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Text File | 1989-04-21 | 23KB | 490 lines

H O S T 3 / H 3 U T I L S This program is hereby placed into Public Domain, for all to use freely, and without charge. HOST3.SLC and H3UTILS.SLC are SALT language scripts compiled to run under the TELIX.EXE (C) telecommunications program. This program evolved from the original HOST.SLC/HCONFIG.SLC programs, and then the later revisions by Jon Flemming found in HOST2.SLC/H2CONFIG.SLC. HOST3 was written as a sort of pet project of mine, in order to enhance the HOST2.SLC program, written by Jon Flemming. I felt that although he had made some superb changes to Colin's original HOST.SLC, there was SO much more that could be done to make the program even better. So, I began working on it. And this is what I have come up with so far...hope you enjoy it! These are the files needed to run the HOST3 program. Some of these will be created as needed, as well some of them are purely optional: HOST3.SLC - Main Host Mode file, must be in your telix script directory. H3UTILS.SLC - Utilities script, it contains all of the utilites. It is called by the HOST3.SLC program. It should also be in your telix script directory. Do not try to run this by itself! GATEWAY2.SYS - This is the program that controls the i/o during the time a user shell's to DOS, as well as when they view an archive. This file should be in your root directory. (see "INSTALLATION" and the GATEWAY2.DOC file included, on exact installation) HOST3.CNF - This is the configuration file created after the configuration program has been run. It will be created in your telix directory. USER.DAT - This is the data file that holds all the user information, it is created by HOST3.SLC. It will be created in your telix directory. HOST3.LOG - This file is created by the HOST3.SLC, it is a log of all user logon's and what each user does when on the system. It will be created in your telix directory. *.MSG - There are four message files that are optional. these files need to be in your telix directory, if you are going to have them. (see "OPTIONAL EXTERNAL FILES") INSTALLATION This is really a very easy program to install. Below are some step by step instructions on installing it: 1) Put the HOST3.SLC and H3UTILS.SLC files into your Telix script directory. (See Telix docs on setting a default script directory.) 2) Put the GATEWAY2.SYS file into your root directory. Edit your CONFIG.SYS file by adding this line: DEVICE = GATEWAY2.SYS -D -[COM PORT] Where [COM PORT] is the com port your modem is in. For a modem on com2 you would use this line: DEVICE = GATEWAY2.SYS -D -2 Reboot your computer (otherwise the gateway2.sys program will not be installed.) See the included, GATEWAY2.DOC file from the author of GATEWAY2 for more information on the GATEWAY2.SYS program. 3) Run Telix, and then when in Telix run the HOST3 script. (ALT-G, then type in HOST3). HOST3 will search for the configuration file, and then will automatically run the H3UTILS.SLC program. Input all the variables needed in the program and then choose the "X" (Exit and Save). See the section "H3UTILS ( The Configuration Program )" for more detail on the configuration of HOST3. ACCESS LEVELS AND WHAT EACH CAN DO There are four access level's in this program. This section will discribe what each level can do. Level 1: This is your basic new user level. The user can do most of the things available (except for a few things below), but there are a few limits placed on the user. For one, the user can only download a certain limit per call, (as specified in the configuration. As well they can only download from the download directory, and can NOT use the extract archives command. Level 2: This user is the same as the level 1 user, but does not have a download limit, and can use the extract archives command. Level 3: This user can not only do all the Level 2 user can, but can also download files from ANY directory on your disk, they can also look at the daily user log, and can do a "Shell to DOS" IF they know the system password. (Which is defined in the configuration program). Level 4: Your basic Sysop level. Currently this level can do the exact same thing as the Level 3 user with one addition. Having this level gives the user the option of shutting down the system remotely, I would reserve this level for yourself (the sysop) only, but if you have a extremely good friend...well, that's up to you. LIST OF USERS COMMANDS This is a list of all user commands, and what each can do. It is separated into sections by level's, each higher level can do what the previous can do. Level 1 [U]pload: Upload files. Level's 3+ can upload to ANY directory. If the file is a archive (either ARC/PAK/ZIP) it will be tested. If it fails the test the archive will be erased. [D]ownload: Download files. Level 1 can only download specified limit. Level's 3+ can download from ANY directory. [C]hat: If the sysop is available, this command will ring a bell calling you to chat, otherwise it will print a message saying that the sysop isn't available. If the sysop is not available a line will show up on the status box that says "WANTS TO CHAT". (See "Sysop's Keyboard Commands", and "H3UTILS (The Configuration Program)" sections, for more information on chat). [X]xpert: This function allows the user to change his expertise level, to one of three levels: NOVICE: Gives a menu of commands. INTERMEDIATE: Gives command letter's as part of the input line. EXPERT: NO help whatsoever! [F]iles List: This shows the user what files are currently in download directory. [T]ype Text File: Types a text file out to the screen, pause can be turned on or off in the user defaults, as well, hitting "P" will pause, and "S" will abort the listing at any time. Level's 3 + can type files in ANY directory. [G]oodbye: Log's the user off. [V]iew Archives: Let's the user view archives. Level's 3 + can view archives in ANY directory. [Y]our Defaults: Let's the user change their address, city, zip, state, choose a default protocol, and turn the pause function on or off. Level 2 [E]xtract files from archives: This let's the user extract files from a archive, the file is then archived (using PKZIP), into the temporary arc ( TEMPARC.ZIP ), it is deleted when the user hangs up Level 3 [S]hell to DOS: This let's the user shell to DOS. If the user is remote (not keyboard) then they will be prompted for the system password, if they fail to enter it they will not be able to shell. IMPORTANT!!!!: There is NO current way to check on the status of the carrier. Due to this fact, if the carrier is lost while a user is in DOS (via remote) then the SYSTEM WILL HANG!. The only solution if this is to happen is to reboot the computer. System [L]og: This shows the user the daily usage log, hit "P" to pause, "S" to abort. Level 4 Control-Z: This let's the user shut down the system. The user is is prompted for the system password, if they fail the program will continue running. SYSOP'S KEYBOARD COMMANDS This is a list of the commands available to the sysop, not all commands are available at all times. WHEN NO USER IS ONLINE F1: This turns chat on or off, the line in the status box shows the current condition of chat. (If chat is turned off during the Chat hours, then the "OFF" will be in red). (See "H3UTILS (The Configuration Program)" for more detail on Chat Hours). F2: This brings up the user editor, note that there must be at least ONE user, otherwise the user editor will NOT work. (See "H3UTILS (The User Editor)" for more information on the user editor) C: This runs the configuration program. U: This will run the user compressor program, this will delete any old or deleted users. NOTE: There must be at least one user in the user file, or the compressor will not run. HOME: This brings up a box giving all the online commands. ESC: This will exit the program and go back to Telix. WHEN A USER IS ONLINE F1: Turn chat on or off (same as above) F2: Run user editor (same as above) F3: Temporarily lower the users access. F4: Temporarily raise the users access. F9: Shell to DOS (the user can not see) F10: Chat with user. END: Terminate user. ESC: Exit program to Telix. HOME: Bring up the help box. H3UTILS.SLC (The configuration program) This program will allow you to change some important data in the HOST3 program. This section will tell what each category is for: Download directory: This is the directory that the users will be downloading from. It will be a sub-directory of your Telix directory. If it is not a legal directory (doesn't exist) it will be created. Upload directory: This is the directory that all uploads will go into. It will also be a sub-directory and will created if it does not exist. Connection: This is how your computer will be connected. Usually it will be MODEM(unless you plan to run on a network) System Password: This is the password that is needed to shut down the system, or to shell to DOS. Archive Directory: This is the directory that your archive utils. are found in. It must be a EXACT directory or the program will NOT be able to do anything dealing with archives (VIEW/TEST/EXTRACT), the program will support (ARC/PAK/ZIP), but there must be these files. For *.ARC's: PKPAK.EXE PKUNPAK.EXE For *.ZIP's PKZIP.EXE PKUNZIP.EXE For *.PAK's PAK.EXE (must have these commands!) View: "V" Test: "T" Extract: "X" Access limit: This is the limit (in K's!) that a level 1 user can download per call. Time Chat is to come on: This is the time that you would like the "Chatting times" to start at. Chat will come on (regardless of current setting), at this time, and will stay on (UNLESS shutoff manually, if done, the "OFF" in the status box will turn red), and will go off at the off time. Time Chat is to go off: This is the time that you would like the "Chatting times" to end at. (NOTE: Due to problems with some logic statements, the Chatting times can NOT extend over midnight. You may have chat on until 11:59pm, and can have it come on at 12:01am. As well, it is not possible to have chat on for more then 12 hours.) (The User Editor) This program allows you to edit the users. The Arrow keys move you. Up/Down move the yellow bar to the next/previous area. The left/right arrows move you to the next/previous user. As well you may hit the key corresponding to the category you wish to edit. Hitting RETURN will edit the category the bar is on, and ESC will exit you back to the program. The categories are pretty self explainitory, but the one I should mention is the USER FLAG this one controls the users current status, "D" is deleted, and the next time you run the compressor, he/she will be removed from the USER.DAT file, "A" is active and is the normal status, and "B" is the blacklist flag, this user will NOT be allowed on the system, and he/she will NOT be deleted from the USER.DAT file. NOTE: There must be at least one user in the user file, or the Editor will not run. (The User file Compressor) This program will go through the USER.DAT file and will get rid of all user's with the "D" flag, and will check all "A" users to see if they have called within 60 days. If they haven't they will also be erased. NOTE: There must be at least one user in the user file, or the compressor will not run. OPTIONAL EXTERNAL FILES There are four files that can be in the Telix directory, the files are NOT needed but they will be used if there: LOGON.MSG: This file is displayed when a user first logs on. NEWS.MSG: This file is displayed after a user has logged on, and they have successfully entered their password. BYEBYE.MSG: This file is displayed when the user quits the BBS. NEWUSER.MSG: This file is displayed to all new users. IMPORTANT!: The input buffer for these files is set at the level of 255 characters per line. If your files have more characters per line they will NOT be sent correctly! NOTE: For some reason I have been having some problems with some ANSI graphics screens. I'm not sure exactly why, but it occurs mostly when typing a large animated ANSI picture, I hope to have this fixed by the next version. Try different line sizes if you have problems (best way is NOT using any animation!) DISCLAIMER This program is provided as is, and is to be run at your own risk. There is NO warranty of any kind or form covering this program. Exis Inc., Colin Sampaleanu, and the author are not in any way, or shape, responsible, or liable for any damages of any kind that may arise from the usage of this program, or that of any programs, or files associated, or included with it. TELIX.EXE, SALT, HOST.SLC, and HCONFIG.SLC: copyright 1986, 1987, 1988 by Exis Inc., and Colin Sampaleanu. Used with permission. THANKS There are a few people to who I would like to give special thanks to, for their help and cooperation in my endeavor to create this program: Rick Fry: My "official" beta tester, and more importantly, a good friend and "idea bouncer". From whom I got more ideas, and dislikes, then anyone else. Thanks alot Rick. I appreciate it! Tony Gentile: My friend and C "teacher" who taught me the basics of the C language, which helped a GREAT deal when working on this program. Thanks Tony. Bill Parfitt: The sysop of Dbored (619-748-3644), who gave me a place to put my program at. As well as alot of good encouragement. (and where I originally got my idea) Hans Kellner: The creator of GATEWAY2.SYS (C), special thanks to him since my program wouldn't work half as well, if I didn't use his program! And finally, Colin Sampaleanu: For the extremely hard work and numerous, uncounted hours that he has put into creating TELIX, which is the very BEST (in my opinion) telecommunications program package out there! Without it this program wouldn't be around. Very special thanks to you Colin! WHAT'S AHEAD IN THE FUTURE? I have quite a few ideas in the works for the next version of host (HOST4). Here's some of them: File Database: A file database, where each file has it's own comment. As well the sysop can add, and delete files from the database. This would also allow users to "SEARCH" for new and or specific, files. BBS List: A full working BBS listing program, where the users can add or change any information about their favorite BBS's. Online Programs: A online sysop definable program section that will be compatible with the PCBoard door programs. External Protocols: Will allow the sysop to add some (up to four), external protocols. (Telix only has space for four protocols). DTR Checking: A way to check the status of the carrier, while a user is in DOS will hopefully be finished by then. And finally, something that I was hoping I might be able to get into this version, but wasn't able to, because of some major flaw's in the program. (Couldn't get it to interface correctly with the main program) Message base: A fully functional message base system, that would allow users to read/write mail (both private and public). If you have any suggestions or ideas for the next version, or any problems, or, (God forbid), bugs. You may get a hold of me at these locations. Dbored of San Diego, (619) 748-3644 Telix Support BBS, (416) 284-0682 Prodigy (ID# SNRB40A) WWIVnet 124@6951 PCRelay, Communications conference PCRelay, Sysop's Conference Voice: (619) 487-5165, 4:30pm - 9:00pm PST (Dan Horn) Or mail me: Daniel Horn 15837 Windrose Way San Diego, CA 92127 OBTAINING SOURCE CODE Although this program is free of charge, the source code to it is NOT. If you wish to obtain a copy of the source code send $30 (US) dollars to this address. Daniel Horn 15837 Windrose Way San Diego, CA 92127 I will send you the latest released version of host, as well as the source code, and some technical information about the file format, all on disk.