ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º ÇÄ¿ º K E E P I N G I N T O U C H º ³ º ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ º ³ º SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter º ³ º for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! º ³ º June 1993 º ³ º Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE º ³ º Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 º ³ º 38400/19200/9600/2400/1200 Baud º ³ º 2 Nodes º ³ º º ³ ÈÍÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Edited by Jacque Shipley The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz Other Contributions As Noted ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ÇÄ¿ ÈÍÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE ------------------------------ As you may or may not be aware, the record number (# in SFUSERS.DAT) of the last caller can be passed to SFCHKUP. When the record number of the last caller is passed, then SFCHKUP does not have to search through SFUSERS.DAT to find the last caller. For example, SPITFIRE v3.3 passes the record number of the last caller to SFINIT.BAT thus allowing such information to be passed to SFCHKUP. In other words, if SFCHKUP is operated from within the SFINIT.BAT file, then SFCHKUP should be booted within the SFINIT.BAT file using the %1 (%1 represents the record number) command line parameter, for example: SFCHKUP %1 I have received reports at various times from certain Sysops that something is corrupting their SFUSERS.DAT file and they have always kinda pointed the finger at SFCHKUP. They said that it always seems to happen when an uploaded file fails the integrity test during the SFCHKUP operation. I finally figured out what the problem is and I hope that you WON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE. As you are aware, if SPITFIRE is operated under a frontend program, then the SFINIT.BAT file is never executed. Therefore, if the Sysop wants to use SFCHKUP it can't be used within the SFINIT.BAT file because the SFINIT.BAT is never executed. Here is the mistake that is being made. When operating SPITFIRE and SFCHKUP under a frontend program, Sysops are executing SFCHKUP (within the batch file executed from the frontend program) immediately after the SPITFIRE command. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact, it is the correct way to do it. However, they are executing SFCHKUP with the %1 command line parameter (BAD NEWS). %1 to this batch file means something totally different (normally it is the baud rate) than what %1 means to the SFINIT.BAT file. You see, the %1 in the frontend batch file most likely represents the baud rate of the caller so when the %1 is used in the frontend batch file then SFCHKUP thinks the record number of the last caller is 2400 or 14000 or whatever. This will cause a serious problem with your SFUSERS.DAT file. PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE! Only use the %1 command line parameter when operating SFCHKUP from within SFINIT.BAT. GOOD TURNOUT ANTICIPATED FOR THE SPITFIRE CONFERENCE ---------------------------------------------------- As the time winds down to the 1993 SPITFIRE conference, it surely appears that we are going to have a good turn out. The agenda for the conference is still somewhat tenuous, however, it will be extremely informative and entertaining for everyone who attends. Previous conferences have served to create lifetime friendships and I am sure this conference will not be different. In the event you are the author of any software program(s) or you know a author, we request some copies of such software for door prizes at the conference. You can contact Jacque Shipley (The Mother Board - 515-986-3464) or myself (Buffalo Creek's BBS - 515-225-8496) to provide such door prizes. Thanks, we sure appreciate your support and generosity. SFPCKMSG v1.4 RELEASED! ----------------------- There have been a couple of small problems found in SFPCKMSG so these problems have been fixed and version 1.4 was released on June 6, 1993. You can obtain a copy of this revision from Buffalo Creek's BBS by download SFPCKMSG.ZIP. Thank you. Until next time, may God's rich blessings and comfort be with each of you. Best wishes... Mike Woltz ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ REGISTERED SPITFIRE BOARD LIST ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; SPITFIRE Sysop, George Flatman has taken on the task of compiling a national BBS listing of all registered BBS systems. Below is the form George would like each registered SPITFIRE Sysop to complete and return to him to ensure that they are included in the listing. BBS Name: BBS Number: BBS Program Type: Baud Rates Supported: Sysop Name: BBS Number: BBS Program Type: Baud Rates Supported: Sysop Name: and also include what your BBS has to offer i,e, File Areas, Message Areas, Net-Mail, Doors, CD-Roms, etc. Please send all that great info to George at the address listed below. George Flatman c/o Wett Comunications 3120 Ramrod Las Vegas,NV 89108 Or, as an alternative, Sysops may leave a message to George which contains the requested information when calling Buffalo Creek's BBS. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ SPITFIRE UTILITY REVIEWS ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; SFDP (SPITFIRE DOWNLOAD PROCESSOR) ---------------------------------- David Pierron, registered SPITFIRE Sysop of Wombat's Wagon has several new SPITFIRE utilities, one of which is SFDP. SFDP stands for SPITFIRE Download Processor. SFDP tracks the frequency of which a file is downloaded on a SPITFIRE BBS. This information is added to the last line of the file description. Not only is this information interesting to the Sysop and BBS caller but it can also be very a valuable tool to the Sysop. It provides a quick, "at-a-glance" activity log for all downloadable files on the BBS. And for Sysops facing a disk space "crunch" this utility is a useful means for monitoring which files can be moved offline and which files are in demand by the callers to the BBS. Below is an example of how SFDP updates the file description to provide the number of times a file is downloaded and the time stamp of the last download: SF05-93.ZIP 05-02-93 11,015 SPITFIRE Support Newsletter - May 1993 þ Downloads: 8 þ Last: 05/26/93 at 15:30 Features of SFDP include: Support of up to 384 file areas, including CDRom file listings File sharing with advanced error handling for multi-node systems Supports SPITFIRE's Free Download Areas Supports SFRom downloads Optional log file Extremely fast runtime SFDP runs immediately after a caller logs off the BBS so the download data is always current. Another nice feature is the ability to easily convert to SFDP from other "times downloaded" utilities written for SPITFIRE, such as Alexander Erne's TIMES or Jeremy Collake's SFDNC. David Pierron has developed a unique registration process for most of his SPITFIRE utilities. He does require his utilities be registered but the registration is FREE. (Although, donations would be appreciated they are not mandatory.) To obtain a registered copy of SFDP, contact David Pierron by mail or on Wombat's Wagon (215-331-2590), providing the information outlined in the documentation file. Your personalized copy will then be made available for download. SFROM120 - SPITFIRE CD ROM DOOR -------------------------------- SFROM Door is not a utility which will attract every SPITFIRE Sysop but it does have some unique features which make it the door of choice for SPITFIRE Sysops who elect to make their CDRom files available either as a door or using one of SPITFIRE's menu extensions. SFROM Door can be used to access and download files located on CD Rom disks, magnetic drives or both. In addition, it can also serve as a menu extension, allowing the Sysop to combine CD-ROMs and other doors on the same menu. This is done by Error levels which are used in batch files to pass control to the selected external door. SFROM is written to work specifically with SPITFIRE, and can be run either as a door or from any of SPITFIRE's Sysop configurable command options. The overall features and operation of the SFROM door do indeed parallel SPITFIRE's own design, offering the ability to browse file lists, speedy text search, file tagging and single/batch downloads. As outlined in the documentation, some of the more prominent features include: þ Multiple disk support for up to 100 disks, with up to 1000 separate file areas per disk. þ Disks can be put on/off line by setting one value in the configuration file. Offline disks look the same as online except no downloads. þ MegaSearch feature can search ALL disks for matching text. SFROM performs a very rapid text search of both file names and descriptions with matches highlighted in color. þ Separate custom access control for each disk using the caller's security level. This sets which levels can access each disk. In addition, any number of specific security levels can be set for each disk to allow browse-only access with no downloads. þ Batch downloads and file tagging of up to 20 files. þ Number of files/bytes downloaded is recorded in the SPITFIRE main database and in the registered version daily download limits are enforced. þ Multi-colored file lists just as within SPITFIRE 3.2 & 3.3. Also, supports SPITFIRE style multi-line descriptions. þ Complete logging of all caller activity (registered versions). þ Download from within door using Xmodem, Ymodem or Zmodem (requires a copy of DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE). Zmodem MobyTurbo is supported. þ File sharing and locking for multi-node and network operation. þ Automatically uses SPITFIRE's communication port settings. Comm port speeds to 115,200 bps with hardware or software flow control. Uses value passed by SPITFIRE to calculate estimated download times, factoring in a speed increase due to error correction. þ Reads DAILYLMT.DAT to determine allowable downloads per day. þ Carrier detection. Resets the BBS if caller drops carrier. þ Inactivity timeout configurable from 1 to 10 minutes. þ Multitasker aware. Releases time slices (clock tics) to tasks running in other windows when SF-Rom is idle. þ Runs locally inside of SPITFIRE (where baud rate = 0). Local browse and copy to hard drive mode. þ Detailed status lines visible on top of local screen displaying caller name, statistics., time left, etc. þ Detailed status screen displayed during download. Shows caller's entire download/upload history and more. þ Sysop local keyboard controls same as SPITFIRE. For example, ALT+C enables chat, F6 takes five minutes from caller, F7 gives caller five minutes, ALT+F1 exits door, etc. þ Several configuration options which are available to the Sysop include: Optional logoff after transfer. Optional time penalty for dropped carrier. Configurable number of lines displayed per page. Can now specify the character used in determining which lines in a file list contain a valid file for tagging and display purposes. Configurable activity log format. þ DSZmodem is "trapped" inside a window so that data does not scroll off the screen as the download progresses. SFROM also uses SPITFIRE's file naming convention for its' display files. ANSI display files use a .CLR extension and ASCII display files use the .BBS extension. SFROM is easily configured to support either single disk or multiple CDRom disks. When using the multiple CDRom disk configuration, the Sysop can also toggle a disk so that the file listing is available to the caller but the download feature is disabled. This feature will definitely appeal to Sysops with multiple disks and one drive. SFROM Door is written by Mike Robinson, registered SPITFIRE Sysop of The Soft Parade. SFROM Door can be registered for $20. When registered a key (which is compatible with new releases of SFROM Door) is made available for download from The Soft Parade. The current version of SFROM Door is 1.20. However, Mike expects to release a new version probably within the next six weeks. Features he plans to incorporate in the upcoming version include to ability for the caller to make offline requests, internal viewing of archive files, and the capability to insert the BBS comment into the ZIP file before downloading. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ SPITFIRE BOARD-OF-THE-MONTH ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; THE CRYSTAL BALL Covington, Kentucky 502-439=2038 Greeting's all. My name is Brett Morris. Being chosen as one of the SPITFIRE boards of the month was quite a nice surprise as well as an honor to be associated with such a fine group of people. I am 28 years old, married with one son age 2, and one on the way. I am an aviation technical inspector, and most important a SPITFIRE sysop. I first started in computers around 1984 on a Timex Sinclair, progressed through the Commodore 64c, Apple, etc... scene but not really to serious, just small haphazard attempts at programming. I finally got into the IBM side of the computer world, and began taking a class in Basic programming, and will progress into the other languages. Upon getting my first real IBM compatible computer early in 1992, I was aware of the modem world, but not very knowledgeable of it. When my computer arrived I decided to get a modem, so I could have access to programs and just check out what the BBS world was all about. I found that for the most part, most of the boards local to me, which by the way is Oak Grove, Ky, located just outside the gate of Ft. Campbell, were not real user friendly, and some just down right rude. Thus the beginning of The Crystal Ball. I decided to make a BBS that would be fun, informative and above all user friendly--and helpful. All messages are answered daily, and promptly. No copyright material is on this board, just plain comfort for the most part. I started this board on the computer I received with my programming course which was a 286/12,no hard drive, and one single high density 51/4 floppy drive. I promptly added a 40 meg hard drive,and found that was soon filled in about one month. I have finally grown after being online for a year now,to a 386/DX33, dual cdrom, net-mail via RIME network, 105 meg hard drive, and over 1.5 Gig's of files. More upgrading will include another node, and high speed communications. I thank Mike Woltz, for all the help he has given me, and the patience he has had with me on some of the off-the-wall questions I had in the beg ginning, realizing we all start somewhere, and not making me feel dumb. My wife has finally accepted SPITFIRE as part of our family, and is very supportive of the board. If you want to visit a friendly board give us a call, were online 24 hrs a day, and all SPITFIRE Sysops will receive full access to the board. it's a family thing I guess you could say 502-439-5038. As Mike says, "SPITFIRE Sysops are for the most part top shelf folks." I wish all of you success in your BBSing, and above all keep it fun and friendly, and remember we all started out slow. ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; Larry "Tex" Easley The Ranch House/VetLink #31 Universal City, Texas (210) 945-9304 (14.4bps) When I found a message waiting for me at Buffalo Creek, telling me I had been selected as the Sysop-of-the-Month, the first thing that crossed my mind was, "Well, that sure took long enough!" But then I realized that many things have changed with SPITFIRE over the years, and there's a whole flock of folks who are probably more qualified than I for the honor. So, if I'm the one selected from over 2000 registered SPITFIRE sysops, I've got to consider that it's quite an honor. Past Sysop-of-the-Month articles generally reviewed the background of the sysop being recognized, and I won't be any different in that regard. Let's see - it all started in 1984 when I picked up a TI99-4A and a cartridge to use in it. A big $50! Shortly thereafter, the TI99 bit the big one, and, after journeying to England compliments of Uncle Sam, I bit a bit deeper into the computing fun by picking up a cassette-tape loaded Spectrum computer. Business related software showed me how useful computers could be, and from there I graduated from the Spectrum to a TRS-80 Model 4, to a Tandy 1000A, and finally, to the 386/33 I now use for the Ranch House, and a companion 286SX I use to fool around with. Shortly after returning from overseas in 1987, someone told me what a modem was and what was available through its use. I logged onto my first BBS in Del Rio, Texas, and was immediately fascinated by the electronic means of communicating. I tricked my wife into buying me my own 1200 baud modem in 1988 (a birthday present!), and it's been downhill (or uphill, depending on who's doing the talking) since then. In late 1988, after heading for another assignment in Massachusetts, I grabbed a copy of SPITFIRE 2.3 and set up my first BBS, called at the time the Lunenburg Connection. In 1989, I changed the name to the Ranch House - the good years in Texas wore off on me, and, besides, Massachusetts needed a friendly neighborhood cowboy! I was it, and it's been the Ranch House ever since. SPITFIRE was my choice because it was affordable, extremely easy to set up and use, and probably more important than anything, the family of SPITFIRE sysops, as Mike likes to say, was, for the most part, top notch! Folks like Mike, Jacque Shipley and others were instrumental in forming the final link that makes SPITFIRE, in my mind at least, a package that can't be beat. Over the past few years I've helped many a new sysop set up a SPITFIRE BBS, and even here in San Antonio, the SPITFIRE family is growing fast. The Ranch House is what I like to call a friendly neighborhood down-home BBS, and our motto is "The campfire is always lit, and you are always welcome!" I carry FidoNet and VetLink echo mail, and consider messaging to be the mainstay of the board - testified to by the large number of users who call regularly for their mail. I've had many folks say they can't believe I have such a complete BBS with only an 80-meg hard drive, but that's been the secret to my success, if there must be one...keep it simple for the users. I've never intended to make a buck off of it (and a good thing, too!). Family-wise, I'm married to the missus (Starr), and we have four children, all grown (for the most part). With only my son still at home (I can't seem to make him want to fly on his own), Starr and I have much more time available to do the things we enjoy doing, and that's to travel as much as possible. Who knows, one year may find me attending the SPITFIRE Sysop Conference! It seems that every year I'm away on a business trip the week of the conference, and this year it will, unfortunately, be the same. I work for the Air Force as the Chief of the Air Force Bowling Program, which basically means I keep an eye on how Air Force bowling centers operate. That's it! This is me...and I'm happy to join the rest of the select group previously chosen as Sysops-of-the-Month. Ya'll be good, now, hear? ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems: Zacone's BBS.................................215-544-7327...57600 Baud Ted Zarcone, Sysop................................Secane, Pennsylvania Viking.......................................919-933-8545...14400 Baud Viking Computer Services, Sysop............Chapel Hill, North Carolina Leisure Time.................................505-434-6940...14400 Baud Bob Riddell, Sysop..............................Alamogordo, New Mexico Free At Last.................................814-734-3512....2400 Baud Jeremy Smock, Sysop..........................Cranesville, Pennsylvania Electric Magazine............................707-961-0735...14400 Baud Bob Shannon, Sysop..............................Fort Bragg, California Lite My Fire.............................Phone Unknown....Unknown Baud Fred Claiborne, Sysop.................................Des Moines, Iowa Shady's Place................................912-545-9729....2400 Baud Samuell Grady, Sysop.................................Ludowici, Georgia Starlite BBS.................................603-226-3344....2400 Baud Ken Kalloch, Sysop..............................Concord, New Hampshire The Pit Stop BBS.............................705-461-6117....2400 Baud Gerry Marengere, Sysop....................Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada Brad's BBS...................................403-875-7705....2400 Baud Brad Collyer, Sysop......................LLoydminster, Alberta, Canada Jimmy Ray's Hometown BBS.....................907-696-7706...14400 Baud Dr. Roger Eyman, Sysop...............................Anchorage, Alaska Rich-Systems Remote..........................918-664-8227...38400 Baud Rich-Systems, Inc., Sysop..............................Tulsa, Oklahoma Don's Den of Iniquity........................515-253-0164...38400 Baud Don McNew, Sysop.......................................Urbandale, Iowa Wizard's World...............................603-642-3375...14400 Baud Michele Raymond, Sysop.........................Kingston, New Hampshire EEI..........................................908-901-7471...14400 Baud Frederick Ehlers, Sysop.............................Howell, New Jersey Bob's Genealogy Forum BBS....................218-879-9658....9600 Baud Robert Hunt, Sysop..................................Cloquet, Minnesota The Bottoms Up BBS...........................502-942-1540...14400 Baud Brian Stewart, Sysop...............................Fort Knox, Kentucky The Get Busy BBS.............................206-589-1154....2400 Baud Johnny Moore, Sysop.................................Tacoma, Washington Showcom Online...............................416-476-1046...14400 Baud Anthony Trollope, Sysop.......................Keswick, Ontario, Canada Savage Jungle................................817-268-1914....2400 Baud David & Cindy Savidge, Sysops.............................Hurst, Texas Sam's Shoe String BBS........................702-289-6615...14400 Baud Sam Baker, Sysop...........................................Ely, Nevada R&K's Hottub.................................813-447-5469....2400 Baud Kevin & Rhonda Austin, Sysops......................Clearwater, Florida Take A Byte..................................614-894-6803....2400 Baud Larry Shockley, Sysop..................................SouthPoint,Ohio Miami Vice BBS...............................803-871-5835....2400 Baud James Pry, Sysop...........................Summerville, South Carolina Castle Sunfire...............................513-481-4967....2400 Baud John Armstrong, Sysop.................................Cincinnati, Ohio The Publishing BBS.....................01182-351-869-3511...14400 Baud Michael Robinson, Sysop....................Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri The Matrix BBS...............................216-949-5787...14400 Baud Jack Palur, Sysop......................................Sheffield, Ohio In addition, there were 6 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations from: Independence, Kentucky; Issaquah, Washington; Odessa, Texas; Marysville, California; Cedex, France; and Crestline, California. There were 22 registrations for whom registration information was incomplete. These included BBS's in: Richardson, Texas; Milton, West Virginia; Portland, Oregon; Arlington, Texas; 2 APO addresses; Topeka, Kansas; Wahiawa, Hawaii; Gresham, Oregon; 2 in Cincinnati, Ohio; Peabody, Massachusetts; Claremont, New Hampshire; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Reserve Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada; Macon, North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; Glendale, Arizona; Lakehurst, New Jersey; Mem Martins, Portugal; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's policy of accepting on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations. JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for contributions! Please forward any articles in ASCII text to either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.