victoro@crash.cts.com (Victor O'Rear) (10/15/88)
Part 2 of a series of 2.
WWWIV Mac BBS 3.0 ReadMe file - T R Teague - 29 April 1988
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This file is a plain text file briefly describing WWIV Mac BBS 3.0,
such that you can decide whether you wish to spend time downloading
the rest of this package for use.
* WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 is a bulletin board system (BBS) for the Apple
Macintosh line of computers. It is based on a system developed for
the IBM PC (Copyright (c) 1986 Wayne Bell).
* It supports 300/1200/2400 baud, D.C. Hayes 100% compatible modems
and higher speed modems at 9600 and 19,200 baud (and other rates
can be supported) - the U.S. Robotics Courier HST 9600 baud modem
(which is Hayes compatible except at 9600 baud), and the Telebit
Traliblazer 19200 baud modem (which is Hayes compatible except at
9600, 19200 baud) are examples of these high speed modems (there are
no standards currently set for 9600 and 19200 baud modems - one
manufacturer's modem may not be compatible with another at these
higher speeds). Note the old Apple 1200 modem is not Hayes compatible.
* It requires a minimum of 512K of RAM memory to operate (it runs on all
members of the Macintosh family), and a hard disk is recommended.
It is compatible with Switcher, MultiFinder, AppleShare, RAMDisks etc.
* The software is sold on a Shareware basis, and you are requested to
send the author a donation of $30 or more to the address below, if
you decide to use the program.
* The software may be freely distributed as long as the software is
distributed complete and unmodified, and no fee is charged for
distribution, other than any normal fee necessary for on-line charges,
or duplication of diskettes. Since the complete package is quite large,
should you wish, you may send a diskette to the address below rather
than spending time and money downloading the rest of the software.
* This is a enhanced version - it fixes some bugs and adds major
enhancements, as detailed below.
* The software is distributed as Stuffit files, whose contents are,
and should remain so, as follows :
WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 Readme - this file, separate (17 Kb)
Stuffit 1.40b (95 Kb) and documentation (63 Kb) - a utility for
compressing and archiving files for distribution - copyrighted by,
and used with permission of Raymond Lau.
WWIV 3.0-1 OF 4.SIT - Part 1 of 4 of the WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 (300 Kb)
+ Init - the BBS initialization program
+ .MSG files (5) - BBS Support files
+ BBSDump - BBS utility program for analysing contents of BBS files
+ BBSUpdate - BBS utility program for updating older versions to 3.0
+ FixDLoads - BBS utility program for "lazy" Sysop's to maintain file
sections
+ MoveSections - BBS utility program for re-arranging the BBS configuration
+ RRHostConvert - BBS utility program for converting Red Ryder Host to
WWIV Mac BBS
+ Sample - sample external application (quote of the day)
+ SavePaths - resource file for customizing the BBS configuration
+ Custom Menus - resource file for customizing the BBS menus
+ Hayes Compatible - resource file for standard Hayes compatible modem
+ Telebit Notes - text file describing things you need to know for
Telebit modems
+ TeleBit Trailblazer - resource file for TeleBit Trailblazer modem
+ TeleBit/Commpression - resource file for TeleBit Trailblazer+ modem
+ USR Courier HST - resource file for U.S. Robotics Courier HST modem
+ Third Party Utilities - various utilities written by other people
WWIV 3.0-2 OF 4.SIT - Part 2 of 4 of the WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 (269 Kb)
+ BBS - the BBS program itself
+ BBS Keyboard Help - keyboard template for the BBS
+ WWIV BBS Docs - the documentation in MacWrite 4.6 format
WWIV 3.0-3 OF 4.SIT - Part 3 of 4 of the WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 (329 Kb)
+ BBS External App Stack - HyperCard* stack version of Sample
external application
+ BBS Help - the documentation and other help in a HyperCard* stack
WWIV 3.0-4 OF 4.SIT - Part 4 of 4 of the WWIV Mac BBS 3.0 (249 Kb)
+ Autoexecute - sample external application for testing auto-execution
+ Validate - sample external application for self-validating new users
+ Writing BBS Ext. Appl's - documentation for writing external applications
+ Source files - some source files for BBS utility and external application
programs
Parts 3 and 4 are optional, but if you are a new user and don't want to use
ResEdit, it is suggested you get Part 3. If you want to write external
applications, you need Part 4.
The suggested arrangement of files on diskette are :
+ 800K HFS diskettes - Disk #1 : ReadMe, StuffIt, Stuffed Files #1 and #2
- Disk #2 : Stuffed Files #3 and #4
+ or 400K MFS diskettes - in total 3 diskettes will hold the complete
archived system (over 1 Mb archived, over 1.7 Mb unarchived),
if it is re-arranged, otherwise 4 diskettes are needed.
* Features of the BBS are :
+ Use of Macintosh User Interface for the System Operator (Sysop)
allows for flexibility in arranging window displays, and use of
Desk Accessories, Cut/Paste (limited to DA's) etc.
+ An unlimited number of users can be supported - passwords, security
checks add to the integrity of the BBS.
+ On-Line context sensitive help available at all times to users.
+ Users are assigned security levels, which determine the amount of
time on the systen, access to certain files etc. New users are
limited in what they can do, until they are "validated".
+ Users connect to the BBS when calling, automatically at the correct
speed. A minimum and maximum baud rate can be specified that the BBS
can support.
+ Up to 19 Public message sections with built-in editor, fast scan of
new messages since last login, time compensation for message posting
given, etc are available. "Backspacing" in messages is allowed,
and messages can be left anonmously in a number of ways (there is
a special "Dear Abby" board).
+ Private EMail with auto-reply, receipt etc. Also ability to send
mail to multiple persons.
+ A voting section.
+ General text files can be made available for viewing by all users.
+ The list of all users, and callers today are available to all users.
+ Keyboard macros for user input.
+ Expert/Novice mode in the menus.
+ Default user settings such as screen size, word wrap on/off,
one key/line mode of menu selection, message sections to be
scanned automatically, mail box open/closed, "spinning cursor",
pause at end of page of display on/off.
+ A list of other BBS's is maintained, and can be added to by users.
+ Various system messages are displayed at appropriate places while
users are using the BBS - these are simple text files which can be
modified by the Sysop, and an Auto Message that can be modified by
users.
+ Users can "chat" to the Sysop, and only when the Sysop wishes it.
+ Up to 19 Public file sections, and 1 private Sysop section are
available for users to upload and download files to/from. Access
to these sections are controlled in the same way as message sections,
but an additional enforceable upload/download ratio (e.g. 1 Kb of
upload for every 10 Kb of download) is available. The BBS supports
XMODEM, XMODEM/CRC, MacBinary, ASCII, XMODEM with 1 Kb blocks, YMODEM
Batch file transfer protocols. This version supports MacBinary II.
+ Options are available in the file sections similiar to those in
the message sections for scanning for new files, or for looking
for a particular file, based on its description (which the user
specifies when uploading). "Wildcard" filenames can be used.
+ Uploading compensation of 1 min of extra time on for each 25 Kb
uploaded is given.
+ When downloading, the approximate time needed, is displayed for the
user, and when uploading (MacBinary only), the approximate time
needed, is displayed for the Sysop. Complete control over the batch
when using YMODEM Batch is available, including automatic logoff when
finished.
+ There are a number of Sysop commands available, for running the BBS
remotely.
+ A running log of users' actions is kept (today and yesterday).
+ The results of the voting can be surveyed.
+ A built-in text editor is available for changing system messages etc.
+ A "mini-DOS" is available for housekeeping chores.
+ A built-in "mini-terminal" program, with complete access to the
file sections, is available for Sysop's to call other BBS's.
A dialing directory and other features are available.
+ The BBS can be "closed" to new users, unless they know the correct
new user password.
+ A display of all user activity appears on the Sysop screen, and
the Sysop and user can enter keystrokes from either keyboard at
any time. The Sysop can login "from the keyboard" as a normal
user (this is how the Sysop can easily "upload" files already
available on his disk, but not entered into the BBS).
+ The BBS menus can be modified by the Sysop.
+ Third-party utilities available.
+ External applications can be written which become part of the BBS -
allowing automatic execution when a user logs on; execution after being
chosen by the user from a menu; and automatic execution during a
specified time period - such an application, called Tabby, will be
available from its author, Michael Connick, allowing connection to the
worldwise Fidonet* network, including EchoMail*. Sample applications
and documentation is available to those who wish to develop their own -
e.g. on-line games. Development is possible using HyperCard*.
+ and many, many, more features ...
* Please send any correspondence/donations to :
T. R. Teague,
530 W. Dana St,
Mountain View,
CA 94041
Please note this is a change of address from previous versions.
* Update from 2.2 to 3.0 :
Bug fixes :
+ Problem with use of modem words and linefeeds - fixed.
+ Problems with ProModem 1200 - fixed.
+ Validating on a BBS with no users would crash - fixed.
+ Numbers greater than 255 being entered in a user's defaults would crash
- fixed.
+ A problem with the number of users in the Init program - fixed.
+ Older machines (64K ROM, Mac XL - with HFS) would crash on startup because
the BBS thought they were capable of running MultiFinder - fixed.
+ File transfers on older machines (MFS) would cause incorrect filenames]
to be created - fixed.
+ The user's upload/dowload Kb could not be changed to higher than 9999
- fixed.
+ Files downloaded using Browse were not counted as a download - fixed.
+ AppleShare 1.0 has bug which causes problem - must use AppleShare 1.1.
+ Time not updated in GFiles section - fixed.
+ Maintaining the message and file sections had some bugs - fixed.
+ "Wildcard" renames in the file section wouldn't work - fixed.
+ The RRHostConvert utility would not automatically convert filenames to
uppercase - fixed (not necessary for this version).
+ Aborting a browse in the file section would cause subsequent browses in
the same section not to work - fixed.
+ Normal Macintosh user interface appeared not to work in mini-term - fixed.
+ Users could insert too many extra lines into messages and crash BBS - fixed.
+ A subtle bug could cause system crashes or freeze BBS occasionally - fixed.
+ Old EMail and messages not removed at end of day processing - fixed.
Enhancements :
+ Support for higher speed modems - specifically 19,200 to 57,600 baud.
+ A flexible modem parameter configuration has been added - allowing better
control over modem commands sent to your modem at initialization, calling
out, and hangup etc. Sample configurations for popular modems are available.
+ Support for YMODEM batch file transfer protocol - downloads for users,
and both uploads and downloads for Sysops. The batch size can be
specified, and several sub-options exist.
+ Support for the Macintosh file naming conventions (i.e. any name up to
the maximum length allowed). However, it is optionally still possible
to enforce MS-DOS naming conventions if you wish. "Wild-card" names
can be used for downloading etc. Lowercase Macintosh names are
allowed.
+ Enhancement when reading EMail - the original message is no longer
automatically deleted after leaving a reply.
+ The file section upload/download ratio is now more flexible - allowing
control over the actual ratio, and control over individual users.
+ In various places where the user's download security level can be changed,
so can their upload/download Kb.
+ Additional parameters have been added, allowing you more control over
the size of serial port buffers etc.
+ When uploading from the keyboard, a standard Macintosh File Dialog is
now used, and files can be moved/copied from anywhere to the
appropriate file section automatically.
+ When in the mini-terminal, a different file section prompt is displayed
to avoid confusion when calling other WWIV Mac BBS's.
+ An additional method of restricting a user's time on the system has been
implemented - they are either allowed some many calls per day, as before,
or so much time on per day.
+ Other enhancements in the file transfers - once an upload has started, if
the file will be too large to fit on disk, the upload will be aborted
immediately. Other speedups have been made.
+ Support has been added for "external applications" - meaning
third-party programs and utilities can be made part of the BBS in a
number of ways - automatic execution when a user logs on, selection by
the user from a menu, or automatic execution during a specified time
period. The intended use of the automatic execution is support for the
FidoNet* network system in use throughout the world - this is
accomplished by a third-party application called Tabby being developed
by Michael Connick, which will be available separately shortly. Sample
external applications and documentation, including use of HyperCard*
are currently available.
+ Added to, and changed logging of file transfers to Sysop's Log.
+ Added a check to the modem initialization code - if the modem doesn't
respond to the modem initialization string within approx. 1 minute, an
error message will be displayed on the Sysop's screen, and the BBS
will then not appear to be stuck in a loop - i.e. you can quit from
the BBS, or simply switch your modem off/on and recycle the BBS, or
logon from keyboard etc.
+ General improvements in the way the Macintosh user interface is handled,
especially when using MultiFinder.
+ FixDLoads utility enhanced to allow selection of specific file sections.
--
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| Victor O'Rear {hplabs!hp-sdd, cbosgd, ucsd, nosc.mil}!crash!victoro |
| USnail: P.O. Box 3972, La Mesa, California 92044, United States of America|
| mil : crash!victoro@nosc.ARPA and home: (619) 588-7423 (Sand Eigo, Ca) |
| |
| "Fools, Idiots! Don't they realize that they are dealing with forces |
| beyond comprehension!" - "Doctor Science" |
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