Node Guard will allow you to limit access to your BBS on a node by node basis. You set a restriction code for a node and only users with that code can log on to that node. Other users see a text file that you can customize and then are logged off. There is a setting which will also allow the user to read their mail before they are logged off. This version is a demo in that until registered it only works for user number 1.
Installing it.
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Node Guard includes both a user and sysop external. To use it simply drag it and the folder named 'Node Guard Files' into the 'Externals' folder and restart Hermes.
Setting it up.
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All settings are in the sysop part of the external. The item marked 'On/Off' will turn Node Guard on or off. That allows you to temporarily disable it without removing it from the BBS. 'Allow mail' will allow users to read their mail before they are logged off if they log on to the wrong node. This might be useful if you need to give them more information about why they can't log on to that node. The other settings are 10 check boxs and edit text items. There is one for each node. The checkbox turns the node checking on for that node. The edit text is the restriction code needed to log on to that node. Turn on each node you want protected and enter the restriction character you want to have access to it and you are all set. *NOTE- before these settings take hold you must either restart Hermes or run the external from the user externals menu. Either one will update the settings.
Running it.
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Nothing special is needed to run Node Guard. It will check each user for the proper restriction when they log on and log them off either immeadiately or after they have read their mail. Before logging them off it will display the file "No Access" which is in the "Node Guard Files" folder. When selected from the externals menu Node Guard will display the file "About Node Guard". This is a good place to keep information about what is required to get access to the other nodes.
Customizing Node Guard
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This version can be easily customized for registered users. If you have some special requirements like limiting access by other factors let me know and it can probably by arranged.
The plea.
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Finger is SHAREWARE. I think this is a really useful product. I am more than willing to support it but new versions are of course dependent on interest and interest is dependent on feedback and the best feedback is registration. I have written a few shareware applications and it is getting discouraging, not to mention financially hard, to justify all the time. If you use it please register your copy. I feel that shareware has fallen into the same trap as the commercial system it is supposed to be an alternative to. Authors ask for such large fees because so few people actually send them in. This in turn causes fewer people to send them in, which makes authors feel they need to ask for more, which…you get the picture. I have intentionally made the price so reasonable you don't have any excuse not to pay the shareware fee. If you don't think the external is worth $10 then DON'T USE IT.
Registration info
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To register send $10, *and* the registration form below (the form does make things easier) to Chris Owen, PO Box 1471, Garden City, KS 67846 (before August 1994 you can send it to me at 27 Bishop St #2R, New Haven CT 06511 for faster registration). I will send your registration number to you if you include a e-mail address. The fee will also cover future versions as they come out.
If you have any questions or comments about Node Guard, I would appreciate hearing them. I can be reached on Olympus or at the addresses below.
Chris Owen (#681, I think)
owen-christopher@yale.edu <-- I prefer this address
Mulligan's Valley ("official" support board) 203-772-4485 (2400)
