Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : OMAKE173.ZIP
Filename : STARTUP.HLP

sysop

Opus wants to know your name. Messages entered to "Sysop" will automatically
be routed to your name. Since you're creating a new bulletin board, Opus
will also start the user file with your name as the first entry.

sysop
bbs_name

We need to know what you plan on calling your BBS to welcome users and
to show the origin of echo messages.

bbs_name
mdm_init

Opus needs to know what modem initialization string it should use to
prepare your modem for incoming calls. Since your modem wasn't one of
the types we know about, we need some information that should be in your
modem's manual.

Opus Needs: Answer on first ring.
Send character results. (Not numeric codes)
DTR control.

mdm_init
baud

What is the maximum baud rate that your modem can handle?

baud
modem_type

We already know about these modems that are fairly common. If you have
one of these modems connected, select from the menu, if not, select '0'
and we'll go through the setup step-by-step.


modem_type
deflang

Opus wants to know what the default language for your system will be.
If you're going to handle multiple languages, you'll have to add those
languages to the BBS.CTL file that we're generating now, but to start
out, we're just going to put in the default language. If you don't give
an answer, Opus will assume it is ENGLISH.


deflang
comm_port

Which communications port will you be using? If you are only setting
Opus to run from the local keyboard, type in '0', otherwise give the
port number. COM1 = 1, COM2 = 2......


comm_port
base

This will be the main Opus directory. Where Opus.Exe and the batch files
that will be using it is located. You CAN put all your files in this
directory, but finding a particular file will be difficult.

base
help

This directory holds your help files for users.

help
misc

This directory holds extended information files, such as files that explain
how a user should configure their user record to make Opus easier for them
to use.

misc
system

This directory holds the SYSTEM*.DAT files that tell Opus where to find
messages and files for downloading.

system
lang_dir

This directory holds the menu and language files. (ENGLISH.USL and
ENGLISH.SYL) You should place any other menus or language files you add
later in this directory.

lang_dir
outbound_dir

This directory is used to hold outbound mail. THIS FILE CAN ONLY BE USED
FOR THIS PURPOSE. Don't put these files in with everything else, and don't
put anything else in it.

outbound_dir
email

Matrix messages, from other bulletin boards and to other bulletin boards,
go into this directory.

email
nodelist

Holds NODELIST.DAT and NODELIST.IDX files that are like your "phone book".
They tell Opus what phone numbers to dial, what baud rate to use, and how
much it costs you. NODELIST.DAT tends to be a big file.

nodelist
bad

Holds echomail messages that have been orphaned because you don't have a
matching echomail area yet in your echo.ctl.

bad
temp_dir

TEMP is used for very temporary files, such as uploading a message, or
using an external editor to edit messages from the local keyboard. A
directory on your RAM disk will do well for this.

temp_dir
spann

Holds special announcements for users. Special Announcements are like
bulletins that you can assign for individual users that will be shown
a fixed number of times. You can have up to five special announcement
files.

spann
files_down

This is just a sample area for users to upload and download files through.
You'll want to expand the number of areas you offer, but this will get you
started.

files_down
logoff

Holds messages from your users that they leave when they logoff. Generally
these messages are only to you the Sysop.

logoff
general

This is just a sample message area for users to leave messages to each
other.

general
user_file

This is your user database. Although the default is the base directory and
USER.DAT, it is suggested that you move the file somewhere else and call it
something different.

user_file
schedule_file

This file controls how Opus will behave during the day and week. The
control file has default settings in them, but you can modify these defaults
according to the time of day by using the schedule file.

schedule_file
log

This file tracks the activity on your board of both users and mail activity.

log
requests

Other bulletin boards that are FidoNet compatible can call and get files
from you without having to log on as a user. You use OKFILES to tell Opus
which files are approved for people to get via this method. If a file is
not listed in this list, it will not be avaialable for file requests.

requests
in_bound

Where should the files coming in via Matrix mail be put?

in_bound
mdm_prefix

What string should Opus send to the modem when dialing out? If you're
using a touch-tone phone, its usually "ATDT", with a rotary phone its
usually "ATDP". If you have to dial "9" to get an outside connection,
something like "ATDT9,," would probably be close.


mdm_prefix
zone_number

Opus needs to know what zone you're in. Zones are large geographic
regions or political divisions of FidoNet and OtherNets.

North America: Zone 1
Europe: Zone 2
OZ, Australia: Zone 3
South America: Zone 4
Africa: Zone 5

Just enter the appropriate number.

zone_number
net_number

What is the node number for your BBS? If you don't know, or don't have
one, use '0' for now. Then apply to FidoNet or whoever for a real
address.


net_number
node_number

Since you have a net number, you must have a node number.

node_number

begin_startup

This program is for the new Opus sysop to use as an aid in setting up a new
BBS. It won't handle every configuration, there are plenty of things that
you can do as options for your BBS. This program will just get you to the
point where you will be able to log onto your new BBS, enter messages, and
put it online for yourself.

You can quit this program at any point just by hitting a ^C as a response
to a question. Then just start over again at the beginning.

The simple method makes a lot of assumptions, perhaps the most important
being that you will use COM1:. If you are using COM2:, use the ADVANCED
setup.

If you want the ADVANCED setup options, use ^C to exit this program and
restart as "STARTUP ADVANCED".

begin_startup
set_tz_1

Opus needs to know what timezone you live in. This is set in your
"environment", part of your autoexec.bat file that runs every time
your computer is booted up. Its put into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file with a
line like:

SET TZ=PST08

That setting is for Pacific Standard Time. If it is Daylight Savings Time
the line would be:

SET TZ=PST08PDT

The '08' in the TZ line refers to the fact that Chico, California is 8
hours behind Universal Coordinated Time.

Press any key to continue.........
set_tz_1
set_tz_2

You'll need to change your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include the proper TZ
setting for your timezone.

Here are some I know about:

USA Pacific Time SET TZ=PST08 SET TZ=PST08PDT
USA Mountain Time SET TZ=MST07 SET TZ=MST07MDT
USA Central Time SET TZ=CST06 SET TZ=CST06CDT
USA Eastern Time SET TZ=EST05 SET TZ=EST05EDT

Bratislava,
Czechoslovakia SET TZ=CET-1 SET TZ=CET-1EET
Sydney, Australia SET TZ=EST-10 SET TZ=EST-11
Perth,
Western Australia SET TZ=WST-8

Press any key to continue.........
set_tz_2
need_fossil

Opus uses a "FOSSIL" to handle the serial communications port, (in real
English, to talk to the modem).

Three FOSSIL drivers that will work with Opus and true IBM-compatible
compters are: X00.SYS, OPUSCOMM, and BNU. There are specialized drivers
for computers from DEC, Heathkit, and Tandy, which should also be available
wherever you got Opus. You MUST install one before you can run Opus.

Press any key.........
need_fossil
old_fossil

You have a "old" FOSSIL. You need a version 5 FOSSIL for Opus 1.10. You
should be able to get one from the BBS where you found Opus.

old_fossil
point_number

Opus is asking if you're running as a point. If you are, what is your
point number

point_number
set_opus

In order for many of the Opus 1.70 utilities to work properly they need
to be able to find your PRM file. To do this you need to modify your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include a line like this:

SET OPUS=C:\OPUS\BBS.PRM

Replace the 'C:\OPUS\' with the path to your PRM file and 'BBS.PRM' with
the full name of your PRM file.

set_opus