1466 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
1466 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
______________________________________
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|//SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE ISSUE #97//|
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|//--------------------------------//|
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|//PUBLISHER/EDITOR| March 14, 1988//|
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|// RON KOVACS |Special Edition//|
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|////////////////////////////////////|
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|////////////////////////////////////|
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|(c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs /////////////|
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|____________________________________|
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|SPC |
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|Post Office Box 74 |
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|Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074 |
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|____________________________________|
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|ZMAG HEADQUARTERS: Syndicate BBS |
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|(201) 968-8148 300/1200 24 Hours |
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|____________________________________|
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|************BBS SOFTWARE************|
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|____________________________________|
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|Contents: |
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|____________________________________|
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|*|Editors Desk |
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|*|BBS Express! Professional |
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|_|__________________________________|
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______________________________________
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Editors Desk
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______________________________________
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by Ron Kovacs
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This entire issue has been dedicated
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to the new BBS software from Keith
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Ledbetter. In this issue are the
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text files and menu areas captured
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from the BETA test site, The MOUSE
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BBS.
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I want to thank Jerry Burke and Keith
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Ledbetter for the opportunity to see
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the program in action.
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What you are going to see are SOME of
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the features along with a few help
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files that were available on the
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system. If you are or were an Express
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BBS sysop, you will be amazed at the
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changes made here. If you are an
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OASIS BBS sysop, you will see things
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that are not even available yet to
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you.
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I have suspended ALL news and feature
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stories this week to allow space for
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the special edition. I hope you find
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this atleast interesting and worth-
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while to your eyes.
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In the weeks ahead, we will give room
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to Carina II and other BBS software
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for the 8 Bit Atari.
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The information enclosed here has been
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edited for publication here. Except
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for the Pre-Order blank that appears
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at the end of the issue, all the text
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has been re-adjusted for columns. The
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Main Menu of the BBS is printed once,
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reprinting more would cause havic
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with the size and flow of material
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here.
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I logged onto the system and have used
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my account information, this info has
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since been changed. If you want access
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on MOUSE, give them a call at the
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number below.
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Personal Review Thoughts
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------------------------
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I was impressed with the amount of
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commands and speed of the system. If
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you are a former Express SysOp, you
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are going to be amazed at the amount
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of features and changes incorporated!
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Keith has done it again with this
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release and you will NOT be sorry you
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have invested in one of the best BBS
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programs ever written.
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With programmable functions, possible
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networking, add on ML features, simple
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addition of commands and the speed of
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machine language, you can help but
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wonder what cant be done with this
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software.
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I highly recommend you spend some
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time looking at the beta test sites
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running the program and ask the sysop
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to take you around the system. Any
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questions or features not discussed
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here are sure to be answered.
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Due to the large amount of capturing
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and quantity of the renovations, it
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is impossible for ZMAG to include
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everything here, we have included
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most new areas. The best way for you
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to decide is call and check them out
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for yourself.
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Keith you have done it again!!
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______________________________________
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Logging On!
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______________________________________
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Captured by Ron Kovacs
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1200: Press Return..
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1200 baud connection
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Go ASCII/ATASCII, press <return>..
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| You have connected to |
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| MOUSE BBS |
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| BBS Express! Professional |
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| (c) 1988 by Orion Micro Systems |
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| BETA Test Site |
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| Please leave any comments or |
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| suggestions in message base #7. |
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You have logged onto the exciting new
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BBS Express! Professional by Keith
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Ledbetter. Please take a moment to
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read Bulletin # 1 and the doc files
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about how to use this new program
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which are located in the [E]xpress
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command from the Main Menu.
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Welcome to the Wonderful World of PRO
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Enter your user number
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or NEW if a new user:
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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New User Information
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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Welcome to the wonderful world of BBS
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Express! Professional. This is an
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ATARI based system and will be of most
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interest to ATARI users; however,
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others are certainly welcome also.
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If you just want to look around or get
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information about BBS Express!
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Professional or any of the other
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Express! programs, you do not need a
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password. All Express information is
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available to -Visitors-. Even the
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special -PRO- message base can be
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read by -Visitors-.
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If you want to become a regular
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member, then pay close attention to
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the following:
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-*= IMPORTANT =*-
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So you want a password validated...
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You must use your real name
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for your handle. NO EXCEPTIONS
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Do you want a permanent password? y
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Is your terminal 80 columns? n
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What is your REAL name?
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-> Ron Kovacs
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What handle would you like to use?
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(<return> for Ron Kovacs)
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->
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What is your address?
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-> PO Box 74
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Enter your city, state
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-> Middlesex, NJ
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What is your zip/postal code?
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-> 08846
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What country are you from?
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-> USA
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What is your phone number?
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-> 201-968-8148
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What type of computer do you have?
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-> Atari
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What is your age?
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-> 30
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Enter a password of your choice
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-> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Here is the information that you have
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entered. Press a letter to change any
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item.
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[A] Real Name: Ron Kovacs
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[B] Handle: Ron Kovacs
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[C] Address: PO Box 74
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[D] City: Middlesex, NJ
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[E] Zip Code: 08846
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[F] Country: USA
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[G] Phone: 201-968-8148
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[H] Computer: Atari
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[I] Age: 30
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[J] Password: *************
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[K] V. Width: 40
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[L] Auto-read Email at logon: Yes
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[M] Clear screen after msg : Yes
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[N] -Hotkey- 1-key commands : No
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Enter letter to change, OK when done,
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or <return> to list: ok
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Wait, finding a slot for you...
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Bulletins:
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* [1] - MOUSE BBS goes -Pro-
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* [2] - Info on Express Programs
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* [3] - MOUSE Passwords
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* [4] - Stormy Weather
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Select Bulletin # to Read
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Welcome
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How Are Things In Middlesex, NJ?
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|# Of Callers Today__24
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|You:
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| Are Caller_____#24462
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| Have Called____ 1 Times
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| Are Calling____ 1200 Baud
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| Last Called On_
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| Are in_________ ATASCII Mode
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|Your:
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| Uploads are_______ 0
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| Downloads are_____ 0
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|Time On Today______ 0 Mins
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|Daily Time Limit___ 20 Mins
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|Today's Date_______ Wed Mar 9, 1988
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|The Time Here Is___ 6:46:43pm
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|Last Caller Was Sysop*Jerry
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Checking for mail...
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Sorry, there is no mail for you.
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[ED. At this point Jerry went to
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validate my password]
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[Path] D1:>
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[Command]> ueditor
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Edit Which User?
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[U] by User number [O] Online user
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[H] by Handle [F] First new
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[R] by Real name [A] Add new user
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[V] Visitor rec [1-7] Edit mask
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[N] New User rec [X] Exit
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Your choice: h
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Enter user handle: ron kovacs
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Searching...
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Editing: Ron Kovacs (#90)
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Status: Active/Validated/Unlocked
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Edit What?
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[T] Textual data [L] Lock user
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[U] Usage data [D] Delete user
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[C] Command sec. [1-7] Apply mask
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[M] Message sec. [X] Exit
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[F] File sec.
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Your choice: t
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[Command]>
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...entering Chat mode...
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Hi Ron Kovacs, this is Jerry
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| MOUSE BBS |
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|Main Command Menu|
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-<BBS Express! Professional>-
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[A] Atari/ASCII Mode [O] Other BBS #'s
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[B] Browse D/L Files [P] Set Parameter
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[C] Call for SysOp [R] Read E-Mail
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[E] EXPRESS Menu [S] Send E-Mail
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[F] Feedback Sysop [T] Title Page
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[G] Goodbye-Log Off [U] Users List
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[ ] Not Used [W] Who's Called
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[M] Message Section [Y] Your Stats
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[N] News/Bulletins [Z] ZMagazine
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[4 Min] Command: E
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______________________________________
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Message Base Processor
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______________________________________
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Message Base Commands
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All commands work on the -current-
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message
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A - Show message again
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B - Set direction backward
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D - Delete current message
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E - Edit current message
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F - Set direction forward
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G - Goto a specific message
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J - Same as -G-
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L - Lock current message
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M - Statistics on this base
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N - Position at first new message
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P - Post a new message
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Q - Quit reading this thread
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R - Reply to current message
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S - See replies to this message
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T - Read thread (from TOP)
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U - Unlock current message
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V - Verbose mode toggle
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X - Exit message processor
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/ - Goto next base w/ new msgs
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= - Goto another message base
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The message base processor in Pro! is
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quite a bit different than the
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existing versions of Express!. In
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Pro!, there is no seperate -base name-
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and -read function- prompts; they are
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both the same. In Pro!, you are
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always shown 4 major things in the
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command prompt. For example:
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(5/56+) General Base:
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The above prompt is telling you the
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following things:
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o the -CURRENT- message is #5
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o the total messages on this base are
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56
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o your read direction is FORWARD
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o you are on the -General Base-
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All of the commands in Pro! work on
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the -current- message; using the above
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example, pressing -a- for again would
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re-show message number 5. Pressing
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<return> would move you FORWARD one
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message and display message number 6.
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Pro! has no -quickscan- command built
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in because it doesn't need one. The
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board is intelligent enough to know
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where it needs to take you; in other
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words, just pressing <return> will do
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an -automatic quickscan-.
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Here's how it works: when you log on
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and press -M- to enter the message
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bases, Pro will automatically take you
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to the first message base that
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contains new messages to you.
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Not only that, but whenever you enter
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a new message base, Pro will also
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always position you so that pressing
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<return> will display the first new
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message for you. This, in conjunction
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with the -/- command (which takes you
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to the next message base with new
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messages) provides an automatic, easy-
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to-use quickscan.
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The -thread- commands in Pro work much
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like the ST version of Express!;
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pressing -S- after reading a message
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will show you the rest of the message
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thread FROM THAT POINT DOWN. Pressing
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-T- will take you to the TOP of the
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thread; thereby showing all messages
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in that thread. After reading all of
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a thread (or, if you -Q-uit out of
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it), you will be returned with the
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original message that started it all
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as the -current- message.
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There is also no special -title scan-
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command in Pro; this is accomplished
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through the use of the -V-erbose
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toggle. If Verbose mode is on, you
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will be shown the message header AND
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the message body; if Verbose mode is
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off, then you will only see the
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message title. If you are in non-
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verbose mode and see a message that
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you would like to read, simply hit -a-
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for -again- and you will be shown the
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message in verbose format.
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All other commands are pretty straight
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-forward; +/- (or F/B) will set your
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direction to forward or backward; R
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allows you to reply to a message; P
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allows you to post a new message. You
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can edit a message you wrote by using
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the E command, and deleting of
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messages you wrote is done with the
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-D- command.
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You can jump around the base using the
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-J- or -G- commands. If you were on
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message number 5 and wanted to delete
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msg #45, you would do: -G <cr> 45 <cr>
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D <cr>-
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While posting a message in a base, the
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message editor is almost identical to
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the current 8-bit version with one
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exception. That is that the current
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versions will prompt you for a
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starting and an ending line number for
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most commands (ie: list, delete, etc).
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Pro works differently in that you key
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in either one number or two numbers as
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a range. For example, if you hit
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-/L-, Pro will respond with:
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[10] Edit: List _
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the [10] says that there are 10 lines
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entered so far; Pro then waits for you
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to key in one or two numbers. For
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example, -4 <cr>- would list only line
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4; -4,9- (or -4 9- or -4-9-) would
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list lines 4 through 9 (-4-99- would
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accomplish the same thing).
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All other functions are basically
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identical to the current versions of
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Express.
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Pro gives you the ability to edit a
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message (only if you wrote it) AFTER
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it has already been saved, or even
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during a subsequent call to the BBS.
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This is very convenient when you read
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a message that you wrote and you
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either made an error or you say to
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yourself; -That isn't what I meant to
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say.-
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______________________________________
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File Section
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______________________________________
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If you have called ST Express! boards,
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then you will feel right at home with
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Pro's file browsing functions.
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Pressing -B- will do a browse of the
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files with full descriptions.
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Pressing -C- will catalog the files;
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that is, a short listing with no
|
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descriptions. From the catalog
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command, you can download/read files
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by pressing D or R, and then entering
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the letter that appears next to the
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filename.
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That's all there is to it!
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B - Browse files with full
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descriptions
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C - Catalog files
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U - Upload a file
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= - Goto another file SIG
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X - Exit file processor
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? - This menu
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______________________________________
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Sysop Area
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______________________________________
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Since Pro is much more powerful than
|
|
anything else on the market today, I
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thought that you sysops or 'would be'
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Sysops might like to see some of the
|
|
power 'behind the scene'. From these
|
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commands, you can completely maintain
|
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the BBS without ever having to take
|
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the system down to perform maintenance
|
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or prepare files for the system.
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Keep in mind that the following
|
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commands are ALL contained within the
|
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BBS and are NOT Dos commands.
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Therefore, you have all of these
|
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commands at your disposal, many of
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which are not even in Sparta Dos. In
|
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addition to these, you can write and
|
|
run your own Commands also.
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|
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| BBS Express! Professional |
|
|
| Dos Shell Menu |
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| Orion Micro Systems(1988) |
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| Directory Commands |
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| |
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| [ ] denotes Optional Parameter |
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| |
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| Dx: - Change Drive |
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| Dir [Dx:] - Long Dir. |
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| Dirs [Dx:] - Short Dir. |
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| PDir [Dx:] - Print Long Dir |
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| PDirs [Dx:] - Print Short Dir |
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| Credir Path - Create Dir. |
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| Deldir Path - Delete Dir. |
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| CWD Path - Change Dir. |
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| Count [Path] - Count Files |
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| |
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| File Commands |
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| |
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| Erase Dx:Fname - Delete File |
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| Delete Dx:Fname - Delete File |
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| Rename Dx:Fname - Rename File |
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| Type Dx:Fname - View File |
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| View Dx:Fname - View File |
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| Copy Src Dest - Copy File |
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| Print Dx:Fname - Print File |
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| Lock Dx:Fname - Lock File |
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| UnLock Dx:Fname - Unlock File |
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| |
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| Disk Commands |
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| |
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| ChkDsk [Dx:] - Disk Statistics |
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| Protect Dx: - Protect Disk |
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| Unprotect Dx: - Unprotect Disk |
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| |
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| Misc.Commands |
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| |
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| To Run A .CMD file, simply key |
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| the filename to run. |
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| I.E.Ueditor - To Run User Editor|
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| Editfile - To Run File Editor|
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| |
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| Settime - To Set Time |
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| Setdate - To Set Date |
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| |
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| Chat [On/Off] - Turn Chat On/Off |
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| or Display Current|
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| Setting |
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| |
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| ShutDown - Shutdown BBS |
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| |
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| Help or ? - Help Menu |
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| Exit or X - Exit Sysop Mode |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
An example of one of the more unique
|
|
commands is 'SHUTDOWN'. When you run
|
|
this command...
|
|
|
|
WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!
|
|
|
|
Pressing [Y] Will Shutdown The System
|
|
Until A Key Is Pressed From The Local
|
|
KeyBoard...
|
|
|
|
Do You Want To ShutDown? y
|
|
Last Chance. Are You Sure? y
|
|
|
|
System Is SHUTDOWN...
|
|
|
|
* * *
|
|
|
|
This is great for a remote Sysop or if
|
|
you are at work and a storm comes up;
|
|
simply call your board from the office
|
|
and shut it down remotely.
|
|
|
|
Not shown above is the 'Event
|
|
Scheduler'. You can program up to 20
|
|
different 'events' to take place
|
|
automatically, each at a prescribed
|
|
time. For example, you could set your
|
|
BBS to back itself up at a set time
|
|
each day or save the Ramdisk at
|
|
another time.
|
|
|
|
One of the most exciting possibilites
|
|
of the Scheduler would be have your
|
|
board go offline and call other boards
|
|
in the wee hours of the morning and
|
|
upload and download certain message
|
|
bases or files and place them on your
|
|
board. Yes, we are talking about
|
|
Networking here, and it is going to be
|
|
available with BBS Express! Pro.
|
|
|
|
Those of you that are already familiar
|
|
with the User Editor of Express and
|
|
how the User Log functions, simply
|
|
will not believe the options at your
|
|
disposal with Pro. The parameters for
|
|
every user can now be set
|
|
individually. Your flexibility here
|
|
is virtually unlimited.
|
|
|
|
Another powerful feature is the
|
|
ability to use the Message Base Editor
|
|
for writing and editing system files
|
|
such as bulletins, text files, menus,
|
|
etc. You have all of the Editor
|
|
commands at your disposal.
|
|
|
|
The above is merely a brief look at
|
|
the some of the power of Pro with much
|
|
more than there is room for here with
|
|
more to come.....after all, this is
|
|
just the first version.
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Message Bases
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Go To Base #1
|
|
|
|
There are 4 messages: New messages
|
|
|
|
(0/4+) Bits and Bytes:
|
|
|
|
Message: 1 (#98)
|
|
Title: Bits and Bytes
|
|
Author: Sysop*Jerry
|
|
To: All
|
|
Posted: at
|
|
Replies: 0
|
|
|
|
This message base is designed to be a
|
|
general type base for whatever you
|
|
might want to discuss or ask others
|
|
questions about.
|
|
|
|
This would be the place to talk about
|
|
current events, ask others for
|
|
information, most anything whether
|
|
computer related or not.
|
|
|
|
This is your area, so feel free to use
|
|
it as long as messages are not
|
|
offensive or abusive to others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1/4+) Bits and Bytes: ?
|
|
|
|
Message Base Commands
|
|
A - Show message again
|
|
B - Set direction backward
|
|
D - Delete current message
|
|
E - Edit current message
|
|
F - Set direction forward
|
|
G - Goto a specific message
|
|
J - Same as -G-
|
|
L - Lock current message
|
|
M - Statistics on this base
|
|
N - Position at first new message
|
|
P - Post a new message
|
|
Q - Quit reading this thread
|
|
R - Reply to current message
|
|
S - See replies to this message
|
|
T - Read thread (from TOP)
|
|
U - Unlock current message
|
|
V - Verbose mode toggle
|
|
X - Exit message processor
|
|
/ - Goto next base w/ new msgs
|
|
= - Goto another message base
|
|
@ - Mark base for scan (toggle)
|
|
|
|
(1/4+) Bits and Bytes: m
|
|
|
|
Message Base Statistics
|
|
|
|
Current active message : 1
|
|
Current number of messages: 4
|
|
Total messages posted here: 7
|
|
Maximum messages allowed : 60
|
|
Total locked messages : 0
|
|
|
|
(1/4+) Bits and Bytes: =
|
|
|
|
Go To Base #2
|
|
|
|
There are 1 messages: New messages
|
|
|
|
(0/1+) TeleCommunications: b
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
File Descriptions
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Enter which file area (0 = List)? 0
|
|
|
|
1. Games
|
|
2. Utilities
|
|
3. Applications
|
|
4. Education
|
|
5. Music
|
|
6. Communications
|
|
7. Crider Synthesizer
|
|
8. AMS Music
|
|
9. Movie Maker
|
|
10. Graphics/Demos
|
|
11. Koala Pictures
|
|
12. Print Shop
|
|
13. BBS Utilities
|
|
14. Miscellaneous
|
|
15. Atari ST
|
|
16. Private
|
|
|
|
Enter which file area (0 = List)? 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
[6] Communications: ?
|
|
|
|
| File Commands |
|
|
|
|
B - Browse files with full
|
|
descriptions
|
|
|
|
C - Catalog files
|
|
|
|
U - Upload a file
|
|
|
|
= - Goto another file SIG
|
|
|
|
X - Exit file processor
|
|
|
|
? - This menu
|
|
|
|
[6] Communications: b
|
|
|
|
Enter filemask to search on (Return
|
|
for '*.*'):
|
|
|
|
SX212COM OBJ 3328 3-09-88 6:40p
|
|
|
|
Use this program with the new SX212
|
|
modem and 850 Express. Place Express
|
|
on a disk named EXPRESS.850 and run
|
|
this program which will in turn load
|
|
Express
|
|
|
|
[D]ownload [R]ead [E]dit Desc
|
|
[A]gain [C]ontinue [Q]uit: c
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXP850V3 OBJ 32157 3-09-88 6:40p
|
|
|
|
This Keith Ledbetter's 850 Express
|
|
version 3.0.
|
|
|
|
|
|
[D]ownload [R]ead [E]dit Desc
|
|
[A]gain [C]ontinue [Q]uit: q
|
|
|
|
End of files...
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
ZMagazine (DataBase Area)
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
ZMagazine
|
|
|
|
|
|
[1] Read current issue
|
|
|
|
[2] Read last week's issue
|
|
|
|
ZMazagine is published the
|
|
first of every week. It is
|
|
usually online by Tuesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Select Issue to Read
|
|
|
|
[12 Min] Command:
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Userlog Search
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
[* User Log Search *]
|
|
|
|
[1] List All Active Users
|
|
[2] Search By User Handle
|
|
[3] Search By User City/St
|
|
[4] Search By User Cpu
|
|
<Return> To Exit
|
|
|
|
Enter Selection ==> 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enter Partial <CITY/ST> for Search
|
|
|
|
==> nj
|
|
|
|
Handle: Carlos Hernandez
|
|
City: HACKENSACK, NJ
|
|
Computer: 576K 130XE
|
|
Last Call: Sun 6-Mar-88
|
|
|
|
Handle: Ron Kovacs
|
|
City: MIDDLESEX, NJ
|
|
Computer: Atari 130XE
|
|
Last Call: Tue 8-Mar-88
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Match(s) Found
|
|
|
|
[15 Min] Command:
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Configurations
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
You are logged on the very first live
|
|
BBS Express! Professional test of the
|
|
newest member of the Express family.
|
|
It is anticipated that this version of
|
|
the BBS will be available after about
|
|
2 months of solid beta testing. Stay
|
|
tuned here for progress reports.
|
|
|
|
The 850 version of BBS Express is
|
|
currently shipping. It supports Hayes/
|
|
Compatibles modems at 300/1200/2400
|
|
baud.
|
|
|
|
Also available is the Atari 1030/301/
|
|
835 modem version. Both versions look
|
|
and operate identical. The program is
|
|
written in ACTION! and provided in a
|
|
run-time format (ACTION! cart not
|
|
necessary).
|
|
|
|
Listed below are some of the features
|
|
of BBS Express!
|
|
|
|
<*> The board NEVER crashes
|
|
|
|
<*> All message bases are pre-
|
|
allocated so no message base
|
|
-compaction- is required.
|
|
|
|
<*> The system automatically deletes
|
|
-old- messages, without any sysop
|
|
intervention required.
|
|
|
|
<*> The sysop can control the maximum
|
|
number of messages by msg base, as
|
|
well as the maximum size of each
|
|
msg by base (ie: base 1 could have
|
|
messages up to 1400 bytes in
|
|
length while base 2 could have
|
|
only 500 bytes per message).
|
|
|
|
<*> Up to 25 message bases, with up to
|
|
75 messages per base.
|
|
|
|
<*> A base FULL with 75 messages can
|
|
be loaded in under 2 seconds.
|
|
|
|
<*> 0 - 8 security level by message
|
|
base.
|
|
|
|
<*> 0-8 security level for download
|
|
files.
|
|
|
|
<*> The best message editor available!
|
|
|
|
<*> Multi-level libraries (databases)
|
|
|
|
<*> 255 key input buffer.
|
|
|
|
<*> Sysop has access to all variables
|
|
in your TEXT files and menus! For
|
|
example, here is a file that you
|
|
can make using these variables:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello, Ron Kovacs!
|
|
|
|
How Are Things In Middlesex, NJ?
|
|
|
|
You Are Caller #24462.
|
|
|
|
Today's Date: Sat 12-Mar-88.
|
|
Current Time: 7:01:46pm.
|
|
|
|
Your Time On Today: 0 Mins.
|
|
Time Limit For Today: 90 Mins.
|
|
|
|
Hi Message In System: 151.
|
|
You have been connected: 15 Min.
|
|
|
|
<*>Supports ATASCII only or ATASCII
|
|
and ASCII callers.
|
|
|
|
<*>Use with or without a printer.
|
|
|
|
<*>The following SYSOP commands while
|
|
the user is on-line:
|
|
* Change a user's security level
|
|
* Change a user's time limit
|
|
* Do any XIO command to delete files,
|
|
format disks, etc.
|
|
* Turn CHAT mode on or off.
|
|
* Hang up any user immediately.
|
|
* Copy From/To any device
|
|
* Read any system file
|
|
Plus many more features than there is
|
|
room to list.
|
|
|
|
If you would like to order this great
|
|
program, please send $39.95 + $4.00
|
|
shipping/handling (check or money
|
|
order) to:
|
|
|
|
Orion Micro Systems
|
|
2211 Planters Row Drive
|
|
Midlothian, VA 23113
|
|
|
|
Virginia residents whould add 4% sales
|
|
tax.
|
|
|
|
Be sure to specify which version you
|
|
are ordering: 1030/301 or 850 version.
|
|
|
|
If you run the BBS with a 1030 modem,
|
|
you will need a -ring detector- also
|
|
which is very easy to make for less
|
|
than $10 in parts.
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Express Professional!
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
by Keith Ledbetter
|
|
|
|
Since everyone seems to be asking me
|
|
all the time what the new version of
|
|
BBS Express! is going to be like, I
|
|
thought I'd throw together a little
|
|
overview of the new system.
|
|
|
|
First, let's talk about the upgrade.
|
|
This upgrade is for the *850 VERSION*
|
|
of the BBS first, and is being called
|
|
'BBS Express! Professional'. This
|
|
version is targeted at the serious,
|
|
big-system SysOp. Also, this upgrade
|
|
will ONLY run on SpartaDOS 3.2x or
|
|
greater. TDLINE and ZHAND must be
|
|
installed. This means that the RTime 8
|
|
is fully supported (along with
|
|
SpartaDOS's 'internal' software clock
|
|
if you don't have an RTime 8
|
|
cartridge).
|
|
|
|
What do I mean by 'big-system'? Well,
|
|
the MOST important thing with BBS
|
|
Express! professional is that you have
|
|
a RAMDISK, since every command (and I
|
|
mean *EVERY* command -- even ASCII/
|
|
ATASCII toggle!) is an 'external
|
|
command', and must be loaded from a
|
|
disk. Without a RAMdisk or a Hard Disk
|
|
to load these commands from, the BBS
|
|
is going to be painfully slow (you
|
|
might be able to survive with a US
|
|
Doubler'ed 1050 in high speed). With a
|
|
ramdisk or Hard Disk, all commands
|
|
load almost instantaneously. Now,
|
|
don't get me wrong -- you don't HAVE
|
|
to have a large ramdisk or a Hard Disk
|
|
to run BBS Express! Pro, but it is
|
|
highly recommended because of slow
|
|
floppy disk access times.
|
|
|
|
BBS Express! Pro is written in 100%
|
|
machine language. The main 'shell' of
|
|
the BBS sits in memory from $3000 -
|
|
$6000. This shell contains common
|
|
routines that are accessed a lot by
|
|
the external, chained programs (such
|
|
as the routines to display strings to
|
|
the modem, get input from the modem,
|
|
view text files, etc). Also, there are
|
|
system vectors that you machine-
|
|
language-programming sysops can use to
|
|
access these shell commands to easily
|
|
and quickly write your own commands!
|
|
|
|
All of the 'external commands' (such
|
|
as the message base processor, the
|
|
call-for-sysop command, the browse
|
|
downloads command, etc) are loaded
|
|
into memory at $6000 when they are
|
|
needed. The beauty in this type of a
|
|
system is that we are now no longer
|
|
limited by the machine's memory space.
|
|
Each external command can be up to 16K
|
|
in length (larger than just about any
|
|
DOS you'll ever run!).
|
|
|
|
The BBS is currently in Beta Test on
|
|
MOUSE BBS, the original Express BBS
|
|
site in Indiana 219-674-9288) and
|
|
hopefully a long BETA-test period will
|
|
not be needed... (you haven't really
|
|
lived until you write a fully threaded
|
|
message base processor in machine
|
|
language! yuk!). Another nice feature
|
|
of the 'modularized layout' is that if
|
|
there happens to be a bug in one of
|
|
the external commands, only THAT
|
|
command has to be changed. This sure
|
|
makes it convenient for putting
|
|
updated or modified commands in the
|
|
download section of the support BBS.
|
|
|
|
OK, enough of this garbage, you say?
|
|
You want to know what it CAN DO!?!?
|
|
Well, here's a list of the currently
|
|
in and proposed functions. Don't hold
|
|
me to all of these; like I said, some
|
|
are currently in, and others in this
|
|
list are pure blue-sky and may not be
|
|
out in the INITIAL release. But, then
|
|
again, they can easily be written
|
|
later as modules, put on the support
|
|
BBS, and be downloaded by you. You
|
|
would then just add the letter of the
|
|
command to invoke the new module to
|
|
your 'command table definition', and
|
|
you now have a new command!
|
|
|
|
The ones marked below with an '*' will
|
|
DEFINITELY be in the initial release.
|
|
Those marked with an '-' are planned
|
|
to be initially released or be
|
|
available for download sometime after
|
|
the initial release.
|
|
|
|
* 40 and 80 column support, along with
|
|
seperate ATASCII/ASCII menu file
|
|
areas.
|
|
|
|
* 300/1200/2400/9600 baud support. The
|
|
9600 is really sort of a fluke, but
|
|
it's there anyway. If ANYONE ever
|
|
tells you that their 8-bit Atari
|
|
program can support full 9600 baud,
|
|
you tell them that I said they are
|
|
full of....well, never mind.
|
|
|
|
* Fully threaded message bases (see
|
|
replies, reply, follow thread, etc).
|
|
|
|
* You can edit messages you previously
|
|
posted.
|
|
|
|
- Certain messages can be 'locked' by
|
|
the SysOp so that they will not be
|
|
deleted by the 'automatic deletion'
|
|
portion of the message base
|
|
processor.
|
|
|
|
* Up to 32 different message bases,
|
|
each one having up to 250 4000-byte
|
|
messages.
|
|
|
|
* File browsing by the mask you enter
|
|
(such as '*.*' or '*.COM', etc).
|
|
Identical to the ST version of the
|
|
BBS.
|
|
|
|
* More download files??? How about
|
|
516,128 possible download files?
|
|
That should make even Mr. Z happy!
|
|
The BBS has 32 possible 'file SIG
|
|
areas', each one allowing up to
|
|
16,129 files!!
|
|
|
|
* Download files now use the entire 8
|
|
character name and 3 char extender.
|
|
|
|
* Full file descriptions on each
|
|
download file. Each file can have a
|
|
description of up to 240 characters.
|
|
|
|
* Standard XModem, CRC XModem, and
|
|
YModem support.
|
|
|
|
* FULL on-line user editor that can be
|
|
accessed either from on-line or from
|
|
the 'waiting for call' screen.
|
|
|
|
* Each user has 320 'security flags'
|
|
that you can turn on or off to
|
|
control virtually every action they
|
|
can take. These flags control such
|
|
things as 'Which message bases can
|
|
this user READ' 'Which message bases
|
|
can this user POST on' 'Which file
|
|
areas can this user access'
|
|
|
|
Incredibly easy to set up a user to
|
|
have full sysop levels on one message
|
|
base, but absolutely NO power on any
|
|
other. Great for assigning co-sysops
|
|
to different areas of your BBS.
|
|
|
|
- Up to 32 trackable surveys, each one
|
|
having an unlimited (only by disk
|
|
space) number of questions.
|
|
|
|
* Fully functional 'DOS Command' area
|
|
that allows the following commands
|
|
(available from on-line or waiting
|
|
-for-call screen):
|
|
|
|
DIR - disk directory
|
|
ERASE - erase file(s)
|
|
CHAT - turn chat mode on/off
|
|
CREDIR - create a subdirectory
|
|
DELDIR - delete a subdirectory
|
|
CWD - change working directory
|
|
LOCK - lock a diskette
|
|
UNLOCK - unlock a diskette
|
|
PROTECT - protect a file
|
|
UNPROTECT - unprotect a file
|
|
AINIT - initialize (atari format)
|
|
CHKDSK - display disk statistics
|
|
TYPE - view a text file
|
|
?DIR - display current default
|
|
subdirectory
|
|
UPLOADS - browse/validate new uploads
|
|
COPY - copy file(s)
|
|
RENAME - rename file(s)
|
|
TIME - set time
|
|
DATE - set date
|
|
|
|
- The following available from the
|
|
'Waiting for Call' screen:
|
|
|
|
* Full user editor
|
|
* Enter DOS commands
|
|
* Browse / Validate new Upload Files
|
|
* Toggle chat mode on/off
|
|
* 5 different 'logon' modes
|
|
* Exit to DOS
|
|
- Display today's call log
|
|
- Print / Delete today's call log
|
|
- Terminal program
|
|
- Change SYSDATA file definitions
|
|
|
|
There are probably tons more things
|
|
that I can't remember right now. I'm
|
|
really excited about this version of
|
|
the BBS because it is EXPANDABLE.
|
|
Probably the best comparison I can
|
|
think of is SpartaDOS; almost every
|
|
command there is external. If you want
|
|
a new command, you just put a new .COM
|
|
file on your disk, right? Well, that's
|
|
basically it with BBS Express! Pro,
|
|
too. You put the new .CMD file on the
|
|
drive, change your Command Table
|
|
Definition to say something like 'key
|
|
'Z' will invoke the command file
|
|
ADVENTUR.CMD', and that's all there is
|
|
to it (there can be up to 35 different
|
|
commands invoked from the main
|
|
Command: prompt).
|
|
|
|
Also, since there is no PROMPT.OBJ
|
|
file in BBS Express! Pro, most of the
|
|
source code for the external BBS
|
|
commands will provided on the disk (in
|
|
MAC/65 format). Should be no problem
|
|
for you (or someone you know) to
|
|
customize prompts to your liking.
|
|
|
|
Have you got some other ideas you'd
|
|
like to see included? Well, logon to
|
|
Midnight Express! and leave a message
|
|
in the 'registered owners' section and
|
|
I'll be sure to put them on the
|
|
'wish-list'.
|
|
|
|
Now, about the time-tables...when??
|
|
Well, that's really hard to say. This
|
|
BBS version is a MAJOR undertaking,
|
|
and you all know how I feel about
|
|
letting products out the door too soon
|
|
(not to mention that it's being
|
|
written only in my 'spare' time,
|
|
whatever that is). There's nothing I
|
|
hate more than a program being
|
|
released with bugs in it. I think a
|
|
reasonable date to shoot for would be
|
|
around the first of next year. So,
|
|
those of you who are getting a little
|
|
upset with some of the limits of the
|
|
current version (especially the
|
|
limited number of download files) --
|
|
stay with us just a little bit longer.
|
|
|
|
On a closing note I'd like to say
|
|
'thanks' to all of you who have
|
|
supported both myself and Orion Micro
|
|
Systems in the past by purchasing our
|
|
BBS program. You have helped us prove
|
|
that there is STILL some money to be
|
|
made on the 8 bit Atari if you put out
|
|
good products at fair prices.
|
|
|
|
Take care, Keith Ledbetter
|
|
|
|
Stay tuned on MOUSE BBS (219-674-9288)
|
|
for full Beta Testing of this great
|
|
program. This is where you will see
|
|
it all take place and we will keep you
|
|
updated on the progress and future
|
|
release dates.
|
|
|
|
Jerry Burke - SysOp
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Express Profesional Pre-Order Form
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
The following text should be extracted
|
|
and printed out to printer. This text
|
|
has been formated to 80 column.
|
|
|
|
cut here
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
BBS Express! Professional V1.0
|
|
(c) 1988 Orion Micro Systems
|
|
Midlothian, Virginia 23113
|
|
|
|
>> Express! PRO Preorder Announcement <<
|
|
----------------------------------
|
|
Preorders are now being accepted for BBS Express! Professional. Current
|
|
release target date is April 18th,1988. All preorders will receive first
|
|
priority when shipping begins.
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
System Requirements:
|
|
o Atari 800XL or 130XE
|
|
o Sparta Dos 3.2 or greater
|
|
o Hard Drive Recommended
|
|
or min: large ramdisk
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Retail Price:
|
|
$49.95 plus $4.00 ship/handling
|
|
Upgrade Price:
|
|
$29.95 Plus $4.00 ship/handling plus one of the following:
|
|
|
|
[1] A Xerox copy of the original 850 or 1030 disk label bearing your
|
|
registered serial number.
|
|
|
|
[2] Your original 850 or 1030 Express! master disk.
|
|
|
|
[ NOTE: Only one upgrade per Serial Number]
|
|
|
|
Upgrade Orders received without meeting one of these upgrade requirements
|
|
will be returned.
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Additional Preorder Bonus:
|
|
|
|
Preorders received prior to the April 18th release date may also purchase
|
|
a copy of HardBack, our Hard Disk/MIO Backup Utility for $10.00. HardBack
|
|
normally retails for $39.95. Orders received after the April 18th release
|
|
date can purchase HardBack for $20.00 if ordered at the same time as
|
|
BBS Express! PRO.
|
|
[This Offer Expires April 18,1988]
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Send All Preorders To: Orion Micro Systems
|
|
ATTN: PRO PREORDER
|
|
2211 Planters Row Drive
|
|
Midlothian,Virgina 23113
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
You may freely capture this notice and place it on your board and/or
|
|
upload it to other BBS Systems if you wish.
|
|
Orion Micro Systems
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Here's a handy order form for you to print and use with your preorder.
|
|
|
|
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
|ZMagazine Issue #97 Preorder Form |
|
|
| |
|
|
|ATTN: Orion Micro Systems |
|
|
| ATTN: PRO PREORDER |
|
|
| 2211 Planters Row Dr. |
|
|
| Midlothian,Virginia 23113 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Qty Description Price |
|
|
| --- ------------------ ------- |
|
|
| ___ BBS Express! PRO with HardBack...................$ 59.95 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| ___ BBS Express! PRO Only............................$ 49.95 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| ___ BBS Express! PRO Upgrade with HardBack...........$ 39.95 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| ___ BBS Express! PRO Upgrade Only....................$ 29.95 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Sub Total : $ ______ |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Add Shipping/Handling $ 4.00 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Total : $ ______ |
|
|
| |
|
|
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
|Complete this section for upgrade price. |
|
|
| I Have Enclosed: |
|
|
| ___ My Master Disk SN __________ or ___ Xerox Copy Of Master Disk |
|
|
| |
|
|
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
|Rush My Order When Released To: |
|
|
| Name: ___________________________________________________ |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Addr: ____________________________________________________ |
|
|
| |
|
|
| City: _____________________ State: _____ Zipcode: _______ |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Country: ___________ |
|
|
| |
|
|
|MOUSE ZMAG97 [ P l e a s e P r i n t ] |
|
|
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
|Office Use Only: Date Recv: ____/____/____ Recv By:_______ |
|
|
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
BBS EXPRESS PROFESSIONAL
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
by Jerry Burke
|
|
Sysop of MOUSE BBS (219-674-9288)
|
|
|
|
Keith Ledbetter's latest member of the
|
|
Express family was put online at MOUSE
|
|
BBS which is the original beta test
|
|
site of the very first BBS Express
|
|
(remember the -1030 BBS Express!-). I
|
|
have tested that very first version of
|
|
the BBS, the 850 Express (the most
|
|
widely used terminal program for the
|
|
8-bit), ST BBS Express!, and now this
|
|
truely remarkable program. Why do I
|
|
call it remarkable? Because Keith has
|
|
managed to give this program the power
|
|
of the 16-bit program on an 8-bit. It
|
|
has some features in it that even the
|
|
ST version does not have (yet).
|
|
|
|
If you are a Sysop and are looking for
|
|
POWER, here is your answer. Keith has
|
|
written his own Dos Shell that
|
|
contains all of the power of Sparta
|
|
Dos plus commands not even in Sparta
|
|
Dos. All of these can be used directly
|
|
from the BBS (remote or local) without
|
|
ever taking the board down. Of course,
|
|
you can set up much maintenance to be
|
|
performed automatically via the 20-
|
|
event programable scheduler and you
|
|
can just set back and watch it happen
|
|
or let many events take place in the
|
|
wee hours of the morning while you are
|
|
sound asleep. This latter feature is
|
|
going to be the basis for the an
|
|
Express! Network which can be set up
|
|
locally or nation-wide.
|
|
|
|
Sysops will have the ability to run
|
|
other programs such as online games
|
|
from within the BBS. If you are a M/L
|
|
programmer, you can write your own or
|
|
perhaps others will share their -works
|
|
of art- with other boards thru the
|
|
Network. You don't know how to write
|
|
in M/L; well, how about in Action!.
|
|
Yes, the BBS can run those too.
|
|
|
|
Other features are virtually unlimited
|
|
file quantity and size for the big
|
|
systems, a 200 line online file editor
|
|
using all of the already familiar
|
|
Message Editor commands of BBS
|
|
Express, download files by regular
|
|
XModem, CRC, YModem, etc., download by
|
|
hitting a single letter (easier for
|
|
those of us that can't spelll) and of
|
|
course browse files with full
|
|
descriptions ala ST Express, complete
|
|
remote sysop functions which even
|
|
include shutting the system down
|
|
remotely - haven't figured out a way
|
|
to boot it up remotely yet, but give
|
|
Keith time and he will figure it out,
|
|
40 and 80 column ATASCII and ASCII
|
|
support, and many many more things
|
|
than space permits here.
|
|
|
|
The current schedule calls for the
|
|
release of this outstanding program by
|
|
mid-April. Pre-orders are now being
|
|
accepted. If you want to see the
|
|
program in action, call MOUSE BBS at
|
|
219-674-9288 and see its power. There
|
|
is a special PRO message base
|
|
available for all -Visitors- and -New
|
|
Users- to read and just go to the -E-
|
|
(Express) menu and read about PRO and
|
|
other Express programs and capture the
|
|
order form if you want to be the first
|
|
in your area to run the BEST BBS
|
|
available today. (Eat your heart out
|
|
Oasis!!!.)
|
|
|
|
Hope to see you online soon and let's
|
|
hear your reactions, comments, or
|
|
suggestions.
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
ZMagazine 97 March 14, 1988
|
|
(c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs
|
|
BBS Express! Pro (c)1988 Orion/Ledbet.
|
|
______________________________________
|