Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : 1ST-MME.ZIP
Filename : MME.DOC

 
Output of file : MME.DOC contained in archive : 1ST-MME.ZIP






1stReader and MultiMedia Extensions (MME)
-----------------------------------------

Starting with 1stReader 1.10á released on February 9, 1993
you can add multimedia extensions to your 1stReader sessions
if you have a Sound Blaster sound card from Creative Labs.

1stReader was tested using the standard edition Sound Blaster
and Sound Blaster Pro systems. It has not been tested on
Sound Blaster "compatible" systems.



Before we begin
---------------

This document explains how 1stReader incorporates multimedia
support. If you own a Sound Blaster (or compatible) sound
card and would simply like to enjoy using 1stReader with your
system, follow these steps.

1. CHDIR into your 1stReader subdirectory. Normally,
this should be \1ST

2. Enter the command "MKDIR MME" and press ENTER.

3. Type "CHDIR MME" and press ENTER.

4. Unzip the file 1ST-MME.ZIP into \1ST\MME

5. Run 1stReader.

You do NOT need to know what is described in this document in
order to use 1stReader with multimedia extensions. However,
if you are interested, please read on!



How 1stReader initializes your sound card
-----------------------------------------

When you start 1stReader from the DOS command line the
program will search your environment for the "BLASTER" DOS
environment variable. If this variable is not set in your
DOS environment, then MME is not available to you in
1stReader. You can check to see if the BLASTER environment
variable is set by typing the command 'SET' at the DOS
command prompt.

The Sound Blaster support in 1stReader will let you play two
types of files. .VOC files contain recorded speech and can
grow to a very large size. .CMF files play only music and
are generally very small.













After reading the BLASTER environment variable, 1stReader
will look in the \SB\DRV subdirectory for the device driver
files required by the Sound Blaster card (this subdirectory
is named \SBPRO\DRV if you own a Sound Blaster PRO system).
1stReader will attempt to load CTVDSK.DRV (this driver plays
.VOC files) and CMFDRV.DRV (this driver plays .CMF files).
If these drivers are not found then 1stReader will look in
the current subdirectory for these drivers.

If the drivers are not found then 1stReader will not attempt
to use your Sound Blaster card.

If you wish to prevent 1stReader from using your Sound
Blaster system simply start the program using this command at
the DOS command prompt:

1ST /NO_MME

The command line switch "/NO_MME" tells 1stReader to
disregard any Sound Blaster card found in your system. You
also will save around 12k of memory.



Installing MME into 1stReader
-----------------------------

Create a subdirectory named \1ST\MME on your hard disk. Note
that this location could change depending on where you have
installed your 1stReader files. Then you need to unpack the
file 1ST-MME.ZIP into \1ST\MME.

Finally, when you start 1stReader you need to make sure that
the MUSIC/MultiMedia switch is turned ON. Select "Setup"
from the 1stReader opening menu and then select "Switches".
You will see the switch is located in the lower left corner
of your screen.

Save your changes and 1stReader will begin to use your Sound
Blaster system.


























Testing MME support
-------------------

The next step you need to perform is to check and see that
1stReader has initialized your Sound Blaster system
correctly.

Select "Manage files" from the 1stReader opening menu and
enter "\1ST\MME" (or the name of the location to the MME
subdirectory you just created). A list of .VOC and .CMF
files will appear on your screen. Simply select a .VOC file
or a .CMF file and you should hear the file being played
through your Sound Blaster card.

If you do not hear the music or voices through your speakers
check to see that the volume control is turned up on your
Sound Blaster system. The volume control is a small wheel
that is located on the back of the Sound Blaster card itself.
You might also check to see that your speakers are properly
connected.



Using MME with The Qmail Door
-----------------------------

Please note that MME support is available in The Qmail Door
starting with the February 9, 1993 release of Qmail Door.
Your sysop may not have updated their copy of Qmail Door to
this release. You can always find out which release of Qmail
Door is in use by using the "V" command at the Qmail Door
"Command?" prompt.

Option #24 controls whether the door should include MME files
inside your QWK mail packets. This option must be turned ON
in order to use MME with Qmail Door.

When option #24 is turned on, each time you use The Qmail
Door it will check for updates to the multimedia files
prepared by the sysop on the BBS. Qmail Door will only send
you newly updated MME files to your system. Otherwise your
mail packets would be unusually large each time you used the
door.























How 1stReader locates MME files
-------------------------------

Throughout this document we refer to "MME files" and ".MME
files" (dot MME files). "MME files" refer to ALL types of
multimedia files supported by 1stReader (*.VOC, *.CMF and
*.MME). ".MME files" refer to files that use the .MME
extension (this type of file is explained below).

When you read a mail packet that contains MME files,
1stReader will automatically move these files into the "BBS"
subdirectory for you.

The "BBS" subdirectory is a reference to the subdirectory
maintained by 1stReader for individual BBS systems. Each
system you call with 1stReader has its own subdirectory
located in the \1ST\BBS subdirectory. For example, if you
call "Sparky's Machine", the files sent from this system are
kept in \1ST\BBS\SPARKY.

When you open up a mail packet that uses MME 1stReader will
display the WELCOME file to you on the screen (assuming a
WELCOME file was included in the mail packet). 1stReader
then looks for the following files, in this order:

WELCOME.MME
WELCOME.VOC
WELCOME.CMF

and 1stReader will look in these areas for these files:

The BBS subdirectory
\1ST\MME
\1ST

If one of these subdirectories contains WELCOME.MME,
WELCOME.VOC or WELCOME.CMF then the file is played to you
immediately after 1stReader displays the WELCOME file to you.
Please note that the first filename found is played and the
other files are ignored. You can use the .MME files later to
'thread' files together.

With MME support enabled, 1stReader will play any MME file
that matches the name of the file being displayed to you.
For example, if you display TEST.ANS then 1stReader will also
look for TEST.MME, TEST.VOC or TEST.CMF using the same paths
defined earlier.

Note that if you are not reading a mail packet then 1stReader
will not check the BBS subdirectory for MME files. It will
begin the search starting with the \1ST\MME subdirectory
instead.














All of this information is probably much more than you need
to know in order to enjoy using 1stReader with MME support.
There is more information available below if you are
interested. Otherwise, stop here and have fun with
1stReader!


.MME files
----------

These files are multimedia files. However, they contain the
names of other .VOC or .CMF files that are designed to be
played in a 'thread' at one time. This way, you can keep one
large .VOC file in your MME subdirectory but reference it in
other .MME files located throughout your 1stReader system.

You can create .MME files in a simple text editor. A .MME
file might look like this:

KIRK.VOC
STARTREK.CMF

In this example, TEST.MME tells 1stReader to locate KIRK.VOC
and play it first, then locate STARTREK.CMF and play it too.

If you would like to see a .MME file in action select "Manage
Files" from the 1stReader opening menu. Enter "\1ST\MME"
as the subdirectory and then select the file "TEST.ANS". You
can view the file "TEST.MME" to see how we did it.



MME 'hook' files for 1stReader
------------------------------

1stReader now has certain 'hook' files that can be played
through your Sound Blaster. Some of these files replace
beeps made by your PC's internal speaker. Other files are
provided for your enjoyment.

Normally, these files should be stored in the \1ST\MME
subdirectory. But they can also be stored in the BBS
subdirectory or in the \1ST subdirectory too. Also remember
that 1stReader will look for .MME first. If the
file is not found then 1stReader will look for .VOC
and finally .CMF.




















Filename Is played...
---------- --------------------------------------------
$$INTRO As you enter 1stReader.
$$EXIT When you exit 1stReader to DOS.
$$HELP After calling up the HELP screen
$$H-xxx "xxx" is the individual HELP record.
$$ALARM When connecting with a BBS or after files
have been uploaded/downloaded.
$$CHKPRT When the printer is offline

After opening up a mail packet these files are available:

WELCOME after the WELCOME screen is displayed
BBSNEWS after the first screen of BBS news is shown
SESSION after the first screen of SESSION.TXT

NEWS when new bulletins have been included
NEWFILES when new file lists have been included
SERVICES when services have been included
xxxx when joining conference #xxxx
LEAVING when QUIT is selected at the menu

GOODBYE after the GOODBYE screen is displayed

(note: WELCOME, BBSNEWS, SESSION.TXT and/or GOODBYE must
be on file for their MME files to play.)



Using MME files inside ANSI messages
------------------------------------

You can easily add MME support to any ANSI message by using
the command:

$MME

in a message. The command must begin in the first column of
the message and it must be the only text on the line of text.

1stReader will use the rules outlined above to locate
on your system. If the file is found it is played
through your Sound Blaster system.



Using MME files inside scripts
------------------------------

MME support is provided in scripts by the MME
script command. 1stReader will use the rules outlined above
to locate on your system. If the file is found it
is played through your Sound Blaster system.













Qmail Door sysops
-----------------

You may include *any* of the files described above inside
your Qmail Door MME subdirectory. This subdirectory is
located in \PCB\QM4\MME. These files allow you to customize
your BBS.

If you are unsure of how to use these new MME features with
your BBS, please call our customer support system and leave a
message. Our number is (615) 230-8822.



Send us your own .VOC and .CMF files!
-------------------------------------

If you have come up with your own MME files and would like to
share them with others, by all means, please call our
customer support system and upload them to us so others can
enjoy!

We'll also stock plenty of .VOC and .CMF files for your
enjoyment.






































  3 Responses to “Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : 1ST-MME.ZIP
Filename : MME.DOC

  1. Very nice! Thank you for this wonderful archive. I wonder why I found it only now. Long live the BBS file archives!

  2. This is so awesome! 😀 I’d be cool if you could download an entire archive of this at once, though.

  3. But one thing that puzzles me is the “mtswslnkmcjklsdlsbdmMICROSOFT” string. There is an article about it here. It is definitely worth a read: http://www.os2museum.com/wp/mtswslnk/