown on screen. Back-word Thread - Goes to the previous message after the current message that shares the same subject. Continuous - Displays messages forward from current message continuously. Delete - Deletes the current message on screen. The user must be the receiver or sender, or the Sysop. Next - Display the next message after the current message on screen. Previous - Display the previous message before the current message on screen. Reply - Allows user to reply either in an open or private message to the current message on screen. Thread - Goes to the next message after the current message that shares the same subject. Quit - Returns to the message command menu. Number(1,2,Etc) - Selects that message number if valid. Quit - Returns to Main command menu. Help - Displays message area help * - Enters Sysop Message Editor which commands are: Delete Area - Deletes a Message Area and all messages contained in it. Kill Message - Allows a range of messages to be specified for deletion. Modify Area - Allows Sysop to change certain information concerning a message area. Rebuild Messages - No longer needed, use seperate utility if needed. Highly unlikely unless of disk surfice failure Transfer Message - Transfers a message from one area to another Quit - Returns to Message command menu. In the Voting Area the commands are : Number (1,2,Etc) - Selects the Voting Booth to vote in. Results - Allows the user to see how many people voted for a given choice. List - List all the Voting Booths available to vote in. Quit - Returns to Main menu command. Help - Displays voting booth area help. * - Enters Voting Editor which commands are: Add Booth - Adds a Booth to the Voting Area. Change Booth - Allows Sysop to change a Voting Booth. Delete Booth - Allows Sysop to delete a Voting Booth. Quit - Returns to Voting command menu. In the Questionnaire Area the commands are : Number (1,2,Etc) - Selects the Questionnaire to fill out. List - List all the Questionnaires available to fill out. Quit - Returns to Main menu command. Help - Displays questionnaire area help. * - Enters Questionnaire Editor which commands are: Add Quest. - Adds a questionnaire to the system. Delete Quest. - Removes a questionnaire from the system. Quit - Returns to Questionnaire command menu. In the Trivia Area the commands are : Number (1,2,Etc) - Selects the Trivia Category to try. List - List all the Trivia Categories available. Quit - Returns to Main menu command. Help - Displays trivia area help. * - Enters Trivia Editor which commands are: Add Category - Adds a Category to the Trivia Area. Change Category - Allows Sysop to change Category Name. Modify Category - Allows Sysop to change Questions and Answers in a given Category. Quit - Returns to Trivia command menu. In the Bulletin Area the commands are : Number (1,2,Etc) - Selects the Bulletin to read. List - List all the Bulletins available for reading. Quit - Returns to Main menu command. Help - Displays bulletin area help. * - Enters Bulletin Editor which commands are: Add Bulletin - Adds a bulletin to the system. Delete Bulletin - Removes a bulletin from the system. Quit - Returns to Bulletin command menu. CONFIGURATION One of PcConnect's nicest features is its high degree of configurability. With the supplied configuration program, CONFIG.EXE, you can: Change default colors. Change default directories. Assign user access levels. Personalize your BBS. And set many other options. DIRECTORY TREE \PCONNECT pcc.exe - The actual PcConnect program pcc.ovr - Overlay file for PcConnect config.exe - Configuration program for PcConnect p.bat - PcConnect's batch file userlist.pcc - User Database file filearea.pcc - File Area Database file config.pcc - Configuration Database file slist.pcc - Additional user information \PCONNECT\MESSAGE Mess1.DAT \ Mess1.IX \ Mess1.DIA | -- Message area files for area 1 messarea.pcc - Message Area Database file D:\PCONNECT\SYSTEM pkxarc.com - PkWare,Inc's fabulous un-arcer pkarc.com - PkWare,Inc's fabulous arcer pkzip.exe pkunzip.exe lharc.exe pak.exe fv.com by Vern Buerg You MUST register these programs if you plan on using them. Send a donation to PkWare and let them know you are using it with PcConnect. quotes.bbs - A large database of quotes that PcConnect uses dsz.arc - Foresburg's fabulous Zmodem protocol. You must register this program with Omen Technology, let them know you are using it with PcConnect. dsz.com sysstats.pcc - Contains System Stats logger.rec - Contains User Stats errors.pcc - Hopefully you will never see this file, it contains a data dump if an error occurs in PcConnect, please pass it along to Gary Smith. userlog.pcc - This file is an ASCII file that logs exactly what a user did while he was logged on. This should be deleted occasionally as it can grow fairly large. Any other file protocols that you use must also be included in this directory, such as : Megalink by P&M Software Company - MLINK.COM CLINK by System Enhancement Associates - CLINK.EXE PCKERMIT by Jan A. van der Eijk NUS Corporation - PCKERMIT.EXE JMODEM - JMODEM.COM \PCONNECT\BULLETIN bulletin.pcc - Contains Bulletin information BULLETIN.(Bulletin Number) - Simple text file BULLETIN.AN(Bulletin Number) - Ansi file \PCONNECT\QSTNRE question.pcc - Contains Questionnaire information quest(Questionnaire Number).qst - Text file that is the questionnaire. \PCONNECT\MENU bullmenu.80 \ bullmenu.ans \ filemenu.80 \ filemenu.ans \ goodbye.80 \ goodbye.ans \ login.txt \ mainmenu.80 \ mainmenu.ans \ messmenu.80 | These files are the actual menu files. There messmenu.ans | needs to be both an ANSI and text version of | each. The Sysop MUST create these. newuser.txt / qstmenu.80 / qstmenu.ans / triviame.80 / triviame.ans / votemenu.80 / votemenu.ans / welcome.80 / welcome.ans / \PCONNECT\VOTE vote.pcc - Contains Voting Booth information vote(Voting Booth Number).CHS - Voting Booth Database vote(Voting Booth Number).WHO - Text file listing what users voted for what choice. \PCONNECT\TRIVIA Trivia.pcc - Contains Trivia information Tquest.(Trivia Number) \ Trivia files that contain the Trivia Trivia(TriviaNumber).Qst / questions and answers. \PCONNECT\ARC This directory should always be empty, it is only used as workspace for the ViewArc segment of the program. Any files that may be found in this directory can and should be deleted. \PCONNECT\FILE This directory holds all your DIR.PCC files. They will be in the format DIR(File Area Number).PCC. If you use PcConnect's external file editor (PCCFE) you will also have DIR.BAK and DIR.TMP files in this directory. APPENDIXES THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ARCHIVERS One of the best, and worst thing to have happened to the BBS world lately is the much talked about archive wars. While this has brought the BBS community a large set of archiving programs, with each new generation being more efficient, it has also created some massive headaches. To solve this problem, PcConnect now supports all the major archiving formats (PKARC, PKZIP, LHARC, and PAK), and will continue to do so in the future. The View Arc command now uses Vern Buerg's EXCELLENT file viewer, and then that information is parsed and displayed to the user. If a user wants to View an archive, PcConnect will use the appropraite unarchiver and display the resulting file. For View Arc to work, the following files MUST be included in your SYSTEM directory : PKARC These files MUST be spelled correctly in PKXARC order for them to function properly. PKZIP If you have PkPak, rename it to PKARC, PKUNZIP the same is true for PKUnPak. All LHARC of these files are available from most PAK quality BBS's. If you can not find them, FV you can download them from my board. EDITORS and SUCH There are several additional files that may be of use to you if you decide to set PcConnect up as a full time system. Many of them can be downloaded from your favorite BBS, such as the files above. However, we have also written some small programs that will help you run a full time board. We have a user editor, and file editor that are really needed to run a full-time BBS. You do not need these to start out, but you will probably want to get them. Other tools include a Quote editor, a log viewing facility, etc. All of these files are available on my board, or most other PcConnect BBS's. Any new user may download them from my board on their first visit. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gary Smith is a native of Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, and since college has worked for The Discovery Channel as a software engineer. In 1988 he went into part-time consulting, specializing in systems and applications work on Micros. Besides PcConnect, he is also the co-author of numerous libraries for Turbo Pascal. When he's away from the computer (which is very seldom these days) he enjoys listening to classic rock music, driving one of his three sports cars, and spending quiet evenings home with his wife.