victoro@crash.cts.com (Victor O'Rear) (10/15/88)
This started in alt.bbs and I thought would be of interest of some the the
mac folks....
The following is a running edited transcript of a discussion in the FreeSoft
Roundtable on GEnie.
Tele-Mac Sysop - San Diego Mac Users Group
************
Topic 2 Thu Jul 07, 1988
MACINFO [Norm Goodger] at 02:03 EDT
Sub: Host 2.0 Feature list
This message will list all the new features that have been added to Red Ryder
Host 2.0. It is not available yet. It will be announced here, when ready along
with details on how to update when its all decided.
************
----------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 1 Thu Jul 07, 1988
MACINFO [Norm Goodger] at 02:32 EDT
This message will be a few screens long. It should list all new features
currently supported by Host 2.0 now in test. Nothing should change from
this, but its possible depending on whether debugging uncovers something
that creates a change.....
New Features Host 2.0
Files
-----
1K - Block Xmodem
File listings maintain:
Date of last access
Number of times the file is accessed.
----
There are new menu commands that work in conjunction with File transfers:
New since last call with Download
Search for File with Download
List Files from New to Old with Download
List files from Old to new with Download
These commands append a D>ownload command to the command line to the
File list as you list files.
----
There are now 10 lines of description available for every file uploaded
or posted in the file sections to more adequately describe uploads.
Message Base
------------
Host 2.0 Message bases now support Threading. You can follow a string of
messages from beginning to end, including sub-threads that are threads of
messages that are replies to replies. You can Show the original message
of the thread you are in at any time its applicable to a threaded message.
----
The New Message bases now support variable length messages set by MsgEdit
from 1-400 lines per section.
----
There are 4 new menu commands for searching by subject:
Read with search by section
Scan with Search by section
Read with search all combined sections
Scan with search all combined sections
----
The Security level set for the Combined Read now sets the access level
required by the user to post a new message to that section. This means
that even replies cannot be sent if you make it so the new user can read
messages,but the access level for the section is higher than the
users level.
----
The command line of the Message base, now supports a (CR) as next, and
requires an explicit command "Q" hot key to exiting reading messages.
(Note: The file sections also work the same way when listing files.)
----
The Userlog now remembers the highest message read, so you can on
subsequent logins read messages that you have not read yet, as well as
new messages since the last call.
----
Cancelling a message now asks you if you wish to abort message entry or
only what you've entered so far and starts the message over at line 1.
----
You are prompted for a new subject for every message, so that the message
header will be able to reflect the message contents if you wish. Entering
a (CR) will leave the Subject as it was. Entering a Control-X will clear
the subject line for a new subject.
----
The Message header now displays when a message has been recieved by the
user it was sent to.
Menus
-----
The Menus now support 24 restriction flags for each menu item. These
items can be set to "match" or "not to match" the users restriction flags
set by the default settings in the config file for each user as they
login. Also any combination of flags can be set giving virtually
thousands of combinations of access in combination with the 255 levels of
security access.
----
The Userlog supports the restriction flags set for each user and can be
edited and maintained with UserEdit. As well as Survey commands and
online Sysop editing commands.
System
------
You can now choose to set in the config file the following new items for
your system:
You can support an upload time credit, this adds the time used to upload
a file to the users time limit for that call only. For example if a user
has a 30 minute time limit, and uploads a file that takes 20 minutes, he
will have 20 additional minutes that call.
----
You can support a Chat time Credit, if you break in and chat with a user,
or respond to a page, the user is credited for the time in the chat mode
with you.
----
Time enforcement: You can now set the amount of time a user can call
your system back should his time limit expire during the enforcement
period.
For Example, you set your system for a 12 hour time enforcement. John Doe
calls at 9AM, he is alloted 30 minutes, he uses the entire 30 minutes
that call, he will not be able to login again until 12 hours has expired,
or 9PM. If he calls at any time during the time enforcement period, say
3PM, he will be logged off, and will not be able to call for 12 hours
from 3PM now... or 3AM.
If John doe had only used 15 minutes the first call at 9AM, and made
a subsequent call at 3PM, he would have his time on the system reduced to
15 minutes, and if his time limit expired, he would not be able to login
again until 3:15AM.
----
You can now support 19,200,9600,2400,1200,300 baud, with 300 baud lockout
if you do not wish to support 300 baud users.
----
A Network Mail application can be configured for a timed launch in the
config file. You set the time in hours, minutes and seconds in the config
file and the path to the Netmail application, and Host will reduce any
callers time limit accordingly if he calls to close to launch time and
will log them off and then initiate the application pathed in the config
file.
----
You can now Disable the local Echo, this closes the terminal window for
Host, which is a standard movable window. With the terminal Window
closed, thruput to the user is much greater and will be faster than 1.4.
Downloads are not affected by this.
----
Host can now keep track of the total number of calls your system
receives if you keep a file called Cumulative calls in the same folder
with Host.
----
Host now supports Desk accesories
----
Status bar now reports the time and date of the last caller online
----
You can only click in the status bar to cancel a file transfer instead of
anywhere as before.
----
There is a 3 minute warning to let you know that time is about to expire.
----
There is now a Newuser.msg and a Logoff.msg that are displayed accordingly,
the newuser.msg will only display for a new user on his first call. The
logoff.msg displays whenever a command 1 logoff command is executed. They
are placed in the same folder as Host.
----
MultiFinder compatability & MultiLine:
It is now possible to configure Host to share specific files and run
independant BBS's, one thru the modem port and the other thru the Printer
port under MulitFinder. They share the following files; Message files,
Userlog, menus & files by the proper pathing in the config file. Each
System will still require its own config file and main menu, Modem files
and welcome files to run.
Surveys
-------
There are additional Survey commands that enhance the current survey
commands that are in 1.4 as well as Survey commands that support voting.
They are:
New command 0 (zero) This command converts last input to upper case.
----
New command 19, place ascii character specified in "Text" to the
scratch file
----
New Command 20, clears the scratch file and branches to a label. This is
useful for surveys that display a fair amount of text before asking for
input and allows the user a second chance to input should he make a
mistake. without having to start the survey over.
----
New command 21, If users download to upload ratio is is less than the
number in "Text", go to "branch".
----
4 new Survey commands to set or unset restriction flags either
permanently or temporarily for that user which can affect the Menu
displays for the user.
----
4 New Survey commands to initiate the text file read commands that Host
supports:
cancellable, no prompts.
cancellable, all prompts.
not cancellable, all prompts,
not cancellable, Final prompt only
These commands are useful for validation Surveys where you can present
validation information to the user and then get his input. They can also
be used to display the "Survey Scratch" file so that the user can check
his input.
----
13 new Voting survey commands that can ask the user for specific input,
yes or no, or muliple choice, and then display the results of the voting
so far in percentages as well as the number of people voting yes or no,
or a,b, or c. depending on how you set up the voting survey. There are
also commands to prevent the user from voting more than once.
----
Surveys are now time and date stamped in the RES file.
----
Survey interpreter has been speed up to make branches execute faster.
----
Sysop commands that have been enhanced are the user updating commands for
time and access level have been modified to set or unset restriction
flags.
The Maintanence command for the file sections will now physically delete
a file if told to do so. As well as delete or move the listing to another
specified file section.
While not every feature you could have asked for, or has been asked for is
here. I think that Host 2.0 adds enough features to keep things lively on
your systems for quite a while.
----------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 23 Sat Jul 23, 1988
MACINFO [Norm Goodger] at 03:38 EDT
It can be done, however there are bugs in TOPS that prevent complete
functionality over the network. Surveys fail when attempting to run them from
Host running on a remote mac from the remote disk over TOPS. So testing is
being done in this area, however I do not think the problems with TOPs are
going to be resolved before Host is released, and there is nothing that can be
done in Host that will fix the bug in TOPS...Norm
----------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 43 Fri Aug 05, 1988
DWGAME at 01:39 EDT
Hi, Folks Sorry for the delay in answering, but as Norm mentioned, I was at
the convention. I don't get on Genie as often as I'd like...so I just spotted
the message about two line service.
I put Host up on two lines as soon as the then 1.5 beta was made available.
Knowing it was coming, I had the second line installed and waiting. Here's how
I do it:
I run a Mac+ 2 MB Machine under Multifinder and system 6.0, with 2 hosts each
running in a 500K Partition. That memory is about twice what Host requires,
but I found that the extra headroom prevented some problems when accessing
large file sections. I use NO RAM Cache.
One BBS is on the desktop...the second in a folder. The userlog, message
system, file sections, and all menus but the Main Menu are shared. Welcome
messages and system messages are duplicated for continuity, with the same
material. Each host needs seperate versions. Each host also has it's own
logoff message. Basically, it appears to be the same BBS to callers no matter
which line they call, becayse the majority of files are shared.
All of this does not come without a price. Command 50/51 applications don't
like Multifinder. They can't tell which Host launched them, and get lost. To
get around this, you'd need seperate 'externals launch' menus for each Host,
and seperate copies of the external...not as transparent as past versions.
Maybe this will change as externals\ evolve with multi-line use in mind. Also,
Dungeons just won't run correctly under MultiFinder...character display slows
to 110 BPS no matter what speed you connect at. Eric Johnson can't solve the
problem...no memory for MultiFinder.
The other problem is speed. Disk access on one line freezes display on
another. Searching a large file section can cause such delays that some file
transfers on the other line time out. Callers have to be warned to increase
their timeout settings. Occasionally, text display on one line will be jerky
if disk access is heavy on the other line...but it's never really
objectionable.
Host does a good job at keep;ing two people from accessing the same file at
the same time. I recall posting a message while logged onto one line...then
looking over at the BBS Mac to see a caller on the other line immediately read
it! Host even handles userlog conflicts when my FairShare utility
automatically updates the userlog nightly. As it updates...callers work
normally on the other line!
All host notes work in the background under MF, so you can actually work on a
third application as the BBS's grind away, assuming you have the memory. I
recently added a third 'local' bbs node for maintenence only, so I actually
have 3 hosts running...two on the phone...one locally.
I've spoken with Shiva...they say NetSerial will let me hook a modem up to
appletalk...and allow me to again use TOPS for remote maintenence. That comes
soon.
Also...when the money comes...an accellerator would clear up any speed
problems...test systems ran like the proverbial Bat on my accellerated SE...
Hope this clears up some questions! If not...fire away! Dave Game Check-In BBS
305 232 0393
------------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 63 Sun Aug 21, 1988
PETERJ [Pete Johnson] at 19:48 PDT
R.HARL: The next release of Archie adds a global file section scan for new
files to its command repertoire. Archie reads a script of file sections and
searches each for new files. Archie does the same for alphabetical global
searches of *both* filename and file description. The new version of Archie
will be released as Shareware, with all former Archie commands working and
somewhat refined. The new global file searches will, however, be enabled only
in a version which I will send to registered users.
This version of Archie works only with Host 2.0. It will be released after the
release of Host 2.0. Shareware fee if $20. -- Pete Johnson
------------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 67 Sat Sep 03, 1988
M.BIELEN [NJMUG BBS] at 19:08 EDT
R.HARL
Tabby is an external application written for Red Ryder Host (as well as
Mansion and Mouse Exchange) which allows a Mac BBS to link up with
Fidonet/Alternet, a nationwide BBS messaging system.
There are echo confereces on every imaginable topic. Whether it be Sports,
the Macintosh, MIDI, Music, TV/Film, or Red Ryder Host, you will find a
conference available. Download the file 934 for a very complete listing.
With Tabby, BBSs exchange message automatically during the middle of the
night. Tabby is compatible only with RRH 2.0. Tabby should be available
either with the release of Red Ryder Host 2.0, or shortly aftewards.
If you want to see Tabby in action, feel free to call my BBS, The NJMUG BBS
at (201) 388-1676 300/1200/2400/9600 (HST).
Mike Bielen Sysop, NJMUG BBS
------------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 75 Fri Sep 09, 1988
PECHTERNACHT at 20:11 MDT
I'm finally going to put in my 2 cent's worth on the RRH vs brand X.
While I havn't tried any of the other BBS software (as a SysOp) I've been
subjected to the problems that NovaLink is having in getting a message base to
work correctly. One of the local (Denver) RRH boards went to Nova and it is a
nightmare for the user. Amungst the problems is that the "Read New" msgs.
wouldn't read anything but the LAST msg., if anyone deleted a message NONE of
the preceding msgs. were accessable , etc. etc. The best BBS software doesn't
exist, at least not that will satisfy everyone in every situation.
-- Paul --
------------
Category 2, Topic 2
Message 76 Sat Sep 10, 1988
DWGAME at 00:39 EDT
I've been reading the great WWIV-Host-Novalink debate for a while. Let me toss
my hat into the fray... 1) Red Ryder Host is NOT the best, most powerful BBS
software available today. Sorry, but it's true. Even 2.0 lacks features I'd
like, features I need. Multitasking is slow, unlike NovaLink. Sysop features
are lacking, unlike WWIV. 2) Who Cares about 1? The difference between Host
and the rest is that Host is extensible. Feature lacking? Write it yourself,
or get someone else to write it, and the hooks are there to seamlessly
integrate it with the Host application. This is true power! 3) Creativity is
an issue. I don't LIKE the look of a WWIV board...and I can't change it. Sure,
it's powerful. In my opinion, it's also ugly. To be truly powerful, BBS
software must be customizable. While my system doesn't much look like all
others, it's logically laid out, and frankly, superior in MY view to what
someone else would program. The command interface should be left up to a
board's designer. Host allows that.
We have two Mac systems in South Florida. One is WWIV, mine is Host. Which one
is nationally known, attracts callers worldwide, and is so busy I had to add a
secone line? Mine...running weak ould outdated host. The other system
alienated users when it switched from Host to WWIV and many are just now
adjusting. A good system depends a lot on a good sysop...who gets the most out
of the software tools available. Just like a race...a good driver can win the
cup...if he knows how to milk the best out of a slightly slower car...
I'll shut up now... Dave
--
===============================================================================
| 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" |
===============================================================================