Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : NETM151B.ZIP
Filename : SYSOP.DOC

SYSOP DOCUMENTATION FOR DOORS

for the

IBM Personal Computer

Version 15.XX






by

Bob Westcott
7 Dunloggin Drive
Merrimack N.H. 03054
Voice (603) 424-6977
Data (603) 424-5497

April 1, 1987



































Whats new in this version of Doorware:

You CAN NOT have color or music UNLESS you are using the MONITOR!

A NEW batch file set up which allows you to use the same batch
file if you are using 1 or more nodes this is due to a new system
on the RBBS now passes the node to the doors.
>>>> Your xxxx.BAT file MUST NOT have a RBBS.BAT at the end <<<<

The is now a common Sysop.DOC file which is the same for all
Doorware and if some added information is needed for the Doorware
program it will be in a separate and SHORT file.

Sound can now be controlled (on or off).

Color and music on most all new programs now allowed (music will
be turned off if you shut of sound).

Amount of time left in the doors is now printed on the 25 line of
the program (M.L.= xx:xx) minutes and seconds

You may make your own file which can have a graphic picture with
sound (I will supply one with some programs).
Lets see who can make the best AND pass them around if I see a
good one I will place it in the files I distribute (If you don't
mine).

Prelog to the Introduction
--------------------------
This file ONLY tells you how to set up for door program not how
to set up your files to operate the doors system. The doc. for
how to setup your files for doors is in the file called BATCH.ARC
and if you do not have this file you may get it at my RBBS.

First thing I must do is to thank Tom Mack and Jon Martin for the
time, energy (and love) for the best BBS in the country.
Without there effort none of us would be able to run such a
wonderful piece of software such as the RBBS-PC.

1.1 Introduction
----------------
Doorware is the name I have given the type of software that I
make to operate on the RBBS type of BBS. I try to make the
software as error free as possible but "Murphy" is always there
so if you run into errors please call via voice or leave a
message on my BBS and I will try to have them fixed on the next
version.

If you have any software that you think will make a good door I
am always looking for that type to convert to Doorware. To do
this the code must be in basic SOURCE. I do not release the
source code without the authors permission and then only the code
as I receive it. Credit for the software is ALWAYS given to the
author (if know).

Because it is very possible to cause a security problem on the
RBBS (people being able to get into your DOS) the door part of
the source will not be made available. I will help anyone who is
interested in the way you write software to work on the 'Doors'.

The software is able to handle multi-tasking under Multi-Link and
Double Dos, but is limited to 9 nodes.

1.2 Update Conventions
----------------------
Since this software is very closely tied to the RBBS software I
will update it when new version/levels of the RBBS are released.
The version level of Doorware will be the same as the version
level that it will work with of the RBBS. If the new version of
RBBS does not require a new version of Doorware there may or may
not be a new version of Doorware.


The latest version of the Doorware will always be on my RBBS and
other selected RBBS.

2.1 Required files
------------------
You must have a batch file that you are running your RBBS from.

The purpose of the files are as follows:
1. filename.EXE The operational software.
2. filename.DOC The file which informs the player who what
when and where about this program.
3. filename.SCR This is the daily score board, but it is
also the file that holds your
system requirements. Not all programs use
the score part of this file
4. filename1.SCR This is the monthly score board. Not always
used but always created.
5. filename.BAT The batch file that gets you to the
doorware from the RBBS.
DO NOT USE THE SAME FILENAME AS THE DOORWARE
NAME. THIS WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM!!!
5. SYSOP.DOC This file.
6. PRELOG.xxx The same as on the RBBS it allows you to
place notices on the system.
xxx= the 1st three letter/numbers of the
program.
7.filenameG.DOR This file is not required but will allow you
to make a graphic picture with sound.




********** NOTE **********
If you are going to use this software with the Door monitor do
NOT use the batch files as stated in this record. Use only the
batch files as stated in the monitor SYSOP.DOC.

2.0 Setup
---------
Because this software reads information from the RBBS files it is
very important that the supplied files MUST be placed on the same
drive that the RBBS-PC.DEF, RBBS1PC.DEF, RBBS2PC.DEF etc. are
located.

The port that is use, the number of data bits, RBBS name, and the
baud rate is taken from the RBBS files and used in the Doorware
program without any need for you to insert them in a file.

You must make the changes you want on following information in
the 1st 8 fields of the filename.SCR file:

1. Field #1 The number of times the user may sign on to
filename each day. (This does NOT apply to SYSOP he
may sign on as many times as he wishes)
2. Field #2 The foregound color.
3. Field #3 The background color.
4. Field #4 The border color.
5. Field #5 The number of minutes a player is allowed without
making a move.
6. Field #6 The total number of minutes allowed on this door.
7. Field #7 This field determines if you are going to use a
common file for all games or a single file for each
game.
See ** for more info about this.
8. Field #8 This field determines if SYSOP score will be used
and if there will be sound as follows.
0 Sysop's score posted, No sound.
1 Sysop's score not posted, No sound.
2 Sysop's score posted, With sound.
3 Sysop's score not posted, With sound.

** This field is used as follows if set to '0' it means a file
called filename.DAY will be created and will list all the users
that has signed on THAT day to THAT program and will be used by
field #1 to determine how many times a user has signed on THAT
day.
If this field is set to a '1' then a file called COMMON.DAY will
be created and will have all the users that have signed on to any
program that has this field set to '1' to be logged.
Example:
You are running 3 games, GAME1.EXE, GAME2.EXE, and GAME3.EXE.
You have field #6 set to '1' on all programs and field #1 set to
'2' in all programs. The user will only be able to sign on to any
of the games 2 times (total) each day.
If all 3 programs have field #6 set to '0' then the user may sign
on to EACH program 2 times each day.
Beware this fields may be mixed and will act as listed and mix
things up quite well, SO keep it as simple as possible.
Remember this feature will only be true if the door software you
are using will allow this, all my software EXCEPT CHESSDOR will
have this feature.

The filename.SCR file will create itself if it can not find one.
It will set the all starting scores to 0. If you wish to start at
any other score you can use EDLIN to change them, but remember to
change them EACH month as they will be reset to 0 with the first
user each month. DO NOT TRY TO CREATE THIS YOURSELF AS IT CAN BE
MESSED UP AND CAUSE ERRORS.

The filename1.SCR file is very simple and will create itself if
one can not be found.
This files holds the monthly champ information, but will NOT be
outputed until the first monthly champ is created.
The last entry of the filename.BAT is the file that the RBBS
calls to bring up the door program.

The following will work for both tasking and NON-tasking systems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

(The filename.BAT file )

WATCHDG1 OFF To allow around program to
monitor line (a must!!)
filename %1 Call the door program.

The door menu file must have the filename in capitals.


Do NOT remove the 'WATCHDGx ON' call from the RBBS.BAT files as
they are needed when you go to your DOS from remote (7 from the
main menu).

You may now use the same door menu file for the nodes as RBBS now
passes the node information to the batch files.

2.3 Running the Doorware program
--------------------------------
After completing the setup as stated above insure that when
running the CONFIG file for the RBBS that you have the doors open
and allow the correct access level users to use the doors that
you want. Also insure that the RBBS answers on ring 1 or higher.

That is all that is needed to make this work in remote. To run
the program in local you must sign on the RBBS at your keyboard
(remember what node if you are multi tasking) and then when the
Main menu is displayed sign off. Then break out of the batch loop
and enter filename (If you are running NON-Multi Tasking),
filename 1 (If you are on node 1), filename 2 (If you are on node
2). This will bring up the around game in local and you can
run/play in the local mode which functions the same as remote.

While watching the screen when a remote user is on a door you
will see the users name is in the lower left corner of the
screen, in the middle will be the version # of the Doorware
program that you are using and the node that is operating, and on
the right side you will have displayed the time the user started
using the the program when the program is first loaded (15:23:47)
then it will display the number of minutes the user has left in
the doors (M.L.= 23:42). Also when the remote users screen does a
clear yours will NOT it will just print (CLEAR SCREEN). The
purpose of this is to keep the 25 line on your screen and clear
to remote users screen.

The following two paragraphs are only true when using NO multi
tasking or when using Double DOS.

Pressing the function #10 key while a remote user is on the
system will place you in the chat mode and allow you to talk with
the player. To return the player to the game you must press the
ESC key this is the same procedure as on the RBBS. The player
does NOT have a function on his menu to call you.

Pressing the function #8 key allows you to reduce or increase the
time the player is allowed to stay on on this one time. You will
get a prompt for the number of minutes you wish to let them have
then you enter a number and press enter. This will cause a
message to be place on the screen to inform the player that the
amount of around has changed.

So you got a problem!!!
-----------------------
If you have a problem installing this program or it bombs on you
look for the following data:

1. A printout displayed on your screen telling you the problem.
2. Look on the disk that holds the main DOR program for a file
named ERRORS.DOR and print it. This info should be forwarded
to me for debuging and correction.

In most cases (all I hope) one of the 2 above indications should
happen when a error occurs. All errors should be reported to be
via phone or RBBS if possible for correction.

Good luck and enjoy this software.

Bob...