Meeting Pearls 3/Meeting_Pearls_III.iso/Pearls/comm/Fido/TrapDoor/docs/TrapDoor.FAQ

Internet Message Format | 1994-06-23 | 15KB

From: Maximilian Hantsch
To: All
Subject: Frequently Asked Questions (monthly repost)

   (last updated: 27-May-94)

   Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about TrapDoor together
with their answers:


Q: What happens when I register (i.e. send money)?

A: You will be sent a small packet via (snail) mail, containing a floppy
   disk with the latest versions of TrapDoor, TrapList, the manuals and a
   lot of other goodies. Also on this disk you will find a so-called
   "keyfile". Once you copy this keyfile onto your system (hard)disk,
   TrapDoor will not display its "Shareware Reminders" any more.


Q: I have registered my TrapDoor. How long will it take until I receive
   my disk?

A: From the day your registration arrives here, it usually takes about
   two weeks until the disks get shipped. However, we reserve the right
   to take up to eight weeks before mailing the disk. Remember, we could
   be on holidays or something like that. Please wait at least four weeks
   before sending a complaint.


Q: I have just received my registered version of TrapDoor. Where should I
   put the keyfile?

A: Just copy the keyfile somewhere in your path; for example, in the
   current directory or in the directory where your TrapDoor executable
   file resides. Alternatively, you can also place it in "MAIL:".


Q: I have a US Robotics Courier HST (or Dual Standard) modem. How should
   I set up TrapDoor and my modem?

A: There is a chapter in the manual that describes exactly how to set up
   your modem.


Q: I recently upgraded to a Supra 14k4 Modem and am experiencing
   loads of "too many retries" errors from TrapDoor. I seem to
   have missed some configuration switch?

A: Do an ATW2&W. That cures the problem.


Q: I want to set up TrapDoor as a node. How do I make TrapDoor call all
   the nodes that I have mail waiting for?

A: Basically you need a cron utility such as TPTCron, which you tell to
   call a small script every couple of minutes during the periods when you
   intend to make outgoing calls. The script should look like this:

 | .key args
 | .bra {
 | .ket }
 |
 | if NOT $poll EQ true
 |    setenv poll true
 |    trappoll {args}
 |    setenv poll false
 | endif

   In your CronTab file, use lines like

 | # Outgoing calls
 | #
 | 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55 6,23 * * * Execute DLGConfig:Batch/Poll
 | 35,40,45,50,55 3 * * *     Execute DLGConfig:Batch/Poll "-c +d"
 | 0,5,10,15,20,25 4 * * *    Execute DLGConfig:Batch/Poll "-c +d"


Q: I use TrapDoor in a point setup. Do I need to install oMMM, TrapList,
   Yuck! and all the other stuff?

A: No. You can probably get away quite well without any of them. All you
   need is TrapDoor, TrapToss (or some other mail tosser) and some
   message editor such as ChameleonEdit.


Q: When I try to use the nodelist with "TrapDoor call 2:310/6", TrapDoor
   will open its windows and then, after initializing the modem, it will
   try to _dial_ the nodenumber, i.e. it sends "ATDP2:310/6" to the
   modem. My nodelist has been successfully compiled with TrapList and
   the "NODELIST" parameter has been set to the directory in which all
   the nodelist files reside.

A: There is a bug in the unregistered version of TrapDoor 1.50 that
   prevents it from using the nodelist in outgoing calls. This has been
   fixed in TrapDoor 1.80 and later versions.


Q: How much is the registration fee and where do I send it?

A: The registration fee is ATS 350,- (plus another ATS 150,- if you send
   foreign cheques or money orders). The address to send it to is:

                TrapDoor Development
                Maximilian Hantsch
                Matzleinsdorfer Platz 3-4/3/10
                A-1050 Wien
                Austria / Europe

   As one of the safest and possibly easiest ways to send in your
   registration fee from other countries, we would suggest an
   international postal money order -- your local post office will
   happily provide you with more information about this. It also
   has the advantage that the exchange of currencies is handled
   automatically and the surcharge is negligible.

   Alternatively, you can either send a EuroCheque payable to
   Maximilian Hantsch in Austrian Schillings or have your bank
   transfer the registration fee to the "Oesterreichische
   Postsparkasse (PSK)" (BLZ 60000), account 6.777.234 ("Maximilian
   Hantsch"). Beware: International transfers via banks are rather
   expensive.

   Note: IF YOU SEND CHEQUES, PLEASE SEND ONLY EUROCHEQUES MADE OUT
   IN AUSTRIAN SCHILLINGS! We have to impose a surcharge of ATS 150,-
   on all other cheques, money orders or bank drafts.

   In any case, be sure to provide us with your name, address,
   fido-nodenumber and international phone number for our files.
   You can send this information via electronic mail, if you wish.
   If you don't mind, this data will be stored and processed in
   electronic form.


Q: How can I request files with trapdoor. I generate the .REQ file
   with FFSA, but TrapDoor doesn't send this file to the node.

A: You have to specify the node in the BOSS configuration switch as well.

 | FFSA node 2:310/6
 | [create .REQ file for 2:310/6]
 | TrapDoor call 0043-1-556-7854 BOSS 2:310/6

   The BOSS parameter gets automatically set up when you use a nodenumber
   for the CALL keyword (but then you need a nodelist), like in

 | TrapDoor call 2:310/6

   So, in the latter case, you can omit the BOSS switch.


Q: I am running as a node, and I'd like to add my points to the
   nodelist so I can set up session passwords for them.

A: Create a "private.001" file in your nodelist directory,
   containing something like

 | ;A My private secret Traplist -- fake crc 0 : 0
 | ;A
 | Host,310,->
 | ,6,->
 | Point,1,My_First_Point,Vienna_Austria,Random_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW
 | Point,2,My_Second_Point,Vienna_Austria,Martin_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW
 | Point,3,My_Third_Point,Vienna_Austria,Maximilian_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW

   The "->" tells TrapList not to include this nodenumber again in the
   index. (It would cause a "duplicate node" warning, as your own
   nodenumber has already been found in the FidoNet nodelist).

   If you are using a fake pointnet, the entries should read

 | Host,3160,My_Fake_Net,Vienna_Austria,Maximilian_Hantsch,
                                        43-1-5567854,9600,MO,HST,XW
 | Pvt,1,My_First_Point,Vienna_Austria,Random_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW
 | Pvt,2,My_Second_Point,Vienna_Austria,Martin_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW
 | Pvt,3,My_Third_Point,Vienna_Austria,Maximilian_Luser,
                                        -Unpublished-,9600,MO,HST,XW


Q: How can I configure my system so that unlisted nodes (namely
   points) can call my system and freq or send mail
   without having to use a password?

A: For nodes (or points) that are not found in the nodelist, TrapDoor uses
   the password set up with the PASSWORD configuration switch. So you
   should set that one to

        PASSWORD ""

   On the other hand, if you wish to exclude anyone from calling your
   system, you could set up some secret password and TrapDoor would
   disconnect any caller.


Q: When I try to connect to a node which is using a Telebit modem,
   my system gets a connect at 2400bps. Trapdoor then hangs up immediately
   with with the log reporting "Discontinuing Session due to inadequate
   Baudrate". I have an HST modem and use the MAXBAUD switch in TrapDoor.

A: The problem is: As that PEP node is able to connect at speeds higher
   than 2400 baud, the nodelist lists it as a 9600-baud system. But this is
   only true for other PEP modems. With your HST, you only get a CONNECT
   2400. As you asked for MAXBAUD, TrapDoor will compare the actual connect
   speed with the one listed in the nodelist, see that the connect speed is
   lower, and hang up. The solution: disable MAXBAUD (use NOMAXBAUD).

   As an alternative, you can also set up a custom configuration using the
   setconfig utility, with which you force MINBAUD to a smaller value. For
   example:

      setconfig 1:135/256 "minbaud 2400"


Q: When I receive mail from by boss, I get many many transmission errors.
   I run a point system on an A500 with two floppy drives.

A: You have to put the inbound directory in RAM: or on a harddrive.
   Floppies are too slow and will cause timeouts and transmission errors.
   You can also try to increase the serial buffer size in Preferences,
   this may make the problems go away as well. Set it at least to 2048
   bytes.


Q: Every time TrapDoor starts up, it opens its screen and its windows,
   switching the input from the currently active window (my Shell) to
   itself. This confuses me.

A: There is a BACKGROUND option in TrapDoor. If you specify that one,
   TrapDoor will not activate its windows, and it will open its screen
   behind all other screens.

   Or, you could also run TrapDoor in QUIET mode, and it will not open
   any windows at all. You should also use SCREENMODE WORKBENCH then,
   unless you like empty screens without any windows...


Q: Is it possible to install Trapdoor on a multiline system?
   Or are you working on this for future versions?

A: Yes. You have to change the name of the ARexx port for each line using
   the REXXNAME keyword. There is a chapter in the manual explaining how
   to do that.


Q: I have seen people using newer versions of TrapDoor, like 1.81.a2 or
   1.82.b9 Where can I get the upgrade to the new version, and what
   costs are involved?

A: Versions with an appendix like ".a3" or ".b9" or ".pre" are always
   alpha, beta or prerelease test versions, and these are only
   available to a selected set of test sites.

   For the public, we have official release versions. There is no
   upgrade fee if you upgrade to a new release version of TrapDoor.

   You can download or filerequest the latest release version of
   TrapDoor (currently 1.84) from many BBSs and/or Fidonet nodes.
   Also, the latest release version is always available from our
   support system, 2:310/6, through a fidonet file request under
   the magic name "TRAPDOOR".


Q: TrapDoor and/or TrapToss crashes when I have JobManager running.

A: JobManager is doing illegal things to a program's task structure,
   which causes even TrapLand software to crash. Don't use JobManager, or
   exclude TrapDoor and TrapToss from "job management".


Q: Immediately after the CONNECT message appears, my TrapDoor reports
   "Carrier lost" and hangs up. It seems like some carrier detect signal
   from my modem does not go active quickly enough. Sometimes TrapDoor
   will work, but sometimes it won't.

A: Try using NOSNIFFARQ. This will introduce a delay of 2 seconds before
   TrapDoor first checks the DCD (data carrier detect) signal.


Q: After a successful session with my Boss, I have left in my outbound
   directory the appropriately named archive (Eg. 2.259.24.0.WE0) which
   has been sent to my boss although it is now empty.

A: Just leave it there. Your mail tosser will delete it next time it
   builds a new bundle. It is left there by TrapDoor so that the mail
   tosser knows which name it should give the next bundle.


Q: When will the next version of TrapDoor be released!

A: Saturday?


Q: I'd like to use a nullmodem cable between two of my Amigas and run
   a TrapDoor session over that link. How do I do that?

A: Try this: Run one end as the "incoming" side. Fire it up just
   normally in answer mode, using the NODSR option and on the serial
   port where you have the nullmodem cable connected.

   Then run the TrapDoor at the "outgoing" end. Again, start it up in
   answer mode (using NODSR). Then execute the following ARexx script
   (adapt as needed):

 | /* */
 |
 | address 'TrapDoor'
 |
 | /* configure this TrapDoor */
 | "node 2:310/6.666"
 | 'name "The Mad Point -- The TrapDoor Development Exile'
 | 'password secret'
 | 'boss 2:310/6.0'
 |
 | /* make the 'call' */
 | stimeout 10
 | smodem "|RING|"
 | address command "wait 2 secs"
 | 'swrite "CONNECT 19200/ABS"||d2c(13)||d2c(10)'
 | address command "wait 1 secs"
 | startsession
 |
 | 'password ""'

   That should do the trick. Please also note that you will need a
   second, different keyfile for your other machine, or run the second
   TrapDoor without a keyfile (i.e. unregistered).


Q: My TrapDoor often crashes in the middle of transfers, the screen is
   filled with junk, and TrapDoor refuses to respond to any external
   commands, like Alt-X and the like. What am I doing wrong?

A: TrapDoor 1.83 has a severe bug in SHOWREXX mode.

             DO NOT USE SHOWREXX!

   This bug has been fixed in TrapDoor 1.84 and later versions.


Q: I purchased Trapdoor off of an individual. What is needed for me
   to transfer it to my name and get the keyfile in my name?

A: The individual selling you his/her keyfile should send us mail and
   inform us of the change. He/she should include the serial number of
   the TrapDoor/TrapToss involved, and the name, address, fido address,
   and phone number of the new owner. We will then update our database
   accordingly.

   You can use the old keyfile just fine with your TrapDoor. The data
   in the keyfile is used for local display only; you are free to
   configure whatever nodenumber and sysop name you like in the
   TrapDoor.cfg config file.

   If you really want us to ship you a new keyfile, we will have to
   charge a cover fee of ATS 50,- for that. Please note that if you
   send us a cheque, the usual surcharge of ATS 150,- applies as well.


Q: Is the keyfile included with DLG for TrapDoor "crippled" so it will
   only run with DLG? Is any other part of TrapDoor "enhanced" or
   "degraded" with this DLG key?

A: Yes, a TrapDoor that comes bundled with DLG will only work in
   conjunction with DLG. DLG must be installed and running, or your
   TrapDoor will not work. Once DLG is running, the bundled TrapDoor
   behaves identical to a "regular" registered version.


Q: Sometimes I get the log message "Uncorking stuck sender" and/or
   "Enhanced Turnaround Logic activated". What do these messages mean?

A: These are debugging messages. TrapDoor detected that during the
   session turnaround, or at another part of the session, the sender
   did not correctly switch roles or it got stuck due to some other
   unknown reason. TrapDoor tries a few tricks then to convince the
   other end to start sending again. This is indicated by the above
   log messages.

   You can safely ignore the messages. The session should continue
   normally.