Documentation for BBS100.BA This Network, called SoftMail, is a full featured BBS that allows up to 30 members to "Message" each other day and night. It features full Password Access and Message Privacy; while new Callers may simply enter "NEW" as the password and be directed to an area where they may leave an inquiry, regular Members have three tries to give their own private Password in order to Log On. Once successfully "In", callers have the ability to Check for Messages, to review the "Address List", to Edit and Send Messages (with automatic line wrap), to Receive Mail, to Page and enter a "Chat Mode" with the Sysop (that's YOU, the System Operator!) while online, and to Log-off with an accounting of how long they were connected. A "Help" feature is also included, which you may write and place in RAM as "ALL01Z.DO". The Menus within the SoftMail are easy, self-explanatory, and only require touch-selection. For the Sysop there are extra features; Four function keys allow him or her to 1) Enter "Chat Mode" at any time with the Caller, to 2) Interrupt program execution and give a "HOST OFF" message to irresponsible "twit" callers, to 3) Provide a warning that the System will go down in two minutes, and to 4) simply have the screen show who is Online. SoftMail keeps a full record of who called, the date and time, how long they were online, and what messages they retrieved, sent, and deleted. This record, called "SYSDFZ.DO", can be reviewed remotely by the Sysop. In addition, the Program features full error trapping, and will even "kick" persistent error makers off the system! During Menu input, SoftMail will convert lower case to upper case so that there will be no errors in Command or File recognition. In the event of a "sleepy" caller who dawdles more than two minutes without doing anything, the BBS will even hang up automatically and reset itself! Unlike other remote BBS's, which in effect allow the Caller's keyboard to duplicate the Host's Console, SoftMail treats external input/output as a remote File, and the BASIC BBS Program stays in full control at all times, with the Host's LCD Screen only showing significant Menu selections and input as the Caller writes messages. BUT IT'S SO SMALL! Now, you ask, why network with a 100? There are a number of reasons why the 100 is a PERFECT choice: 1) Because it has no moving parts to wear out, no disks to replace; all messages (and the hidden Log file SYSDF) are maintained in RAM, designated as BBS Files by the suffix "Z.DO". 2) By using the "INPUT$" command for all input, the System is able to avoid sabotage or interruption through a hostile Control-C or "BREAK" command invoked by a Caller. 3) The size of the 100 makes it highly suitable for applications which need a full BBS without wanting to have to endure the complexity and size of other systems. 4) Because everything is in RAM, it is instantly accessible for review by the SYSOP. Responses can be written from the HOST side by simply using the TEXT program (inserting carriage returns) and labelling the messages with Titles that the BBS can recognize. 5) Since it is a non-mechanical system, there is no need to fear a "runaway" computer, disk drives smoking into oblivion. Using the IPL feature, the BBS can even survive power outages. 6) Power failures won't crash the system. 7) Finally, it's just plain fun to have so much going on so simply in such a compact little package!! GETTING IT TOGETHER: Get an auto answer modem and your own phone line. Download and Save the program as "BBS.BA". Using IPL, instruct your 100 to execute BBS in case of power interruption. Create a "Greetings/HELPfile" and save it to RAM as "ALL01Z.DO". This is the message that will be listed to the caller if he or she presses "HLP" from the Menu. It will also be listed from within the BBS Directory ("CHK") and may be retrieved in that manner as well. Be sure to set up your Caller and Password Files in Lines 1000-1004, being sure to follow the designated format, i.e., a Two-Digit Number for the Member, one space, the Member's Name, followed by a comma, and then the 3 letter Password pertaining to that Member. You may also wish to adjust Gosub 80 to include Commands which your particular Modem requires to actually disconnect the phone upon Logoff or "Denied Access." Furthermore, Program Line 4 is optional and only serves to initialize a modem; you may want to delete it if you don't need it. Connect an auto-answer modem to the RS-232 port (Important: Set your modem for non-verbose, "Quiet" mode, no echo, and with auto-answer enabled). Plug everything in, and run the Program! After a few seconds, you'll hear a "Beep", the screen will clear, show the current Files, state "Awaiting at:" the set up (or reset-up) time, give the current memory space remaining, and (once you've had the first caller) show who was the last person online! When someone calls (try it!!) they'll be prompted to press an Asterisk (this gets things going--the Host screen will state "BUSY" and the four Function Key options will be displayed). They will then be asked for their Password and be sent to the Main Menu. A special memory "Peek" technique allows for a review of BBS-related Mail. When the caller presses "C" for Checking Mail, he or she will be shown the Messages that are BBS Files. The program only displays Messages (Files) with the flag of "$$$##Z.DO". BBS Messages always follow the format of the left three characters matching the Caller's name or initials, and the next two characters being digits representing the Message Number. The Caller never sees the "Z.DO" as it is always added discreetly by the System. The special Log File "SYSDFZ.DO" is not displayed, but the SYSOP always knows it's there, and can retrieve it from a remote location (and erase it to restore memory) at any time. If the thought of a RAM-based log makes you nervous, simply hook a printer up and change Line 11 to: 11 OPEN "LPT:" FOR OUTPUT AS 4:RETURN As a key to the symbols, the SYSDF File shows "#" who called and when; "<" messages retrieved, "0" erased, or ">" sent; and "=" Logoff with usage time. An "nle" entry indicates a denied access situation, and "time" means the caller got disconnected by the BBS due to overdue input. A "?" denotes a BBS error recorded, and a "[" indicates that the program incurred the same error twice and started all over. This will probably only happen if some "clever" caller tries to zap you with a Control-Z!! Callers may write to anyone but can only retrieve their own messages or those addressed to "ALL". The SYSOP, however, can retrieve and delete anything. Furthermore, while anyone can originate an "ALL" message, only the SYSOP can delete one. The EDIT features of the BBS are fun--play with them! They will allow a line-by-line review, adding a line, editing a portion of a line, and deleting a line. Once a person elects to return to the Main Menu, they are asked if they want to "Send" the Message. They may answer either way; if they do not "Send" it immediately, they may go back "Down" to the "Work Desk" at a later point and send the Message then, or they may start another Message (or just Log Off, with the System forgetting that anything ever happened). If and when you purchase a Disk/Video Interface, you may wish to expand the BBS to include other Services, related Programs which could be on Disk and "Chained" Online. For example, my current BBS features access to any number of Adventure Games which Callers may dial up and play. Happy Telecomputing!! Chuck Buchanan 72335,1301 (use easymail) SAMPLE HELP FILE: ------------------------- Welcome to the Model-100 EBBS, providing 24 Hour/Day Communications Networking!! SoftMail is now running on a < TRS Model 100 !! > For MENU Selections you need only PRESS the KEY; do NOT use unless entering Mail Titles or inputting numbers. Use Ctrl-S to Stop Display; Ctrl-Q to Start again... Throughout, the AT Key <@> functions as an ESCAPE Key-- You may press <@> at any prompt and you will go to the PREVIOUS Menu. From the Top Menu, the <@> will Log you Off. Use to see if you have any MAIL; if so, the Title's LEFT 3 Letters will match those of your Name or Initials. Enter that plus the two Digits. Please be sure to Log Off before hanging up... Happy Telecomputing !!! Sincerely, Your Friendly Local Sysop!