PCPN Version 4.1a - INSTALL README File Welcome to the world of PCPN - The Personal Network, one of the most complete, personal, user-friendly, multi-featured Bulletin Board Systems ("BBS"es) available today! Running PCPN allows you, the System Operator or "SYSOP", to grant "remote users" controlled access to your personal computer. PCPN allows users to: * keep informed about news, events, information (bulletins) * send and receive electronic mail * participate in public debates * exchange programs and/or data Registering your PCPN further enhances your BBS's capabilities when you become a member "node" of "PunterNet" (named after its author, Steve Punter). As a Node, you become a member of a North American electronic communications network allowing your PCPN to communicate with other PCPNs with both Electronic Mail and Echo Conferences, allowing your users to: * exchange messages, both private and public, with users on other PCPN nodes * participate in public discussion forums or "Echo Conferences" which are usually based on a single topic, not necessarily computer-related (for example, "Star Trek") * share views and opinions with other users from across the continent: Conferences contain (almost) exactly the same messages on each and every PCPN that supports them! With PCPN "add-ons", or "Program Links" (purchased from outside vendors), PCPN can do pretty well anything you wish. For example, users may: * send messages out as FAX calls to real FAX machines (with a FAX modem) * play games * take quizzes you make up * access a database The new Graphics-like User Interface ("GUI") will enable even the most inexperienced BBS user to efficiently and effectively handle all of PCPN's features with ease. Using a combination of pull-down menus, pop-up windows, presented in full ANSI colour, this menuing system allows a user to select PCPN commands with a single keystroke. Even in non-ANSI mode, PCPN can still function in this manner. Help, should it be required, is available online for every single command and prompt. PCPN will also run as a "multi-user" system (more than one person online at a time) under a "multi-tasking" operating system, or on a local area network (LAN) such as Novell or Lantastic. Evaluation Copies PCPN can be run as either an "Evaluation" copy, or as a "Registered" copy. If you received an evaluation copy from a friend, or downloaded one from a BBS, you are free to operate it for a period of two or three weeks. Evaluation copies contain all PCPN features except for PunterNet network access and thus do not support Conferences, which are a major part of PCPN. Please do "try before you buy"! If, after running an evaluation copy for two to three weeks, you find that PCPN really doesn't meet your needs, you are under no obligation to purchase the program, nor do you need to pay for the time period you were using it. Just shut the system down and remove it from your hard drive (the specifics of removal are covered in the installation manual). Installation It is highly recommended that you print out a copy of the installation manual before attempting to install PCPN. A very basic copy of the installation manual is included inside this archive as INSTALL.MAN. If you are a user of WordPerfect 5.1 or 6.0, you can print the file INSTALL.WP5, which is a DTP quality manual replete with charts, screen shots and instructions. If you can't wait to get started, you should be able to get by with the following limited instructions. First, ensure that these four files are located on a floppy or hard drive where they will be accessible: PCPN41A2.ZIP PCPN41A3.ZIP PCPN41A4.ZIP PCPN41A5.ZIP PCPN41A1.ZIP is the file which contains the INSTAL.EXE program, and the text file which you are currently reading. Next, type INSTALL. You will be presented with the following screen: PCPN Installation Program ------------------------- Root Directory = C:\BBS Do you wish to specify a different path? It is *HIGHLY* recommended that you leave this path remaining as C:\BBS. If you are installing the BBS to another drive, use the "\BBS" directory on that drive as well, for instance "F:\BBS". Next, you will be shown the following screen: ΙΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ» Ί PCPN System Generator Program - V4.1A Ί Ί (c) 1994 PC Ability Ί ΘΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΌ * For C:\BBS * 1. Create New System (Set Up an Evaluation Copy) 2. Convert to a PunterNet Node (Convert to Registered Copy) 3. Update to New Release (Changes Altered Files ONLY) 4. Convert Pre-3.1A Sub-Directories D. Return to MS-DOS Enter Option: WARNING: If updating from version 3.2A to version 4.1A, choose option 3 as normal, but do not, under any circumstances, tell INSTALL to create new 4.1A files, as the 3.2A conversion did that already! Because this is the initial installation, the only option we are concerned with is option 1, "Create New System". When selected, the following screen will be shown: ΙΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ» Ί Create System Ί ΘΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΌ Chosen Path = C:\BBS Press to Abort Enter FULL PATH of PKUNZIP.EXE on your Hard Drive >c:\util Enter the directory that the file PKUNZIP.EXE can be found. In our example, PKUNZIP.EXE resides in the "C:\UTIL" directory. Next, the following prompt will show: Enter if ZIP files are on a FLOPPY, or Enter FULL PATH of ZIP files on your HARD DRIVE >c:\transfer In our example, the PCPN41A2.ZIP, PCPN41A3.ZIP, PCPN41A4.ZIP and PCPN41A5.ZIP files are located in the C:\TRANSFER directory. At this point, the install program will begin to ask you a series of questions. Each of these questions will have a short "help screen" explaining exactly what it is that it requires. When it finishes installing the BBS, it will return to the main menu, where you can exit to DOS by pressing "D". At this point, you should be able to start your new BBS by changing to the main BBS directory (ie "CD \BBS") and typing the command "BBS". It is highly recommended that if you are still mystified at this point, you go back to the installation manual, which leads you through each step in detail. PCPN Registration and Support To register your PCPN, send $99.95 cheque or money order (CDN funds in Canada, US funds elsewhere) to: PCPN Support Make cheques payable to: Steve Punter. 4342 Forest Fire Lane Mississauga, Ontario Canada L4W 3P4 Please also state what size and density floppy diskettes you require (360K 5.25", 1.2M 5.25", 720K 3.5", or 1.4M 3.5"). It would be appreciated if you would also supply your BBS's phone number, and a voice number where you may be contacted should there be any network problems. In return, you will receive the latest version on floppy diskettes, a printed manual, and most importantly, your PunterNet network access code, Node number, and Security Codes which will enable to you to complete your PCPN installation. We would like to be informed of any difficulties you do encounter, no matter how small, as well as any suggestions for improvements, or even compliments, that you may wish to pass on to the author. Please note that we can not guarantee a response by mail (land mail, such as Canada Post, the U.S. Postal Service, or a courier); once your PCPN is fully operational, please use PunterNet messages or the Conferences for correspondence. Your continued support will help us make PCPN a better program for all to enjoy for many years to come. Thank you for trying PCPN! We hope you will become a member of our network soon!