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1994-11-25
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Metro TimeBank System
Copyright (c) 1991-94 by Peter Deane
Version 1.4
25-Nov-94
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro:
~~~~~~
This is OzMetro's first Time-Bank Door.
To get this door to run you should copy the file 'Door.exe' to whatever
into its own door directory in accordance with the OzMetro Docs. And
don't forget to then edit the doorcmdsX file so the users can access it!
Files Required:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The door is in GFA Basic, and requires no other files apart from the
config and the help file. It will create a file called 'accounts' the
first time it is run which contains all the data for the users who open
accounts. This file will grow in size as more and more users join up.
If a user gets time transfered to their account, a file called
'USERNAME.msg' will be created in the door directory which is simply a
message to the user that someone's given them extra time. As soon as
that user enters the bank, the message will be printed and deleted.
PDBank.config:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before running the door you also need to edit the configuration. The
config file must be in the same directory as the door.
Here's the config I'm using:
The Bank of Inquestor <-- Name of the bank
30 <-- Maximum Daily Deposits
60 <-- Maximum Daily Withdrawals
100 <-- Maximum Daily Transfers
(After the first four lines you may have any number of extra lines,
which will all be ignored).
The first line (name of the bank) should be less than 24 characters.
(If it's longer, that's fine - but it just doesn't look nice on the
menu). (Oh, and it prints up like: 'Bank limits for: The Bank of
Inquestor'. What you actually put there is up to you, but make sure it
makes sense!)
Note that the limits you set affect users cumulatively for each 24 hour
period. The door remembers exactly how much the user has transacted,
and will keep remembering it if the user re-enters the door later in
that day. If they visit on the next day, naturally, the transactions
will be re-set to zero.
Banned Users:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New in version 1.1 is a 'banned users' file. This is completely
optional - you don't actually NEED it. However, if a user is abusing
the door (and the [T]ransfer Time function will permit some 'foul play'
to go on), you may like to BAN them from it completely.
You simply make a file in the door directory called 'PDBank.banned'. In
it, simply enter the name(s) of banned users, one each line. A sample
file is included in the archive. Add YOUR name to it if you want to see
how it works. Use any old text editor to create this file. You can
even use Metro's editor (from Sysop Maintenance) to do this. If you
know the pathname to your Time Bank door, you could even add this file
from remote!
Be aware of the constraints of GFA-BASIC and 'End-Of-File'. You need to
have a blank carriage return at the end. In any case, I think you'll
know what I mean. Because of its nature, you can have two or three
carriage returns at the end if you want to be on the safe side, here.
A possible PDBank.banned file might look like:
FRED SMITH
Ronald Reagan
PETER DEANE
Percy Broadnax
harry bloGGS
MIKHAEL GORBACHEV
It does not matter what case you use for the banned users file, the
comparison is converted to all uppercase when read in.
A dialogue with a banned user goes a little like:
Welcome to the Time Bank (version and author details). Checking your
account... (slight pause). You have been BANNED from the use of this
door! Contact your sysop for further details. [Any_Key].
Then the standard 'Goodbye' routine is output, and they are tossed back
to the doorhandler.
Maintenance:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
At any time a level 9 user (ie SYSOP) is in the door, there is an extra
hidden option not printed on the menus. Press 'M' for maintenance.
I'll repeat that in case you missed it, as it's not overly apparent. To
access the sysop maintenance section, press 'M' from the bank's main
menu. You will only be able to use the maintenance section if you are
level 9 security, but IT'S THERE! Don't miss it, because it's NOT on
the menu.
Maintenance allows you to edit an individual user's records, delete an
account, or add an account for any user you wish. It also has the 'List
Accounts' function duplicated for added convenience.
When you add a user, the account is set up with zero balances, etc.
After they have been added, you may then like to [E]dit their account if
you want to give them time, or if you realise you've typo'ed the name or
something.
I probably don't have to go into much detail on the maintenance section,
as I reckon it's self-explanatory. Just note that the parameters to
edit are hot-keyed, so don't press return until after you've entered the
change.
NB: If using this function to edit your OWN account, you MUST
immediately quit the door after saving the changes. You can then
re-enter the door.
NB: You cannot delete YOURSELF from the bank. Ever. Don't even try
it. The sysop gets an account the first time the door is run, and must
always have an account. Anyone who actually uses the bank MUST have an
account there, and if you delete yourself while in the bank, it will
become extremely confused.
If you DO wish to delete your own account, setup another account from
Metro with level 9 security. You can use that name to delete your name.
However, if you wish to delete THAT name, you'll have to use another
username, in the same way, as they'll get an account. If you wish to
delete THAT user, you'll have to use yet another name... (ad
infinitum). Just accept it that the sysop has account number 1, and it
should stay that way!
Sample setup:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BBS:DOORFILES1/DOOR211/
Door.exe
PDBank.config
PDBank.help
PDBank.banned
Simple, eh? This door has been designed to be ultra-user-friendly. As
a suggestion, I always also keep the docs and source for each door in
that door directory. If you copy the archive into your door directory
and extract it into that directory, you'll find this a convenient way of
doing things. But if you're reading these docs, you've obviously
extracted the archive already. Ah well, next door!
Notes:
~~~~~~
If you need further information on the operation of the door, check out
the file PDBank.help. You can do this with whatever you're using to
read this, or from within the bank itself. Feel free to edit this file
if you wish to customise it, etc... (and you've got the time). I have
kept it to 40 columns, since the Time Bank itself only requires 40
columns. So far I have only one user who's stuck with a 40 column
format, but, well...
To take full advantage of the door, you should use the FF program on
your workbench to set your default workbench font to an ibm font. The
menus heavily rely on the IBM font, and look a bit weird in Topaz.
Copyrights, etc:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I accept no responsibility for ANY damages that may occur while running
this door.
The TimeBank System is copyright by Peter F Deane. It is freely
distributable providing no profit is made from its distribution. If any
money is made from distributing it, the proceeds must be forwarded to
me.
Contact:
~~~~~~~~
Postal:
Peter Deane
PO Box 228
Swansea NSW 2281
AUSTRALIA
Call Inquestor BBS 24 Hours:
011-61-49-72-1647 from the USA
(049) 72-1647 from within Australia
Source:
~~~~~~~
The full GFA source code is included in ASCII format for you to look and
learn. If you make any changes to the source, you MUST leave my name in
as author.
Have Fun
- Peter Deane
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