GEMini Atari/GEMini_Atari_CD-ROM_Walnut_Creek_December_1993.iso/files/bbs/stkeep/bbs_news.doc

Text File | 1993-03-06 | 28KB | 668 lines

ST-Keep Bulletin Board System Update News
-----------------------------------------

06Mar93

Added "Auto-logoff after download" toggle for users.  [X][N][N] turns this
feature on or off.  If on, after a download is completed, a 20 second countown
starts, during which the user can press [S] to abort the logoff or if [S]
isn't pressed their session will be terminated.

05Mar93

Users may only have up to the maximum minutes for all users per day times 3
minutes on deposit in their time bank account.  Your maximum minutes per day
is set with CNFG.PRG.

03Mar93

Added a new switch when running ST-Keep as a door.  -R### passes the number
of minutes allowed to the user UNDER ALL CONDITIONS (even SysOp access) when
the BBS is run from a door.  The value can be from 1-255.

01Mar93

Erasing a file in a directory room now only records the filename instead of
the complete path.  The room identification should be enough to know where
the file was, and it was causing ugly reports in the system messages due to
word-wrapping past one line.

I have attempted to make all BBS prompts respond only to valid characters
rather than [?] menu if an invalid character was typed.  Let me know if I
missed any commands (menu options inop) or missed a menu!

23Feb93

Fixed bugs where deleting a file number greater than available from the batch
list was allowed along with making sure to delete the file size of a file
deleted from this same list so it won't offset the rest of the data that may
still be on the list.

19Feb93

Another fix for [.][c][a] and editing the access level.  If used, can't raise
access level higher than current value.

15Feb93

Added a Time Bank feature.  Users can press $ at any room prompt and enter
the bank.  They can deposit up to their remaining time for the current day
into the bank, to a maximum of 32000.  They may withdraw once per day, an
amount equal to your configured global maximum minutes per call.

You must edit STK_INFA.SYS at line number 28, 2 lines below the SysOps last
name.  It must contain the single key character of the hot-key used to enter
your automatic-door.  [.][E][D] is still used to get the full door menu
system.  I would suggest shying away from the current [*] for activating this
function, as it is one of the characters used to signal a Zmodem transfer
start/finish and is causing some users to enter the door menu when their file
transfer is complete.  Make sure to edit your ROOMCMDS.* menus to reflect
your new door menu hot-key.

The author of Notary (call-back verifier) has agreed to allow me to update
Notary for use with ST-Keep, that way I don't have to start from scratch.
I'll keep you posted.

14Feb93

Updated BBS_TERM.PRG so that it erases its status line properly upon exit.

13Feb93

If you have active votes and are missing an *.ANS (answer) file, the
system will not bomb and ignore that vote instead.

05Feb93

Changed "filename erased by ... in room ..." to a system message instead
of a singly message.

01Feb93

Edit line #18 in STK_INFA.SYS and enter a number from 50-9999 which will
correspond to the number of lines saved in STK_CALL.SYS to record user
calls to the BBS.  The old count was 100, and you start seeing a delay by
150.

Fixed a bug that didn't allow you to INCREASE a user's access level
(introduced when I made the external user editor internal).  You also can
not edit your own access level if you are logged on remotely nor can you
raise any user's access level (including yourself) higher than your own.

Fixed a bug that wasn't stopping un-registered copies from pausing before
allowing users to logon remotely.  If you weren't aware, I retracted the
crippleware idea and simply make un-registered copies pause 45 seconds
before allowing a user to logon remotely.  I didn't do this for local
logons as a new SysOp testing the system out would get upset very quickly
about having to wait all the time!  I still don't believe ST-Keep will
prosper as cripple-ware.

23Jan93

You can delete the BBS_T10.PRG file, it's been placed internally into
BBS.PRG as was the BBS_UE.PRG a week ago.  Your T10*.SYS files are still
required, however.  Leave them as they are.

19Jan93

Users may type [S] or [CTRL-C] while text has been paused with their [P] or
[CTRL-S] keypress and the display will be stopped.

18Jan93

Deleted the old "Access User" routine and re-wrote the current "Userlog
Editor" routine so that it could edit both a user on disk and the user in
RAM simply by saving the RAM user to disk first, then re-loading the
record when finished.  Save approximately 5K of code and made ST-Keep one
step closer to better structure!

17Jan93

Status line tested OK on monochrome.

You no longer need BBS_UE.PRG, please DELETE all copies you may have.  It
has been re-installed internally.

I was able to test the status line in monochrome, looks great!

16Jan93

Cleaned up the status line a bit.  Someone test it in monochrome for me, I
no longer have one!

13Jan93

New co-sysop option, [.][C][R] to search for a user by their REAL name
field.  You can enter a string to search for.  Update your COSYSOP.MNU
files.  This edits the user on disk only, similar to [.][C][U].

11Jan93

You can now change the description of a file if it already has one, no
editing, just changing the complete description.  Use [A] and answer the
confirmation if a description already exists.

You can now add floors while logged on instead of only with a text editor,
use [0] from the [.][C][F]loor editor.  Also, cosmetic changes.

The waitcall screen now has information for the SysOp regarding how many
new user applications, new uploads, and new mail messages have occurred
since his last logon.  These pointers will create a file called
STK_NEWD.SYS in your system folder, and will be 0'd out after the sysop
logs off.

v5.05-10Jan93

This is the first "registration required" version of ST-Keep.  You should
have an "STKEEP.KEY" file with this version which you should backup for
safekeeping.  Your BBS will not run properly without it (you'll be limited
to 25 rooms and 25 user accounts.

You will need to add your serial number to the INFA.SYS file by adding a
new line at the end of the file.  Your serial number will be supplied in
a textfile along with your key file.

Added a new field to each user account, "Permanent Account."  You can edit
a user with either [.][c][a] or [.][c][u] and use the permanent account
option so that when you use the mass userlog option to delete inactive
users, it will NOT delete any permanent accounts.  You can still delete
permanent accounts with the [.][a][k]ill command or simply by changing
their access level to 0.  I expect my account on your BBS to be a
permanent account!

v5.03-09Jan93

You will need to add a new line to INFA.SYS.  It should be the complete
drive, path, and filename of your terminal program that is executed when
you attempt [C]hat mode without a caller on-line.  This could be Flash,
STalker, or the BBS_TERM.PRG or BBS_TERM.TOS supplied with ST-Keep.  Once
you add this line, you can configure this setting with the new
configuration editor supplied in the update.  It's in the 3rd options menu.

Users can now enter a search string during extended file directories.  A
second prompt will appear after they type in the filemask to search for.
This obviously takes longer, but can be very handy.  If floors are
enabled, the search only works for rooms on the current floor for a global
directory, and in the current room for a normal extended directory just
like the old commands.

04Jan93

There is a new door flag, -DRG or -DHG will send the group level instead
of the access level in the DORINFO1.DEF file.  Leave out the G if your
DORINFO1.DEF file requires the access level.

02Jan93   *** HAPPY NEW YEAR ***

Make sure you change any spawning of ST-Keep to use just "-B0" for local
mode rather than "-L" as it ist no longer needed.

Well, it's a new year, ST-Keep is almost 4 years old and is beginning to
show his age.  Thank all of you for your suggestions, help, and friendship
over the years and months that I've known you.  Here is the first new
version for 1993!

Fixed bug in chat mode that didn't notify SysOp if a user attempted chat
and their access level was below 100.  Also, multiple un-answered chat
requests per session will now be recorded at logoff instead of just the
first attempt.

If you have doors configured and use the "-D" option to save the
DORINFO1.DEF file, you MUST change it to -DR if you wish to pass the
user's REAL NAME or -DH if you wish to pass the users HANDLE/Username as
ST-Keep knows them.

Fixed a problem with the download ratio if the user had 0 uploads.  They
are given one u/l credit if it is actually 0.

Thanks to JEFF for all this New Years work!  :)  Seriously though, I do
appreciate it.  BETTER AND BETTER!

29Dec92

You will need to add 6 lines to INFA.SYS below the last entry made on the
24Dec92 update.  Each line should be the number 0.  After you save the
file, you can run BBS_CNFG.PRG with this new file and use the [F] option
to change default new user settings.  They should be self explanatory,
just use Y or N or enter the required information for each field.

26Dec92

Oops, I goofed on that file selector update.  I forgot to include prompts
for the filename if the selector wasn't used, so you may or may not have
figured out that you could still type the pathname, heh.  It's fixed now.

24Dec92

You can choose whether ST-Keep attempts to bring up the file selector
diring appropriate functions or uses a text prompt instead.  Add a line to
INFA.SYS and type the number 1 if you want to use the file selector, or 0
if you want to use text prompts.  This may be necessary if you have an
older version of TOS which doesn't operate well with ST-Keep's file
selector.  Once you modify STK_INFA.SYS, you can use BBS_CNFG.PRG to
change this toggle in the future.

12Dec92

You can now set the timeout minutes per your satisfaction with the
BBS_CNFG.PRG program under Options 2 (selection C).  Add a line to
INFA.SYS at the bottom, it should be the number of minutes for your
inactivity time-out.  3 = 3 minutes, etc.  Once you do this, you can use
the CNFG.PRG to edit in the future.

*** RE 24 Oct 92 update ***

You need to run the mass userlog editor ([.][c][m]) and edit all your
users so that they have the desired max. min. per call/day, etc times for
your system.  When you added the new line to infa.sys, I forgot to tell
you to edit all the users as this field in each record was 0 and unused
previously.  Sorry!

05Dec92

Added the ability to delete files from the batch download list before the
transfer actually takes place in addition to enhancing the general
cosmetics of downloads.

29Nov92

When files are transferred batch mode, the report in the system download
room accurately reflects which room they were from rather than the room
they were all downloaded from.

27Nov92

The -L switch when running BBS.PRG is no longer required for local mode,
the baud rate sent as -B0 is sufficient for the system to recognize
a non-modem call.

25Nov92

You must add a line to INFA.SYS which is the pathname for the location
of your ST-Keep message base.  EX:  "e:\msgs\"

HELP.HLP has been renamed to HELP.MNU so that you can add IGS/V52/ANS
graphic menus.  ST-Keep will look for this filename from now on so make
sure you re-name your old one.  It stays in your HELP directory, however.

Added "Room Moderator" option.  You can assign ONE user as moderator of
each room.  They will have all room related aide commands (from the .ae
menu).  I have moved INVITE and UNINVITE user commands into this menu to
facilitate this new access level.  You MUST RUN BBS_MODR.PRG from your
INFA.SYS directory before running this new version.  It will create a
new file called STK_MODR.SYS which will hold all the moderator names
for each of your rooms.  Line one is for room 1, line 2 for room 2, etc.

BBS_TERM now accepts a pathname along the command line (c:\bbs\) so that
it can better find it's configuration file when run from ST-Keep.  If there
is no path sent or the configuration file isn't found, it'll use some
pre-configured defaults.

Added "Allocate additional rooms" in the configuration editor.  Run BBS_CNFG
if you run out of rooms on your BBS.  This will add space in the ROOM.SYS
and USER.SYS files and create a USER.BAK file in case a problem arises.
Please make your own backups of ALL your system files and pay close
attention to the BBS until you are sure the addition has taken hold.

24Nov92

Bug fix... if the last available room on your system was created and a user
was in that room as the last one on the current floor, the auto-goto-next-
floor feature didn't work.  Now it does!

08Nov92

Fixed BBS_TERM so that it looks for it's configuration file in the same
folder as the program.

Changed Goto next floor and show rooms with new messages to be the default
settings for new users.  5.0 will allow the sysop to choose his own
defaults for most user options depending on his perception of popularity.

07Nov92

Added Ymodem-G hooks for the new XYZ.TTP v2.02 BETA.  I tested it with a
200K file and got 1595cps while only getting 1430cps with Zmodem -
compression disabled).  It worked fine.

Added [D] Increase Message Base size to BBS_CNFG.PRG from the main
menu.  Be sure to enter your value in K and not bytes, or you'll end
up with one large message base!

24Oct92

Fixed [E]rase file from the extended directory so that it doesn't
allow any user to delete the file.  Only Aides or higher can use this
menu option.

Added a line to INFA.SYS for the maximum number of minutes allowed
per day for each user (maximum on-line time per call, below).  This
will be used to establish this field for new users, but can be modified
independantly per user or via the mass userlog editor if you wish.  Add a line
to INFA.SYS below the minimum baud rate for file transfers.  The new version
of BBS_CNFG.PRG can be used to change this field once you add the line.

18Oct92

Added "Maximum on-line time per call" field for each user.  User
Configuration data, co-sysop access and co-sysop userlog editor
reflect this new field.  This, combined with "maximum on-line minutes
per day" should allow better control of user activity.  I don't feel
a "maximum calls per day" field is required since both of these
together will satisfy a daily call limit.

14Oct92

Added MINIMUM BAUD RATE for incoming calls and file transfers.  If a
caller isn't at this speed or higher for each of these items, they will be
sent NOCALL.BLB or NOXFER.BLB, depending on which situation is valid.
These settings must be set within the BBS_CNFG.PRG utility.  You will need
to create the 2 BLB files in addition to adding two lines to INFA.SYS at
the bottom of the file.  The first line should be the minimum baud rate
required for incoming calls, the second should be the minimum baud rate
for file transfers.  Ex:

    1200
    2400

    Once you add these items, you may use the nwe BBS_CNFG to change them.

If a user has a list of downloads in the held file buffer and they press
[D] from the extended directory prompt to download the current listed file,
their original held file list will not be erased anymore and the current
file will be transferred normally.

11Oct92

I found a nice place to re-set the CR count for users with their screen
length set for ...More prompting!  I set the CR count to 0 inside both of
ST-Keep's major I/O routines.  This should add a bit more consistancy in
the page mode.  I also disabled ...More during [T]ermination of a session
since you don't want your logoff screen to prompt if it happens to be
larger than one user screen.

I've added a color reset call after a user logs off, let me know if their
vt-52 settins still mess up the waitcall() screen.

When [C]ontinuing to enter a message, the CR inserted when the user typed
CR/CR to enter edit mode will be removed.  This will allow the user to
continue their message immediately after the last character typed instead
of inserting the CR automatically.

There is a new Co-SysOp Option [A] to allow or disallow handles.  Simply
toggle this on or off.  When new users apply, they will be asked for their
real name and handle, otherwise only the real name will be prompted for.

03Oct92

Added [V][G]IF file contents.  This will show the x and y resolution along
with the number of colors used in the picture.  The [V] command in the
extended directory will activate this function on a *.GIF file
automatically.

[V] in the extended directory will now display, as ASCII text, any file
that doesn't match the *.ARC, *.LZH, *.ZIP, or *.GIF extensions.  This
allows the text-reading of files that may not have a *.DOC or *.TXT
extension.

13Sep92

I'm now turning the mouse on before executing any programs (doors, execs).
FidoSysGen was unusable from ST-Keep as a door or .co-sysop exec due to the
loss of the mouse!

06Sep92

If you are running ST-Keep from a program that doesn't allow ST-Keep to
answer the phone (as a door, from Binkley, etc.) you will need to pass the
switch "-L" for LOCAL along the command line with the baud rate and/or path
to use.  Update of your autoexec.bat files to spawn ST-Keep will be
required.  This ensures better carrier loss detection when run if the user
hangs up during the boot process.  Previously, the time between the door
program starting ST-Keep and ST-Keep checking for carrier left about 2
seconds of possible error in detection, now the -L ensures a valid
detection at all times.

Some of you may have been having problems with the door menu showing up
under [*] or [.][e][d]... be sure to use BBS_CNFG.PRG and under the [A][X]
option (second menu) where the door execs are configured, select "0" for
any door information that is unused (auto-exec, logon, logoff).  If it is a
blank line you will end up with problems getting to your menu, although [*]
would still auto-run your selected door.

30Aug92

Screen length ...More? prompting is now disabled during an extended
directory listing.

Auto-goto next floor flag has been added.  Under [X][N][K] (edit
configuration, system options, auto-goto...) the user may turn the feature
on or off that automagically takes them to the next floor if they have
pressed [G]oto and are done with the rooms on the current floor.

Added user toggle to turn "Rooms with new messages list" on/off when moving
among floors.  [L] under user config, system options.

If a [S]kip is performed on the last room on a floor, it will act just as
if it was a [G]oto and attempt to move to the next floor if the proper user
flags are set (it still won't mark the messages as read).

27Aug92

Logon exec and logoff exec have been changed along with bbs_cnfg.prg.  You
will be required to enter a door number for each of these execs and the
command line is now invalid.  Instead, create a door with group status that
will allow your users to run the desired door as if they chose it
themselves.  Run cnfg.prg to edit those door numbers as they were
previously paths.  You may want to use this to have ST-Keep run Fidodoor
automatically when a user logs on and check their netmail, etc.  If any of
these doors are unused, you MUST use a "0" for the door number, if you
leave it as a null string you won't be able to get your door menu.

26Aug92

Carrier loss is now detected when run as a door and the loss happened
before the BBS was fully loaded.

16Aug92

If any files are on hold, they can now be downloaded in 'undownloadable'
rooms.  Previously, the no-dl status of a room would not allow a [D]
request and thus nullify the held file download and require the user to
move to a directory / dl room in order to proceed.

If chat mode is disabled, the user is not notified twice that the sysop is
unavailable.  NOCHAT.BLB is ONLY used if the sysop doesn't answer the chat,
but if it's disabled a simple message will be sent to the user.

08Aug92

A second menu has been added in the configuration editor (BBS_CNFG.PRG) to
facilitate the addition of new paths to locate.  Run it and familiarize
yourself by pressing [A] to change paths, then [X] to go to the 2nd menu
where you can enter some new options, most importantly the name and
location of your chat program.

ST-Keep's chat mode has been removed and written as an external module.
You will need the BBS_CHAT.PRG along with the new version of BBS.PRG
otherwise you won't be able to chat!

You MUST locate your CHAT EXEC using the configuration editor by editing
your paths and then going to the 2nd menu by pressing [X].  Simply enter
the drive/path/filename spec you wish to invoke when chat mode is called.
This would read "C:\BBS\BBS_CHAT.PRG" or something like that for ST-Keep's
chat, otherwise you can have it call your own chat programs.

07Aug92

All the UNUSED lines in INFA.SYS are now used!  These can be updated by
using the new version of BBS_CNFG.PRG.

Line 7 is now for the chat exec filename.  This is the path and filename to
run when you select chat mode with a user.  ST-Keeps chat mode is now
external (BBS_CHAT.PRG).  You can choose your own chat program simply by
using its name instead.

Line 17 is the logon exec filename.  This program will run after a user
logs on.

Line 18 is the logon exec's command line information.

Line 19 is the door number to run (auto-door) when [*] is pressed from any
room prompt.  This will automatically run this door (from STK_DOOR.SYS)
when pressed.  The [.][E][D] command will still bring up the old menu.  The
best use for this feature is to allow your users to press [*] and it'll
autorun DIP!

05Aug92

Fixed file directory listing so it would no longer ad directory ".", ".",
and "FILES" to the total file count when displaying that information.  Some
users were complaining that they couldn't see 3 files!

01Aug92

Added auto-goto next floor.

17Jul92

In the message editor, if you go to the edit command and later continue
your message, it would place a CR at the last position in the editor.  This
no longer happens so when continuing, you'll start exactly where you left
off before pressing RETURN twice to get to the edit command.

Increased rs232 i/o buffers to 4K each if the port is locked.

13Jul92

Bug fix, new messages read weren't always getting updated properly in the
version during the past 4 days.

Update to BBS_TERM to ensure that the menu bar gets re-displayed properly
when returning from terminal mode.

12Jul92

BBS_CNFG.PRG has been updated to reflect the use of 192 to lock the port at
19.2K rather than 0 which will simply allow calls up to 19.2K but setting
the port at the modem speed rather than locking it at 19.2K.

08Jul92

Added a post logon exec command.  Line #19 in the STK_INFA.SYS file can
contain a pathname and program name (i.e. "D:\FIDO\FIDODOOR.TTP") which
will run right after the system prints "Welcome, Username!" after a logon.

04Jul92

Something happened to my updated BBS_NEWS.DOC file so this information
might not have been in the last update as of 01Jul92...

There is a new function to disallow new users access to the BBS totally.
They can only apply for an account and then they will be logged off (as
well as if they call back).  The SysOp will need to upgrade their access
level to allow them on.  This will disallow new users from attributing to
ANY system activity other than one new call and an application, which
constitutes a new access level even tighter than level 1 was before.  To
toggle this "Limit New User" function, use the Co-SysOp Option menu "K"
([.][C][O][K]).  This also required changes to the access level formats, so
prepare for a bit of work.

New Access Levels:

       0 = killed or unused account (same) 1 = Limited New User (new,
       application only, no further logon) 2 = Unvalidated User (now
       write/file xfer/door privs, previously level 1) 3 = Validated user
       (write/file xfer/door privs, previously level 2) 4- 99 = Normal
       users for SysOp configuration 100-149 = Aide 150-199 = Co-SysOp
       200-254 = SysOp 255 = Supervisor

This means that you will *MUST* to change the access level of your current
users by using the mass userlog editor (good practice!).  On my system,
level 5 is SST Members, 4 is special users, 3 is unused, 2 is validated
users and 1 is unvalidated users.  I basically need to insert a new level
between 0 and 1, so I'll move level 2 to 3 (since 3 is unused), 1 to 2, and
leave 1 open for the new level if it needs to be used.  Since 4 and 5
aren't being bumped, they don't need to be changed.  Of course, you will
need to change level 2 to 3 first and then 1 to 2 so that I don't create a
ton of level 2 users first and then move them all to level 3.  Always start
converting from the highest level first.  It is critical that you change
levels, otherwise certain users will not be able to use the system as
validated users.

31Jun92

Terminal mode now calls BBS_TERM.PRG (my own creation) rather than using an
internal dumb-terminal procedure.  Hopefully BBS_TERM will grow as time
goes on.  Place this program in your system directory.

Added [A] Access Desk Accessories from the wait call screen.

Added [B] Baud Rate change from the wait call screen.  This will save the
new rate to INFA.SYS so it'll be your new maximum baud rate default (or
port locking information).

Cosmetics.

01Jun92

Added [H]old file function.  User must use [D]ownload from within any room
to download all held files.  If these files are not downloaded by the user
before the session ends, the list will be erased upon call termination.

Changes made to the file description format.

TOS version reporting fixed.

24May92

I re-wrote the output routines so that it prints one word at a time rather
than a whole line at a time.  You will notice a definate decrease in
console output during local logons, but users will have more immediate
response to their stop and pause requests when reading messages.

11May92

Fixed bug whereby the BBS would bomb if you tried to move a file from a
directory room to another directory room which didn't have a folder created
on disk.

Added 2 characters to each room name when listed within [K]nown rooms
command.

10May92

Moved Debug function to [.][C][D]ebug so that normal users can't access it
via the old CTRL-P command.  Oldmsg% should = oldest msg on disk.

Fixed [1] directory command so that a room with 0 files will not show the
last byte count of a previous directory room.

Added a menu file for USERBOOT.# routines.  When you use [F6] to send a
userboot textfile before bumping a user, USERBOOT.MNU located in your MSG
folder will be displayed so you can remember which boot files you have.

08May92

New BBS config to allow locking the serial port at 19200 bps for high speed
modems.

08Apr92

Instant Graphics and Sound menu's were reportedly not working correctly,
make sure your menu extensions are IGS.  Use BIG for IBM IGS, MNU for
ASCII, ANS for ANSI and V52 for VT-52.

30Mar92

A new pathname option has been added so that the SysOp can designate where
ST-Keep stores it's temporary files.  Line #16 in STK_INFA.SYS contains
this pathname.  It must terminate with a backslash.  This can be a RAMdisk
to enhance the speed of functions requiring temporary files.  You will need
the new version of BBS_CNFG.PRG as well.

ST-Keep's internal backup routines have been removed.  You will need to set
up an EXEC event to run backups.  Simply create a batchfile with your
favorite CLI and have it use your preference of archivers and take care of
your backup.