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SYSOP'S GUIDE To WWIV By Filo <aka> Wig De Moville WWIV v4 Copyright (c) 1989 Wayne Bell WWIV Sysop Guide Documentation Copyright (c) 1989 White Star Software Sysop's Guide to WWIV Copyright (c) 1991 Wayne Bell Sysop's Guide To WWIV 1.0 SECTION ONE: SYSOP/CO-SYSOP OPTIONS 1.1 Introduction WWIV Sysop's Guide was written in 1989 for WWIV v4.10 by William Daystrom and copyrighted by White StarLine Software. The present version of the documentation relies heavily upon that work, but it has enough changes in it that it is being copyrighted by Wayne Bell. The actual updating of Will's excellent documentation was done by Filo. This guide describes all SysOp and co-SysOp functions in WWIV. Most of these commands are available both at WFC and the main prompt. Section One presents a summary of commands. Section two presents a detailed explanation of the Sysop commands, and section three explains the co-Sysop commands. 1.2 Top of Screen Data The local sysop's screen can show two screens of information, which may be toggled with the F2 key. The first screen is system status. 1.2A Caller's Status for Top of Screen The second screen shows the current caller's statistics. The second screen has the following information. The first line contains the user's name (alias) and number, mail waiting for user, uploaded files and kilobytes, security level, total logons, and posts. The second line contains the user's real name, phone number, callsign, downloaded files and kilobytes, download security level, total time on, and e-mail sent. The third line contains the user's AR and DAR, restrictions, exemption, logons today, and feedback sent. The fourth line shows the user's note, sex, age, computer, time left, and feedback waiting for the sysop. A fifth line may appear after a caller requests a chat. This line would give the reason the caller entered for wanting to chat. The border line at the bottom of the topscreen information may also show Temp Sysop, Capture, Alert, Comm Disabled, and/or Available and provide information about the baud rate of the caller. Temp Sysop appears when the sysop has toggled temporary sysop status with F9. Capture appears when the sysop has toggled the global capture with Shift-F1. Alert appears when the sysop has pressed F6 to be informed when the caller hangs up. When Alert has been toggled on, the computer will beep after the current user logs off, and will not return to WFC so that the sysop can log on locally. Comm Disabled appears when the sysop has pressed F3 to prevent the caller from typing. Available appears when the sysop has toggled the sysop available for chat option with scroll-lock. More information about function keys is provided later in this guide. 1.2B Abbreviations used in the TopScreen Information for Caller To summarize the abbreviations used in the TopScreen: W - Mail waiting for caller SL - Security Level R - User restrictions DL - Download Security Level AR - User AR/DAR PO - Total number of posts LO - Total number of logons ES - Total e-mails sent TO - Total minutes on FW - Feedback waiting for sysop FS - Total feedback sent EX - User exemptions UL - Files uploaded/kilobytes uploaded DL - Files downloaded/kilobytes downloaded 1.3 System Status Information for Top Screen The system status topscreen information shows the following data about the status of the system. The first line contains the BBS name and today's date. The second line indicates the total number of users, total calls to date, calls today, and number of posts today. The third line displays the current user's name (alias) and number, time the system has been active today, percent of time today the system has been used, and amount of e-mail sent today. The latter statistic as well as the number of posts today includes both local and network information, if the board happens to be participating in the network. The fourth line shows the current user's security level, download security level, time left, feedback waiting for the sysop, files uploaded today, and feedback sent today. 1.4 WFC Commands 1.4A ? - list WFC commands The question mark brings up a WFC Screen of commands available to the operator from the local keyboard. Although it is not a good practice to leave this screen up all of the time because it could "burn" or etch a pattern on the screen, sysops who are new to WWIV will find this a good source of information, and they are encouraged to study it and experiment with the commands. 1.4B [Spacebar] - logon from the keyboard Occassionally a sysop will find it necessary to log on to the BBS. The purpose may be to upload files, make posts on the message bases or perform other maintainance. The spacebar informs the software that the sysop or other user at the local keyboard wants to log on. If "Phone off hook" has been set in INIT, the BBS will pick up the phone for the time you are logged on, and callers will get a busy signal. At the prompt after pressing the spacebar, the sysop may press 'F' to logon quickly as the sysop without entering logon information, or 'Y' to logon as any account, with the need to enter password and phone number. Note that the phone is not picked up until you have entered "Y" or "F". If you do not actually wish to log on, just hit the spacebar again. 1.4C A - Answer phone If you are talking to someone (voice) on the BBS phone line, and want to allow that person to log on, hitting "A" will cause the BBS to pick up the phone and send a carrier, just as if the phone had rung. 1.4D B - Boardedit This command allows the sysop to change/add/delete message bases. This command is explained more fully in the section dealing with the //BOARDEDIT command which may be issued when the sysop is logged into the BBS. 1.4E C - Chainedit Using this command allows the sysop to change/add/delete on-line programs (games). A more complete explanation of this command is found in the section dealing with //CHAINEDIT which may be given by the sysop when he is logged onto the board. 1.4F D - Diredit With this command, the sysop can change/add/delete file directories. The command when the sysop is logged onto the board is //DIREDIT which may be given at either the Main Menu Prompt or the Transfer Menu Prompt, and a more complete explanation is provided when that command is discussed below. 1.4G E - Edit text file By using this command, the sysop can edit any text file. This can be handy if, for example, you are using LOGON.MSG as a type of news bulletin. You can edit the file from WFC and enter new information or delete old announcements. 1.4H F - DOS functions This command allows the sysop to temporarily drop to DOS so the SysOp can do something. If you have the "Phone off hook" set in INIT, the BBS will pick up the phone during the time you are in DOS. Type "EXIT" to quit the dos shell and return to the BBS. Do NOT attempt to run a terminal program from this dos shell. 1.4I G - Gfileedit This command allows the sysop to change/add/delete gfile sections. The equivalent command when the sysop is logged on to the board is //GFILEEDIT. 1.4J I - Init votes This command permits the sysop to add/delete voting questions for callers in the voting section. 1.4K L - Log of the day This command provides a detailed account of what the callers did while on-line today. If the "Use List Utility" has been toggled on in INIT and if the List.com program is available either in the main bbs directory or the path, the sysop will be able to have complete control of the cursor while reading this log; that is, the sysop will be able to page up or page down, jump to the end of the file, scan for a particular name, etc. Sysops are strongly urged to obtain the excellent freeware program called LIST and to utilize it in this fashion. 1.4L M - Read all mail This command allows the sysop to read any mail that has been sent on the system, and to delete any of it as well. NOTE: This should not be used for reading feedback; use the R function for that. 1.4M N - Net log If the BBS is a member of a WWIV network, this command will show a list of the past 77 network connections, including information such as connect times, data sent and received, systems connected, etc. This listing will also operate under the LIST utility if it has been installed in INIT. 1.4N P - Pending Files If your system is a part of a WWIV network, this command presents a list of pending files to be sent, along with various information such as system numbers, bytes to send, and how many hours have elapsed since the board last connected. 1.4O Q - Quit and terminate the BBS program This command stops the execution of the BBS program and removes it from memory. This is the proper way to terminate the execution of your BBS. 1.4P R - Read your mail The sysop can read all mail sent to the number 1 account just as if he had logged onto the BBS. If "Phone off hook" is set in INIT, the phone will be picked up while the mail is read. The sysop is permitted to read mail and perform any of the normal mail related functions (answering, deleting, etc.) that are available when logged onto the board. 1.4Q S - Status display This command displays a quick listing of total system usage, disk space remaining, total number of callers, and several other items. 1.4R T - Terminal program If a terminal program has been setup in INIT, hitting "T" will run it, and then return execution back to the BBS when it is completed. 1.4S U - Uedit This command allows the sysop to delete/modify caller accounts/information. When the sysop is logged into the BBS the equivalent command is //UEDIT. 1.4T Y - Yesterday's log This command displays the Sysop log for the previous day. This log will also operate under the LIST utility if it was installed in INIT. 1.4U Z - Zlog This displays a short listing of daily activity for about the past 3 months, including posts sent, uploads, downloads, time active, etc. 1.4V / - Force callout If you are a part of a WWIV network, this command forces the bulletin board to call another network board. That board's node number must be listed in the CALLOUT.NET file in the DATA directory for this to work. For more information on this feature, refer to WWIVnet Documentation. 1.5 Main Menu SysOp Commands Normally, commands entered at the main prompt in the BBS will be executed immediately after they are typed, without the need of hitting the [Enter] key. Typing // at the main menu, however, will allow you to enter a complete line of input. So, if the command you want is Uedit, you would type //UEDIT. After most of these commands, you will be prompted "SY:" and you should enter the Sysop password that you established in INIT. The following commands may be used by co-SysOps and SysOps: 1.5A LOG - Displays today's SysOp log Same command and function as L from WFC. This provides a log of daily activities and will work in conjunction with the LIST utility if that utility was setup in INIT. 1.5B NLOG - Displays network activity log This displays the network activity log and is the same command as the N at WFC. This feature will also utilize the LIST utility. 1.5C YLOG - Displays yesterday's SysOp log At WFC, the command is Y; however, when the sysop is logged on to the board, the command is YLOG. LIST can be used in connection with this log. 1.5D ZLOG - Displays log of past system usage Same command as the Z command entered at WFC. 1.5E UEDIT - Runs the Uedit procedure This is the same command as U from WFC. It enables the sysop to edit the user list. After the uedit command has been entered, the information in the user list for the individual who is logged on the board will be displayed. Usually this information is for the #1 account unless the sysop has logged on as another user. A question mark entered at this time will provide a UEDIT Menu of options. 1.5F IVOTES - Runs voting initialization program This command, like the I from WFC, enables the sysop to add/delete/change the voting questions. 1.5G STATUS - Displays current system status The same information is presented after this command is issued as would be displayed after the S from WFC. Basic system status information is displayed. 1.5H VOTEPRINT - Creates VOTING.TXT in the GFILES directory This command does not have a counterpart at the WFC screen. It causes a file, VOTING.TXT to be created in the GFILES Directory. The file contains a summary of how each caller voted in the voting section. 1.5I TEDIT - Edit a text file located in the GFILES directory only This command functions basically the same as E from WFC. 1.6 Sysop Commands The following are SysOp commands, which require an SL of 255. Most require the system password to be entered. BOARDEDIT - Runs Boardedit procedure. Same as B from WFC. DIREDIT - Runs Diredit procedure. Same as D from WFC. CHAINEDIT - Runs Chainedit procedure. Same as C from WFC. GFILEEDIT - Runs Gfileedit procedure. Same as G from WFC. DOS - Drops to DOS. This will allow the SysOp, locally or remotely, to temporarily drop to DOS for system maintenance. Type "EXIT" to return to the BBS. Same as F from WFC. CHAT - Toggles the scroll-lock key, thereby toggling the sysop-available switch. This is used when the sysop is calling remotely and wants for some reason to either turn sysop available on or off. STAT - Stack and Heap Info. This tells the sysop how memory is being managed by the BBS. RELOAD - This reloads the bulletin board's menus into memory, in the event that you find it necessary. RESETF - Reset NAMES.LST. The NAMES.LST file contains a short list of all user names. At times, when accounts are changed or deleted, this file is not changed accordingly. So, in a user listing, you might see the same name appear more then once. In that event, use RESETF. It re-creates NAMES.LST, removing all names that have been deleted from the main user list. REBOOT - Reboot the computer. This command will do just what it says - reboot your computer - NOT the BBS. Use with caution. EDIT - Runs the SysOp editor (or full screen editor if selected); allows the text files to be located anywhere on the hard disk, instead of just in the GFILES directory as with TEDIT. LOAD - Loads a file from anywhere on the system into a workspace. Then, for the next post or e-mail the SysOp does, that text file will be used as if the SysOp had typed the entire file into the editor. CHUSER - Allows the SysOp to temporarily change to another account. MAILR - Allows the SysOp to read all mail. Same as M from WFC. 1.7 Transfer Section SysOp Commands UPLOAD - For the current directory, the appropriate DOS directory is is searched to see if there are any files in the DOS dir, but not in the BBS dir database. If there are any, the sysop is prompted for the description. This command is often used when sysop's are first starting the BBS although it is useful at other times as well. UPLOADALL - Same as UPLOAD, but acts on all BBS file directories. REN - Allows a filename, or its description, to be changed. MOVE - Allows a file (or files) to be moved from the current directory to another one. Same as M from the transfer system prompt. SORT - Sorts the current directory (or all dirs) by filename. M - Move a file. Same as //MOVE. R - Remove any file entry from the file listing, with the option to actually delete the file from disk and revoke upload credit from the person who originally uploaded the file. 2.0 SECTION TWO: DETAILED SYSOP COMMANDS This section of the documentation examines some of the sysop commands in greater detail, explaining how each functions. 2.1 Boardedit The BBS, when first initialized, creates a single default message base called General. Sysops normall will want to create additional message bases and/or modify the names of those that may exist. WWIV can handle up to 32 different message bases as a default, and registered sysops can easily modify the source code to permit 64 message bases. A message base, sometimes called a sub or sub-board, is a place where persons with the appropriate SL (security level) can read and/or post messages. B from WFC, or //BOARDEDIT from the main prompt, accesses the Boardedit procedure. In the Boardedit procedure, you can delete, insert, and modify subs. WWIV defaults with one sub-board, General. Any topic you can imagine may be used for a sub. Common examples include politics, science fiction, entertainment, sports, trivia, etc. For each sub-board, the following information is necessary: 2.1A Name Each sub-board needs a name, describing what type of messages are expected on that sub-board. If your BBS is a member of a WWIV network, the software will insert either <Net> or [Net] preceeding the sub-board name when the sub listing is obtained. The difference between these two uses of NET is discussed below under the Network Validation Option. 2.1B Filename Each sub-board also needs a DISTINCT FILENAME. If two subs have the same filename, BOTH SUBS WILL REFER TO THE SAME MESSAGES. The filename can be whatever you want (up to 8 letters in length), but it must not contain an extension. For example, MODNET would be a legal name to enter, but MODNET.SUB would be illegal because it uses an extension. 2.1C Key Normally, all sub-boards are assigned a number (in ascending order, starting at one for your first sub-board) which callers can press to immediately access them. If you would prefer that a sub-board be referred to by a key (such as %,&,#, etc) instead of a number, setting the key to that character will do so. In most cases, this option will not be used. 2.1D Read SL This setting determines the minimum SL required to allow a caller to read messages on the sub-board. If the read SL for a sub is 40, and a caller's SL is 39, that caller will never know that the sub-board exists. 2.1E Post SL This setting determines the minimum SL required for a caller to post on the sub. The post SL should be greater or equal to the read SL. Having the post SL greater than the read SL would allow callers to read messages on the sub, but not post any. This type of setting is often useful on some network subs where anyone may be permitted to read the sub, but posting may be only by certain persons (perhaps the sysop and/or the co-sysops.) 2.1F Anony Setting the anony (no, yes, forced, dear abby) determines whether or not messages posted on that sub can be anonymous. No means no anonymous (unless the caller has a security level which permits it); yes means the caller has the option of posting anonymously, regardless of security level; forced means the post is always anonymous; dear abby means that the caller will be presented a choice of "signatures" for his/her post: their name (alias), Abby, or Problemed Person. In effect, the "dear abby" option does the same thing as setting anony to yes, but it gives the caller two options on which name will represent the author of the post. 2.1G Min age This will allow you to set the minimum age of callers on that sub. If, for example, you set the minimum age to 18 (years), anyone under 18 would not know the sub existed. Usually used for adult-oriented subjects. 2.1H Max msgs This sets the maximum number of messages that can be on the sub at one time. This is usually set to 50 or 100, but can be up to 249. When the maximum number is reached, the oldest post in the sub is rotated off (deleted) as each new post is entered, unless a post has been given permanent status. See the User Manual for details on that. 2.1I AR This allows you to set the AR for that sub. AR is used to allow specific people to access specific subs when other sub limitations (age, post SL, etc) are not sufficient for your needs. As an example, suppose you have a group of Amiga callers on your BBS. You want to give them their own area to talk about Amigas. Age and SL restrictions would be cumbersome and inefficient. That's where AR comes into play. There are 16 different AR flags that can be used, A through P. To give the Amiga callers their own sub, you would use BOARDEDIT to create a sub for their use. Set the AR to whatever you wish, as long as it isn't in conflict with another sub which doesn't concern the Amiga people (you can use the same AR on different subs, but realize that anybody with the same AR flag set would be able to access all subs with the identical AR). For this example, set the AR flag to A. Then you would go into UEDIT and activate each Amiga caller's A flag. Now, all Amiga callers would be able to access the Amiga sub (as long as SL and age requirements, if any, were met) and nobody else would know the sub exists. 2.1J Sub type Used with WWIV network software on network subs to properly allocate messages. If the sub you are editing is not a WWIV network sub, leave this blank. For more information on this, refer to the WWIVnet Documentation that accompanies the NetWork Software. 2.1K Storage type There are 2 main ways messages can be stored, either with each message in its own file, or with all messages in that message base in one large file. 0 means each message will be in its own (text) file, 2 means all messages in that sub will be in one large (non-text) file. 2.1L Val Network This option may be toggled on or off. If toggled on, sub- board that are network subs, will have [NET] in front of the name and the sysop will need to validate the messages received there before the messages will be sent over the network. If the option is toggled off, the sub will have <Net> in front of the Sub-Board name. Because many network subs have various restrictions (such as no ansi posts, or ansi posts only, or post by #1 on the board only, etc), network validation is a means of insuring that posts originating from this BBS are in compliance with the sub-host's rules. 2.1M Req. ANSI The sysop can require that the user have ansi enabled in order to view this sub. This option is particularly useful if the sub is one of ansi pictures drawn with THEDRAW or some other ansi editor. An example of an all ansi sub is the WWIVnet Sub known as The Ansi Art Gallery. 2.1N Disable Tag This option, if toggled on, will disable taglines in the messages. This may be useful if a network sub host does not permit posts which have taglines added to them. 2.2 Diredit WWIV allows files available for downloading to be logically divided into different directories. The Diredit procedure will allow you to set and update those directories. It functions very much like the Boardedit procedure. The options you can set for each directory are: 2.2A Name Each dir requires a name that designates what type of files should be uploaded (and are available for downloading) in that directory. For example, the following categories are often found on various BBSes: Compression Utilities, Protocols, Communications, Applications, Word Processors, etc. 2.2B Filename Like the filename in Boardedit, each dir needs its own filename to store data in. Each dir NEEDS its own DISTINCT filename. Again, the filename should be 8 characters or less and should not use an extension. 2.2C Path Each dir can store files in a different DOS dir, or even on a different drive. The paths for all new dirs default to whatever the DLOADS dir is set to in INIT, but sysops will often want to change it. In general, you should have each dir set to a sub-dir of DLOADS. So, for example, the Sysop dir is set with a path of DLOADS\SYSOP\. If you wish to use a directory on a different drive, specify the full pathname from the root directory. Also, when entering the file name, do not put a \ mark after the name because WWIV will automatically insert one for you. If you do insert one, the result will be an error. 2.2D DSL Like the read SL, this sets the minimum DSL necessary for a caller to access that directory. However, whereas the SL also determines what additional benefits are available (i.e. posting anonymously, reading anonymous posts, etc.), the DSL only controls what directories a person has access to. 2.2E Min age Like in Boardedit, callers who are younger than the age set here can not access that dir. This might be used for an adult file directory, where it may not be desireable to allow just any caller to access the files. 2.2F Max files This specifies the maximum number of files in the directory. It may be anything up to 499. Once the maximum number is reached, no more uploads will be allowed to the directory. 2.2G DAR Like AR, this allows you to restrict access only to certain callers. 2.2H Require PD This is used when a caller wants to upload a file. Setting this to Yes causes the BBS to specifically ask the caller if the file is public domain. If the user says no to the question, the BBS software assigns "Ass. Pts." Generally it is recommended that this option not be used. 2.2I Dir type Currently not in use. 2.2J Uploads You can prohibit uploads to a directory by using this option. 2.2K Arch. Only This command allows you to permit only archived uploads. The archived format allowed is the type that is listed first in the archive methods established in INIT. 2.3 Chainedit The Chainedit function is also quite similar to the Boardedit function. The chainedit is a means of adding/deleting/modifying on-line programs. A separate part of the WWIV documentation, CHAIN.DOC addresses some of the subtleties of setting up on-line programs, especially those which may have not been originally designed to work on WWIV. The information presented here, however, should be sufficient to enable the sysop to setup many on-line programs. The designation of chains originated in Turbo Pascal versions of WWIV when the BBS literally "chained" to the program. Although WWIV no longer operates in that fashion and is no longer written in Pascal, the CHAINEDIT terminology has remained. Not all files can be run as external programs from WWIV. Only those files that do all I/O through DOS calls can be run. This means that Wordstar, WordPerfect, the Norton Utilities, and most other graphics programs can NOT be run from WWIV. When Chainedit is run, a summary of the chains currently available, if any, is presented as a listing. Available options are: Insert, Delete, Modify and Quit. When a new chain is inserted an old entry is modified, the sysop is given a chance to change the following data: 2.3A Description The description of the chain, printed out for callers. For example, you might have something like Food Fite--The Ultimate Challenge, or merely Food Fite. Many sysops put the version number of the game after its title so that users will know whether or not a "new" version that they may have seen elsewhere is running on this bbs. Many users will upload the "latest" version to the Sysop if that version is not currently running. 2.3B Filename The filename actually executed. The program to be used can have either an EXE, COM, or BAT extension. Programs with a BAS or CHN extension cannot be run from WWIV. If you put a "%1" anywhere in the filename, before the chain is executed, the %1 will be replaced with a full path and filename of a text file the bulletin board creates holding data about that caller, such as the caller's name, security level, time left, etc. For most programs explicitly written for WWIV v4, the %1 should be placed after the filename. If you do not, you will see a "Parameter file not found" error message. If you see that message when running a chain, add the %1, as in "tw2001 %1". If the program is not specifically made for WWIV, it may be necessary to run it from a batch file which you create and the batch file may first need to run a chain.txt converter. Chain.txt is the file that the BBS creates with the user information in it. The converter processes the information and creates a new file in the format required by the game that you are running. For example, a game designed for QBBS or RBBS would require a DORINFO1.DEF file. There are several popular converters which will make such a file from the information in chain.txt. 2.3C SL The SL (security level) required in order to run the chain. Most sysops will set this at the level of validated users or higher. 2.3D AR The AR required in order to run the chain. The sysop can allow only certain people to play the game by adjusting the AR. This may be particularly useful if the game is limited to a certain number of players. People can sign up to play the game and those chosen for the first round can be given the appropriate AR. When the game ends, a different group of players can then be given the AR. 2.3E ANSI If ANSI is required in order to run the chain. Because some games or on-line programs make extensive use of Ansi screens, those users who do not have ansi may experience significant problems with the game. This feature allows you to screen out the people who do not have ansi capabilities. 2.3F Intercept DOS calls Many programs run remotely will not have built-in code for accessing the modem. For these programs, the BBS should be set to intercept the DOS calls, and "re-direct" the output to go to the modem, as well as the screen. It is possible, however, that you will have a program that will do its own modem access, in which case it should be set so that the BBS won't intercept DOS calls. In most cases, you WILL want the BBS to intercept DOS calls. If the game does not seem to operate properly, you may need to experiment with this setting. As a general rule, you should try having the BBS intercept DOS calls for those games designed specifically for WWIV and try having the BBS not intercept DOS calls for those games designed to be run on other systems. These settings may still need to be changed, but the general rule is sound advice for what to try as the initial setting for this variable. 2.3G 300 Baud Some programs use ANSI graphics to such an extent that the display rate with 300 baud connections would be intolerable. With this setting, the sysop can prohibit 300 baud callers from using the chain. 2.3H Shrink The Shrink feature was introduced in WWIV v4.10. This option handles memory very differently from the way it is handled if this feature is not used. With Shrink set to off, the BBS remains in memory when you run an external program, thus restricting the maximum size of the program you can use. With Shrink set to on, the BBS will essentially unload from memory, allowing larger externals to be run. Shrinking reduces the amount of memory the BBS occupies to around 46k. Other than this different way of handling memory, chains run with Shrink operate just as they do without Shrink - except for a slight delay when entering and exiting the program. If memory is a problem on your system, use Shrink. Otherwise, it isn't necessary to use it. Generally, the larger the program to be run is, the more desireable it will be to use the shrink feature. 2.3I Disable Pause This feature was added in v4.20. Some games, such as the on- line program TETRIS, do not work well when the BBS attempts to pause the screen. If the user has pause toggled ON in the defaults, then the bbs will attempt to pause after the number of lines of vertical height that the user had specified. This option allows the sysop to disable the user's pause option as he enters that particular program. When the user exits, the pause status will be reset as it was before the program was run. 3.0 SECTION THREE: DETAILED SYSOP/CO-SYSOP COMMANDS 3.1 Gfileedit Gfiles in this instance are just text files that are available to callers to read; in other words, they are similar to bulletins. With Gfileedit, the file directories for gfiles may be created and the particular gfile areas which callers can access can be designated. Most WWIV Sysop functions behave in similar ways. This enables a sysop to learn how to use each of them very quickly, without having to know many different commands and parameters. As with the previous commands already presented, Gfileedit displays a summary of gfile directories currently in place, if any. The insert, delete, modify and quit options are again available. When inserting a new gfile section or changing an old one, the following data can be modified: 3.1A Name This is the name of the section shown to the user. This name should describe the kind of files to be displayed in that directory, such as humor, communications, ANSI, etc. 3.1B Filename The filename for the section. In this instance, however, the filename is ALSO the directory where the gfiles for this section will be stored. The directory chosen will be a sub-directory of the main GFILES directory. After the filename is entered, you will be asked if you want to create the directory. If you say no, you will have to create it yourself (i.e. manually). In either instance, once the directory exists, the files or bulletins to be displayed must be moved to it. 3.1C SL The sysop can set the SL required for section access. Callers cannot add their own gfiles to the section, so there is no "post" SL involved. 3.1D Min. Age The sysop can set the minimum age necessary for section access. This feature is sometimes used if the gfiles section contains some "adult" material. 3.1E Max Files The maximum number of gfiles in the section (can be up to 99) is set here. Once the maximum number is reached, additional gfiles cannot be added unless this setting is increased. The section cannot be increased beyond 99 files per separate directory unless the source code is modified. Such modification is only available to registered sysops. 3.1F AR AR required for section access is established by the sysop with this parameter. This option works exactly the way it does in Boardedit. 3.2 Gfile Commands in the Gfile Section 3.2A A - Add Gfiles to All Sections When the Sysop enters the gfiles section (command G at the main menu), hitting A at the SECTION prompt (first prompt given) will add gfiles to ALL sections. Hitting A within a section will add files for that section only. When the add files to a gfile section option is selected, the BBS will search that section's directory for files to add. For every file it finds, it will prompt for a description. Once a description has been entered, that file will be accessible to anyone who is capable of using that gfile section. 3.2B R - Remove Gfiles for a Section Selecting R within a section will allow a co-sysop to remove gfiles. 3.3 Uedit Uedit is the user account editor function which allows the sysop to maintain the user list and alter accounts as needed. 3.3A Toggling the Uedit Display There are two possible displays in Uedit - the short display, and the long display. If there is a remote caller, it will default to the short display. Otherwise, it will default to the long display. Typing a period at the Uedit prompt will toggle between the long and short displays. In the short display, typing a comma will expand to the long display FOR THAT ACCOUNT ONLY. 3.3B [ and ] to move in Uedit You use [ and ] to move down and up accounts in the user list. "]" will move to the next higher account in the user list, and "[" will move to the next lower account. 3.3C { and } in the Search Option "{" and "}" search through the user list, using the options set with "/", to the next (or previous) account which satisfies the selected criteria. Entering "U" and then entering a (full or partial) name will go directly to that account, or you can access a particular account by entering "U" and then the user number. 3.3D Other options in Uedit are: ? - Menu of options : - Force user to re-enter birthdate upon next logon. ~ - Reset ass_pts to zero. Not currently implemented elsewhere. A - Change user's AR. C - Change user's callsign. D - Delete the current account, erasing any mail to/from that user and discounting any votes made by that user. E - Change user's exemptions, 1=transfer ratio. G - Change user's birthdate. I - Change user's DAR. L - Change user's real name. M - Change user's computer type. N - Change user's name. O - Change note about user. P - Change user's phone number. Q - Quit out of Uedit. R - Restore a deleted user. This doesn't re-create any mail, or add back in votes made by that user before deletion. S - Change user's SL. T - Change user's DSL. Y - Change user's sysop sub. Set to 255 to clear the sysopsub value. Z - Change user's restrictions. 3.3D1 Available restrictions are: A - Automessage : The caller cannot change the automessage. C - Chat : Caller won't be able to request chats with you. E - E-Mail : The caller cannot send e-mail. L - Logons : Limits the caller to 1 logon per day. N - WWIVnet : The caller cannot use the WWIV network P - Posts : The caller cannot post messages. V - Voting : The caller is not permitted to vote. * - Anonymous : The caller cannot post anonymously. U - Upload : All uploads by this user will go to the sysop dir. M - Messages : Posts by the caller will not be accessible by your other callers until either yourself or a co-sysop have read and approved the message for public viewing. 3.3E Long Information on User The long information printed about a user account consists of: Name: Random #1 (name/alias of user, number of user) RN : Wayne (real name of user) Call: N6PLU (amateur radio callsign) PH : 213-208-6689 (phone number) Age : 22 M (age, sex) PW : AAA (password) Comp: IBM AT (80386) (user's computer type) Last: 07/12/89 12/15/87 (last date on, first date on) Msgs: P=123 E=148 F=125 W=64 (posts, emails, feedbacks, mail waiting) Log : 802 4 I=0 (total calls, calls today, illegal logons) UpDn: U=17-989k D=3-43k (uploads, downloads) Note: This is a note (user note) SL : 255 DSL=255 (SL, DSL) AR : ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP (user AR) DAR : ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP (user DAR) The comments on the right are not printed in Uedit. Some of the lines are not always printed unless they have a value. For example, if the user did not have an amateur radio callsign, the callsign line would not be present in the Uedit listing. This rule also applies to restrictions, AR, DAR, and sysopsub. Passwords are ONLY printed for 255 SL's. If a co-sysop goes into Uedit, passwords will not be displayed (although they will be printed locally on your computer screen). 3.4 Voting Initialization The voting initialization procedure allows the setup of voting questions. When this procedure is run, a list of all current questions is displayed, with those not in use listed as >>> NO QUESTION <<<. There are a total of 20 possible voting questions. Entering the number of the question to be altered allows the addition, deletion, or change of a question. After a question has been entered, all possible responses (up to 19) should be entered. 3.5 Sysop Text Editor The BBS contains an internal text editor that may be used to edit files. This editor is different from the one used when writing e-mail or posts. If your account has a full screen editor selected, that editor will be used instead of the internal editor. The use of a full screen editor is greatly encouraged, since they are much easier to use, and since the internal editor has minimal editing features. 3.5A Internal editor Options The internal editor is line-oriented, and has the following options: P - Print the current line. L - List from the current line onward. I - Insert lines starting BEFORE the current line. D - Delete line(s). D10 will delete 10 lines, starting with the current line. + - forward line(s). +10 will move forward 10 lines. - - backward line(s). -10 will move backward 10 lines. Q - Quit, without saving. S - Save & exit. C - Clear workspace. # - entering a number will go directly to that line. 3.6 Mail and Message Base SysOp Functions 3.6A Co-Sysop (or Sysop) Options at Mail Read Prompt At the mail read prompt, a co-sysop has the following additional options: 3.6A1 Form Letters O - Reply with a form letter. This option allows you to send a pre-written message as a reply to the e-mail you just read. This is often used to respond to validation letters or frequently-asked questions. Form letters must have a filename of the format "FORMxxxx.MSG" where xxxx are 1-4 characters, and be placed in the GFILES directory. For example, a validation confirmation form letter might be called FORMVAL.MSG. After typing 'O' at the mail read prompt, you will be prompted for the 1-4 character suffix of the filename. Following the example, you would simply type VAL. If the letter exists, it is loaded into the text area and you are prompted for the title of the message. Once entered, the contents of the form letter are used in the message area, and the letter is sent to the user. 3.6A2 Validating the Writer of the letter V - Validate the sender of the current piece of mail. By hitting V, a co-sysop can view some basic information about the user, and also change the SL, DSL, AR, DAR, and restrictions. 3.6A3 Zapping Mail Z - Zap mail. This is the same as "D"eleting the mail, except with the Z option, no confirmation is sent back to the sender telling him that the mail has been read. 3.6B Co-Sysop (or Sysop) Options from the Scan Prompt At the scan prompt, a co-sysop has the following additional options: V - Validate the user. Same as in mail read, or "!" from main prompt. N - No-delete. This will save the message from being auto-deleted to make room for new messages. For a no-delete message, a limited co-sysop must explicitly remove the message. U - Un-anonymous a post. If a message was posted anonymously, the U option will make the name visible for anyone to see. D - Delete the message. M - Move the message. The co-sysop will be prompted for the message base to move it to. ? will list the subs. 3.7 Extract to a File Also, at either the mail read or scan prompt, hitting "E" by a sysop (SL=255) will extract the message/mail out to a text file in the GFILES directory. A filename will be prompted for, and if the file doesn't already exist, the message will be written out to that text file. If the file does exist, the sysop is prompted to select a new file (N), overwrite the current file (O) or quit (Q). 3.8 Function Key Assignments While a user is logged on, there are many sysop function keys that may be used to change the current status, or information about the user's account. The keys are: F1 - Validate the user. This will pop up, on the screen, a window allowing you to change the caller's SL, DSL, AR, DAR, exemptions, sysop sub, and note. The up-arrow will move to the previous field, down-arrow (or <C/R>) moves to the next field, and escape (or F1) finishes changing the data and returns back to the normal BBS. To change AR, DAR, or the restrictions, simply move to the character position you wish to toggle, and hit the spacebar to clear that option, or hit the letter of the AR/DAR to be toggled on or off. NOTE: A person of the same or lower SL cannot change the SL of a higher level person, except from the keyboard when the person to be changed is logged on. Shift-F1 - Global Capture. This will toggle a global capture system on and off. Global capture will write to a text file in the GFILES directory (GLOBAL.TXT) everything that occurs on the BBS from the moment capture is turned on. Subsequent captures are added to the end of the GLOBAL.TXT file. F2 - Toggle top of screen info. The top of screen data defaults to information about the user's account, but may be changed. Hitting F2 once will clear the top of screen data, so the entire screen may be used normally. Hitting F2 again will display system status information in the window. F3 - Disable remote typing. If you wish to temporarily disable the remote user from typing, hit F3. Hit F3 again to restore his ability to type. Note that the caller will still be able to see everything printed on the screen even if the caller isn't allowed to type. F4 - Disable chat call. If a user is requesting a chat, and you don't want to talk with that user, hit F4 to turn off the chat call. F5 - Hang up on the user. When you hit F5, carrier is immediately dropped. Ctrl-F5 - Prints out "Call back later when you are there" and hangs up. This message is also the one printed out when a user has not pressed a key for 3 minutes and is disconnected due to inactivity. Shift-F5 - Prints out a few characters of garbage, then hangs up on the caller. This may appear to the caller as if disconnection was due to line noise. F6 - Toggle sysop page. If a user is on, and you want to use the system but don't want to hang up on the user (such as with the F5 key), you can set the sysop page using the F6 key. "Alert" will appear in the topscreen information border. When the user logs off, the BBS will beep at you for about a minute, telling you that the user is off the system, and you may now use it. F7 - Subtract 5 minutes from the time the user has on. If the time gets to zero, this will not hang up on the user, but when the user gets to the main menu (or scan prompt, or any one of a number of other places), he will be logged off. F8 - Add 5 minutes to the time left on, to a maximum of 255 minutes. F9 - Temporary sysop. If you wish to perform sysop functions while a user is on-line, hitting F9 will temporarily change their security level to 255. Hitting F9 again will return their security level to what it previously was. If a user hangs up while a temporary sysop, his SL will automatically be returned to what it was before. F10 - Chat. If you wish to chat with a user, hit F10. If the user supports ANSI (and supports at least 1200 bps), two-way chat will be used (unless disabled in INIT). This is a split-screen chat system whereby everything you type will be printed in the top half of the screen, and everything the user types will be printed in the lower half. If the user does not support ANSI, standard chat mode will be used. Basically, this is a system whereby the entire screen is used for dialogue; one person types, then another, then another in turn, while the text of the conversation scrolls off the top of the screen. While in standard chat (NOT two-way), you may hit the [Home] key to record what is typed. It will be stored to CHAT.TXT in the GFILES dir. Turning on chat capture will INCLUDE the line you hit [Home] on, even though a message saying things are being captured is printed after that line. Likewise, when chat capture is turned off, the current line will NOT be included, even though the message is printed after that line. Those messages telling you when capture is on or off are printed locally, but not remotely, so the caller will not see them. If you want to save conversations made in two-way chat mode, you must use global capture, by toggling Shift-F1. Chats saved with global capture will be saved just as they happened, so in some instances (for the sake of clarity) it may be preferable to use standard chat and [Home] to record chats. Ctrl-F10 - Chat. This chat mode differs from the above in that two-way is not used at all. With Ctrl-F10, you can force standard chat mode when two-way chat would normally be used. This enables you to use the [Home] key to save the conversation if you want to. Shift-F10 - Drops to DOS. The remote caller sees "[WAIT]" while you are in DOS. Note that this is different from //DOS in that there is no remote echo. 4.0 Dos Macros WWIV v4.20 introduced a feature called DOS Macros. This feature enables a sysop to run a DOS program by pressing the ALT KEY and holding it down while pressing a letter. In order for this feature to work, the sysop must first create an ascii file in the DATA directory called MACROS.TXT. This file should contain the letter that the sysop wants to use to activate that program and then the command line (dos legal) that should be executed. For example, a sysop might wish to use the LIST utility to look at certain special network logs which are created in GFILES. The logs are called NETDAT0.LOG, NETDAT1.LOG, and NETDAT2.LOG. These logs represent three days worth of information about network connections. The MACROS.TXT might contain the following: a LIST C:\WWIV\GFILES\NETDAT0.LOG b LIST C:\WWIV\GFILES\NETDAT1.LOG c LIST C:\WWIV\GFILES\NETDAT2.LOG which would enable the sysop to enter ALT A to view NETDAT0.LOG or ALT C to view NETDAT2.LOG. This handy feature vastly expands the sysop's ability to maintain the board by running various utility programs from this dos shell. 5.0 CONCLUSION That's all there is to the Sysop's Guide. If so many commands seem confusing, don't worry about it. Knowing which key to press to use certain functions will become second-nature once you've become accustomed to using them. If you have read this far, it is assumed that you already looked through the Installation/Configuration docs. Now, if you haven't already, take a look at the User's Guide. It will provide you with information pertaining to commands available to the average caller, as well as to co-sysops, who will use your bulletin board. Many sysops make the WWIVUSER.DOC available to users as both a GFILE for on-line reading and as a downloadable file to facilitate their getting to know how WWIV operates. One final reminder, if you have not registered WWIV, you are entitled to try the shareware version for a period of 60 days. If you continue to use it beyond that time period, you should register it. Registration is simply. Send a cashier's check (i.e. certified check) or money order to Wayne Bell. The complete address is obtainable by typing //VER at the main menu of the board. If you wish to have the source code mailed to you on disk, you should include an additional $5 for each such mailing and you should include information regarding the disk format which your computer uses (i.e. 360k, 1.2mg, 1.44mg, etc.). 6.0 APPENDICES 6.1 Table of Contents Section Description Page 1.0 SECTION ONE: SYSOP/CO-SYSOP OPTIONS ...... 2 1.1 Introduction............................ 2 1.2 Top of Screen Data...................... 2 1.2A Caller's Status for Top Screen ....... 2 1.2B Abbreviations used in Caller TopScreen 3 1.3 System Status for Top Screen............ 3 1.4 Waiting-for-Call (WFC) Commands ........ 3 1.4A ? List WFC Commands .................. 3 1.4B Spacebar ............................. 3 1.4C Answer Phone ......................... 4 1.4D Boardedit ............................ 4 1.4E Chainedit ............................ 4 1.4F Diredit .............................. 4 1.4G Edit Text File ....................... 4 1.4H Dos Functions ........................ 4 1.4I Gfileedit ............................ 4 1.4J Init Votes ........................... 5 1.4K Log of the Day ....................... 5 1.4L Read All Mail ........................ 5 1.4M Net Log .............................. 5 1.4N Pending Files ........................ 5 1.4O Quit and Terminate BBS ............... 5 1.4P Read Your Mail ....................... 5 1.4Q Status Display ....................... 5 1.4R Terminal Program ..................... 6 1.4S Uedit ................................ 6 1.4T Yesterday's Log ...................... 6 1.4U Zlog ................................. 6 1.4V Force Callout ........................ 6 1.5 Main Menu Sysop Commands ............... 6 1.5A Log .................................. 6 1.5B Nlog ................................. 7 1.5C Ylog ................................. 7 1.5D Zlog ................................. 7 1.5E Uedit ................................ 7 1.5F Ivotes ............................... 7 1.5G Status ............................... 7 1.5H Voteprint ............................ 7 1.5I Tedit ................................ 7 1.6 Sysop Commands ......................... 8 1.7 Transfer Section Sysop Commands ........ 8 2.0 SECTION TWO: DETAILED SYSOP COMMANDS .... 9 2.1 Boardedit .............................. 9 2.1A Name ................................. 9 2.1B Filename ............................. 10 2.1C Key .................................. 10 2.1D Read SL .............................. 10 2.1E Post SL .............................. 10 2.1F Anony ................................ 10 2.1G Min Age .............................. 10 2.1H Max Msgs ............................. 11 2.1I AR ................................... 11 2.1J Sub Type ............................. 11 2.1K Storage Type ......................... 11 2.1L Val Network .......................... 11 2.1M Req. Ansi ............................ 12 2.1N Disable Tag .......................... 12 2.2 Diredit ................................ 12 2.2A Name ................................. 12 2.2B Filename ............................. 12 2.2C Path ................................. 12 2.2D DSL .................................. 13 2.2E Min Age .............................. 13 2.2F Max Files ............................ 13 2.2G DAR .................................. 13 2.2H Mask ................................. 13 2.2I Dir Type ............................. 13 2.2J Uploads .............................. 13 2.2K Arch. Only ........................... 13 2.3 Chainedit .............................. 14 2.3A Description .......................... 14 2.3B Filename ............................. 14 2.3C SL ................................... 15 2.3D AR ................................... 15 2.3E Ansi ................................. 15 2.3F Intercept DOS calls .................. 15 2.3G 300 Baud ............................. 15 2.3H Shrink ............................... 16 2.3I Disable Pause ........................ 16 3.0 SECTION THREE: DETAILED SYSOP/CO-SYSOP COMMANDS ................. 16 3.1 Gfileedit............................... 16 3.1A Name ................................. 16 3.1B Filename ............................. 17 3.1C SL ................................... 17 3.1D Min Age .............................. 17 3.1E Max Files ............................ 17 3.1F AR ................................... 17 3.2 Gfile Commands in Gfile Section ........ 17 3.2A Add Gfiles ........................... 17 3.2B Remove Gfiles ........................ 18 3.3 Uedit .................................. 18 3.3A Toggling the Uedit Display ........... 18 3.3B [ and ] to move in Uedit ............. 18 3.3C { and } in Search Options ............ 18 3.3D Other Uedit Options .................. 18 3.3D1 Available User Restrictions ........ 19 3.3E Long Information on User ............. 19 3.4 Voting Initialization .................. 20 3.5 Sysop Text Editor ...................... 20 3.5A Internal Editor Options .............. 20 3.6 Mail & Message Base Sysop Functions .... 20 3.6A Co-Sysop (or Sysop) Options at Mail .. 20 3.6A1 Form Letters ....................... 20 3.6A2 Validating the Writer of Message.... 21 3.6A3 Zapping Mail ....................... 21 3.6B Co-Sysop (or Sysop) Options from Scan. 21 3.7 Extract a file ......................... 21 3.8 Function Key Assignments ............... 22 4.0 Dos Macros ................................ 24 5.0 Conclusion ................................ 24 6.0 APPENDICES ................................ 25 6.1 Table of Contents ....................... 25 - 17 -