ÕÍÍÑÍ͸ * ÕÍ ÕÍ ³ ÕÍ͸ Õ ÆÍÍ͸ ÆÍÍ͸ ÕÍÍ͸ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÔÍÍ͸ ¿Ä¿ÚÄ¿¿ ÚÚijÚÄ¿ØÍØÚÄ¿¿Ä¿ Ï Ï Ï ÔÍÍ; ÔÍÍ; ÔÍÍ; Ù ÙÀÄÄÀÁÙÄÙÁÀÄÄÁ ÁÀÄÄÙ ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ VOL X Nr.XX ** The Unofficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ======================================================================== *** C O N T E N T S *** Message from the Editor.........................................Cover Contents........................................................Cover TriBBS and TranScan 4.06 by Richard Cychall ....................page 1 Installing HydraCom in TriBBS 4.0 by Jon Crichfield.............page 9 TriBBS and Digicom Modems by Mark Weinhold......................page 11 TriPack 4.01 Beta Release ......................................page 12 Windows & Tribbs: The Way it Ought to Be By Paul Hirsch.........page 12 TriBBS Third Party Programs: TriUInfo...........................page 14 TriBBS Third Party Programs: Top Doors..........................page 18 American BBS Association .......................................page 21 Eric Ratcliffe Rambles On...And On...And On.....................page 26 Final Notes from the Editor.....................................page 28 ============================================================================ Page 1 ** The Unofficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» ºTRANSCAN VER 4.06 File Review and Set-Up instructions for TRIBBS - º ºRichard Cycholl º º º ºFile Name: TranScan º ºVersion: 4.06 º ºAuthor: Craig E. Dunstan º ºOrdering Info: TranScan BBS, 3760 SW Pk S Ct #102, Topeka º º Topeka, KS. 66609-2106 º ºVoice 913-266-2287 º ºBBS 913-266-0781 º º(orders only) 1-800-578-3061 º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ While the description of the program and features, I will take from the documentation from Transcan, the opinions of the program and its operation are mine and you might have a completely different opinion. I suggest you download the latest verson and evaluate the program yourself. This article is only to get you familiar with the program and is in no way endorsing or selling TranScan. WHAT IS TRANSCAN? (Taken from docs. After all the author should be able to best describe his program) "TranScan is a compressed file scanner and converter. It can take files compressed in virtually any format, extract them, scan them for viruses, then convert them to your favorite compression method. It can process a single file or multiple files, single directory or multiple directories, single drive or multiple drives. It can also process GIF and JPG files, and TeleDisk files. It can test files for integrity, viruses, age/date, and even GIF Resolution." "If you run a BBS you can use TranScan in your Post Upload batch file to process each file as it is uploaded. TranScan can even display info to the COM port so that the caller can watch the processing." GENERAL OPINION Before TranScan their was only a few upload checkers for TriBBS. 1. ZipLab Generic, written by Jeff Morley. A good performance and works as advertised, but its limited mostly to working on line only. 2. The built in checker for TriBBS, but does not have commenting capability, or the extra bells and whistles that Ziplab and TranScan has. (Sorry Mark). ============================================================================ = Page 2 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ 3. TriTel Upload Filter written by E. Morrow, a upload filter which checks for unwanted files and file age/date. This program feels a big gap for uploading checking and offers sysops of TriBBS an alternative to upload checking. Advantages You can process files off-line as well as on-line and do manual conversons using multiple directories or drives. Able to convert your files during a event on your upload directory. Able to use a RAM disk as a work Drive. This will defiantly speed things up. If you choose you can compress all non-compressed files (.txt, .doc, etc) to your default compression method. The option to compress Imbedded files. The ability to Convert Self Extracting Files The ability to List the files it already processed. It will keep a list of files already processed so that it will not process them again. Duplicate File CRC Test. It will calculate each internal files CRC value and compare it against a duplicate file database. It will then alert you when it finds a file matching another file already in the database. Ability to add a file comment advertising your BBS and removing the uploaded file comment. Ability to delete select files that you added in a filelist like BBS.ads Maintains a list of all files that if fails due to Integrity, Viruses, Age or Minimum GIF Resolution. (This is a feature that I like which enables me to run TranScan in event to automatically convert files from Zip to ARJ) The ability to make a list to delay part of the processing of files until later. TranScan will process the files and then delete the list. ============================================================================ Page 3 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ Maintains a TranScan Did file. This keeps TranScan from processing a file more than once. Ability to add files to the archive like BBS advertisement files. Ability to delete or move to a specific directory a rejected file. Since it has the ability to swap to disk you should have no memory problems from using TranScan or any of the utilities (like ARJ) that you need with it. For most of TriBBS Sysops who are using TriBBS 4.0 and above memory should be no problem now, and if configured correctly TranScan will use EMS if it is available.. Disadvantages I consider either consider this operator error, or a bug, but can not get TranScan to reject a file by date. You can not strip comments. Only way you can is to create a 0 byte file for it to insert. The inability of the program to maintain a list of unwanted files to upload or general extensions to reject at time of upload. Please note. Both Ziplab and Transcan processes GIF files, both with different capabilities. I will not comment on GIFS, for I do not handle GIF files, do not like them, do not want them and see no use for them, but thats only my opinion for my personal needs. MY SET UP FOR TRANSCAN I first made a sperate directory for transcan and called it scan. I put that directory in my path and copied all the files into the directory. After that I ran the program (type TS) and the following screen will appear. ============================================================================ Page 4 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:208k 07:45 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Help ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Quit ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help ³ Select files and options for processing. Hit Alt C and you will get the Configuration Menu TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:207k 07:50 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ TranScan Options ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ FilePath\Name Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ TranScan Add List ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ External Programs ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Display Options ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Memory Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Work Drive D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Swap Drive EMS or D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ BBS Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help ³ Configure TranScan Options. ============================================================================ Page 5 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ Move the Scroll Bar to TranScan Options and hit enter and you will receive the following screen. TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:200k 07:53 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ SelecÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ TranScan Options ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Proce³Default Compression Method: ARJ ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Confi³Time Stamp Method: Keep ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕͳAge or Date Reject: Age ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ ³ Max Age in Days: 750 ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ³ Rejection Date: 01/01/91 ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ Date Test GIF Files? N ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Min. GIF Resolution [WxHxC]: 0x 0x 0 ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³RejectAction: Move ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ Move To: g:\rejects ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Exclude ReCompressing Def? N ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Compress Non-Compressed? N ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Convert Imbedded Files? Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Convert Self Extract Files? Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔͳConvert -AV Stamped Files? *Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±³List files already DID? Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±³Duplicate File CRC Test? *Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±³* Options to be added in a future version. ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± On most of the options you have the ability to hit the F2 key for a pick list or a space ball for toggling. Please note. If you choose Convert Imbedded Files (like I did) keep in mind there are some install programs that expect certain files to be compressed with a certain utility. My opinion is, since they are few, I will take the chance and compress everything. Hit Esc to go back to previous menu and scroll down to FilePath/Name SetUp and hit return. ============================================================================ Page 5 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:203k 07:59 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ File and Path Configuration ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanLog C:\SCAN\TS.LOG ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanDel C:\SCAN\TS.DEL ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanBad C:\SCAN\TS.BAD ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanLst C:\SCAN\TS.LST ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanCmt C:\SCAN\TS.CMT ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanNot C:\SCAN\TS.NOT ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³TranScanDid C:\SCAN\TS.DID ³±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help F2-Select F4-Edit ³ TranScan activity recorded to this file. Enter the appropriate file names. The above are the default names. Hit Esc to go back to configuration menu and skip Transcan Add list unless, you want to add a file or bbs.add to each file that is processed and go to Display Options. TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:206k 08:07 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ Display Set-Up ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Color Choice: Use Default ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Use Mouse? N ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Display Options ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Memory Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Work Drive D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Swap Drive EMS or D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ BBS Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help F2-Pick Space-Select ³ Color Choice. ============================================================================ Page 6 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ After the above selections are toggled exit out of that menu and go to memory set-up. TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:205k 08:10 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ Memory ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Add To Overlay Buffer: 0 ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Use EMS for Overlay? Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Use EMS for External Swap? Y ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Memory Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Work Drive D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ Swap Drive EMS or D ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ BBS Set-Up ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help ³ Enter Overlay Buffer Size. You can answer the above to suit your system and tastes Back out of that menu and go to Work Drive TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:203k 08:19 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ Select Work Drive ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ Drive Disk Type Capacity Free Percent ±±±±±±³ ³ A Floppy disk °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ B Floppy disk °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ C Hard disk 26.3m 5.5m 20.8% ²±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ þ D Hard disk 169.7m 62.6m 36.9% þ °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ E Hard disk 21.0m 7.8m 37.1% °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ F Hard disk 15.8m 8.5m 54.1% °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ G Hard disk 106.4m 43.3m 40.7% ±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ 0/7 Selected ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F1-Help Enter-Select & Exit Esc-Exit ============================================================================ Page 7 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ Arrow down to the work drive you want to use and hit the enter key. Please note the work drive can also be a work drive. go back to the configuration menu and go to Swap or Drive TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:203k 08:24 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Select ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Process ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Configure ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ HelÕÍÍÍÍÍ Configure ÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ Qui³ Save Configuration ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ Select Swap Drive ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ Drive Disk Type Capacity Free Percent ±±±±±±³ ³ A Floppy disk °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ B Floppy disk °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ C Hard disk 26.3m 5.5m 20.8% ²±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ þ D Hard disk 169.7m 62.6m 36.9% þ °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ E Hard disk 21.0m 7.8m 37.1% °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ F Hard disk 15.8m 8.5m 54.1% °±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³ G Hard disk 106.4m 43.3m 40.7% ±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±ÔÍÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ 0/7 Selected ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± Select your swap drive. I suggest the one with the most space available, but again, for other reasons you may want to pick another one. Go to BBS Set up TranScan 4.06 Copyright (c) 91-93 by Craig E. Dunstan! ³ M:199k 08:27 pm ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±³ SelecÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ BBS Set-Up ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸±±±±± ±³ Proce³Bbs: TriBBS BBS Message Conference: 0 ³±±±±± ±³ Confi³Port Type: Uart Send Message? Y ³±±±±± ±³ HelÕͳMin. Sec. Level: 9999 Msg Tear Line? Y ³±±±±± ±³ Qui³ ³Update Bbs File Date? N Thanks Msg............. THANKS.IMP ³±±±±± ±ÔÍÍÍͳ ³Add Orphan Files? Y Virus Detected Msg..... VIRUS.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Delete Failed Files? N Failed Integrity Msg... INTEGRI.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Write To Activity Log? Y Failed Age Test Msg.... AGEREJE.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Add DESC.SDI file? N File Already Exists Msg. EXISTS.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Compress OffLine? Y No External Program Msg.NOEXTPRO.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Do GIF/JPGs OffLine? N Extern. Prog. Error Msg. EXTPROG.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Import Short Desc? N Fail Min. GIF Res. Msg.. MINGIF.IMP ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Import Long Desc? N ³±±±±± ±±±±±±³ ³Gif Resolution? Right ³±±±±± ±±±±±±±±ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ;±±±±± F1-Help F2-Pick Space-Select ³ Bbs Software Type. =========================================================================== Page 8 ** The Unofficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== On BBS toggle to you get TriBBS. For the rest of the options you see the defaults, but unless TranScan supports that function for TriBBS it will not let you change it and will not go to that item. If you noticed I have Compress OffLine? set to yes (Y).... Thats so because otherwise it will convert the file right after the upload and TriBBS was not expecting that file and expecting another format. (Please note most of our area uses Zip extensions while I switched to ARJ so users will upload Zip files). This way the file will get a virus scan and check the integrity of the file and will complete the process of the conversion during your nightly event. Go back to the main configuration menu and go to save configuration and hit enter to save. If you notice at the bottom of each screen is the F1-Help . Each configuration option has its own help text and if you press f1 key it will give you some help. My upload bat looks like the following TS %1 /p1,$03F8,4,T /CNONE /A750 /p1 = port 1 $03F8 = Port address 4 = IRQ T = Uses RtsCts flow control /cnone = Do not Convert or Compress the file. (Again the ts -l in a event will finish the conversion) /A750 = reject the file if files are over 750 days old (Again, I can not get that option to work) my event file is simple g: cd g:\up ts -l filedate e: cd e:\bbs1 board Well thats my setup. I am sure others have tweaked it more that me and if you have any suggestions or ideas just throw them my way by calling my board Chapter 11 BBS 703-335-5545 or by NET mail through TTN. Hope the above info helped. Cheers and Beers. =========================================================================== Page 9 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== -= Installing HydraCom Bi-directional protocol for TriBBS v4.0 =- March 17th, 1993 Written by: Jon Crichfield This text file is to assist beginning TriBBS sysops with setting up the HydraCom Bi-directional protocol. The use of this protocol is free as long as the name HydraCom Bi-directional is used on the BBS. The sysop is not allowed to change HydraCom's name. This protocol has the advantage over HSLink by being totally FREE and without the mental anguish for NOT registering it (There is a provision, in HydraCom doc's, for those of you who wish to part with your spare change...). To complete this installation, you will need the most recent release of HydraCom. As of this writing, the most recent archived file for HydraCom was HCom_100.lha. It may be in different archive formats. To install HydraCom. You will need to shell from TriBBS Waiting for Caller screen to the DOS prompt. At the dos prompt you will need to do several things... 1). From the HydraCom archived file, copy HydraCom.exe and Hydracfg.exe to your TriBBS main directory (this directory should be in your PATH statement). 2). Activate Hydracfg.exe and follow it's prompts. DO NOT create an upload directory. TriBBS will send the uploaded files to the proper upload directory. It is recommended and encouraged that you attempt to lock your modem's serial rate and set it for the highest speed possible with your PC and TriBBS. [NOTE: Refer to the Hydracom sample.cfg at the end of this articl] If activated correctly there will be an additional file called HydraCom.cfg in your TriBBS main directory. This file maybe edited later with a DOS editor or you may wish to re-activate Hydracfg.exe. 3). Enter TriBBS' Nwork subdirectory and using a DOS editor edit Extprot.mnu to add the following line: [...other protocols...] C,HydraCom Bi-Directional,HDS.Bat,HDR.Bat,y,n ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^----- These two batch files must be in ^ this order for HydraCom to ^ operate correctly. ^ ^--------------------------------------- Use any letter or number not being used by another transfer protocol (I prefered "C" for the capitalized "C" in HydraCom). =========================================================================== Page 10 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== If you didn't get the batch files with this document... I've included their command lines for you're use... REM === HDS.Bat === HYDRACOM port %1 send @%3 REM === End Of File === ************************** REM === HDR.Bat === HYDRACOM port %1 get REM === End Of File === This completes the installation of HydraCom Bi-directional into TriBBS. You do not have to reboot your PC. If the TriBBS main directory is within the autoexec.bat's PATH statement, Hydracom will work without rebooting. I recommend you review the HydraCom document files for the extra option parameters used in the HydraCom.cfg file. The HydraCom.cfg can be edited to the very few lines. If the HydraCom.cfg file has lines with ";" before them; these lines may be edited out. I've added the highly-commented sample.cfg. You may edit it and rename it HydraCom.cfg, if you do not wish to activate or use Hydracfg.exe. ;> The lines which have a semicolon ";" preceding them may be edited out with ;> a DOS text editor to save space and to speed up the HydraCom Configuration ;> File. Lines with ";>" were added by Jon Crichfield as notes for beginning ;> TriBBS sysops learning to install the HydraCom Bi-directional protocol. ;> ;> NOTE! If you intend to use this sample.cfg as your HydraCom.cfg, the lines ;> with ";>" should be deleted... ; HydraCom Default Configuration File - Created by HydraCfg 1.00 PC ; port 1 ; [1..16] (default=COM1) speed 0 ; [300..57600] (none=current) ;> ^-----------Make this the fastest PC to modem setup you have on ;> your BBS. This is your serial rate NOT the your ;> caller's modem connect rate... ; line 0 ; [300..57600] (none=comspeed) ; parity ; dropdtr ; nocarrier ; noinit handshake none ; none|soft|hard|both (default=none) ;> ^----------This is known as RTS/CTS. The optimum setting is ;> to use the PC hardware (hard); which is faster than ============================================================================ Page 11 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ ;> software (soft). If you're using Windows you may ;> advantage of the faster UARTs, use None. log C:\TRIBBS\HYDRA.LOG ;> ^--- This is the path to HydraCom's usage log. ;> This file can be read with a DOS text editor. ;> Not a necessity, but it helps to keep track ;> of HydraCom's usage. loglevel 0 ; 0=max, 6=min (default=2) ;> ^-----------Set this as fast as possible. Some PC types may ;> not function correctly, but 99% will work at this setting. result C:\TRIBBS\HYDRA.RES ;> ^--- This is the path to HydraCom's transfer ;> result file. This file can be read with a ;> DOS text editor. Not a necessity, but it ;> helps monitor Hydracom's transfer results. ; noresume ; nostamp ; receive d:\path\recpath\ ; nobell ; mailer ; nooriginator ; hdxlink ; txwindow 0 ; (default 0=full streaming) ; rxwindow 0 ; (default 0=full streaming) ; option xonxoff ; option telenet ; option ctlchrs ; option highctl ; option highbit ; === end of file === --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TriBBS and Digicom Modems Have you had trouble with a Digicom Scout Plus modem with TriBBS? Well, here is a setup for my error correcting command. I always had the problem with error correcting modem detected, because my error connect message was EC. Since connECt XXX has EC in it, everyone was EC. If you put the following in the command line, you can change the message to give you something like this: CONNECT 9600 EC/V.42-the command is "*M2". Now, go change the error correcting message to "EC/", because it will then look for a "/" after EC. I hope this text helps...and if you need anymore help with this cheap modem, contact me on TTN, or call my board. Mark Weinhold The No Problem BBS (703) 960-8432 ============================================================================ Page 12 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ TriBBS Update !! Recently, several TriBBS sysops have had a problem with loosing their MCONF.DAT file. Mark Goodwin has released a Beta TriPack for registered TriBBS sysops to help prevent this problem. The file name is TP401B01.XXX and should be avail on most TriBBS support boards if you can not get on the Lobster Bouy. I've included the Readme file so you can see what Mark has done TriPack 4.01 Beta ----------------- This version of TriPack incorporates a few safeguards to prevent the MCONF.DAT file from being zeroed out. I no longer relies on DOS to be sure that the MCONF.DAT file is closed when TRIPACK.EXE exits from memory. It now specifically closes all files before exiting to DOS. Additionally, TriPack 4.01 creates a backup of the MCONF.DAT file called MCONF.BAK before it does anything else. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Windows & TriBBS: The Way it Ought to Be. Author: Paul Hirsch There have been many questions and complaints about trying to get TriBBS to run under Windows 3.1. I have been able to get TriBBS to work quite well under Windows so that's why I'm writing this. First off you need to make suer that you have SHARE loaded into memory. For some strange reason, when you try to run TriBBS under Windows without loading SHARE, it just displays "Echo off" and then the screen goes blank. Here are my CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and TRIBBS.PIF files, to help you get Windows and TriBBS to work: (comments are surrounded by braces ({}); opt = optional) ------------------------CONFIG.SYS------------------------------- BREAK=ON {specifies Control-C will stop everything (opt)} BUFFERS=32 {the higher the number, the faster the disk writes} FILES=32 {the higher the #, the more files that can be locked at a time} SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:1024 {defines the DOS shell environment size} DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /MACHINE:1 {enables use of high & extended mem.} DOS=HIGH,UMB {loads DOS into High memory and enables use of Upper Mem. Blocks} DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE 1024 ram {enables use of expanded mem.} DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS {loads the ANSI device into high memory} STACKS=9,256 {sets amount of RAM DOS reserves for hardware interrupts} ----------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================ Page 13 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ --------------------AUTOEXEC.BAT--------------------------------- loadhigh C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE {loads SMARTDRV into high memory} loadhigh C:\BNU /L0=38400 /R:15360 /T:15360 /Z0 /F {loads fossil dirver} @ECHO OFF {disables the echoing of commands to the screen} VERIFY OFF {disables verification of correct writing of files to disk} PATH=\WINDOWS;\DOS;\ZIPPERS;\THEDRAW;\BP\BIN;\UTILITY\UPSCAN;\TRIBBS;C:\ SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP {sets the temporary directory} SET COM1=38400 {sets COM1 to the locked modem speed} PROMPT $E[1;36;40m$P$E[1;35;40m$G {just a more colorful prompt} loadhigh SHARE {loads SHARE into memory} VER {displays the version of DOS(opt)} WIN {starts Windows} ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------TRIBBS.PIF-------------------------------------- Program Name: c:\tribbs\board.bat {location of board.bat (MUST have .bat!)} Windows Title: The North Pole BBS {can be what you want } Optional Parameters: {none necessary} Start-up Directory: c:\tribbs {where-ever it is on your BBS} Video Memory: Text Memory Requirements: KB Req.: 640 KB Des.: 640 EMS Memory: {none} XMS Memory: {none} Display Usage: Full Screen Execution: Background Close Window on Exit: Yes {square is "X"ed} {ADVANCED SETUP!!} Background Priority: 250 Foreground Priority: 350 Detect Idle Time: {unmarked} Memory Options: Uses High Memory Area: yes {"X"ed} (everything else is NOT marked) Display Options: Emulate Text Mode: yes {"X"ed} (everything else is NOT marked) Other Options: Allow Fast Paste: yes {"X"ed} (everything else is NOT marked) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Just in case you are wondering, here is a little about my computer set up: IBM-PC Clone AT - 386DX 33 MHz - 4 MB RAM - DOS 5.0 - Windows 3.1 Boca Research 14.4k v.32bis modem locked at 38,400 baud. TriBBS 4.01 You might think that Windows has a lot of faults in it, and believe me, it does have a few, but even with only 4MB of RAM like me you can do the same as with an 8 or 16 MB OS/2 system. Of course, it is recommended that you have at least 16 MB of memory when you plan on ANY multi-tasking, but you really don't need that much if you aren't planning on running more than two or three programs at a time. To prove that TriBBS can actually be set up to run with Windows, I'm writing this article while people are downloading and uploading and playing doors. ============================================================================ Page 14 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ I can be contacted via TTN or at my BBS 24 hours a day. My BBS - The North Pole - (301)540-3654 {TriBBS #305} --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TriBBS Third Party Program I've included two Programs this month. Both have been recently released. The first is TriUInfo and is a System Usage Information Program. It is still in Beta, but has been released for everyone to use. I have installed this on my BBS and so far, the only problem I've had is that both bulletins it creates are ANSI. Even the .BBS file ends up ANSI. I'm sorry Chihli for you finding out from me this way, but I was planing on sending a message. The File name for TriUInfo is TRIUI001.XXX and should be avail on most TriBBS support board TriUInfo (C) 1993 by Chihli Lu ------------------------------ Complete TriBBS System Usage Information Program! Current Supported Stats: General Stats (No Graph) ------------------------- Remote Calls Sysop Sessions New Users Added Edits User Base Uploads Completed Edits File Base Downloads Completed Edits Message Base Doors Used Edits Events Base Bulletins Read Viewed Caller Logs Messages Entered Sorted File Lists Questionnaires Used Packed Users Base Incorrect Passwords Moved Files SysOp Entered CHATs Removed Files Keyboard Time Outs Users Paged Lost of Carriers Locked or Deleted Caller Failed Uploads Total User Online Time Total Door Usage Time Graphed Stats ------------- Logon Baud Rates Users Logon Hours ============================================================================ Page 15 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ User Specific Stat (No Graph at present time) --------------------------------------------- Top Uploader(s) Top Downloader(s) Top Door User(s) Top Mess User(s) Top Pager(s) Top Bulletin User(s) Top Questionnaire User(s) Top Callers by Time(s) On Top Callers by Online Duration Top Callers by Hangups Misc Stats (No Graph at present time) ------------------------------------- Top Downloads! Top Doors by Duration Top Doors Opended Top Bulletin Read All you need to do is to put the program files in to the TriBBS System Files Directory and Run init parameter /I example command line: TriUInfo /I You should have the stats then... The following is my CFG file for TriUInfo, it is very easy to set up and should present no one with a problem Imagine (BBS name) Steve Sears (Sysop Name) c:\tribbs\display\bullet6.ans (Path to ANSI bulletin) c:\tribbs\display\bullet6.bbs (Path to ASCII bulletin) c:\tribbs (Path to main TriBBS dir) =========================================================================== Page 16 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== Now you've seen the technical part, lets see what the bulletin looks like.... @CLS@ @MOREOFF@ Registered to - UNREGISTERED, Ask or Help your Sysop to register this program ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ Log dated from 04/01/93 02:14 to 04/06/93 23:50. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Remote Calls..........: 127 Sysop Sessions.........: 19 New Users Added.......: 3 Edits User Base........: 1 Uploads Completed.....: 13 Edits File Base........: 0 Downloads Completed...: 218 Edits Message Base.....: 0 Doors Used............: 13 Edits Events Base......: 0 Bulletins Read........: 63 Viewed Caller Logs.....: 3 Messages Entered......: 25 Sorted File Lists......: 0 Questionnaires Used...: 2 Packed Users Base......: 0 Incorrect Passwords...: 3 Moved Files............: 0 SysOp Entered CHATs...: 6 Removed Files..........: 0 Keyboard Time Outs....: 4 Users Paged...........: 9 Locked or Deleted Caller: 0 Lost of Carriers......: 11 Bad Uploads.............: 1 Total User Online Time: 20334 Minutes Total Door Usage Time.: 507 Minutes ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ @PAUSE@@CLS@ @MOREOFF@ -= Logon Baud Rates =- Normal Connection Error Connection ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 300 : 0 300E : 0 1200 : 2 1200E : 0 2400 : 63 2400E : 6 4800 : 0 4800E : 0 9600 : 5 9600E : 9 12000 : 0 12000E : 1 14400 : 2 14400E : 28 19200 : 0 19200E : 0 38400 : 11 38400E : 0 57600 : 0 57600E : 0 115200 : 0 115200E : 0 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Unregistered !!! ============================================================================ Page 17 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ @PAUSE@@CLS@ @MOREOFF@ -= Users Logon Hours =- ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 12 AM - 1 AM : 4 12 PM - 1 PM : 7 1 AM - 2 AM : 3 1 PM - 2 PM : 6 2 AM - 3 AM : 4 2 PM - 3 PM : 8 3 AM - 4 AM : 6 3 PM - 4 PM : 7 4 AM - 5 AM : 4 4 PM - 5 PM : 5 7 AM - 6 AM : 0 5 PM - 6 PM : 7 6 AM - 7 AM : 0 6 PM - 7 PM : 7 7 AM - 8 AM : 4 7 PM - 8 PM : 12 8 AM - 9 AM : 1 8 PM - 9 PM : 8 9 AM - 10 AM : 5 9 PM - 10 PM : 6 10 AM - 11 AM : 8 10 PM - 11 PM : 4 11 AM - 12 PM : 4 11 PM - 12 AM : 7 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Unregistered !!! @PAUSE@@CLS@ @MOREON@ -= Logon Baud Rates Chart =- 1200 ³Ý 1.57% 2400 ³±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±Ý 49.61% 9600 ³±Ý 3.94% 14400 ³Ý 1.57% 38400 ³±±±Ý 8.66% 2400E ³±Ý 4.72% 9600E ³±±± 7.09% 12000E ³ 0.79% 14400E ³±±±±±±±±±±±Ý 22.05% ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ 50 % 100 % Unregistered !!! =========================================================================== Page 18 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== @PAUSE@@CLS@ @MOREON@ -= User Logon Time Chart =- 12AM - 1AM ³±Ý 3.15% 1AM - 2AM ³±Ý 2.36% 2AM - 3AM ³±Ý 3.15% 3AM - 4AM ³±Ý 4.72% 4AM - 5AM ³±Ý 3.15% 7AM - 8AM ³±Ý 3.15% 8AM - 9AM ³Ý 0.79% 9AM - 10AM ³±Ý 3.94% 10AM - 1AM ³±±±Ý 6.30% 11AM - 12PM ³±Ý 3.15% 12PM - 1PM ³±Ý 5.51% 1PM - 2PM ³±Ý 4.72% 2PM - 3PM ³±±±Ý 6.30% 3PM - 4PM ³±Ý 5.51% 4PM - 5PM ³±Ý 3.94% 5PM - 6PM ³±Ý 5.51% 6PM - 7PM ³±Ý 5.51% 7PM - 8PM ³±±±Ý 9.45% 8PM - 9PM ³±±±Ý 6.30% 9PM - 10PM ³±Ý 4.72% 10PM - 11PM ³±Ý 3.15% 11PM - 12AM ³±Ý 5.51% ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ 50 % 100 % Unregistered !!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next Utility is TopDoor, a bulletin generator showing how times your doors have been used, and for how much time. The best part about this new program is it covers a problem I've had with most other Door Bulletins, The problem with extended menu items showing up as the name of the batch file that calls them. It does this by allowing you to tell it what to call the door in the CFG file. You will get a chance to see this soon, but lets look at some of the docs first. Top Door should be available as TOPDOR13.XXX on just about any TriBBS support board. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TopDoors v1.3 Copyright (c) 1993 by Bryan J. Nylin Written and compiled in QuickBASIC v4.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TopDoors v1.3 is a utility designed for TriBBS sysops to create a bulletin showing the top door programs executed on the BBS. It is compatible with TriBBS versions 3.3 and 4.0. =========================================================================== Page 19 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== This SHAREWARE program is distributed with the concept that if you find it useful and continue to use it beyond a 30-day free trial period, you must send in the $10 registration fee (discounts available when registering multiple copies and/or additional utilities at the same time). COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Usage: TOPDOORS [/L] [/E=nnn] [/?] [/HELP] Where: /L Includes local logons /E=nnn Excludes callers at or above security level nnn. /DAYS=n Number of days to include Explanation: /L Includes local logons. By default, doors run during local logons are ignored and not recorded. /E=nnn Excludes any caller with a security level at or above 'nnn'. Useful to exclude sysop from list when calling from remote line and using a door. NOTE: Use of the /E switch will cause program run-time to increase substantially because of the extra time it takes to look into USERS.DAT. /DAYS=n Number of days to include. When using this, TOPDOORS starts from midnight of the previous day and counts backwards to come up with the date range. Without this parameter, TOPDOORS will simply use the entire log file. EXAMPLE: NEWUSERS /L /E=999 /DAYS=14 Includes local logons, but excludes any users at level 999 (or above). Handy if there are users other than the sysop that log on locally (that use doors) that should be counted. Also keeps a sysop from being recorded when calling by modem and using a door. Only includes last 14 full days. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPDOORS scans the CALLERS.LOG file. For each caller it finds that runs a door, it records the doors that are executed (and the security level of the caller if the /E switch is used). =========================================================================== Page 20 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== The number of times each door is executed is totalled along with the number of minutes used, and the first and last date the door was used. All doors are then ranked according to the total number of times the door was used. The date information is used to calculate the average number of times each day each door was used, and the average number of minutes for each use. Some additional logic is also applied that needs to be explained. The basic rule is that running a door is only counted ONCE per call, but the total number of minutes is recorded. For instance, if somebody runs a game door for 5 minutes, exits and looks at files (or whatever), then comes back and runs it again for 7 minutes, TOPDOORS will count this door as having been used ONCE for 12 minutes. Support questions can be left, and latest version downloaded from the author's BBS near Seattle, WA: Jet City Connection BBS, (206)839-8843, v.32bis, Fido 1:343/140 Messages can also be addressed to Bryan Nylin at: FidoNet 1:343/140 CompuServe 71441,1420 And once again, its time for my CFG file: bbs=Imagine log=C:\TRIBBS\MWORK\CALLERS.LOG dir=C:\TRIBBS max=15 days=30 ansi=C:\TRIBBS\DISPLAY\BULLET22.ANS ascii=C:\TRIBBS\DISPLAY\BULLET22.BBS sub=MAIN!.BAT,Send Note sub=MAINR.BAT,TriBBS Sysop Door sub=MAINV.BAT,Voting Booth sub=MESST.BAT,TriMail (QWK) sub=MESSF.BAT,Find User Door sub=SYSD.BAT,Doorway excl=LOGON.BAT excl=SEC80.BAT excl=SEC81.BAT And now lets look at what the bulletin on my board looks like =========================================================================== Page 21 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== Imagine Top Door Programs from 04/01/93 to 04/06/93 # of Average Average Latest Door Program Times Per Day Minutes Date --------------------------- ------- ------- --------- -------- TriBank 21 3.5 1.3 04/06/93 The Pit 20 2.9 12.7 04/07/93 TriMail (QWK) 19 3.2 4.3 04/06/93 Scrabble 16 2.7 5.9 04/06/93 King Of The Board 15 2.1 3.4 04/07/93 Trivia Castle 4 0.7 1.8 04/06/93 Card Groupers 3 0.6 2.0 04/05/93 BBS lister Door 2 0.5 1.5 04/04/93 Find User Door 2 0.3 1.0 04/06/93 Send Note 1 1.0 2.0 04/02/93 Simkem Battleship Door 1 1.0 7.0 04/06/93 Virus Infomation Door 1 1.0 3.0 04/06/93 Voting Booth 1 1.0 2.0 04/06/93 Trivia Mater R&R Trivia 1 1.0 2.0 04/06/93 [Unregistered Evaluation Copy] Bulletin generated by TOPDOORS v1.3 - written by Bryan J. Nylin I have taken some liberty with the docs on both of these files. I edited them to just include an overview, and did not put in installation information. For this, I apologize to the authors, but I hope they understand. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- American BBS Association With the recent crackdown of BBS by Federal agents that don't seem to have anything better to do (remember, that drug use is down....not) Several new organizations have appeared to try and spread the word on what the BBS community really is. I've included several articles on one such group which looks very promising, and is not including any kind of Fees. I hope this information will help everyone American BBS Association Background The American BBS Association was formed as a result of media activity in the Birmingham, Alabama area. A local station aired sensationalist stories about children accessing "dirty pictures" on local BBS. Local Sysops made numerous attempts to contact the management of the station to discuss the misperceptions being reinforced by such reporting. The reaction of the local station was to completely ignore the members of the local BBS community. =========================================================================== Page 22 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== This was particularly disturbing in light of the contributions of the BBS community to the state and city. Local BBS provided free Email to the Gulf states during the war for family members and friends to communicate with personnel assigned there. Local Sysops provided extensive forums for local and national candidates and campaigns to communicate with the public. Many local BBS provide a variety of free services in support of the local schools, charity organizations, Police Departments. The BBS community provides Internet and other International communications capability that is not available through any other channel in the state for individuals. Despite the more than a decade of service and support of the local community and business, local media completely ignores the benefits and contribution of the local BBS community in preference for stories that promulgate old stereotypes and sensational implications. With the growing visibility of BBS but a deep ignorance of what a BBS is, this trend is certain to grow unless we take positive action. While the efforts of individual Sysops can easily be ignored by a media organization, imagine the effects of phone calls and letters from hundreds of Sysops and Users across the State in conjunction with Press Releases and Press Conferences from the State ABBSA Chapter. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is doing a wonderful job on the National level to address many of the legislative, legal, and social issues that affect the Electronic Community. But they have neither the resources nor the emphasis to address problems on the local level. The ABBSA is oriented to fill that vacuumn and to address the issues that affect all of us on a local level. Past efforts to form a National level organization of BBS or Sysops have foundered on the rocks of "control" and "authority". Being Sysops ourselves we have the natural loathing for anyone telling us how to run our boards or to try to impose a set of rules on us. BBSing is a good example of "anarchy in action". But the vast majority of Sysops share common goals and standards. The intention of the ABBSA is to "codify" those common standards and goals in a written form with which we can all agree but which do not in any way interfere with our personal control of our individual BBS. We believe the Ethical Standards of the ABBSA are ones with which all Sysops can readily agree and support since they simply echo existing standards. The growth of the ABBSA provides every member BBS with a platform from which to communicate with the media, legislators, and the public. With a set of Public Ethical Standards and a formal organization, we can much more effectively combat the hysteria, stereotypes, and sensationalist image that is emerging more and more in the public eye. The continued growth of the local, national and world BBS community is dependent on an accurate public understanding of the potential and benefits of electronic communications. =========================================================================== Page 23 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== We encourage all Sysops to support the ABBSA by becoming a member and publically posting your support of the goals and Ethical Standards of the ABBSA. (American BBS Association and ABBSA are Service Marks of) ( the American BBS Association (1992) ) American BBS Association Purpose The American BBS Association (ABBSA) exists to provide an umbrella advocacy organization for BBS operators. ABBSA is organized roughly on the model used by the Better Business Bureau. The ABBSA National Office is in Birmingham, Alabama based at The MATRIX BBS. The ABBSA National Support Conference is available for echo from The MATRIX at no cost other than normal Long Distance charges. The MATRIX BBS is accessible at 300-2400 baud at (205) 323-2016 and at 9600+ baud at (205) 323-6016. The MATRIX BBS is a subscription BBS however ABBSA Sysops will be given Visiting Sysop status (90 minutes a day and full access) at no charge. The National ABBSA Office can also be reached on the Internet as abbsa.nat@the-matrix.com and the Alabama Chapter as abbsa.al@the-matrix.com. The National and Alabama ABBSA voice number is (205) 251-9347. The ABBSA is organized on a State Basis. i.e. we are currently forming the Alabama Chapter of the ABBSA here in Alabama. The National Office of the ABBSA functions ONLY as an Advisory and Coordinating center for State Chapters and State Chapters retain complete independence. If you are interested in forming a State Chapter, please contact us through one of the above channels. There are no fees or costs required for formation of a State Chapter. The goals of the ABBSA are simple in conception though perhaps more difficult to carry out. American BBS Association Policy and Goals 1. Educate the public about the purposes, potential, and benefits of Electronic Communications. 2. Monitor the media for inaccurate and misleading information regarding BBS activity and take steps to correct such misinformation. 3. Regularly inform the media of significant events in the local BBS community. ============================================================================ Page 24 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ 4. Serve as a source of information for individuals or organizations seeking information about BBS. 5. Inform ABBSA member BBS of significant legislation or other actions which affect the BBS community. Membership in ABBSA requires only that a BBS Sysop agree to "support the Ethical Standards" of the ABBSA. No "enforcement" mechanism exists other than the right of the Chairman of a State Chapter to revoke the membership of a state BBS after consultation with other members. ABBSA Member Sysops may elect a new Chairman of a State Chapter at any time on a majority vote. NO DUES OR FEES ARE REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN ABBSA. Every member of ABBSA may post on their BBS that they are a member of the ABBSA and all members are strongly encouraged to post the ABBSA Ethical Standards on their BBS as a bulletin or in some other accessible manner. (American BBS Association and ABBSA are Service Marks of) ( the American BBS Association (1992) ) State Chairmanship Responsibilities As the Chairman of a Chapter of the ABBSA you are taking on a heavy responsibility with no compensation other than the satisfaction of contributing to your Local and the National BBS community and perhaps an occasional "Thank You" from member Sysops. You are responsible for building a State Chapter from scratch. Telling other BBS Sysops about ABBSA and recruiting members. The more members in a State Chapter, the more "clout" you have when publically representing the BBS community. As far as specifics the Chairman has to: 1. Maintain a list of members of the State ABBSA. 2. Keep the National ABBSA member list informed of changes in membership. 3. Inform the National ABBSA of significant events or accomplishments in your state which relate to the BBS community. 4. Actively pursue the goals of the ABBSA in support of the BBS community. 5. Be willing to put yourself in the public eye as a spokesman for the BBS community in your state. 6. Accept that while "representing" the BBS community, you have NO authority over the member BBS of your Chapter of the ABBSA. ============================================================================ Page 25 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ============================================================================ 7. Revoke the Membership of any BBS which grossly violates the Ethical Standards of the ABBSA after consulting other Member BBS and inform the National ABBSA Office of such revocation. 7. Juggle all of the above while still maintaining everything else in your life and operating your BBS. The key to a successful organization is to ensure that all Sysops understand that the ABBSA is an "Advocacy" organization rather than a "Controlling" organization. As a State Chairman you have ALL the Responsibility for representing the BBS in your state and NO Authority over them. Likewise we can not put the ABBSA in a position where Sysops feel that they are being required to Fund the ABBSA. The ABBSA must be self supported by those of us who carry out the responsibilities. That does not preclude Member Sysops from voluntarily providing support and assistance for ABBSA activities. As well, membership in the ABBSA does not demand absolute, black or white adherance to the Ethical Standards. There are too many gray areas that must be evaluated on a case by case basis and a Chairman is expected to consult with and seek a consensus of Members Sysops before making major decisions which may impact the local BBS Community. Keep in mind that as Chairman you represent the BBS in your State. If the ABBSA Member Sysops are not satisfied with your actions they can replace you with a simple majority vote and by informing the National ABBSA Office. The National ABBSA Office will provide advice and support within the limits of our resouces. This will consist primarily of information, contacts, our and others' experiences in dealing with possibly similar situations, and any information resources we discover. We will maintain a publically available Conference on The MATRIX BBS for echoing and will add new conferences as required. Of course anyone masochistic enough to run a BBS in the first place is a good candidate for this position. If you think you have the time, energy, and resources to take on this kind of responsibility then please give us a call or contact us through the Internet or on The MATRIX through the channels listed below. * NATIONAL ABBSA CONTACTS: ABBSA National Office (voice) (205) 251-9347 (Internet) abbsa.nat@the-matrix.com ========================================================================== Page 26 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 ========================================================================== Mailing address: American BBS Association 1426 11th St. South Birmingham, AL 35205 * STATE ABBSA CONTACTS: Alabama ABBSA Chapter (voice) (205) 251-9347 (Internet) abbsa.al@the-matrix.com Mailing address: Alabama ABBSA Chapter 1426 11th St. South Birmingham, AL 35205 The ABBSA National Support Conference is accessible for messages or echoing on The MATRIX BBS in Birmingham, AL at: 300-2400 (205) 323-2016 9600+ (205) 323-6016 (American BBS Association and ABBSA are Service Marks of) ( the American BBS Association (1992) ) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eric Rambles On.......and On....and On.... There was once a time when you would have to go to either IBM or Compaq to buy a personal computer that was considered "reputable". Thousands of dollars would pass hands for what could be purchased today for a fraction of the cost, but that was just the way it was... If you didn't have the money, tough noogies. Thankfully, the clone market has met the demands of the consumer over the past few years making quality PC's readily available to the average Joe. The quality of homegrown clones has increased to the point where it's no longer necessary to spend the extra coin for a big name computer if you want quality. Nonetheless, there are still some stragglers who won't buy anything that isn't made by IBM or Compaq, and in attempting to justify this decision, these people rarely seem to have a good reason for their biases. At my workplace, we have one of almost every stage of PC's; we have two IBM XT's, one IBM 286, three Compaq Desqpro 286's, one Compaq Desqpro 386sx, one 386-25 made by a local clone builder, one HP Vectra 486-25, and one 486-33, also a local clone. These computers all suffer from varying =========================================================================== Page 27 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== flavors of computer gremlins; everything from noisy hard drives on up to floppy drives that went to sleep and never woke up. The brand name (or lack of) hasn't made a difference, as all of these computers have *something* wrong with them. Some don't like to run certain software packages, some don't like to have data shot out of their COM ports at high speeds, some don't like certain video cards, and some just want to rest from years of hard work and hence don't really do *anything* right. I have found that these problems are not brand name specific at all; they span across all of the brands that we've bought, big names and little names alike. There seems to be a myth that if you want to buy quality you need to spend the big bucks on a name brand. After working with all of the above computers and experiencing their glitches first hand, I can honestly say that's exactly what it is: a myth... We recently hired a part time draftsman/AutoCad operator to help us out with making some of our deadlines on time (something unheard of in my company), and just my luck, he's a brand name fanatic. While I was working at our most recently procured AutoCad station (the 486-33 clone), he walked up behind me and asked me how well the computer ran AutoCad. "It used to run quite well," I said, "but for the past month or so it's really lost a lot of its processing speed." "Well, there you go," he proudly proclaimed. "That's what you get with a cheap computer." What? The hair raised slightly on the back of my neck... "What does the cost of the computer have to do with anything?" "Not the cost," he said, "the BRAND. You have in front of you a cheap, off brand computer, and now you're paying the penalty. You'll never get it to run AutoCad right, because it isn't an IBM or a Hewlett Packard." I explained to him that the person who runs the computer on a daily basis (not me) has an annoying habit of rebooting the computer to exit AutoCad instead of going through the menus, and seeing as how AutoCad uses memory buffers quite similar to the way Unix does, rebooting instead of going through the normal shut down procedures is deadly (anyone who uses Unix will know what I'm talking about). Surely, that must be why it's running poorly; the data in the drawings being edited is corrupted. "Nope. It's the brand." Grumble... These biases are confusing to me; it's true that you'll have a better chance of getting a quality computer if you take the name brand route, but only if you don't already know what's good and what isn't. A person who is familiar with different brands of hardware and has done his homework on the local clone builders will do quite well by taking the clone route. In the =========================================================================== Page 28 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== process he'll probably spend under half of what he'd spend buying from a big name company. There are good clones and there are bad clones; an investment like a computer warrants a little shopping around, and with the right advice and the right amount of pavement pounding it shouldn't be too hard to weed the bad ones out. The occasional glitch is inevitable, even in name brand computers. At work we have our "big boys" serviced as much - if not more than - our "little boys", so... The myth crumbles on... Another encounter I had with this part time draftsman/AutoCad operator involved a co-worker's computer that was infected with both the Yoshi and Stoned viruses. This person bought his 486-33 from a reputable local clone builder, and until he was struck by these viruses he was quite happy with his purchase. The Stoned virus was causing his floppy drives to perform in an erratic manor, but before the virus was discovered (back when we thought it may just be faulty floppy drives and not a virus) this part timer was quite intent in driving home the fact that if the co-worker had bought a Hewlett Packard or an IBM this never would have happenned. After the viruses were discovered and cleaned out, everything seemed to be back in order again. Mr. Part Timer wasn't satisfied. "A name brand computer wouldn't have gotten the virus in the first place." Ah, the unenlightened. I guess it all comes down to this: if you're "raised" on brand name computers, chances are you'll have a penchant for big names, whereas if you were "non-denominational" to begin with you probably won't care one way or another. Biases are powerful things, and can occasionally make people deaf to opposing arguments; kind of like how the same people who trashed Reagan for consulting his wife on foreign affairs are now condoning Clinton for involving Hillary. I'm not going to go into what's better because as far as I'm concerned neither is any better than the other. Brand names are good, but clones are also good, so people shouldn't let a label on a computer case sway them. Education is the key word; the more you know about what you're looking for, the better off you'll be in the end. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- To end this month, I'd like to touch on something a little personal. Once again it is April, the flowers are blooming, the birds are back, and maybe Mark will be able to get out the door when the snow melts, but it also means Tax Time. On April 15, Millions of Americans will be sending in their Tax money so our Government can waste it on god only knows what. I stole this little poem from a BBS a while back and thought it was really appropriate and wanted to include it. Enjoy and PEACE =========================================================================== Page 29 ** The UnOfficial Newsletter of TriBBS ** April 1993 =========================================================================== I do not like it, Uncle Sam For thirty years, various Internal Revenue agents have been trying to cajole, persuade, threaten or coerce me into paying taxes, even though I keep saying to them: Listen, I do not like to pay for arms, I do not like to do much harm. I do not like it, Uncle Sam; I do not like green eggs and ham. And they say to me: Try it, try it, just this year; Try it, try it, have no fear. Try it now the war is ended. Or your judge may be offended. Withholding makes it very easy to still your conscience when it's queasy. You will like it once you pay. You will do it every day. Pay your taxes like other folks; We are tired of your jokes. And I say to them: I will not let you take my pay; I will not stand it for a day. I will not pay you with a check; I will not pay this year or next. I will not pay, I will not budge, I will not pay them to a judge; I will not pay them through the mails; I will not pay them in a jail. Sort through your tons of canvas sacks; You will not find my income tax. I do not like to pay for arms. I do not like to do much harm; I do not like it Uncle Sam; I do not like green eggs and ham. Karl Meyer and Dr. Seuss Reprinted from Pathfinder, newsletter of Nukewatch, POB 2658, Madison WI 53701