How To:  
               
               A quick guide in setting up EBBS Plus



EBBS-PC copyright 1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992 by Ed Parry
EBBS Plus copyright 1991.1992 by Bruce Murphy
 

This text is intended to get you up and running with EBBS Plus quickly.
It is NOT intended to replace all the info in the other text files 
included in this archive...  PLEASE take the time to read them as well!

PLEASE NOTE!
  Every precaution has been taken to insure a fast and relatively painless
  setup.  This program has been tested thoroughly on PC Clones from a
  4.77MHz XT to a 386-25 with no problems...  HOWEVER!  I STRONGLY recommend
  that you make a complete backup of all your EBBS files of the current
  version you are running just in case the unthinkable should occur!


Getting Started:

If you are new to EBBS or EBBS Plus:
  
  Load and check the batch file DIRMAKE.BAT...  If you wish to rename
  any of the directories, just make sure the PLUSCFG.DAT has paths listed
  to match!  (See PLUSCFG.TXT for explaination of the different paths)
  
  
Everyone:  
  Move to the EBBS directory and unzip EBBSPL-1, EBBSPL-2, & EBBSPL-3
  into that directory.  You may encounter duplicate filenames (NEWSTUPH.TXT).
  Just either skip over them or overwrite them, it makes no difference: they
  are identical files.

  [A note to EBBS and EBBS Plus sysops: the ONLY files you will need for
  this version are your USERFILE.DAT, .LOG files, and your XFERFILE.DAT
  files!  You can still use your TM (text menu) file, but there is a new
  version that works MUCH nicer.  If you wish to continue using some or 
  all of your old menus, PLEASE NOTE the changes and additions in the
  new version and make the corrections accordingly.  MAKE SURE TO REMOVE
  ALL old EBBS and EBBS Plus .EXE files!  These aren't even called, so
  they will just waste HD space!]
  
  Run the program PRNCONFIG.EXE and PRNCFGDC.EXE.  These will print out
  PLUSCFG.DAT and PLUSCFG.TXT.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS!  
  PLUSCFG.TXT duplicates the PLUSCFG.DAT file and adds explainations
  of each line: a GREAT referral tool!

  Using your favorite text editor, load in PLUSCFG.DAT.  Within it, you
  will find all the different parameters available to the sysop.
  One of the MOST common errors is to NOT have the correct path stated
  in the correct way.  Edit the PLUSCFG.DAT file so it matches your system.

  Run PRNCONFG.EXE again and check it CAREFULLY!  If it is right, then it's
  time for the next step.

  New Users:
  You can save yourself a WHOLE lot of effort by now running DIRMAKER.EXE.
  This little program will read your PLUSCFG.DAT file and make the
  directories and subdirectories that you've specified.

  EBBS and EBBS Plus Sysops:
  You MUST run CONVERT.EXE at this time to update your userfiles and
  XFERFILE.DAT files in your transfer sections.

  This does NOT apply to new users or to Sysops starting over from scratch.

CONVERT.EXE:

  This program will read your USERFILE.DAT and XFERFILE.DAT files and
  change them to the new Plus format.  PLEASE NOTE!  Previous Plus formats
  may NOT be directly compatible with v1.96, so run the program even if
  you are sure it's fine!  CONVERT will recognize that your userfile is
  compatible if it truely is and just skip this conversion step.

  It makes a backup of BOTH the USERFILE.DAT & XFERFILE.DAT files, named
  UFORIG.DAT and XFORIG.DAT, but as in ANY process such as this, I
  STRONGLY advise you to make another backup just in case!

  All you need do is run the program and sit back and watch.  If you have
  a large userfile (400 users or more), you may NOT want to watch the
  names go by in the conversion process...  If time is not of the essence,
  and you feel the need to make sure the conversion is going fine, just
  select Y when you are prompted 'Do you want to watch the names go by?'
  and then be impressed by the nice display...  :)


Ok folks.  Now, if you already are running an earlier version of EBBS or
Plus, you only have a couple more things to do immediately!
MAKE SURE, however, to remove the TEXTMENU.DAT, DATABASE.DAT, A.BAT,
B.BAT, B.DBF, A.TXT, etc....  (If you have any question about any files,
just use a text editor and view them)
The files listed above are SAMPLE files: use them as templates only!
EBBS Plus recognizes the Text Menu (TM) version Ed Parry created with
EBBS-PC, so you can continue using that method of menuing....  I personally
recommend you invest a little time and develop the new style menuing system.
They use a simple single-key selection.

One last thing.  Get out that text editor again and load SYSOPUF.DAT...
That is the Sysop's userfile.  It's a simple ASCII file, but has all
the fields that are in the regular userfile.  Simply edit it with all the
pertinent data...  Pretty self explanitory...  IF there is a 0 in any
field, leave it that way!  It will be updated as necessary as soon as you
logoff with anything OTHER than an ALT-F10...
For a reference, check out the included SYSOPUF.TXT file....


That should just about do it for the initial setup...  Pretty simple, IF
you get the config file set up right!  :)

Make sure to read the rest of the docs: they will cover all the rest of
the multitude of things that you need do to make the system a well rounded
call for the user...


Problems/Questions?  Call or write me at:

Bruce Murphy
4161 Tujunga Ave. #105
Studio City, CA 91604

Or, you can leave me mail on my BBS:

The Murph Zone (818) 766-7669