robo108/ROBO108.DOC

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└─────────┘ └─────────┘ └────┘└────┘ └────┘ └───┘ └─────────┘

VERSION 1.08
The Original EGA/VGA BBS package!
Copyright 1992, 1993, Seth Hamilton,
Released January 20th, 1993.

Robo-Term 2.70
Copyright 1992, Seth Hamilton.
Released August 30th, 1992.

HOW IT CAME TO BE i
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board started as a bet. I was at an IMEX network
meeting in Edmonton Alberta when I asked something like, "Do
you think it would be possible to send real time graphics
over the modem instead of ANSI?". A few people chuckled, and
Bill McVay, my net hub said, "I think that would be a bit
slow Seth". It was then that I decided to start programming
Robo-Board.

This was in the fall of 1990, and after a few weeks of
working on and off, running to my neighbor Daryll Slobogan's
house, and trying out many ideas I was successfully
connecting to my system with his. In the beginning there
weren't any bells and whistles, just a few lines, some
circles, rectangles, and text. This was encourgement needed
for me to begin programming a Robo-Board prototype.

For about half of 1991 I wrote as much BBS as I could
during my weekends and off hours. By early summer I had a
working BBS package. By fall I had a full featured BBS
package with EGA/VGA/ANSI/ASCII support. I tried it out on
the BBS people in Edmonton, and the feed back was great so I
began the task of writing this professional version of Robo-
Board.

It's now Early August 1992. I have since moved to Aylmer
Quebec (a burb of Ottawa) and I am just finishing up the doc
files. Robo-Board 1.08 is ready to be released. It will be
the first of a new generation of BBS's.

I would like to thank my helpful Beta Testers, Daryll
Slobogan, Bill Pejan, and Colin Moser for their patience and
involvement.

I would also like to thank:
Dad, Mom, Antonio Riveros, Bill McVay, Richard Boychuk, Dean
Drolet, Robin Francis, Roy Hooper, Bruno Gagnon, and all the
users in Edmonton and Ottawa who contributed their thoughts
and bug reports.

Seth Hamilton

TABLE OF CONTENTS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

TITLE PAGE #

INTRODUCTION.............................................. 1
LIABILITY AND LICENSING................................... 2
AVAILABLE VERSIONS OF ROBO-BOARD.......................... 4
- The Registration Code 4
- What you get 4
- Registering ROBO-BOARD PLUS 4
- Registering ROBO-BOARD PRO 5
ROBO-BOARD REGISTRATION PRICES............................ 6
ROBO-BOARD 1.08 REGISTRATION FORM......................... 7
PRODUCT SUPPORT........................................... 8
INSTALLING ROBO-BOARD..................................... 9
ROBO GENERAL CONFIGURATION................................ 10
- Modem Setup 10
- System Setup 11
- BBS Setup Menu 11
- BBS Paths 12
- General Settings 12
- Misc. Settings 14
- External Events 15
- Call Back 16
FILE AREA CONFIGURATION................................... 17
MESSAGE AREA CONFIGURATION................................ 18
THE DRAWING PROGRAM....................................... 21
- How It Works 21
- Your First Try! 21
- Drawing Commands And Related Functions 22
- The File Pulldown 24
- The Toggles Pulldown 25
- The Command Area 25
- Edit Mode 26
THE MENU EDITOR........................................... 27
- Hot Spot Commands 29
- The Main Menu 38
THE ICON EDITOR........................................... 39
- Using The Icon Editor 40
THE USER EDITOR........................................... 42
THE SYSOP INTERFACE....................................... 45
- The Fields 45
- The Attribute Bar 46
- Interaction Icons 46
ACCESS AND SECURITY....................................... 48
- Access Levels 48
- Flags 48
- Examples of Access, Access Directors and Flags 49
DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES................................. 50
- Hard Coded Graphics Files 50
- Display Control Codes 52
- Sound Files 53
- Definition and Control Files 53
MAKING IT RUN............................................. 61
ECHO MAIL................................................. 65

ROBO UTIL................................................. 67
ROBO-BOARD TERMINAL EMULATION............................. 68
DEVELOPERS................................................ 69
MULTI-LINE OPERATION...................................... 70
MULTITASKING.............................................. 71
SUPPORT................................................... 72

INTRODUCTION PAGE 1
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Welcome to ROBO-BOARD 1.08, the first full featured BBS
package to bring graphics to your PC. Robo-Board lends
itself well to an ever growing populous of graphically
orientated users. It features powerful and flexible windows,
fast screens, mouse, and a sharp graphical appearance. It is
simple to use, easy to set up, yet flexible and more powerful
than many other BBS packages!

Robo-Board is one of the newest and most innovative BBS's
on the market. It offers the better features of higher priced
BBS packages as well as many never seen before. The fact
that Robo-Board will display full screen graphics in real
time is reason enough for running it, but features like built
in split screen chat, programmable menus, time bank, EchoMail
compatibility, built in call-back verification, 200 message
bases, 200 file areas, bullet proof security, online user
editor, file marking, file searching, free files, aliases,
multiline operation, and screen blanking, all make
registration sensible.

The way you program your system makes it unique. You could
give it a windows look, or perhaps an appearance that best
suites the theme of your board. Programmable menu's allow
you to control access to the 200 message and file areas.
Selection of commands, files and messages, can be split up on
a 'by menu' basis as well as 'by access and security flags'.
Through the use of Robo-Board's intuitive mouse driven
drawing program ROBODRAW, it is easy to create menu's and
graphics. ROBODRAW even lets you to control the displaying
of items on a screen by access and flags. With Robo-Board you
have control, over aliases, access, transfer ratios, time
limits, timed events, transfer hours, transfer baud rates,
paging hours, and virtually every other aspect of your
system.

Robo-Board has been tested at baud rates from 300 to 38400
successfully. Mailer or stand alone operation is possible
depending on your needs. Multi-node, real-time 'see it as
they type it' chat is available for up to 9 nodes. Robo-
Board sports its own blazingly fast protocol RMODEM. This
provides a seamless file transfer interface between the BBS
and the remote user and also simplifies setup for the SysOp.

The pop-up SysOp window allows users to continue their
activities in the background while you view and edit their
attributes. The SysOp window gives you access to features
such as, split screen SysOp to user chat, lock out, hang up,
notices, and DOS shell.

I am sure that impressive graphics, an easy interface,
loads of commands, excellent security, simple setup (with
online help), and fast smooth operation will make Robo-Board
a hit with you and your users.

LIABILITY AND LICENSING PAGE 2
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

This section defines rights, yours and mine. You should read
and understand this section in full, before you agree to run
Robo-Board.

The name Robo-Board refers to all the executables and
documents distributed in the Robo-Board distribution
archive by Seth Hamilton.

CHARTER:

1) Robo-Board's creator does not assume any liability for the
use or misuse of this software beyond the original price
paid by the party at stake to Seth Hamilton Graphics Inc.
or an official registration site for this product.

In no event will Robo-Board's creator be liable to you for
any additional damages, including any lost profits, lost
savings, lost programming, or other incidental or
consequential damages arising from the use of, or
inability to use, this software and it's accompanying
documentation, even if ROBO-BOARD's creator has been
advised of the possibility of such damages.

2) Robo-Board is the property of Seth Hamilton. Seth Hamilton
retains the right to stop supporting Robo-Board at any
time he see's fit to do so.

3) You may not reverse engineer or modify in any way
Robo-board in memory or on disk, or distribute it for such
purposes.

4) Robo-Board may be used on more than one node or machine
if you are physically networked to the other machines, or
multitasking the nodes on the same machine.

5) Seth Hamilton, author of Robo-Board reserves the right to
change its registration and distribution philosophy as he
see's fit. Seth Hamilton also reserves the right to change
the registration method and price of Robo-Board.

6) You may not run any version of ROBO-BOARD registered to
another SysOp or Company without special permission from
Seth Hamilton.

7) Please feel free to distribute The ROBO-BOARD DEMO and/or
Robo-Term on your system. Though this is not required it
would be appreciated very much.

PAGE 3

8) You may not charge a fee for the distribution of Robo-
Board over and above the cost of the distribution medium,
and packaging.

9) Robo-Boards creator should be notified for permission, by
any commercial distributor wanting to circulate the Robo-
Board system.

10) Robo-Board should not be used or distributed for any
unlawful or illegal purposes.

AVAILABLE VERSIONS OF ROBO-BOARD PAGE 4
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

[ The Registration Code ]

In your Robo-Board Configuration program (ROBOCFG.EXE) you
are given a slot for typing in a registration number. Under
the SYSTEM SETUP --> GENERAL SETTINGS menu you will find
a 40 character blank titled REGISTRATION. By typing in your
personalized-by-name registration code your version of Robo-
Board will become registered and display a message saying
"REGISTERED TO (YOUR NAME)".

Your code is private and will only work with your name. It
should not be distributed or made known to others. This code
may be used to register future releases of Robo-Board for
your use. Keep in mind that Seth Hamilton reserves the right
to change this code. If needed, a code change will be sent to
you.

[ Registering ROBO-BOARD PLUS ]

When you register Robo-Board you are given a
special code to REGISTER your version of ROBO-
BOARD. Your registration code will be sent via
mail, so you may take advantage of Robo-Boards
registered features. Additional methods of
procuring a code depend on registration site.

A registered version of ROBO-BOARD will display
the message "REGISTERED TO (YOUR NAME)" during
logon.

[ What you get ]

When you register and enter your special code you will gain
access to the following features:

- Free updates via support sites or by mail program.
- Call Back Verifier - Time Bank
- Multi-line chat - Many more definable screens.
eg: NEWS#, BIRTHDAY, ACC#, etc.

[ In order to register ]

1) You must fill out the registration form found in the file
REGISTER.DOC or later in this section completely and
honestly.

2) You must read, and accept the conditions as described in
the section of this manual titled "Liability and
Licensing" before filling out the Registration form.

3) Please give a complete address and voice number where
we can contact you.

PAGE 5

4) Cheques and money orders should be made payable to one of
the OFFICIAL REGISTRATION SITES listed within REGISTER.DOC.

5) If you have any question about registration, please contact
one of my registration sites, or call my business line at:
1(819)682-6670
Mondays or Thursdays 9:00am-5:00pm EST
or FAX us at:
1(819)685-0994

[ Registering "ROBO-BOARD PRO" (Institution Registration) ]

This version costs a little more and allows for
9 lines of operation. This version also has your
company or institution's name built into it for
registration purposes. Your Institution key will
be generated and sent via mail. You will
receive your first version postage paid, future
version may be aquired through local support
systems or by paying for our update program.

Updates do not cost anything extra, except what
it costs you to download new versions, or join
our update by mail program.

ROBO-BOARD REGISTRATION PRICES PAGE 6
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

What You get when you register:

- Free Updates via support sites or mail out program.
- Support through a growing network.
- MANY, MANY, new features to come soon!

ROBO-BOARD v1.08 (PLUS)........................ $55.00 (USA)
$65.00 (CDN)
80.00 (DM)
This version of Robo-Board is registered in the
SysOps name. It features operation of up to 9
nodes.

ROBO-BOARD v1.08 (PRO).(w/KEY)................. $65.00 (USA)
$75.00 (CDN)
100.00 (DM)
This version of Robo-Board is EXACTLY the same
as the PLUS version, but is registered in the
name of an institution such as a school, BBS or
Company. A Key file is provided via mail
to register this version.

UPDATES BY MAIL................................ $25.00 (USA)
$30.00 (CDN)
$40.00 (DM)
With this add on program you will be sent 5 major updates
in the mail as they are released. We do not sent BETA
versions, or minor updates out via this program, but
rather updates in which features have been added, removed
or revised. Updates may also be found for download on
support BBS systems around the world at the cost of your
call, if any.

Please forward your registration Form and payment to one of
the addresses contained in the file REGISTER.DOC.

ROBO-BOARD 1.08 REGISTRATION FORM #001
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

SysOp Name [NO ALIAS] : __________________________________
If needed SysOp Alias : __________________________________
BBS or system name : __________________________________

Voice telephone : (___)___-____
BBS number(s) (& FAX) : (___)___-____, (___)___-____

Baud rate : _______ [ ] HST, [ ] MNP [ ] v32b, [ ] v32.

NetWork address(es) FIDO ___:____/____
WORLDNET ___:____/____

STREET ADDRESS ____________________________
CITY STATE ____________________________
COUNTY ____________________________
POSTAL CODE ____________________________

Disk size: [ ] 5.25" 360k [ ] 5.25" 1.20M
[ ] 3.50" 720k [ ] 3.50" 1.44M

Computer: [ ] 286 [ ] 386/SX [ ] 386/DX [ ] 486
[ ] EGA [ ] VGA [ ] SVGA [ ] XGA
[ ] SOUND BLASTER [ ] ADLIB

Add me to the Robo-Board BBS list: [ ] Yes [ ] No

I have enclosed:
[ ] $55 US [ ] $65 CDN [ ] 85 DM for ROBO-BOARD PLUS
or
[ ] $65 US [ ] $75 CDN [ ] 100 DM for ROBO-BOARD w/KEY
and
[ ] $25 US [ ] $30 CDN [ ] 40 DM for 5 UPDATES sent
to me in the mail as they are released. Major Bug
fixes will be sent free.

Do you run a bbs now : [ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, what package : ______________________________

What is it you like about Robo-Board:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

What features, changes or suggestions do you have:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

PRODUCT SUPPORT PAGE 8
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board has a wide support base, providing a local call
in centre for many SysOps in North America and Europe.
As programmer of Robo-Board it is my intention to provide
a high level of support through my support/distribution net.

SUPPORT/DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS:

NAME : The ROBO-BOARD HQ in Aylmer Quebec, Canada.
SYSOP : Seth Hamilton
LINE 1: 1(819)685-0957 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis
LINE 2: 1(819)685-6798 1200-14400 HST
VOICE : 1(819)682-6670 (9:00-5:00 Mon EST)
FAX : 1(819)685-0994
MAIL : 62:6200/0 (WorldNET)

NAME : The Cyborg BBS in Edmonton Alberta, Canada.
SYSOP : Daryll Slobogan
PHONE : 1(403)449-6609 1200-2400 Bps
MAIL : 62:3200/209 (WorldNET)

NAME : The GOOSES NEST in Kansas City, Mo.
SYSOP : Paul Giesenhagen
PHONE : 1(816)221-6378 2400-38400 Bps
MAIL : 1:280/46 (FIDO) 62:9300/0 (WorldNET)

NAME : The Borderline Systems in Toronto Ontario, Canada.
SYSOP : Mike Mischke
PHONE : 1(416)469-8478 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis

NAME : The Snake Pit in Tulsa Ok, USA.
SYSOP : Rad Craig
PHONE : 1(918)494-5624 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis
NODE : 1:170/813 (Fido)

NAME : Opportunity Knocking in Miami Fl, USA.
SYSOP : Al Silverberg
PHONE : 1(305)385-1743 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis
NODE : 1:135/342 (Fido)

NAME : The Wizards Lair in Little Canada Mn, USA.
SYSOP : Mac Harned
PHONE : 1(612)484-2143 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis

NAME : The AARDVARK BBS in Burlington Ontario, Canada.
SYSOP : Wally Nickel
PHONE : 1(416)332-4127 1200-14400/DUAL

NAME : The All American BBS! in Buffalo, NY.
SYSOP : Greg Kwiatkowski
PHONE : 1(716)652-8438 1200-14400/DUAL
NODE : 1:260/115

NAME : Endeavor in Garland, Texas.
SYSOP : Mike Kaylor
PHONE1: 1(214)240-2069 2400-16800/HST/v32bis/v42bis

NAME : The Danger Zone in Rochester NY.
SYSOP : Stephen Oskoui
PHONE : 1(716)586-2731 1200-14400/HST/v32bis
MAIL : 1:260/283 (Fido)

NAME : The DynaByte Connection in Okanagan Valley BC.
SYSOP : William Hurley
PHONE : 1(604)763-6101 1200-14400/HST/v32bis
PHONE : 1(604)763-6102 1200-14400/v32bis
MAIL : 1:353/230 (Fido)

NAME : Quintessence in Lower Sackville NovaScotia.
SYSOP : Graham Reid
PHONE : 1(902)864-7443 2400-14400/HST

NAME : The Forbidden Realms in British Columbia.
SYSOP : Rick Barrowclough
PHONE : 1(604)582-6941 2400-14400/v32bis
MAIL : 1:153/945

NAME : The Shadow Lands in British Columbia.
SYSOP : James Hargrave
PHONE : 1(604)261-6144 2400
MAIL : 1:153/769

NAME : The Morningstar in St. Lewis Missouri.
SYSOP : Stu Schankman
PHONE : 1(314)394-7719 2400-14400/v32bis
MAIL : 1:100/500

NAME : Wedge NET BBS in Regina, Sask.
SYSOP : David Dunster
PHONE : 1(306)352-3434 2400-14400/DUAL
MAIL : 1:140/55

NAME : The Watchman's BBS in Columbus, Ohio.
SYSOP : Tim McGuire
PHONE : 1(614)445-6703 2400-14400/DUAL
MAIL : 1:226/270

NAME : TSL! -The Senior Link in Port Richey Fl.
SYSOP : System Manager
PHONE : 1(813)869-3700 2400-14400/DUAL

SUPPORT ECHO'S (CONFERENCES):
ECHO NAME AREA NETWORK MODERATOR
───────── ──── ─────── ─────────
WN_ROBOBOARD N. America WorldNET Seth Hamilton
IMEX.ROBOBOARD Canada IMEX
ROBO_BOARD N. America FIDO Chris Duke
ROBO_DIST N. Americal FIDO Mike Kaylor
RFX-????? (FILE ECHO) FIDO

Any updates to either Robo-Board or it's support products
should be available on any of the previously listed BBS
systems.

INSTALLING ROBO-BOARD PAGE 9
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board was designed to run on any 80286 or faster IBM
compatible, providing smooth fast graphics. However Robo-
Board will run more efficiently on a 386 or better. As SysOp
it is required that you have at least have an EGA or VGA
graphics card, a MICROSOFT COMPATIBLE mouse, 1 - 2 megs of HD
space, and 460k of memory free.

As of v1.08 Robo-Board NEEDS A FOSSIL DRIVER to handle
its communications, except when loggin on locally. What a
fossil driver does is offer a generic interface between a
program, the computer and the modem. Robo-Board will ONLY
work online if a FOSSIL driver is loaded. Fossil drivers make
IO fast, especially while multi-tasking with programs such as
DesqView. Here are two excelent FOSSIL drivers:

X00 By Ray Gwinn
BNU By David Nugent

Robo-Board needs 460k of memory, the more memory you give
it the faster it will run. Saving the graphical images behind
windows and popups will take a lot of system memory. If Robo-
Board does run out it will page memory to disk. Normally this
isn't even noticeable, but if you can give Robo-Board a full
630k or more of memory this will reduce paging.

- Please add or edit the following two lines in your systems
CONFIG.SYS file (found in the root directory).

FILES=25 (more if you multitask or run multinode)
BUFFERS=25 (more buffers means faster execution)
SHELL=COMMAND.COM /e:512 /p (set dos environment)

NOTE: FILES and BUFFERS eat up free memory. SHELL does not
not have to be COMMAND.COM if you use an alternative.

- Run ROBOINST.BAT. This batch program will describe the
install process as it executes. It will create a running
directory for Robo-Board as well as install sample menu's
and screens.

- ROBOINST.BAT will run ROBOCFG.EXE after it has placed all
of your Robo-Board files in appropriate directories.

- Go through all the menu's in ROBOCFG starting from the top
and fill out as much as you can.

NOTE: You don't have to run ROBOINST after the first install
to use ROBOCFG.

ROBO GENERAL CONFIGURATION PAGE 10
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
In your Robo-Board Directory you will find a program named
ROBOCFG.EXE. This program is used to set up and maintain most
of the workings of your BBS system. With it you can define
the directories your system needs, the modem(s) it uses,
the menu's your users will see and a bounty of other things.

╔═▌CONFIGURATION▐═╗
║ ║
║ MODEM SETUP ║
║ SYSTEM SETUP ║
║ FILE SYSTEM ║
║ MESSAGE SYSTEM ║
║ DRAW/MENU EDIT ║
║ ICON EDITOR ║
║ USER EDITOR ║
║ LOCAL LOG ON ║
║ EXIT ║
║ ║
╚═════════════════╝

The Above menu is the ROBOCFG main menu, the next few
sections in this Document will attempt to cover every field
listed above.

[ MODEM SETUP ]

Please note that this menu changes depending on how many
nodes of bbs you have chosen to run (later in this section).
If you only have 1 node defined it will default to 1 modem,
if you have more than 1 node specified a quick menu will pop
up asking you which node's modems you would like to setup.

BAUD RATE : This is the baud rate you would like your
modem to initialize at. Valid speeds range
from 1200-38400bps. It is recommended that
with HST's, v32bis, and v42bis modems that
you set this baud rate to the speed you
have locked your fossil at. Typically this
is the fastest computer to modem baud your
modem supports.

COM PORT : This is a valid com port ranging from 1-8.
Check your fossil driver for the total COM
ports actually available to you.

INIT STRING : This is the command string that should
ready your modem to accept calls. A '~' in
this line will cause a 1 second delay, a
'|' will send a CR to the modem.

PAGE 10

ANSWER STRING : This is the command string that makes your
modem answer the phone. Normally this will
be "ATA". Setting this field to blank will
cause Robo-Board to send nothing to the
modem when a 'ring' is received, thus
allowing for the modem to answer the line.
By letting Robo-Board answer the phone the
system will only pick up if it is active,
that way long distance callers just don't
sit there (annoyed).

OFFHOOK STRING : This is the command used to busy your line
during local logon. "ATH1" should normally
work to take your modem off-hook.

LOCKED AT : This is the baud rate you would like your
COM port locked at. Usually this applies
only to high speed modems, or those modems
with compression protocols. If you set
this option you should be sure your FOSSIL
is locked at the same speed.

ALLOW 1200 BAUD : This option, if toggled to NO will hangup
on all 1200 baud callers.

ALLOW 2400 BAUD : If you are a dedicated high speed board,
you can toggle this option to NO. All
2400 baud callers will be disconnected.

SEND BREAKS : This option is typically used with high
speed modems or those with compression. It
allows the BBS to send a special signal to
the modem telling it to purge its buffers.
This may result in a burp of line noise and
to my knowledge only works with USR modems.

[ SYSTEM SETUP ]

This option brings up the BBS SETUP MENU explained for the
next several pages.

[ BBS SETUP MENU ]

╔═▌CONFIGURATION▐═╗
║ ║
║ MODEM╔═▌BBS SETUP▐═══════╗
║ SYSTE║ ║
║ FILE ║ BBS PATHS ║
║ MESSA║ GENERAL SETTINGS ║
║ DRAW/║ MISC. SETTINGS ║
║ ICON ║ EXTERNAL EVENTS ║
║ USER ║ CALL BACK ║
║ LOCAL║ EXIT ║
║ EXIT ║ ║
║ ╚═══════════════════╝
╚═════════════════╝

PAGE 12
[ BBS PATHS ]

These are the paths where ROBO-BOARD will look for all of
its files. Robo-Board will check for the existence of each
path entered. If a path is not found Robo-Board will ask you
if you would like to create it. If Robo-Board does not find
all the paths on this menu at start up it will exit with
a warning message.

BBS PATH : This is the directory where Robo-Board will
search for all .DEF and .DAT files. If you
do not specify a message or bulletins
directory they will default here. This must
be the directory where the Robo-Board .EXE
files and door batches are.

MESSAGES PATH : This is the directory (or sub-directory) in
which all the message files will be stored.
Be sure that all message utilities are set
to look in the same directory.

PROTOCOL PATH : External protocol executables should be put
stored here.

GRAPHICS PATH : This is where all of the Robo-Board graphic
(.RBO) and menu (.MNU) files are stored.

[ GENERAL SETTINGS ]

SYSOP NAME : This is your name, as it should be on your
registration form. All comments will sent
to this name.

BBS NAME : This is the name of your BBS. This does not
affect the registration of your system, so
if you get bored with your BBS's name, you
can change it without worry. This BBS name
will be inserted into certain text strings
throughout the system.

NEW USER ACCESS : This is the access given to a newly logged
on member. This is also the minimum access
that the Call Back Verifier will operate
at.

DEFAULT TIME : This is the default user time. This value
may be overridden by either toggling a
users NO TIME LIMIT field on or by defining
an ACCESS#.DEF file.
(SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES).

PAGE 13

CUSTOM NOTE : This short message will be displayed to a
user when the SysOp activates the online
notice command.

UP:DOWN RATIO : This is the default file transfer ratio
(UPLOADS:DOWNLOADS) that should be upheld
by users wishing to utilize the files
section. This value may be overridden by
either toggling a users NO RATIO field on
or by defining an ACCESS#.DEF file.
(SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES).

UPLOAD CREDIT : This is the default upload time-crediting.
This option works by multiplying the time
taken uploading by the factor you specify.
0 turns this feature off. This value may be
overridden by defining an ACCESS#.DEF file
(SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES).

USER TIME OUT : This is the idle time in seconds that a
user may sit and twiddle his/her thumbs.
When the time out elapses a 10 second count
down untill log off occurs.

PAGE HOURS : These are the hours in 24 hour format when
you are around for chat. 00:00 to 24:00
will leave your pager on always. 00:00 to
00:00 will leave it off always.
NOTE: TIME 1 must be < or = to TIME 2.

REGISTRATION : This is where you enter your registration
code. Your code must be entered exactly as
it was received. It will be from 35 to 42
characters long and will work only with
your name. (SEE REGISTRATION)

TIME BANK MAX : This is the maximum amount of time allowed
to be banked. This is also the largest sum
a user can withdraw.

NEW MAIL CHECK : This option automatically checks for a
users new mail and lets them read it at
logon. A menu command is also offered that
does the same thing.

HOST END SOUNDS : This option disables or enables sounds on
the Host end. This option has three levels
of sound control:

ON, OFF or PAGER

It is suggested that if you run a multi-
tasker such as DESQview or OS/2 you should
only use the PAGER option, which allows you
to only hear your PAGE SYSOP bell, and not
sounds possitioned at menus.

PAGE 14

MAX PAGES : The maximum number of times a user can page
you in a row without driving you, your cat,
and the rest of your family insane.

NOTE: If the sysop is not in, or a users
'page' is not answered, the user is given
the option to leave a comment in the
registered version.

[ MISC. SETTINGS ]

DL's ALLOWED FRM: These are the hours in 24 hour format when
you allow downloading. 00:00 to 24:00
will allow downloading always. 00:00 to
00:00 will never allow downloading.
NOTE: TIME 1 must be < or = to TIME 2.

UL's ALLOWED FRM: These are the hours in 24 hour format when
you allow uploading. 00:00 to 24:00
will allow uploading always. 00:00 to 00:00
will never allow uploading.
NOTE: TIME 1 must be < or = to TIME 2.

SCAN BATCH FILE : This is the name of the BATCH FILE you want
to use for scanning and converting newly
uploaded files. The default name and the
one referenced throughout this manual is
SCANFILE.BAT. Blank disables this feature.
A toggle allows the user to either enter
text mode for the scan or remain graphical.
(SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES)

ECHO MAIL FILE : This will cause your BBS to write a special
file in the Robo-Board directory called,
CHK_MAIL.NOW if echo mail is entered, with
this file you can do an IF EXIST statement
in your batch file to branch to a mail scan
toss program. (SEE MAKING IT RUN)

SHOW OFFLINE : This option toggles the displaying of an
OFFLINE FILE message. If you are cramped
for hard drive space and would like users
to be able to request offline files turn
this feature on.

HD FULL WHEN : This lets you enter the number of bytes
that you consider your hard drive to be
full at. The default is set to 500000 (half
meg). If this condition is met then uploads
are not allowed.

PAGE 15

PHONE TEMPLATE : This lets you set a phone template for your
call back verifier and users. X's signify
an area code, N's represent normal numbers.
the characters "()-" can be used in your
template. eg: "(xxx)nnn-nnnn"

MODEM OFFHOOK : This toggle will 'busy the line' during
a local logon. Your modem must be on.

COMMENT AREA : This is the message base where all comments
written by commands using comment features
will end up. All messages are private and
made out to the SYSOP NAME defined earlier.

NUMBER OF NODES : This effects the speed your BBS will run
at, as well as the number of simultaneous
multi-line chat windows open at one time. 1
to 9 nodes can be set. If more than 1 node
is used YOU MUST do an indvidual setup for
each of your modems.

ROBOTERM NAME : This is the name of the most current copy
of ROBO-TERM or compatable term available
to your users. This Blank must be filled if
you want NonRobo-Term callers to be able to
log on to your system. If a user does not
have Robo-Term or has an incompatible
version he/she will be offered the chance
to download one. Currently this is
ROBO270.EXE
NOTE: ROBO-TERM IS FREEWARE FOR YOUR USERS!

MIN UL/DL SPEED : This allows you to set a miminum speed for
file transfers on your system.

DEFAULT ORIGIN : This field is a caption or origin specifier
for your ECHO MAIL messages. Bases can have
individual tags but if none are found then
this default will be added.

[ EXTERNAL EVENTS ]

If you are using ROBOBBS.EXE to answer the phone these
events will be run as batch files when they are triggered. If
you for any reason miss an event, it will be run anyway as
soon as possible.
If you are not using ROBOBBS.EXE to answer the phone then
it is up to you to have your mailer/answerer configured to
run events at the times you want.
When you set up an event Robo-Board will make sure that no
one is online when that event happens. Robo-Board will
shorten their time limit and disallow overdrawing from the
the time bank. This same process works regardless wether
you are running a mailer or not. Robo-Board supports four
events.

PAGE 16
EVENT #1 TIME : To set this event use a '24 hour clock'
time. To disable this event set the time to
-1 hours. When using ROBOBBS.EXE to answer
the phone the event will be run as a batch
file named EVENT_1.BAT.
NOTE: 24 hour clocks work from 00:00-23:59.

EVENT #2 TIME : Same as #1 except ROBOBBS.EXE will run a
batch file named EVENT_2.BAT.

EVENT #3 TIME : Same as #1 except ROBOBBS.EXE will run a
batch file named EVENT_3.BAT.

EVENT #4 TIME : Same as #1 except ROBOBBS.EXE will run a
batch file named EVENT_4.BAT.

[ CALL BACK ]

The BUILT IN CALL BACK VERIFIER that makes a SysOps job
much easier. When a potential user logs onto your board and
his/her access is equal to the one set in the NEW USER ACCESS
field then the Call Back Verifier will pop up. It will put
the potential user through a series of questions and
instructions. After Robo-Board has scanned the phone numbers
to be sure it is not another user attempting to gain another
account, or an illegal phone number (SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL
FILES) it will proceed to hang up on them and call them back
(long distance will not be dialed). If the potential users
computer answers the phone and the potential user enters his/
her password correctly they are upgraded to a new user access
and flag setting.

USE CALL BACK : If set to off then call back will not run
automatically when a new user logs on. You
still have the option of placing the call
back command on one of your menu's.

VERIFIED ACCESS : This is the access given to a verified
user by Robo-Board.
(SEE ACCESS AND SECURITY).

DIAL AREA CODE : This is a list of 2-3 character area codes
that a user must have for a call back to
be permitted.

DIAL COMMANDS : This usually will be set to ATDT, but for
those SysOps without TOUCH TONE lines you
can set this to ATDP.

VERIFIED FLAGS : These are the security flags awarded to
verified users.

USERS EXPIRY : The number of days of access to give a new
user before they are dropped to the expiry
access.

EXPIRY ACCESS : The access given to a user after expiry.

FILE AREA CONFIGURATION PAGE 17
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board offers a simple yet effective interface for
configuring 'file areas'. Every 'file area' has it's own
database in the form of a text file named FILES.BBS . Every
'file area' also has it's own directory where the FILES.BBS
file is found, as well as the files listed within it.

FILES.BBS is one of the oldest and still the most standard
file management systems around. There are a number of great
FILES.BBS utilities that will work with your system to
organize and manage your file areas. A FILES.BBS file
contains simply a filename, a download count (optional) and
a description. If a download count is not added then no
download count for that file will be implemented.

Format and example of a raw ASCII FILES.BBS that can be made
using DOS EDIT:

4PRINT.ARJ [ 4] An excellent paper saving utility.
ROBO270.EXE [ 9] The newest version of ROBO-TERM EGA/VGA.

Nothing in a FILES.BBS file has to be column justified but it
can be if you prefer. The description field on a file cannot
be any longer than 65 characters and must stay on the same
line as the file name and download counter. Files that are
listed but not found on your drive will either be displayed
with an OFFLINE message where the file size normally is or
will not be displayed depending on how SHOW OFFLINE is set.

For those of you using mass storage or other non-writable
devices such as CD-ROMs, Robo-Board allows you to place your
file descriptions and names on a different drive. These files
will be looked for in your BBS PATH directory (as
explained earlier). The name and description file is not
called FILES.BBS as it was earlier but rather FILES.#. (see
PATH TO FILES)

NAME OF AREA : This is the name as seen by the user when
selecting a files area to list, or upload
to. This text is also seen while scanning
file areas for text or by name.

PATH TO FILES : This is the path to a particular area's own
FILES.BBS file as well as the files listed
within it. If you are using a data medium
that is read only you can have Robo-Board
look for file information on a different
drive by passing a PATH TO FILES and a
number for the file.

Normal path eg: C:\ROBOBBS\FILES\GAMES\
CDROM path eg: D:\GAMES\;1

In the above CDROM example the files are
found in D:\GAMES\ and the FILES.1 in the
current ROBOBBS directory.
NOTE: Make sure all paths end with a "\".

PAGE 18

DISPLAY MENU : File areas set to the name of the current
menu will only be seen and accessible at
that menu. If this field is left blank the
file areas will be displayed regardless of
the menu name. As in the case of all BBS
security features, this should be tested by
logging on locally.

ACCESS REQUIRED : The conditional access needed to use this
file area. (SEE ACCESS AND SECURITY).

BROWSE ACCESS : The conditional access needed to browse a
file area, no downloading will be permitted
to these areas. To dissable this feature
set it's access to 0.

SECURITY FLAGS : These are the conditional flags required of
a user to list, view, download or upload in
a particular file area.

MESSAGE AREA CONFIGURATION PAGE 19
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board offers the ability to handle up to 200 message
areas for your use. The message base is ECHO MAIL compatible
and supports features such as public only messages as well as
handles and read/write accesses. You will also notice that
Robo-Board has created a message area titled GENERAL MAIL .
This is used as a default area for comments and messages. It
can be removed or renamed if you like, but should not be used
as an ECHO MAIL area.

Robo-Board has attempted to be as compatible with the
Hudson message base used by RA and QuickBBS as possible. You
should find that most ECHO MAIL utilities and readers work
just fine with Robo-Board. The Hudson style message base is
quick and widely supported by 3rd party developers.

Robo-Board has been supplied with a utility to crunch and
remove messages from your message base. There are many other
3rd party programs that will do the same thing but Robo-Board
might not work with them. ROBOUTIL.EXE reads your message
base definition file and repacks the message base according
to the number you have set in MSG # REPACK AT .

NOTE: For more information on ECHO MAIL and what it is,
please see the section titled ECHO MAIL .

NAME OF MSG AREA: This is the name of the message area, as
seen by the user when selecting or reading
messages.

DISPLAY MENU : A message base, set to the name of the
current menu will only be seen and
accessible at that menu. If this field is
left blank the message base will be
displayed regardless of the menu name. As
in the case of all BBS security features,
this should be tested by logging on
locally.

MSG ORIGIN LINE : This is used for ECHO MAIL messages, the
purpose of the Origin Line is to state the
origin of a message. Though sometimes,
depending on NETWORK rules you can add a
caption or advertisement here. This line
does not have to be filled if you are not
setting up an ECHO MAIL area. If you leave
this field blank the DEFAULT ORIGIN set
earlier will be used.

MSG READ ACCESS : The access needed to read messages from a
message base. (SEE ACCESS AND SECURITY).

PAGE 20

MSG WRITE ACCESS: The access needed to write messages to a
message base. (SEE ACCESS AND SECURITY).

MSG # REPACK AT : This value is checked by ROBOUTIL.EXE when
it packs your message base. It will make
sure there are never more messages per
area than the number you enter here.

MESSAGE TYPE : This allows you to customize the type of
messages that will be entered in a message
base. This is also where you turn a message
base into an ECHO MAIL base.

TYPES:

LOCAL PRI/PUB : Local Base, with private
and public messages. All
users use real names.
LOCAL PUBLIC : Local Base, with public
only messages. All users
use real names.
ECHO MAIL : Echo Base, all messages
are public. Users use
real names.
LOCAL HANDLES : Local Base, with private
and public messages. All
users may use handles.
ECHO HANDLES : Echo Base, all messages
are public. All user may
use handles.

NOTE: 99% of the time it is regulatory that
all echo mail messages are public.

MAILER ADDRESS : This is your Systems mailer address. This
address is tagged to a messages origin
line. Addresses can be edited as well as
selected from a 10 item Queue. It is
suggested that addresses be writen in #:#/#
format.

Eg: 62:6200/10

SECURITY FLAGS : These are the conditional flags required of
a user to read, write, reply or toggle a
particular message base.

THE DRAWING PROGRAM PAGE 21
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

The next section describes briefly how to use ROBODRAW
and its menus. The best way to learn how the Robo-Board
drawing editor works is to try it out.

NOTE: ROBODRAW.EXE, will only work if you have a mouse and at
least an EGA or VGA graphics adaptor.

[ HOW IT WORKS ]

Upon entering the drawing program you will notice that
that the screen is split into 3 general areas. The top will
display stats while drawing, as well as providing two pull
down menus to control files and drawing areas. The mid
section of the screen is where drawing and editing take
place. The bottom area of the screen is full of pop up menus
and commands used to control what is being drawn or edited.

To keep drawing simple the drawing program was designed so
all of it's commands would utilise just one or two clicks of
of the mouse. The first button (left) is the action button,
and the last button (right) is the cancel button.

[ YOUR FIRST TRY! ]

When you first enter RoboDraw it will be in line draw
mode, colour white. Move your mouse. You will see that a set
of cross hairs follow your movement. With your mouse in the
drawing region click your action button (first button). Next
move your mouse around the drawing region. You will see that
a line is being pulled around the screen, one end attached to
your cross hairs, the other to where you first clicked. Move
your mouse any place in the drawing region and click the
action button again. You should see a nice white line drawn
on the screen ending where you clicked. Your first line!

At the bottom of the screen in the draw/edit area you will
see a white box with the word UNDO in it. Click any place
inside that box. You will notice your line is gone. The UNDO
feature can be used to back up as far as you want in the
current drawing. Click the white box with the word LINE in
it, this at the moment is your command box and controls the
function of your mouse. A menu has popped up with a bounty
of commands in it. Click the white box that says FILL
RECTANGLE. Now your command box should say FILL RECTANGLE in
it. Move your mouse over to the white box with the words
DRAW COLOR beside it. Pick the brightest red off the pop
up bar of colours. Now run your mouse into the drawing area
and click the action button. This time you will notice a
rectangle being pulled around the screen by your mouse. Most
commands will normally work no matter where you place the
second point, but for items like circles, rectangles, buttons

PAGE 22

and windows it is good practice to start in the upper left
and finish in the lower right. Following good practice move
your mouse anywhere, right and below the first corner of
your rectangle. Notice how the cross hairs can be used to
orientate and line up parts of the drawing. Click the action
button and you should see a bright red rectangle on the
screen.

Now that you have a feel for how RoboDraw works, it is
suggested you read the next section about the commands,
files, and modes of operation.

[ DRAWING COMMANDS AND RELATED FUNCTIONS ]

The following drawing commands affect the function of your
mouse in the drawing area. Try these commands as you read
this section.

LINE : This will draw a line on the screen in the
current DRAW COLOR. Two clicks, one at each
end of the line are required.

CONT. LINE : This kind of line is continuous, meaning
it will let you draw a line from the end of
the last line placed. If you intend to make
a series of 2 or more lines with their ends
connecting try to use this command. Because
of the way it writes things to the drawing
database, display is much faster over the
modem. To stop drawing linked lines click
your last button.

RECTANGLE : This will draw a rectangle on the screen in
the current DRAW COLOR. Two clicks, one in
upper left and the other in the lower right
are required.

FILL RECTANGLE : This will draw a solid rectangle on the
screen in the current DRAW COLOR.

CIRCLE : This will draw a circle on the screen in
the current DRAW COLOR. You will see that
the mouse drags a rectangle. Circles are
fit to rectangles, making them ellipses.
Two clicks, one in the upper left and the
other in the lower right are required.

FILL CIRCLE : This will draw a filled circle on the
screen in the current DRAW COLOR. Like the
normal circle this one is also fit to a
rectangle.

PAGE 23

WRITE TEXT : This will allow you to write text on the
screen in the current DRAW COLOR and FONT.
When you click in the draw region of the
screen your cross hairs will disappear.
Type and you will see text writing, just
below and to the left of where you clicked.
To abort text writing you must backspace
all of your text and hit enter when there
is nothing left. If backspace leaves blocky
patches of colour don't worry, they aren't
really part of your picture, a REDRAW will
fix the problem.

There are five fonts at your disposal. They
can be accessed by clicking the ABC box
beside the word FONT. A sample of the
chosen font is shown in the ABC box.

PLACE ICON : This will allow you to place the currently
selected icon on the screen. To do this
click the mouse in the drawing region of
the screen. The upper left corner of your
icon will be placed where the cross hairs
converge.

You can set the current icon by clicking
either of the two arrows below the word
icon. This scrolls through the current icon
file in forward or reverse order. To change
the current icon file use the ICON command
found under the FILES pull down. (SEE THE
ICON EDITOR for information on creating
your own icons)

FILL AREA : This command paints a section of the screen
with the current DRAW COLOR. Painting will
start where you click the mouse and stop at
the FILL BOUNDARY colour. This command can
bleed colour all over the screen if you are
not careful to close the object you wish to
fill. UNDO will fix any problems caused by
this command.

GRAY BUTTON : This draws a gray shaded rectangle on the
screen. This button is the one used inside
Robo-Board for the message editor and has
a 3D effect. This command requires 2 clicks
just as any other rectangle does.

PAGE 24

WHITE BUTTON : This draws a white shaded rectangle on the
screen. This button is the one used inside
Robo-Board for the files listings and has
a 3D effect. This command requires 2 clicks
just as any other rectangle does.

PLAIN WINDOW : This draws a window like the popups used in
Robo-Board. It features a title bar, a
border and work area. This command uses a
rectangle to fit it's size but will bulge
outside of the rectangle. Always start this
command in the upper left and pull down to
the lower right.

ACCESS BY BOX : This feature will change the access level
of any line ends or box corners found
within its rectangle to the current access.

It should be noted that every entity drawn
is done so, at the access level set in the
SECURITY field. (SEE ACCESS AND SECURITY).

BOX ARC : This command is very powerful but can take
a bit of time to master. Box Arc allows you
to fit an arc to a rectangle. You have to
click the centre point of the arc and pull
outward in the direction you want it to
display. This command draws only 90 degree
arcs in the current DRAW COLOR. By joining
box arcs together you can make half arcs.

It should be noted that your drawing will display in the
same sequence as it was drawn. It should also be noted that
entities (lines, circles, arcs, etc.) will display according
to the access set, when each and everyone of them was drawn.
(see ACCESS AND SECURITY).

[ THE FILE PULLDOWN ]

THE FILE PULLDOWN is the interface between your picture
and the hard drive. Pay attention using this menu.

NEW : This will erase all of the entities on your
screen and start the picture over.

LOAD : This will load a new drawing or menu into
RoboDraw. This will overwrite the current
picture if one is already on the screen.

SAVE : This will save the current drawing or menu
to disk. You may save a drawing under any
name, but Robo-Board only looks for those
files with HARD CODED names as explained
in the next few pages. An exception to this
rule would be SySop defined graphics.

PAGE 25

ICON : This allows you to load an icon library
file. Icon files are files containing small
30x30 16 colour images (See THE ICON EDITOR
for more information).

REDRAW : This feature redraws the screen so you may
view it in the sequence it was drawn.

QUIT : This exits the drawing editor and returns
you to DOS or ROBOCFG.EXE.

[ THE TOGGLES PULLDOWN ]

This pulldown gives you the option of EDITING or DRAWING
with the mouse. When in DRAW MODE the mouse acts as it does
when you first enter Robo-Draw. When in EDIT MODE you will
notice that every entity has a coloured NODE on one or both
corners. Circles are put in their original draw boxes with
nodes on the upper left and lower right corners.

[ THE COMMAND AREA ]

The command area or 3rd section of the screen contains the
tools that effect the way an item is drawn. All areas within
white rectangles may be clicked on to perform the named task.

COMMAND : This box echos the function the mouse will
perform in the drawing area of the screen.

GRID LOCK : This sets the number of pixels the mouse
will lock at in the X and Y axis. This is
handy for line art or placing icons. An
icon image is 30x30, the mouse can lock at
a maximum of 30 pixels for the purpose of
lining up images.

UNDO : This button allows you to delete the last
item drawn. It can delete in reverse order
as many entities as you like.

SECURITY : This allows you to set the security level
for entities you draw. With some planning
this feature can determine if a user, will
or will not be able to not view an entity
or entire section of the screen.

FONT : This allows you to select the font that you
want text written in. There are 5 fonts
for you to choose from.

DRAW COLOR : This is the colour that is going to be used
for drawing entities. Windows, Buttons, and
command boxes are not affected by this.

PAGE 26

FILL BOUNDARY : This is the border colour that the FILL
AREA command will stop filling at. Be sure
the area of the screen you wish to fill is
completely encompassed by this colour. UNDO
will undo any bad experiences with the FILL
AREA command.

ICON : This lets you scroll through the currently
loaded icon library. The two arrows "< >"
below the word icon are your scrollers. The
current Icon Library can be changed by
using the ICON command found under the
FILE pulldown explained earlier.

[ EDIT MODE ]

Edit mode allows you to move, change, or delete entities
in the drawing database. Once a picture or menu is loaded you
may select EDIT MODE from the TOGGLES pulldown explained
above.

You will notice that small coloured points called nodes
are positioned at the corners and end points of entities.
Circles are placed inside the rectangles they were originally
fit to, and nodes are placed at their corners.

When in Edit mode you will notice the COMMAND box has been
removed and replaced with a larger white rectangle. Within
it there is blue text prompting you to "PICK NODE TO EDIT".
At this point you may click the cross hairs over any coloured
node on the screen.

When you pick the node you want to edit, the selected
entity will begin to flash, and you are prompted with "ITEM:
LB=YES RB=NO". Item is the entity picked, LB is the Left
Button, and RB is the Right Button. If you click for yes you
will be prompted again with "LB=MOVE RB=EDIT ?????". If you
click to MOVE you will be able to pull the entity around the
screen with your mouse. If you click to EDIT you are able to
change the entities' attributes (colour, security, etc). The
????? mark fields is only present when editing certain items
such as text. If you select EDIT you are prompted again with
"DEL=DELETE RB=DONE", this gives you the power to delete an
entity. When you are done editing an item either click
another node or hit the Right (last) button. Experiment
with the edit features of RoboDraw. You will find they are
easy and intuative.

THE MENU EDITOR PAGE 27
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board offers a flexible and simple method of making
all the customizable branching menus you wish. Commands on a
Robo-Board menu can be accessed by remote or local mouse, or
by keyboard on either end. You can give your BBS a windowish
look or perhaps a theme look by placing commands on graphics.

You create a menu by first drawing a screen or backdrop.
To turn an area of the screen into a command you must first
use the MENU EDITOR to create a menu file. A graphic file and
a menu file must have the same name prefix.

eg: MAIN.RBO would correspond with MAIN.MNU

A hot spot must be chosen for every command you wish to place
on the graphics screen. Every command hot spot must be given
a hot key. This key is (within the program) pressed when
you click on a hot spot. You may have duplicate keys on your
menus, but the command to execute will be the first one with
an access available to the user.

Things to Remember about HOT SPOTS:

1) HotSpots should not overlap. If you would like them too,
the spot that was put into the database first is used when
a user clicks in the overlapping region unless the user
does not have access.

2) The HotSpot should be affiliated with a command by text,
an icon, a picture, or any combination of the above.

3) Every HotSpot should have at least a hot key listed beside
it or on a sub-menu on the bottom of the screen. Failure
to do so will leave your non-mouse users wondering what to
do.

┌─┤ INTERFACE EXAMPLES (pretend these are EGA/VGA) ├─────┐
│ │
│ Text in a button: Icon with text: │
│ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░ ┌HotKey │
│ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░ ▒▒ ██ ██ ░░ │ │
│ ▒▒ [P]age SysOp ░░┐ ▒▒ ▄▄ ▄▄ ░░ Online chat │
│ ▒░░░│░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ ▒▒ ▀█▄▄█▀ ░░ ▀└───┬────┘ │
│ │ └───┬───┘ │ ▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ Descriptive text │
│ HotKey │ │ │ │
│ │ Button, Icon or Picture used │
│ Descriptive Rectangle or as a click area, may │
│ text other obvious be in button or in a │
│ click area. rectangle. │
│────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│ Note: If you are using an icon interface, at least a │
│ hotkey should be listed beside it, for non-mouse users │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The above example gives a visual idea of two possible
approaches described earlier.

PAGE 28

[ HOT SPOT COMMANDS ]

There are 30 commands at your disposal. Many commands
have more than one purpose. You can assign a Hot spot to any
one command. When setting hot spots with Robo-Menu you will
find a FLAGS option along with the normal SECURITY settings.
The flags combined with the usual security settings allow you
to tailor who does what on your system. A maximum of 50
command boxes (hot spots) can be assigned functions on a
particular menu.

THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPLETE DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE HOTSPOT
COMMANDS AVALIABLE:

NUMBER : 1
TITLE : LOAD MENU
DATA : A picture file name (no extension)

This command branches from the calling menu to another menu
created and saved by Robo-Draw. Be sure the file you choose
to load is in fact a menu and not just a drawing. Doing so
would result in the user entering a menu he/she cannot exit.
When a new menu is called the screen is cleared and redrawn
with the new menu, providing it was saved with clear screen
on. If a new menu is called that was saved with clear screen
off then this new menu will be drawn on top of the existing
menu.

NUMBER : 2
TITLE : ENTER MESSAGE
DATA : A full user name or "SYSOP"

This command allows a user to enter messages into the
message database. If no 'name field' is entered the user is
asked who the message is being sent to and where they want
it placed. If a name is passed to this command the message
is left in the PAGE COMMENT AREA defined in ROBOCFG.EXE
->SYSTEM SETUP ->MISC. SETTINGS. If the name field is set to
SYSOP the 'SysOp name' as entered in ROBOCFG.EXE
->SYSTEM SETUP ->GENERAL will be used.

NUMBER : 3
TITLE : READ MESSAGE(S)
DATA : nil

When this command is executed users are given the option to:
read from individual bases, read from combined bases, toggle
combined bases on or off, read messages for them (on bases),
search bases by to from subject (on bases), or quit. Once a
read option has been chosen the user is prompted for a
message number, last read or quit. In combined reading mode
an additional SKIP BASE command is available.

PAGE 29

NUMBER : 4
TITLE : KILL READ MESSAGES
DATA : nil

This command will delete any personal messages that have been
read by the user who executes it. This command takes a while
so an animation sequence has been added to amuse the person
who selects it.

NUMBER : 5
TITLE : UPLOAD FILE
DATA : An upload area number or nil

This allows the user to upload a file to one of your file
areas. The user is prompted for a name. The name is checked
by wildcard ("TEST.ARJ" is scanned as "TEST.*") to see if it
already exists. Next the file is checked by 'search string'
against those found in NOTHERE#.DEF (Not_here_nodenum.def).
If all is fine the user is prompted for a description.

If you answer 0 when prompted for an upload area the user is
given responsibility for the area where his/her file is
placed. If you give an area number, files will be uploaded to
that particular area. Such a feature is useful if you want to
have a new files area, and place the files yourself.

After a file has been successfully uploaded, it is scanned
for viruses and converted to the file format you desire.
Conversion is handled by SCANCONV.DEF and SCANFILE.BAT. The
batch file SCANFILE.BAT also allows you to convert files to
your preferred archiver format, add BBS ADDS (advertisements)
and delete other BBS's adds. (SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES)

NOTE: Archives inside archives are not tested.

NUMBER : 6
TITLE : DOWNLOAD FILE(S)
DATA : nil

This allows for the batch download of up to 10 files
providing the user has enough time or ratio to do so. From
the download window the user may edit his/her queue. (add,
remove, etc.) When a user leaves the download window his/her
queue is wiped even if no files were transferred. The queue
is filled by manually typing the names of files at the
download menu or by marking files for future download during
any command that lists file names. (mouse or keyboard)

When a download is complete the file download counters are
incremented. Users may only download files they have access
to. The MENU ONLY fields in ROBOCFG's file area utility are
used by this command. This controls who has access to this
feature.

PAGE 30

NUMBER : 7
TITLE : LIST FILES
DATA : nil

Allows a user to choose a file area to list. The user may
only select from those areas he/she has access to. The
MENU ONLY fields in ROBOCFG's file area utility are used by
this command.

NUMBER : 8
TITLE : DISPLAY ASCII/TXT FILE
DATA : file name with path and extension.

This allows you to display any ascii or full text file. Any
text files longer than one page will display on a page by
page basis. All high end ascii characters will display.

NOTE: Robo-Board does not support the viewing of ascii files
containing ANSI colour codes (yet).

NUMBER : 9
TITLE : DISPLAY .RBO EGA/VGA PIC
DATA : file name (no path or extension)

This command looks in the GRAPHICS directory (defined using
ROBOCFG.EXE) for a .RBO EGA/VGA graphics file. The screen is
cleared always before the display of this file and restored
to its original state after viewing. Drawing by access
applies to graphics viewed here. Graphics having linked menu
commands are viewed but the commands are ignored. A CONTINUE
prompt is issued to the user after display.

NUMBER : 10
TITLE : TEXT SEARCH FOR FILE
DATA : nil

This allows a user to search the file bases he/she has access
to, by one or two search strings. The two search strings are
not case sensitive and must be separated by comma's. Only
those files meeting all search conditions are viewed. Users
may view/read or mark for download any files listed.

NUMBER : 11
TITLE : NEW FILES LISTING
DATA : nil

This command will give the user a list of files uploaded
since their last call, NOT their last 'new files scan'. Only
files the user has access to, are listed. Users may
view/read or mark for download any files listed.

PAGE 31
NUMBER : 12
TITLE : CALL BACK
DATA : nil

This is one of those wonderful time saving features that 3rd
party software authors have made famous with SysOps. What a
Call Back Verifier does is call back the user at one of their
phone numbers (their DATA line) and make them type their
password in.

When a user is properly verified they are given a new access
level and new flag settings. This command is run at logon for
new users on a registered BBS. If the user has a problem or
messes up they can still try their password at a menu if you
opt to have CALL BACK on a menu. If you place CALL BACK on a
menu, you should consider drawing it at an access level only
viewable by unverified users. For more information on the
Call Back Verifier and its settings, read the configuration
section named CALL BACK.

NUMBER : 13
TITLE : PAGE SYSOP
DATA : nil

This allows the user to page you the SysOp for chat within
the hours set by ROBOCFG.EXE. If a user pages you outside of
paging hours they are told the SysOp is not around. If you
not around the user is given the option of leaving you
a comment. If paging hours are active then 60's sci-fi sounds
are played on both your end and the users end. The sci-fi
computer noises can be overridden by the presence of a sound
file called ROBOPAGE.SND. (SEE DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES)

While a user is paging you there is a tiny prompt:
"SYSOP: [C]hat, [P]age off"

By pressing "C" during a users page you can pop up the split
screen chat window. This can also be done from the sysop edit
window (SEE THE SYSOP INTERFACE). By pressing "P" you turn
off the 'current page' and override the MAX PAGES setting.

Once a user has used all of the 'pages' given to him/her by
the MAX PAGES setting a message will be displayed telling
them to stop bugging the SysOp, then asked if they would like
to leave the SysOp a comment.

NUMBER : 14
TITLE : LOG-OFF USER
DATA : nil

This command will place a window on the screen asking the
user if they would like to [A]bort, [C]omment or [G]ood-bye.
If any keys other than the ones available are pressed the
user is logged off.

If a user hits [ESC] or [A] the log-off window will be
popped down and control will be returned to the calling menu.

PAGE 32

If a user hits [G]ood-bye the file LOGOFF.RBO will be
displayed the call is completed.

If a user opts to press [C] a private message is entered to
the SysOps name as defined in ROBOCFG.EXE in the PAGE COMMENT
message area. After saving or aborting the message the file
LOGOFF.RBO is displayed and their call is completed.

NUMBER : 15
TITLE : SETTINGS MENU
DATA : nil

This command will pop a window over the current screen so
users can edit and maintain some of their own settings. There
are 6 or 7 fields (depending on the status of ASK HANDLE)
that the user can edit. The menu goes like this.

[A] HOME PHONE # (here regardless of ASK HOME PHONE)
[B] DATA PHONE # (must fit PHONE TEMPLATE)
[C] CITY STATE/PROV (users location incase they move)
[D] YOUR PASSWORD (allows a change of passwords)
[E] SOUNDS (ON or OFF setting)
[F] NEW MAIL CHECK (ON or OFF for logon mail check)
[G] HANDLE (here if ASK HANDLE is set to YES)
[Q]uit (returns control to calling menu)

Although the HOME and DATA numbers can be changed they are
placed into, and their existance is checked for, in a file
named CALLBACK.LOG. The phone numbers must fit the template
defined by PHONE TEMPLATE. It is not possible for a user to
abort entering his/her phone number until all blanks are
filled with numbers only!

When this menu is called the users password is not displayed
unless the user chooses to change their password.

The handle field is not displayed at all if ASK HANDLE is
set to NO. If ASK HANDLE is set to YES after being set to NO,
you should leave a news screen telling your users to set
their handles.

If the user turns sound off all online sounds such as the
ROBOPAGE.SND or WELCOME.SND etc. will not be played to them.
This could be nice for all of those late night callers who
don't want there families or room mates killing their
modems.

If the user turns off the NEW MAIL CHECK they will not be
given a list of new messages addressed to them at logon.
This can be over ridden regardless of what you set NEW MAIL
CHECK to in ROBOCFG.EXE.

PAGE 33

NUMBER : 16
TITLE : VIEW ARCHIVE/TEXT FILE
DATA : nil

This allows the user to read a text file or view the files
within an archive. The user is prompted for the name of the
file they would like to view. The MENU ONLY settings apply to
this command.

This command can also be accessed by any of the file commands
that list files. The user simply picks the letter by keyboard
or mouse and views the file.

It should be noted that as of this release only .ARJ .LZH and
.ZIP files may be viewed .

NUMBER : 17
TITLE : DOS PROGRAM (NO DIR)
DATA #2: Name of dos batch file or other executable

This command swaps Robo-Board to EMS or DISK and loads a
second copy of the COMMAND.COM. Batch files must be run by
loading a second copy of the command.com. This type of load
will only run a file if it is found in the current directory.

A DORINFO#.DEF file (#=NODE) is written containing COM info,
system info, and user info needed for a door to execute. Such
files make Robo-Board's doors compatible with those written
for RBBS, QBBS or RA. (see DOORS AND ONLINE UTILITIES)

Running an external program this way is like typing.

COMMAND.COM /C TEST.BAT (/C tells DOS it is a second copy)

on the DOS command line. It is possible to run an external
program (such as a door or utility) designed for the RBO100
graphical protocol and keep Robo-Board in graphics mode so it
is less apparent (or choppy) to the user when logging into
such a program. On the SysOps (local) end the BBS will change
to text mode, but only to accommodate DOS, graphics will stay
active on the users end. This effect is achieved by using
the "+GR" command along with the program name. NOTE: only
doors that were written to be RBO100 compatible will run with
the EGA/VGA "+GR" option.

The following commands may be passed along with the file name
to provide variables needed by a command line program or by
a batch file, they will be passed in the order they appear:
@B = baud rate used in current connect.
@P = com port being used.
@L = the locked port rate or just the value of @B.
@NN = the users node number
@FN = the users first name
@LN = the users last name
@N = the users name eg: SETH_HAMILTON ( "_"=" " ).

PAGE 34

The following commands are not 'passed' to DOS but used by
Robo-Board to tell how a door is going to act. These options
are placed on the same line as the program name and are
stripped before the program is executed. Their function and
code are as follows:
+T = time used in the program is not subtracted
+GR = graphics mode is left active on the users end. This
is for doors written to use the RBO100 graphical
protocol.
+R = recalls the users data into memory. This can be used
for external programs that change values such as the
users access, time, ratio, name etc. Note: programs
changing time still need to use +T. By not doing so
the time in the program will be subtracted from the
original.
+H = Hang up after program returns to BBS. (LOGOFF.RBO is
displayed if found.

NUMBER : 18
TITLE : DOS PROGRAM (CHANGE DIR)
DATA #2: Name of dos batch file or other executable.
DATA #1: Full path to application.

This command swaps Robo-Board to EMS or DISK and loads a
second copy of the COMMAND.COM. Batch files must be run by
loading a second copy of the COMMAND.COM. The difference
between this command and command #17 DOS PROGRAM (NO DIR) is
that Robo-Board will change to the directory you specify. The
DORINFO#.DEF file (described below) will also be written to
the new directory.

Running an external program this way is like typing

CD C:\ROBOBBS\DOORS\TEST
COMMAND.COM /C TEST.BAT (/C runs DOS as a second copy)

PAGE 35

The following commands may be passed along with the file name
to provide variables needed by a command line program or by
a batch file, they will be passed in the order they appear:
@B = baud rate used in current connect.
@P = com port being used.
@L = the baud the port is locked at else the value of @B.
@NN = the users node number.
@FN = the users first name
@LN = the users last name
@N = the users name eg: SETH_HAMILTON ( "_"=" " ).

The following commands are not passed but used by Robo-
Board to tell how a door is going to act. These options are
placed on the same line as the program name and are stripped
before the program is executed. Their function and code are
as follows:
+T = time used in the program is not subtracted
+GR = graphics mode is left active on the users end. This
is for doors written to use the RBO100 graphical
protocol.
+R = recalls the users data into memory. This can be used
for external programs that change values such as the
users access, time, ratio, name etc. Note: programs
changing time still need to use +T. By not doing so
the time in the program will be subtracted from the
original.
+H = Hang up after program returns to BBS. (LOGOFF.RBO is
displayed if found.

NUMBER : 19
TITLE : TIME BANK
DATA : nil

This registered feature allows for users to store their extra
time in a 'bank'. Don't worry there is no interest or
anything like that. The maximum amount of time stored or
withdrawn is set in ROBOCFG.EXE -> SYSTEM SETUP -> GENERAL's
TIME BANK MAX.

This feature is event sensitive and will never allow a user
to withdraw more time than the event permits.

NUMBER : 20
TITLE : NODE CHAT
DATA : nil

This registered feature allows users to talk in real time to
each other between nodes. There can be a maximum of 9 people
chatting at one time. The unique ability of this multi-line
chat feature is that users see exactly what is typed in real
time. This allows for flowing conversations, not the choppy
'one sentence at a time' conversations offered by other BBS
packages.

PAGE 36

Users are also given the ability to 'page' (call) other users
for chat. A page request may take from 1 - 15 seconds to
execute. The paged user's computer will beep and a small non
destructive window will appear.

If a user enters multi-line chat, the status and names of the
users online are supplied. Simple messages like "AT MENU",
"DOWNLOADING FILE", or "ENTERING MESSAGE" give other users an
idea of when paging is convenient. These messages are not
overly descriptive, leaving some privacy to the user. These
status remarks, just like the online chat, change in real
time.

NUMBER : 21
TITLE : FILE QUEUE
DATA : nil

This command pops up the file queue window as found on other
commands that allow the marking of files for future download.

The file queue is a list of files marked or entered by the
user for future download. The queue is ratio and time aware
so that users may not break their daily time limit or ratio.
There may be a maximum of 10 files marked on the queue at any
one time. If a user enters the download window he/she may
edit their queue, but as soon as they leave the download
window their queue is cleared.

This command can be accessed from any file command that lists
files and allows marking, it can also be accessed from the
download window. If you wish to add it to your menu's it is
only for the purpose of completeness.

NUMBER : 22
TITLE : USER SELF DELETE (ZAP)
DATA : nil

This is a strange feature. It allows a user to delete their
record from the user base. Their access will be changed to 0
and their name and password fields changed to "nil".

This kind of feature could be used from a main menu and only
be given to users of low access who refuse to verify. Or this
could be used for new members of your BBS who changed their
minds and don't want to become members.

NUMBER : 23
TITLE : LIST/SEARCH USERS
DATA : nil

This command allows the user to search the user database for
names by 'search string' or complete listing. The users name,
location, total calls and last call are displayed.

PAGE 37
NUMBER : 24
TITLE : PROGRAM ID
DATA : nil

This is one of those nice little options that should be used
on every main menu (he he he). A small window giving a few
stats and information about your copy of Robo-Board and your
system are displayed. The date your particular copy of Robo-
Board was compiled (turned into a .EXE file) is shown on this
screen.

NUMBER : 25
TITLE : SEARCH FOR FILE BY NAME
DATA : nil

This allows a user to search the file bases he/she has access
to with a file mask. The file name is not case sensitive and
may contain any of the wildcards (* and ?) used in DOS. Only
those files meeting the search conditions are viewed. Users
may view/read or mark for download any files listed.

NUMBER : 26
TITLE : NEW MAIL SEARCH
DATA : nil

This will give the user a list and the option to read any
messages addressed to them. If a user does not choose to read
any messages to him/her then the messages will be displayed
the next time they scan for new mail. This command is the
same one used during logon.

NUMBER : 27
TITLE : CALLS TODAY
DATA : nil

This gives the user a list of the days calls. The users names
baud rates, call times, and locations are displayed. The text
file containing this information is deleted when the first
user after midnight calls.

NUMBER : 28
TITLE : WHO'S ONLINE
DATA : nil

This multi-line feature pops a window with the names and
status of all users online. Unlike the NODE CHAT (#20) window
the status of the online user does not change as the user
changes tasks.

NUMBER : 29
TITLE : HANG UP NO QUESTIONS
DATA : nil

Logs off user without the usual questions that the LOG-OFF
USER (#14) command does. The file LOGOFF.RBO is displayed.

PAGE 38

NUMBER : 30
TITLE : LOAD MENU WITH CLEAR
DATA : nil

This loads a menu the same way as the LOAD MENU (#1) command
but clears the screen regardless of the new menu's clear
screen status.

When a new menu is loaded the screen is cleared and redrawn
with the new menu's graphics.

[ THE MAIN MENU ]

In Robo-Board the first menu to load is defaulted to the
name MAIN. If no file is found with the name MAIN your system
will halt with an error. The MAIN menu can change according
to a users individual access if you define the file
ACCESS#.DEF (see DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES).

THE ICON EDITOR PAGE 39
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

The ICON EDITOR is your interface to Robo-Boards icon
abilities. Icons are a fairly quick way to display graphical
information, or to display graphics which are too complex,
or frequently used to be drawn with Robo-Draw.

An Icon is a raster graphic based on a 30x30 pixel grid.
Icons are typically 16 colors plus one see through colour for
transparent sections. The distribution menus take full
advantage of Robo-Board's icon capabilities. Take a look at
the icon file COMMANDS.ICO to view those icons.

A standard icon requires 900 bytes of computer memory to
load (30 x 30 = 900); each byte contains a colour. If a user
logged on at 2400 baud and was required to receive 900 bytes
per icon, when their 2400 baud modem can only get a maximum
of 240 characters per second, it would take 3.75 seconds
to receive that icon.

Fortunately Robo-Board solves this problem. First an icon
is only ever sent once, unless it does not exist on the users
hard drive or if it has been changed. When the user receives
an icon they don't have to receive it next call because it is
stored on their disk, under the same name as the copy on
yours. Secondly Robo-Board and Robo-Term (see RoboTerm) offer
built in icon compression. This feature can take an icon and
pack it from 1:4 to 1:6 its original size. This allows an
icon to transfer on an average, under 1 second on a 2400 baud
modem. At baud rates of 9600 baud or greater the icon
transfer process is virtually unnoticeable. I am currently
developing methods to greatly reduce transfer time at low
baud rates.

An Icon Library file is exactly as the name implies. A
group of many icons stored in a common library or file. When
an icon file is loaded all the icons are placed in an array
and assigned numbers:

╔═══╡ICON LIBRARY FILE (COMMANDS.ICO)╞═══╗
║ ║
║ HOUR EXIT ║
║ LETTER GLASS DOOR ║
║ ╔═╧═╦═══╦═╧═╦═══╦═╧═╦═══╦ ═ ═ ╦═══╗ ║
║ ║ 1 ║ 2 ║ 3 ║ 4 ║ 5 ║ 6 ║ ║ ? ║ ║
║ ╚═══╩═╤═╩═══╩═╤═╩═══╩═╤═╩ ═ ═ ╩═══╝ ║
║ DISK BELL DOOR ║
║ ║
║────────────────────────────────────────║
║ ? May equal any number up to 65 icons. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝

Those numbers always start at 1 and work their way up to a
maximum number of 65. The number 65 though odd is the largest
contiguous block of definable memory we can grab. Don't
worry if you need more than 65 icons you can use as
many icon files as you wish in a Robo-Draw picture. It should

PAGE 40

be noted that to load an ICON file and Hand shake all the
icon checksums between the terminal and BBS takes just under
a second. So if you intend to use lots of icons on a menu it
is suggested that you place all the icons from your icon
libraries on a per file bases, eliminating the constant
load/hand shake routine caused by persistently skipping
between files.

[ USING THE ICON EDITOR ]

The icon editor allows you to edit one icon from a library
at a time simply by loading that icon number onto the drawing
screen. You can then edit and return that icon to the library
index or to a new index in the file. After loading an icon
into the drawing screen you will see an enlarged version, and
a real size version. This allows you to see what your
icons will really look like. Notice that the number of the
last icon loaded, is left on the input window, so you don't
forget which icon you are editing. After an icon is edited
it must be saved back to the file to make the changes
permanent.

When you first enter the icon editor you select a file and
it becomes your active file. The editor then places you in
draw mode with no icon loaded. Don't worry you can create a
new one at this point or load any of the icons in the file
onto the drawing screen.

Please note that the icon you edit on the draw screen is
not saved to the file as you draw it. The draw screen is
totally independent of the file until you save the draw
screen to the icon library.

The following is a list with brief descriptions of the editor
commands:

[F]loodfill in current colour
This command will fill the entire icon with the colour
highlighted at the top of the screen.

[S]ave icon #
This command prompts for the ICON number where the image
on the drawing screen is to be saved, in your icon
library. An icon may be saved to more than one index if
you wish.

[L]oad icon #
This command prompts for an ICON # to load. The icon is
then placed on the drawing screen. After changing an icon
it must be resaved to it's old location or must be given
a new one if changes are to be permanent.

[X]change colors (0-16)
This command allows you to exchange one of the colours in
your icon with any 1 of the 16 available to you.

Note: The colours start at 0 (being black) and end at 16
(colour 16 is the X pattern and your transparent colour).

PAGE 41

[T]urn icon image 90 degrees
This rotates your icon in a counter clockwise manner. This
command can be used more than once to rotate an image 180
or 270 degrees.

[R]andom dot in current color
This command speckles your icon screen with random dots in
the colour highlighted at the top of your screen.

[C]lear icon
This clears the drawing screen to black. Don't worry if
you didn't want to do this you can always reload your icon
with the [L]oad icon # command.

[I]nvert (flip) icon
This will flip an icon right to left or back again.

[A]uto draw ON/OFF
This affects whether or not pixels will be filled when the
draw cursor moves.

[SPACE] color current pixel
This fills the current screen pixel with the colour high-
lighted at the top of the screen.

[ARROWS] move pixel box
This moves the icon draw cursor around the active draw
screen.

[+,-] change draw color
This will change the current colour to one of the 17
(0-16) colours available.

[ESCAPE] to quit
Exits the icon editor.

[!] shorten file
This feature allows you to truncate the size of a large
icon file. The icon editor will prompt you for the icon
number to truncate the file too.

Note: The Icon Editor uses the keyboard arrow keys to
drive the the paint cursor or your mouse. The left button
paints in the current colour and the right button paints
using the 'see through' colour.

THE USER EDITOR PAGE 42
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

The user editor gives you the power to view and change any
of the users settings or statistics.

The user editor is accessed from ROBOCFG.EXE. When you
enter the user editor a list of the users on your system is
displayed. To select a user for editing, use the arrow keys,
and the page control keys then press enter. A window will pop
up with the following options:

USERS FULL NAME:
This is the full (real) name of the user as seen on your
system and its message bases.

USERS HANDLE:
This is the users Handle (alias) as seen in message bases
allowing the use of handles. New mail is scanned under the
users real name as well as the users handle. If you do not
allow handles on your system this field is blank. This
field can also be edited by the user, if they have access
to the menu command SETTINGS.

USER ACCESS LEVEL:
This is the users online access. This option should be set
with care as it controls whether or not a user has access
to menu commands, message bases and file areas. (See
ACCESS AND SECURITY)

USERS HOME PHONE #:
If you allow the use of this field the users home phone
number is displayed here otherwise it is left blank. This
field can also be edited by the user if they have access
to the menu command SETTINGS.

USERS DATA PHONE #:
This is the users data phone number as entered during the
users first logon. If you have registered your copy of
Robo-Board, this option will allow you to use the CALL
BACK VERIFIER built into Robo-Board.

WHERE USER IS FROM:
This is the users origin as entered during the users first
logon. This is displayed during user listings and is
a useful statistic for the SysOp.

USERS TIME LEFT:
This is the time remaining online as of the users last
call. When a user logs on for the first time in a day
this field is reset to the users total time online and is
slowly decremented as they use it up again.

USERS TOTAL CALLS:
This is the users total calls to your system. This field
is displayed during user listings. This field can also
cause the display of certain files for new users.

PAGE 43

USERS BIRTH DATE:
This is the users birthdate. This is for your own purposes
so you can restrict the access of users to certain menus,
files or messages by age. If you run such a system where
age is an issue it is your responsibility to define access
and flag settings in correspondence. (see ACCESS AND
SECURITY)

USERS PASSWORD:
This the special secret word needed by a user to access
their account. Without it a user cannot logon. Do not
change this field without informing a user. The user can
if they wish to change their password, but only if they
have access to the menu command SETTINGS.

USERS UPLOADS:
This is the number of files the user has uploaded to your
system. This field is primarily used to enforce any ratios
you may have set.

USERS DOWNLOADS:
This is the number of files the user has downloaded from
your system. This field is mainly used to enforce any
ratios you may have set. You can also find the RFG's
(real file grunts) with this field.

USERS TIME BANKED:
This is the total amount of time in the users time bank
account. This field is used by the registered menu command
called TIME BANK.

EXPIRY DATE (YYMMDD):
This is the users account expiry date. This is a great
command for those users who have paid a fee for special
access on your system. With this field set the user is
informed of their expiry date and dropped to a new access
when that time comes. Input must be in YEAR MONTH DAY form
and entered as one number:
10-01-92 (MM-DD-YY)
would be entered as:
921001 (YYMMDD)

NEW EXPIRED ACCESS:
This is the new access level given to a user after their
old access has expired.

SECURITY FLAGS:
This allows you to set all of the 8 security flags used in
the menu interface. (see ACCESS AND SECURITY)

PAGE 44
TOGGLES:
This allows you to toggle any of the special ON/OFF fields
that affect a user's call. They are:

NON-DELETABLE USER (used by user base utilities)
SECURITY OVER RIDE (security features ignored for user)
READ PRIVATE MESSAGES (user can read private messages)
READ DELETED MESSAGES (user can read deleted messages)
NO EXPIRATION (users expiry date is ignored)
NO FILE RATIO (user is immune to ratio limits)
CANNOT PAGE SYSOP (used for pesty users)
NO TIME LIMIT (user has no daily time limit)
ACCELERATED USER TIME (minutes elapse in 45 seconds)
USER HEARS SOUND (turns off all online sound)
NEW MAIL CHECK (no mail check for user at logon)

NOTE: security over ride, no file ratio, no time limit and
read private/deleted messages are potentially dangerous
settings. Special consideration to whom you give these
powers to should be taken.

Some of the options in the user editor such as time left,
access, flags, uploads, and downloads can be changed with
the online user editor. (see THE SYSOP INTERFACE)

NOTE:

DO NOT DELETE OR INSERT USERS FROM THE DATA BASE WHILE IN THE
DOS SHELL OR ANYTIME THAT A COPY OR NODE OF YOUR BBS IS
RUNNING. DOING SO MAY CORRUPT YOUR USER FILE OR CAUSE WRITING
OF USER STATS TO INCORRECT RECORDS. EDITING A USER WITH THE
USER FILE IS PERMITTED. THE USERS RECORD WILL BE REREAD AFTER
YOU RETURN FROM A DOS SHELL.

THE SYSOP INTERFACE [ POP UP ] PAGE 45
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

The local SysOp has the ability to view, edit, and
interact with the user online. This is done with the aid
of a secret (or not so secret) SysOp window.

The online user editor was designed for local access with
the SysOps mouse. The editor can be accessed at any time
by clicking the last button on your mouse no matter what the
user is doing. In VGA modes the editor is found in the lower
third of the screen. During EGA operation the editor is found
on the second video page. If you have VGA you can override it
by using the -EGA command line parameter, although VGA mode
allows you to see what the user is doing as you edit them.

The user editor contains both textual and clickable toggle
fields. The text in an active textual field is red. To change
the text in the active field type as you normally would, you
may also use the backspace key. You can leave the active
field by clicking on any dormant field (black text) or by
using the arrow or tab keys. Toggle fields do not disturb
the text fields but allow you to toggle with an easy click
the users flags and attributes. It should be noted that you
have to be in the SysOp editor for this to work, also the
fields you change are in effect the moment you revise them.
Finally on the far left you will see 5 interaction icons, you
may click on them to execute their assigned functions as
explained later.

[ The Fields ]

NAME: This text field allows you to change the
users name. Or perhaps your own.

HANDLE: This text field allows you to change a users
handle.

PASSWORD: This allows you to change a users password.
Note: Perhaps you should tell the user first.

FROM: This text field allows you to change where
the user is from.

BIRTHDATE: This lets you change the users birthdate. You
should input this number in MM/DD/YY format.

EXPIRY: This is the users expiry date. This should be
entered in YYMMDD format (no "/" or "-").

EXP ACC: This is the access given to a user after the
expiry date (above) is reached.

HOME PH#: This is the users home phone number. Care
should be taken to enter numbers as they
would appear using your template.

PAGE 46

DATA PH#: This is the users data phone number. Care
should be taken to enter numbers as they
would appear using your template.

ACCESS: The users access has a range of 0-255. If
a number is entered out of range it will be
wrapped past 0.

FLAGS: The 8 users flags may be toggled on or off by
clicking on them. A flag is ON when it is
green and OFF when gray.

CALLS: This is the total number of calls that a user
has made to your system.

TIME: The users time has a maximum limit of 999
minutes. If the user is at a menu their time
will update on the menu bar as you change it.

[ The Attribute Bar ]

The attribute bar contains 10 self describing toggles.
These toggles are fully explained in the user editor section
of this manual. A toggle is ON when green and OFF when gray.

[ Interaction Icons ]

The following icons are your interface to the user. They may
be clicked anytime you wish:

CHAT: This brings up the split screen SysOp to User
chat window. While in chat the users time is
frozen. You can access the chat window by
clicking on the "LIPS" icon.

HANG-UP: This saves the users record and hangs up the
phone. You can click the divided "TELEPHONE"
poles icon in the SysOp window to execute
this command.

LOCK-OUT: This command is used to terminate a user you
don't want calling back. This is achieved by
setting the users access to 0. To execute the
lock-out command click the "COCKED GUN" icon
in the SysOp window.

NOTICE: This will display the short notice you define
in ROBOCFG. To display the notice click the
"!" mark icon in the SysOp window. If the
graphic NOTICE.RBO exists, it will be
as an alternative.

PAGE 47

DOS SHELL: This will place a notice on the user screen
saying the SysOp has dropped to DOS. After
Robo-Board has swapped itself out to EMS or
Disk you will find yourself in a second copy
of dos. Type "EXIT" to return. Click the
"C:\" icon in the SysOp window to shell to
the DOS enviroment. While in DOS you can edit
menu's and other such things, but remember a
user is frozen during this process.

*** NOTICE ****

Do not remove or insert users into your database while
someone is online. Doing so may corrupt your user data
base. It is however just fine to edit any users record
while someone is online.

ACCESS AND SECURITY PAGE 48
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

This section explains one of the most important, and
potentially dangerous subjects that a BBS is built around:
access and security.

[ ACCESS LEVELS ]

The terms access level and security level are used throughout
this manual. With Robo-Board they are one in the same: A
number with a value from 0-255. Usually with higher access,
comes more privileges. Two special access levels have been
hard-coded into Robo-Board. They are 0 for locked out, and
255 for SysOp.

Things that need access settings are, message bases, file
areas, drawing entities, and menu commands. With every access
setting there is access director. The access director
specifies whether the users access must be greater than or
equal to, less than or equal to, or just equal to the
commands access in order to take advantage of the 'secured
feature'. These directors are often found in the forms ≥, ≤
or = and are usually set along with, or beside an access
setting.

[ FLAGS ]

Flags are mainly an access filter. A user must meet both
the normal access requirements and have the appropriate flags
set to meet the menu commands flag mask if they wish to
execute that command.

The flags are a row of 8 on/off toggles eg:
■·■·■·■·, ··■·····, ■■■■■■■■

Flags can be found in the user editor, sysop window and some
ROBOCFG settings menus. When evaluating a commands flags
against a users flags only, the command flags that are ON
are evaluated; the others are ignored. If the command has no
flags toggled ON the user is automatically 'passed'. If all
the command's flags are toggled ON then all the user's flags
must also be ON in order for the user to be granted access.
If a command's second flag and sixth flag are toggled ON then
the user's second and sixth flag must also be ON for access.

Flags are useful in situations where you don't want to define
a whole new access level in your ACCESS#.DEF (see DISPLAY AND
CONTROL FILES) and just want to let certain users into a menu
command. A prime example would be:

You have just set up a contest on your doors menu,
you want only those users who donated to the
jackpot to have access to the game. Most of your
users are level 5, but your special users are level
10 and your Co-SysOps (assistant SysOps) are level
200. You don't want to make the door ACCESS = 6
and have to set up a whole new access level. Doing
so, would force your level 5, 10 and 200 users to
become level 6 users if they want into the contest.

PAGE 49

Not to mention after the contest is over you would
have to reset a bunch of access levels. Instead you
could set the door to ACCESS to >= 5, FLAG1="ON",
and toggle the contest players FLAG1="ON" to match.

[ EXAMPLES OF ACCESS, ACCESS DIRECTORS AND FLAGS ]
┌──────────────────╥───────────────────╥─────────┐
│ SYSTEM SETTING ║ USER SETTING ║ RESULT │
├──────────────────╫───────────────────╫─────────┤
│ ║ ║ │
│ FILE AREA ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [=][100] ║ ACCESS: [100] ║ PASSED │
│ FLAGS : ■······· ║ FLAGS : ■······· ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
│ MESSAGE BASE ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [=][100] ║ ACCESS: [100] ║ PASSED │
│ FLAGS : ··■····· ║ FLAGS : ■·■·■·■· ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
│ MENU COMMAND ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [=][100] ║ ACCESS: [100] ║ PASSED │
│ FLAGS : ········ ║ FLAGS : ■■■■■■■■ ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
│ MENU COMMAND ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [≥][100] ║ ACCESS: [ 50] ║ STOPPED │
│ FLAGS : ■······· ║ FLAGS : ■······· ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
│ MENU COMMAND ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [≥][100] ║ ACCESS: [150] ║ STOPPED │
│ FLAGS : ■······· ║ FLAGS : ·■······ ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
│ MENU COMMAND ║ ║ │
│ ACCESS: [≤][ 32] ║ ACCESS: [ 1] ║ PASSED │
│ FLAGS : ■·■····· ║ FLAGS : ■·■·■■·· ║ │
│ ║ ║ │
└──────────────────╨───────────────────╨─────────┘

DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES PAGE 50
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

During execution Robo-Board checks for the existence of
certain graphical, sound and control files as they are
needed. If these special files are not found, don't worry
they will be ignored.

[ HARD CODED GRAPHICS FILES ]

ACC_#.RBO : This file is displayed before WELCOME.RBO.
# is the users access level. In order for
a level 5 user to see this file, it would
have to be named ACC_5.RBO

BIRTHDAY.RBO : This file is displayed if the users
birthday field matches the current date.

EXPIRED.RBO [W]: This file is displayed if a user's access
has expired since their last call.

FBASE#.RBO [W]: This file is displayed by the file list
menu command after selecting an area to
list. # = the area number (1-200)

FILETIME.RBO [W]: This file is displayed if a user tries to
transfer a file during non-transfer hours.

FIRST_2.RBO : This file is displayed for the user's first
2 calls. This file is shown after
WELCOME.RBO but before the mail scan.

FIRST_5.RBO : Same as FIRST_2.RBO but this file is shown
for the users first 5 calls.

HOUR#.RBO : This displays a file if the # matches the
the current hour on a 24hour clock. (0-24).
This file is displayed after WELCOME.RBO.

KEYOUT.RBO : This file is displayed if the user is
logged off due to a keyboard time out.

LOCKOUT.RBO : This file is displayed when you lock out a
user.

LOGOFF.RBO : This file is displayed to a user as they
log-off your system.

LOGON.RBO : This file is displayed to a user before
they enter their name. It is the First file
your system will display.

LOCKUSER.RBO : This file is displayed to a user who is
locked out if they try to logon.

PAGE 51

NEWS.RBO : This is a special file displayed after the
mail check and before the MAIN or PREMAIN
screens.

NEWS#.RBO : # from 1 to 5. These are displayed after
the NEWS.RBO screen.

NEWUSER.RBO : This file is displayed after a new user
enters their registration information. It
is only displayed on their first call.

NOTHERE.RBO [W]: (NOT HERE) This file is shown when a user
attempts to upload a file format or file
name you do not allow. See NOTHERE.DEF.

NOTICE.RBO [W]: If this file exists then this file is shown
as an alternative to the ROBOCFG notice
string.

NOLIMIT.RBO : Displayed to users having the ' no time
limit' toggle turned on (See THE USER
EDITOR).

MENUHELP.RBO [W]: If this file exists it is displayed instead
of the menu help pull down at the top of
any menu screen.

MBASE#.RBO [W]: This file is displayed before reading from
a message base. # = base number (1-200).

OVERRIDE.RBO : Displayed to users having the security over
ride toggle turned on (See THE USER EDITOR)

MMDDYY.RBO : This file is displayed if the current date
matches the MONTH DAY YEAR name of this
file. Say you want a Merry Christmas file
to display, to do this you would have a
file named 122593.RBO.

PREMAIN.RBO : This file is displayed right before the
main menu. If you give your menus a windows
like appearance you can use this to display
a menu backdrop.

RATIO.RBO [W]: This file is displayed to any users who try
to download when they have exceeded their
transfer ratio.

SHORTIME.RBO [W]: This file is displayed to users who have
had their time limits shortened by events.

SLOWPOKE.RBO [W]: This file is displayed if a user tries to
transfer a file with too slow a modem.

PAGE 52

TIMEOUT.RBO : This file is displayed when a user has used
their daily time limit.

VIP.RBO : If the users name is found in the VIP.DEF
this file is displayed.

WELCOME.RBO : This screen comes up between the time a
user logs on and the users mail scan.
Usually this is an add for your own BBS.

WELCOMEF.RBO : Same as WELCOME.RBO but the user is not
prompted to continue.

NOTE: Any files with a [W] will look really good if they are
drawn to look like pop up windows. That is save them without
a screen clear and draw the text or graphics you would like
inside a window.

[ DISPLAY CONTROL CODES ]

Sometimes while showing a graphic you may wish to display
a variable to your users. Variables can tell nearly anything
to the user, such as the total calls made to your system, the
name of the last caller, or the number of files they have
downloaded.

To display a variable a special control code must be
placed within a Robo-Draw text string. The control codes you
may use are:

~AL : The user's access level.
~AN : The access level name as found in ACCNAME.DEF
~BD : The user's birth date.
~BN : The BBS name as defined in ROBOCFG.
~CL : The date the user called last.
~CU : The users total calls.
~CT : The number of calls your system has received today.
~CS : The sum of the calls your system has received.
~DP : The users data phone number.
~DL : The number of files the user has download.
~FL : The users flags.
~FN : The users first name.
~HA : The users handle. (alias)
~HP : The users home phone number.
~LC : The full name of the last caller.
~LN : The users last name.
~N1 : The full name of the user on node 1.
~N2 : The full name of the user on node 2.
~N3 : The full name of the user on node 3.
~N4 : The full name of the user on node 4.
~N5 : The full name of the user on node 5.
~N6 : The full name of the user on node 6.
~N7 : The full name of the user on node 7.
~N8 : The full name of the user on node 8.
~N9 : The full name of the user on node 9.

PAGE 53

~NN : The current node number.
~WF : Where the user is from.
~WN : The users whole name.
~SN : The SysOps full name as defined in ROBOCFG.
~TB : The amount of time in the user's time bank.
~TL : The amount of time in minutes the user has left.
~TR : The systems transfer ratio (nn:nn)
~UL : The number of files the user has uploaded.

[ SOUND FILES ]

For every graphics file you may define a sound file. This
file should have the same prefix as the graphics file but end
with the extension ".SND". For example WELCOME.RBO would use
the sound file WELCOME.SND.

Sound files are played after the graphics are displayed
and may be interrupted. They will not yet play in the back
ground.

The format for a sound file is as follows:
; This is a comment.
; to place a comment use a ";" character in column 1
; A blank line may be placed anywhere inside a sound file
440, 20
600, 20
660, 20

The ";" character may be used anywhere in a sound file as
long as it is placed in column 1 of the text file. In the
example above there are 3 large numbers: 440, 600 and 660.
These are speaker frequencies in hertz. The smaller numbers
on the other sides of the commas are delays in 1/100ths of a
second. A 20 hundredth delay is the same as .2 seconds a 100
hundredth delay is a complete second. A 2400 baud modem would
have trouble keeping up with a tune using 5 hundredth of a
second delays (Flight of the bumble bee?).

As of yet I still haven't found a frequency/note chart to
make sound conversion easy for you. I remember seeing one in
an old GWBASIC manual. Unfortunately MS-DOS 5.0 does not give
a person a copy of this book any more and I have either lent
or lost my old book.

[ DEFINITION AND CONTROL FILES ]

Robo-Board includes an abundance of optional files that
give your board the look and feel it needs. These files must
be edited with a line editor or word processor that saves in
ASCII format.

PAGE 54

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ VIP.DEF: This file contains the names of special users. ║
║ Special users make Robo-Board beep at logon. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
SETH HAMILTON
DARYLL SLOBOGAN

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ACCESS#.DEF: Allows you to specify custom accesses for ║
║ #=NODE for BBS. (time, ratio, credit, menu...) ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
; This file allows you give different access levels
; special attributes, such as time, ratio, credit,
; custom main menu, and access names.
;
; TIME: This is the amount of time users of
; the current access level or above are
; given online per day.
; UP,DOWN This is the upload to download ratio
; that users of this access level or
; above must maintain.
; UPCREDIT: This is the time multiplier that users
; are compensated as a bonus when they
; upload files. 1.5 would give a user
; their original time plus half that
; back. A setting of 1 would give a user
; all of their transfer time back.
; MAINMENU: This is the main menu given to users
; of the current access or above. The
; default main menu is just called MAIN,
; but if you prefer you can give all or
; just special access levels new main
; menus. If you do change your main menu
; name all references to MAIN in the
; goto command of your menus will be
; changed to the main menu name you
; specify below. If this field = "NIL"
; then users of that access will be
; logged off with a notice.
; NAME: This is the name that is displayed for
; by certain text string codes explained
; in DISPLAY AND CONTROL FILES.
;
;LINE BY LINE FORMAT:
;ACCESS,TIME,UP:DOWN RATIO,UPCREDIT,MAINMENU,NAME
;
1, 15, 1, 1, 0, TWITMAIN, Twit
4, 45, 0, 0, 1.5, NEWMAIN, UnVerified
5, 60, 0, 0, 1.5, MAIN, Verified
255, 200, 1, 3, 2.5, MAIN, Boss
;
; NOTE: All fields must be filled and cannot be
; skipped or left empty.

PAGE 55

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ PROTO.DEF: Defines external protocols for use when a ║
║ caller needs to download Robo-Term at logon. ║
║ This file is not required. Robo-Board has ║
║ Xmodem, Ymodem and Zmodem built in. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
;
; The following file contains the command lines for
; external protocols. This file will be used by
; Robo-Board, but for now it is used when a NON-
; ROBOTERM caller logs on and is given the option to
; download ROBOTERM.
;
; Xmodem, Ymodem, and Zmodem have been built into
; Robo-Board so users can download ROBOTERM without
; the need for external protocols.
;
; Robo-Board reads this file four records at a time.
; -The first is the protocol description as seen by
; the user during selection.
; -The second is the BATCH specifier. If the proto
; is batch then fill this field with Y else N.
; -The upload command line (search and replace codes
; work here)
; -The download command line (search and replace
; codes work here)
;
; Special search and replace codes.
; @P = Port @B = Baud @L = Locked Baud
;
; Protocols are found in the PROTO directory.
;
; These examples assume the use of the DSZ protocols
; available on a BBS near you. Comments may not be
; be placed within the data fields, but between.
;
;---------------------------------------------------
; COMMAND LINES FOR ZMODEM BATCH
;---------------------------------------------------
ZMODEM (BATCH)
Y
DSZ port @P speed @B ha sz
DSZ port @P speed @B ha rz
;---------------------------------------------------
; COMMAND LINES FOR YMODEM BATCH
;---------------------------------------------------
YMODEM (BATCH)
Y
DSZ port @P speed @B ha sb
DSZ port @P speed @B ha rb

PAGE 56

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SCANCONV.DEF: This file sets the file types that you ║
║ would like virus scanned and converted ║
║ upon upload. Information from this ║
║ file is passed to SCANFILE.BAT found ║
║ later in this section. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
; Definition and format of this file:
;---------------------------------------------------
;1) The conversion number to pass to SCANFILE.BAT.
;2) The extension that file number in field 1
; applies to. (The extension should look like
; ".EXT" without the quotes).
;
; NOTE: At the moment Robo-Board only supports the
; viewing of .LZH .ZIP and .ARJ files. It
; may be a good idea to convert all newly
; uploaded files to one of these three file
; formats.
;
1, .LZH
2, .ZIP
3, .PAK
4, .ARC
5, .ARJ

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NOTHERE#.DEF: This file contains search strings for any ║
║ files you do not want uploaded to your ║
║ #=NODE system. If a file name contains a string ║
║ found within this file, a message is ║
║ displayed to the user. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
.GIF
XXX

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ FREE#.DEF: This file allows you, as SysOp to make a file ║
║ free for download. That means the file will ║
║ #=NODE not be added to their current ratio. This ║
║ must be present in the directory where the ║
║ file(s) exist. More than one file may exist. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ROBOBBS.EXE
ROBO270.EXE

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ PHONENUM.DEF: This allows for you to disallow the Call ║
║ Back Verifier from dialing numbers which ║
║ contain the search strings you set below. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
911
)000-
-0000

PAGE 57

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SCANFILE.BAT: This batch file is called after an upload ║
║ is made as long as the files extension is ║
║ found in the control file SCANCONV.DEF. ║
║ Robo-Board passes 7 fields to this batch ║
║ and needs the name of the new file passed ║
║ back to it via the file RETURN.NAM. If ║
║ a file is corrupted or did not pass virus ║
║ scanning, then RETURN.NAM should contain ║
║ the text BAD SCAN. The REM statements in ║
║ the batch file below fully explain the ║
║ arguments that Robo-Board sends. If you ║
║ have all of the programs required by the ║
║ batch file below you can use it. If you ║
║ cannot find any of the programs needed ║
║ below, you may REM out or remove those ║
║ lines using them. Feel free to write a ║
║ better batch file or a full scan/convert ║
║ program. See DEVELOPERS. ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

@echo off

cls

REM
REM ---------------- WHAT IT DOES ------------------
REM
REM This batch file set up as it is in this example
REM controls Virus scanning, Type Conversion,
REM adding a BBS add, and deleting unwanted files.
REM
REM This example assumes you have:
REM PKUNZIP.EXE By PKWARE Inc.
REM LHA.EXE By Haruyasu Yoshizaki
REM PKUNPAK.EXE By PKWARE Inc.
REM ARJ.EXE By Robert K. Jung
REM SCAN.EXE By David MacAfee
REM BBSADD.TXT By YOU (A text file to
REM advertise your BBS)
REM
REM ----------------- THE PROCESS ------------------
REM
REM During the conversion process this batch file
REM is called to decompress the given file to
REM the work directory created by Robo-Board. At
REM this point we can add files to it, scan it, and
REM delete files from it. After this is done, the
REM batch file will either "OK" the file and return
REM a new file name to Robo-Board or return that
REM the file was not successful (BAD SCAN).
REM

PAGE 58

REM A new file name is returned to Robo-Board via
REM the file RETURN.NAM. This file is deleted before
REM this batch file is run and must exist upon
REM return to Robo-Board or the uploaded file will
REM be not be "OKed". If RETURN.NAM contains the
REM words "BAD SCAN" the file is also not "OKed".
REM
REM ------- THE VARIABLES USED IN THIS BATCH -------
REM
REM %1 = This NUMBER, representing the File type to
REM convert. it'ss taken from FILEVIEW.DEF so
REM be sure the entries in FILEVIEW.DEF are
REM numbered to correspond with your batch.
REM eg: 1=LZH 2=ZIP 3=PAK 4=ARC 5=ARJ
REM %2 = Original file with full path (no ext)
REM %3 = Destination file with full path (no ext)
REM %4 = File name with no extension
REM %5 = Work directory no trailing "\"
REM %6 = Baud rate. Locked buad rate if locking.
REM %7 = Com Port (1-8)
REM

if "%1"=="" goto ERROR
if "%2"=="" goto ERROR
if "%3"=="" goto ERROR
if "%4"=="" goto ERROR
if "%5"=="" goto ERROR

echo.
echo ----------------------------------------------
echo BAUD RATE : %6
echo COM PORT : %7
echo ORIGINAL FILE : %2
echo NEW FILE : %3
echo WORK DIR : %5
if "%1"=="1" echo PROCESSING : %4.LZH file
if "%1"=="2" echo PROCESSING : %4.ZIP file
if "%1"=="3" echo PROCESSING : %4.PAK file
if "%1"=="4" echo PROCESSING : %4.ARC file
if "%1"=="5" echo PROCESSING : %4.ARJ file

if "%1"=="1" goto LZH2ARJ
if "%1"=="2" goto ZIP2ARJ
if "%1"=="3" goto PAK2ARJ
if "%1"=="4" goto ARC2ARJ
if "%1"=="5" goto ARJ2ARJ

goto DONE

REM
REM THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES THE SCAN/CONVERT PROCESS
REM
REM 1) EXTRACT OLD FILE TO WORK DIRECTORY
REM 2) DELETE OLD ARCHIVE FILE
REM 3) VIRUS SCANNER (Assuming SCANV series)
REM 4) DELETE ANY OTHER BBS ADDS YOU MAY KNOW OF.

PAGE 59

REM 5) IF VIRUS SCANNER RETURNS A BADSCAN GOTO BADSCAN
REM 6) BBS ADD FILE (Assuming BBSADD.TXT name)
REM 7) CREATE NEW ARCHIVE FILE (ARJ assumed)
REM 8) PLACE NAME OF NEW FILE IN FILE RETURN.NAM
REM 9) GOTO DONE

:LZH2ARJ
lha E %2 %5\
del %2.LZH
scan %5\*.*
if errorlevel 1 goto BADSCAN
del %5\BBSADD.TXT
del %5\*.ADD
copy BBSADD.TXT %5
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
echo %4.ARJ > RETURN.NAM
goto Done

:ZIP2ARJ
PKUNZIP %2 %5\
del %2.ZIP
scan %5\*.*
if errorlevel 1 goto BADSCAN
del %5\BBSADD.TXT
del %5\*.ADD
copy BBSADD.TXT %5
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
echo %4.ARJ > RETURN.NAM
goto Done

:PAK2ARJ
pkunpak %2 %5\
del %2.PAK
scan %5\*.*
if errorlevel 1 goto BADSCAN
del %5\BBSADD.TXT
del %5\*.ADD
copy BBSADD.TXT %5
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
echo %4.ARJ > RETURN.NAM
goto Done

:ARC2ARJ
pkunpak %2 %5\
del %2.ARC
scan %5\*.*
if errorlevel 1 goto BADSCAN
del %5\BBSADD.TXT
del %5\*.ADD
copy BBSADD.TXT %5
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
echo %4.ARJ > RETURN.NAM
goto Done

PAGE 60

:ARJ2ARJ
ARJ E -y %2 %5\
del %2.ARJ
scan %5\*.*
if errorlevel 1 goto BADSCAN
del %5\BBSADD.TXT
del %5\*.ADD
copy BBSADD.TXT %5
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
echo %4.ARJ > RETURN.NAM
goto Done

:BADSCAN
echo BAD SCAN > RETURN.NAM
echo.
echo File did not pass scan
REM
REM We cannot delete *.* in a batch file because
REM of that annoying (Y/N) prompt dos now has. So
REM we have to move the contents to one file and
REM delete that file.
REM
arj M -e %3 %5\*.*
Del %3\%4.ARJ
goto Done

:ERROR
echo.
echo ----------------------------------------------
echo Processing NOTHING (Fields 1-7 must be filled)
echo ----------------------------------------------
echo 1 = # representing the file type to convert
echo 2 = Original file with full path
echo 3 = Destination file with full path
echo 4 = File name with no extension
echo 5 = Work directory no trailing "\"
echo 6 = Baud rate. Locked buad rate if locking
echo 7 = Com Port (1-8)
echo ----------------------------------------------

:DONE
echo.
echo Exiting...
echo.

LAST NOTE: As you may have noted some of the .DEF files used
a ";" character in the first column of their text. The ";"
is used by most Robo-Board files as a comment indicator.
However, only those files that used the ";" character in the
examples above support it.

All of the files listed above unless otherwise specified
should be located in the Robo-Board root directory. It should
also be noted that none of these file have to exist for your
BBS to work, they just add a level of customization that
you and your users will enjoy.

MAKING IT RUN PAGE 61
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Robo-Board is a batch driven BBS package. Robo-Board must
run from within a batch file. When a user logs on they do so
through the batch file and when a user logs off, the BBS will
exit to that same batch file. It is by using Batch files that
Robo-Board is echo mail compatible.

Robo-Boards main executable, ROBOGR.EXE, does not do it's
own phone answering. The phone is answered using the supplied
program ROBOBBS.EXE. ROBOBBS.EXE returns the following access
levels when it is exited locally or by an incoming call:

HALT = ERRORLEVEL 70
CONNECT 38400 = ERRORLEVEL 60
CONNECT 19200 = ERRORLEVEL 59
CONNECT 16800 = ERRORLEVEL 58
CONNECT 14400 = ERRORLEVEL 57
CONNECT 12000 = ERRORLEVEL 56
CONNECT 9600 = ERRORLEVEL 55
CONNECT 7200 = ERRORLEVEL 54
CONNECT 4800 = ERRORLEVEL 53
CONNECT 2400 = ERRORLEVEL 52
CONNECT 1200 = ERRORLEVEL 51
LOCAL = ERRORLEVEL 50
ERROR = ERRORLEVEL 1

If you would like to run a mailer program so your board
can access one of the many public echo mail networks, it must
be setup to answer your phone and return a per baud and event
ERRORLEVELs.

The reason Robo-Board requires an errorlevel is so you can
pass the correct baud rate to ROBOGR.EXE (the BBS program).
Failure to pass any command line parameters will cause Robo-
Board to display a help menu of valid options.

Valid Command line options are:

-NODE=# : This is the node number the current copy of
Robo-Board is going to execute.
-BAUD=# : This will surpass the baud rate you defined
in ROBOCFG. This should be the modem to
modem baud rate.
-LOCK=# : This will surpass the locked at field in
ROBOCFG. This is the computer to modem baud
rate and is only used by high speed or data
compressing modems. (see your modem manual)
-LOCAL : This will log you the SysOp or any other
local callers on in local mode with the
fossil driver untouched.
-EGA : Forces EGA mode with VGA system. Right
mouse button flips screen.
-TXT : Force user logging on a text screen. (see
MULTITASKING)
-SAVE=# : Sets a screen blanking time. # = total idle
seconds on sysop end. Move mouse slightly
across surface to reactivate screen. ( * )

PAGE 62

The Robo-Board phone answering program (ROBOBBS.EXE) does
not need any command line parameters. The default node number
is 1 if no parameters are passed. If a node number from 1 - 9
is passed with the "-NODE=#" option, ROBOBBS.EXE will use the
appropriate modem settings defined in ROBOCFG.

The following Batch File will Run Robo-Board stand alone
without the use of a mailer. This batchfile can be passed a
node number if you intend to run a multi-line BBS. (see
MULTI-LINE OPERATION).

@ECHO OFF
set NODE=%1
if "%1"=="" set NODE=1

REM This batch file assumes you are passing a node number
REM to it via the command line. If you do not pass a node
REM number to your ROBO batch then the node number is
REM defaulted to 1.
REM
REM If you run a 1 line BBS then feel free to remove all
REM occurrences of the text and dos variable -NODE=%NODE%.
REM
REM See your dos manual for more information on variables
REM and errorlevels.

:TOP
CD\ROBOBBS
CLS
ROBOBBS -NODE=%NODE%

if errorlevel 70 goto DONE
if errorlevel 60 ROBOGR -baud=38400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 59 ROBOGR -baud=19200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 58 ROBOGR -baud=16800 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 57 ROBOGR -baud=14400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 56 ROBOGR -baud=12000 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 55 ROBOGR -baud=9600 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 54 ROBOGR -baud=7200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 53 ROBOGR -baud=4800 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 52 ROBOGR -baud=2400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 51 ROBOGR -baud=1200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 50 ROBOGR -local -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 1 goto ERROR
goto TOP

:ERROR
echo. ROBOBBS.EXE could not init modem.

:DONE
echo.
echo ROBO-BOARD Exited.

PAGE 63

The following batch file gives ideas on how you could run
Robo-Board with a mailer. It assumes either FrontDoor or
BinkleyTerm, using IMAIL as your mail utility. For more
information about mailers, Echomail, Netmail and what it can
do for you see the section of this manual titled ECHO MAIL.

@ECHO OFF
set NODE=%1
if "%1"=="" set NODE=1

REM
REM This Batch file is an example of how you would run
REM Robo-Board with a mailer such as FrontDoor or
REM BinkleyTerm. See ECHO MAIL in the Robo-Board documents
REM for more information.
REM
REM This batch file assumes you are passing a node number
REM to it via the command line. If you do not pass a node
REM number to your ROBO batch then the node number is
REM defaulted to 1.
REM
REM If you run a 1 line bbs then feel free to remove all
REM occurrences of the text and dos variable -NODE=%NODE%.
REM
REM See your dos manual for more information on variables.
REM

@ECHO OFF
:TOP
cd\robobbs

if exist CHK_MAIL.NOW del CHK_MAIL.NOW

REM If you like FrontDoor

cd\fd
FD

REM Or if you prefer BinkleyTerm.
REM cd\bt
REM BT

cd\robobbs

REM The dos errorlevels listed below are only examples,
REM these must be defined by you in your mailers config
REM program. All mailers are well documented so setting
REM up these parameters should not be a problem.

if errorlevel 60 ROBOGR -baud=38400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 59 ROBOGR -baud=19200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 58 ROBOGR -baud=16800 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 57 ROBOGR -baud=14400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 56 ROBOGR -baud=12000 -NODE=%NODE%

PAGE 64

if errorlevel 55 ROBOGR -baud=9600 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 54 ROBOGR -baud=7200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 53 ROBOGR -baud=4800 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 52 ROBOGR -baud=2400 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 51 ROBOGR -baud=1200 -NODE=%NODE%
if errorlevel 50 ROBOGR -local -NODE=%NODE%

if errorlevel 40 goto MAIL
if errorlevel 10 goto DONE
if errorlevel 1 goto ERROR

REM The file CHK_MAIL.NOW is created by Robo-Board if a
REM user enters one or more ECHO MAIL messages. With a
REM DOS "if exist" statement you can branch to a mail
REM scan/toss program. AS you noted earlier in this file
REM CHK_MAIL.NOW is deleted before your mailer or Robo-
REM Board get the chance to run. This prevents scanning
REM when no mail has been entered. See ECHO MAIL in the
REM Robo-Board documents.

if exist CHK_MAIL.NOW goto MAIL

goto TOP

:MAIL

REM This where you use your favorite NET/ECHO mail tosser
REM to bring ECHO mail messages into your Robo-Board base.
REM As of yet Robo-Board does not include a program to do
REM do this. There are a number of good programs that will
REM do this well. IMAIL, by Fabiano Fabris has been tested
REM and found to work well with Robo-Board. Mail scanning
REM and tossing programs that are compatible with the
REM Hudson style message base are:
REM Gecho By Gerard van der Land
REM TosScan By Joaquim Homrighausen
REM IMAIL By Fabiano Fabris.
REM
REM NOTE: Only IMAIL has been tested. If any of the other
REM mail utilities work please send me a copy of
REM your BATCH file with your registration.

cd\fd
IMAIL toss
IMAIL scan
goto TOP

:ERROR
echo. ROBOBBS.EXE could not init modem.

:DONE
cd\fd
echo.
echo ROBO-BOARD Exited.

ECHO MAIL PAGE 65
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

You have probably heard of echo mail and net mail before,
but may not be sure exactly what they are. First off before I
tell you what they are, I will tell you how to get them.

To get echo mail you must be a member of a network. A net-
work is a group of computers co-operatively set up to
automatically transfer messages, files and other information.

Net mail messages are private messages sent between the
systems in the network. Net mail messages can be sent out
immediately or placed on hold for transmission late at night.
Often to send a long distance Net mail message to another
computer or SysOp costs long distance charges, although some
networks such as the Canadian network IMEX allow Net mail to
be routed through a hub.

Echo mail messages are messages tagged with area flags so
echo mail utilities can place them in your BBS message base.
Often echo mail message bases are separated by topic or theme
such as STARTREK or PASCAL or something like that. Echo mail
messages are packed into one large file and may additionally
be compressed using ZIP, ARJ or another similar utility.
These Echo mail packets as they are called, are attached as
files to net mail messages and sent to your system. Often you
would have your mailer drop to the calling batch file so a
message tossing utility could be run. If users enter messages
on your system Robo-Board creates a file called CHK_MAIL.NOW,
this can be used by your system to run an echo mail exporting
utility (see MAKING IT RUN for batch file examples and info)

Mail utilities do a miminimum of two tasks: importing and
exporting, others may do additional message base functions
such as re-ordering your messages. When your system imports
echo mail from a PACKET file this is called tossing (because
the utility tosses messages into your message base). When
your system exports messages to a packet file this is called
scanning. When mail is scanned it is crunched into a packet,
attached to a net mail message, then transferred to your hub
(the guy who hubs or controls the mail for the network in
your area).

Echo mail can give your users a large variety of
message areas to read from. It can also give your users the
chance to talk to users in other cities, states, provinces or
even countries.

Robo-Board does not come with a message tosser/scanner
type program. If you want one of these you should be able to
get one from a distribution site listed earlier in this text
or from a local BBS. You will also need a mailer. A mailer is
a special program that answers the phone; checks to see if
its another mailer then transfers messages, otherwise it
passes the call to your BBS.

PAGE 66

Robo-Board is specifically designed to work with any batch
driven mailer. Even ROBOBBS.EXE, the program that answers the
phone for Robo-Board when you are not using a mailer works
like one to make converting to echo mail easier in the
future.

Where do you get those wonderful toys?

A few programs have been tested and found to work very
well, such as FMAIL by Folkert J. Wijnstra. This mail tosser/
scanner includes a bunch of utilties, and works well with the
Hudson message base. Robo-Board has been tested with a few
mailers such FrontDoor by Joaquim Homrighausen and D'Bridge.

These are a few Hudson style tosser/scanners:
FMAIL By Folket J. Wijnstra (fast and easy!)
Gecho By Gerard van der Land
TosScan By Joaquim Homrighausen
IMAIL By Fabiano Fabris.

NOTE: Robo-Board uses a Hudson style message base, therefore
most utilities written for Hudson bases should work.

These are a few mailers:
FrontDoor By Joaquim Homrighausen
D'Bridge This is program has the built in ability to
to toss and scan but is commercial.
BinkleyTerm (not sure)

Most of these utilities can be found on a BBS near you. If
you cannot find these programs, some or all of them should be
found on one of the Robo-Board Distribution Net BBS's listed
earlier in this manual.

NOTE: Some Hudson scanners may not work with Robo-Board. This
should only be a problem if they read special files made by
other BBS packages. If a utility does not list Robo-Board as
one of the programs it is compatible with, don't worry. The
software may still work, Robo-Board is a new product.

ROBO UTIL PAGE 67
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board has been bundled with a utility program to fix,
pack and rebuild your message bases with blazing speed. As
of this version that is all the Robo-Board utilities will do.
A revised edition of the Robo-Board Utilities will be bundled
with the next release of Robo-Board. The new version will
delete files older than a set number of months and remove
users who have not called for a set number of days.

The executable ROBOUTIL.EXE should be run from an event
either set up by your mailer or by ROBOBBS.EXE. It can also
be run manually if you prefer. At the moment ROBOUTIL will
read your message base and find the total messages you allow
per base (as set in ROBOCFG). It will then read your message
base files and gather some stats. Finally it will proceed to
purge deleted, damaged, or old messages that do not fit in
the set range. During this process if Robo-Board finds any
messages that seem to be garbled or damaged it will remove
them. If you use an echo mail tosser/scanner program it may
do its own packing. That is alright. You can use that program
if you like.

The ROBOUTIL should be run from your robo-board directory
so it can read your config files and find the message bases.
This version of the Robo Utilities does not require that you
pass it any command line options

NOTE: If you run a MULTI-LINE system DO NOT run this utility
while users are online or while tossing mail. This could
corrupt the online user. Run a base tosser during an event.
(see MULTI-LINE OPERATION for more information and examples.)

ROBO-BOARD TERMINAL EMULATION PAGE 68
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board uses New Technology not yet utilized by other
BBS packages and doors. That is, the real time transfer of
graphics online. Sure some doors have graphics, but look, you
download a 200 to 900k terminal. Such programs have all their
graphics built into their terminal making flexibility
difficult. With Robo-Board, ICONS are compressed and
decompressed on the fly, text strings are also optimized
and the normal graphics primitives are driven by a Reduced
Instruction Process (RIP) so that detailed graphics can be
transferred faster than blocky, less detailed text based
protocols like ANSI or Avatar.

Robo-Board is in sync with the success of graphical
software, such as MicroSofts Windows. In concieving Robo-
Board I decided that EGA graphics was a safe minimum hardware
requirement. A mouse on the remote user's end is optional.
It is a fact that most users at the least, have EGA graphics
capabilities. Today it is hard to find a computer store that
doesn't bundle at least VGA with the systems they sell.

Robo-Board is bundled with a FREEWARE terminal called
ROBOTERM. You will find it on your hard drive in the
RoboBoard directory as ROBO270.EXE. It must stay there if you
want your users to be able to download it. Robo-Term has
built in Fossil and BIOS support for baud rates up to 38400,
on up to 4 COM ports. When a user runs Robo-Term they
find themselves in a text interface which allows them to call
text based BBS's as well as Robo-Board systems. When the user
connects with a Robo-Board or compatible system the terminal
will switch to graphics mode and emulate the RBO100 Terminal
Emulation Protocol (see DEVELOPERS for information on the
RBO100 protocol). In text mode Robo-Board offers Zmodem as
the standard protocol. In graphics mode Robo-Board does file
transfers seamlessly via RMODEM, the built in file protocol.
Don't worry RMODEM has been tested at 2400 baud with through
puts of 138-140 cps and with a US ROBOTICS 14400 v42bis modem
it is around 1690+ cps.

See the section of this manual titled DEVELOPERS for more
information about acquiring or using the RBO100 terminal
emulation Protocol.

DEVELOPERS PAGE 69
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

I would be very willing 'within reason' to help anyone who
wants to write database programs, and utilities for Robo-
Board. I would also be more than happy to support anyone
wishing to write doors, utilities and other online software
designed for, or to be compatible with the RBO100 terminal
emulation protocol.

A file called ROBOTECH.DOC is included with this package.
It tells the format of the database files used by Robo-Board.
Anyone may use this information to create utilities for Robo-
Board.

For information about the RBO100 graphical terminal
emulation protocol there are help files, and source code you
can request. The help files and source are only available
upon request at the moment, but will be made public domain
shortly. The source code gives you all the abilities found in
Robo-Board: graphics, a fossil interface, the R-modem file
transfer protocol and icon compression (level 1). Source code
to the RBO100 protocol is only available at the moment in
TURBO PASCAL 6.0 format. ROBOTERM is freeware and may be
distributed with any software using the RBO100 protocal.
Under no conditions shall any fees or tolls be attached to
ROBOTERM.

If you write any utilities or doors, I would be happy to
help in distributing your utilities/doors/icons/menus/etc.
( commercial or noncommercial ) through the Robo-Board
distribution network. Drop me a line describing your product
and send me a copy on disk.

If you need help or would like information on how the
RBO100 protocol works then contact me with a full
description of your application and I'll get back to you:

Seth Hamilton
P.O. BOX 633,
Aylmer, Quebec,
Canada J9H 6L1.

MULTI-LINE OPERATION PAGE 70
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

When a board is multi-line or as other say multi-node, it
means that more than one user can logon concurrently. This
is done through the use of a network or multi-tasker, sharing
the hard drive containing Robo-Board.

If you intend to run Robo-Board as a multi-line BBS it is
recommended that you either run Robo-Board first as a one
line system or have past experience running a BBS. For the
most part the most difficult item to setup will be either
your network or multi-tasker.

Steps (assuming you have already set up a one line BBS):

1) Set the ROBOCFG --> SYSTEM SETUP --> MISC CONFIG option
NUMBER OF NODES (1-9 are valid node numbers).
2) Go to ROBOCFG --> MODEM SETUP. You will see that you can
set up as many modems as you define nodes (step #1). These
default settings are checked by ROBOBBS.EXE, which answers
the phone for Robo-Board when you are not running a
mailer.
3) If you have set up the definition files ACCESS#.DEF,
NOTHERE#.DEF, or FREE#.DEF make sure a corresponding copy
exists by node. The menu field in ACCESS#.DEF if set to
the text "NIL" (without brackets) will not allow users of
that access onto your system. This is great for limiting
certain access users from certain nodes. (see DISPLAY AND
CONTROL FILES).
4) Will your batch file pass the appropriate node to both the
ROBOGR and ROBOBBS executables? If you run mailers on
multiple nodes be sure to contact your mailers documents.
(see MAKING IT RUN for batch file examples)
5) If you are multitasking with DESQview or under a network
you may want to use the -TXT mode (see MAKING IT RUN for
for command line options). This allows Robo-Board to send
graphics but keeps the local consol in Text mode. When in
text mode, a log, such as the one written to the log file
will be displayed on the screen along with some user stats
(see MULTITASKING for more information about -TXT).
6) Make sure you set your Hudson mail TOSSER/SCANNER to LOCK
and UNLOCK the message base before tossing and scanning.
7) Set up a script file or something similar to run 'n number
of copies of Robo-Board and pass the node number properly
to each Robo-Board batch file.
8) Make sure dos SHARE is loaded, this ensures files will not
be written to at the same time.

You will notice a few changes while running multi-line.
First that multi-line chat feature is useful if you are using
a registered version of Robo-Board. Second, all Robo-Board
temporary files are named by node number. Work directories
called WORK1, WORK2... WORK# will be created off the Robo-
Board directory.

MULTITASKING PAGE 71
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Robo-Board has a unique feature for Multitasking under
systems like DesqView, Windows, or a network manager. Because
graphics are so CPU hungry, such programs run rather slowly
when Robo-Board is in graphics mode. To compensate for this
problem, I developed a method to allow the remote user to see
graphics and the SysOp to see a simple log of the users
activities on a text mode screen.

Here are two scenarios that demonstrate the power and use of
of this feature:

A) You don't like taking down your board to do work, or play
your favorite game. You have just purchased a multitasker
such as DesqView or Windows so you can run your board and do
what you have to at the same time. But you have found that
running a BBS and running an application slow your system to
a crawl. Fortunately by doing away with Robo-Boards graphical
overhead it is possible to run a BBS and a full application
under both Windows or DesqView without any noticeable slow
downs on either end. It should be noted that graphics mode
operation can be restored at anytime by pressing F10 if an
EGA/VGA adaptor is present.

B) You have a small network of three computers, but only one
has an EGA/VGA graphics adaptor. You want to run a 3 node BBS
system, but do not wish to purchase two more EGA/VGA
graphics adaptors. By eliminating Robo-Boards graphical
interface on your end it is possible for the end user to view
full EGA/VGA graphics from your monochrome systems on
their end. However when running nodes on a monochrome or CGA
system you forfeit your ability to chat, or view graphics as
the user would see them.

Another use for this feature not listed above would be to
run multiple nodes quickly off of one CPU. A 386/33 with
4 megs of ram should have no problem running 3 or 4 nodes
at 2400 baud.

This feature can be activated from within a batch file by
passing the -TXT command line option to ROBOGR.EXE (see
MAKING IT RUN). When in user log text mode, you can flip into
graphics mode by pressing the F10 key. This flip will only
work if your computer has an EGA/VGA adaptor. The F10 key can
also be used to flip from graphics mode to text log mode. It
should be noted, when flipping modes the contents of the
screen are not saved. You will be looking at a blank screen
until the user does something.

NOTE: If your computer or a network station does not have an
EGA/VGA graphics adaptor it is not required for you to pass
the -TXT command line option to ROBOGR. In such cases Robo-
Board will display a note saying no EGA/VGA was found and
operate in user log text mode.

SUPPORT PAGE 72
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

If you have any questions, comments or would like to send
your registration please contact:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ CANADA ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒(USA ORDERS WELCOME)▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

For those wanting to register Robo-Board in Canada and the
eastern USA please send payment to Luc Laporte. Americans
may also register with Chris Duke.

(ENGLISH)

Please make payment payable to Luc Laporte (re: Robo)

Address:
Luc Laporte
10760 Bruchési Street,
Montréal, Québec,
Canada. H2B 2S9

BBS Number:
ROBO-BOARD The Door BBS
1(514)388-2782
1200-14400 (v32bis)
24hrs

Voice:
1(514)388-9618 (10am-11pm)

NetMail:
1:167/213 (FidoNET)
101:169/300 (Francomédia)

If you would like to register Robo-Board via NETMAIL within
a 48 hour period, you can call us for a bank account and
branch number where you can deposit directly to us. A list
of this information can be found on the above listed BBS.

If you need any help, have any questions or comments, you
could always join us at the numbers mentioned above. It will
be a pleasure to serve you.

(ITALIAN)

Potete fare il vostro pagamento a: Luc Laporte

Indirizzo:
Luc Laporte
10760, Via Bruchesi
Montréal, Québec,
Canada, H2B 2S9

Numero del BBS:
ROBO-BOARD The Door BBS
1200-14400 (V42b)
1(514)388-2782
24 ore

Voce:
1(514)388-9618 (10am-11pm)

"NetMail":
1:167/213 (FidoNET)
101:169/300 (Francomédia)

Se volete registrare Robo-Board in un tempo di 48 ore,
potete chiamarci e vi daremo il nome di una banca con
numero di conto nella quale potrete vesarci il vostro
pagamento. Potrete anche trovare la lista completa delle
banche e le loro succursali sul BBS citato qui sopra.

Vegliate mandarmi il vostro formulario riempito attraverso
un "NetMail",o direttamente sul BBS citato qui sopra, con il
vostro numero di telefono, indirizzo del "NetMail", l'ora,
la data e la somma versata.

Se avete bisogno d'aiuto, avete delle questioni oppure
commentari, potete sempre raggiungerci ai numeri
citati piu sopra, ci fara un piacere servirvi.

(FRENCH)

Vous devez faire le payment a Luc Laporte (re: Robo)

Adresse:
Luc Laporte
10760, rue Bruchesi
Montréal, Québec,
Canada, H2B 2S9

Babillard:
ROBO-BOARD The Door BBS
1200-14400 (V42b)
1(514)388-2782
24hrs

Voice:
1(514)388-9618 (10am-11pm)

NetMail:
1:167/213 (FidoNET)
101:169/300 (Francomédia)

Si vous voulez enregistrer Robo-Board dans une période de
48 heures, vous pouvez nous appeller et nous vous donnenons
le nom d'une banque et le numero de compte ou déposer les
fonds. Vous pourrez aussi trouver une liste complete des
banques et leurs succursales sur le BBS citée plus haut.

Veuillez m'envoyer votre formule d'enregistrement rempli,
a travers un NetMail ou directement sur le BBS cité ci-haut,
avec votre numero de téléphone, votre addresse NetMail,
date, heure et montant du dépot.

Si vous avez besoin d'aide, des questions ou commantaires,
vous pouvez toujours nous joindre aux numéros citée ci-haut.
Cela nous feras un grand plaisir.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ U.S.A. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Please make US payment to Duke Graphics (re: Robo)

Call Chris Duke at BBS++ for special offers on RIM
(Robo-Board Icon Manager) and ICO2RBO (Windows to Robo
Icon Converter) and much more. See the online Art Show!

Address:
Duke Graphics
4130 La Jolla Village Drive
Suite 107-169
La Jolla, CA 92037

BBS Number: Online Ordering
BBS++
1(619)793-8360 * 1200-14400 (v32bis)
1(619)793-8361 * 2400
24hrs

NetMail:
1:202/238 (FidoNET)
62:1900/14 (WorldNET)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ EUROPE REGISTRATION ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Please make European payment to Michel T. Johnson (re: Robo)

Address:
Michel T. Johnson / Mike's Communication System
Wilhem-Busch-Str. 4
W-6500 Mainz 21
GERMANY

BBS Number:
Mike's Communication System
+49-6131-474483
1200-14400 (v32bis)
24hrs

NetMail:
2:249/112 (FidoNET)
64:7790/40 (WorldNET)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ HONG KONG ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒(AUSTRALIAN ORDERS WELCOME)▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Please make payment to Steve Nacarlo (re:Robo)

Address:
Steve Nacarlo
SPM (Special Personal Media)
Block 16, Site 2, F/10-G
Cherry Mantions Whampoa
Garden Hongham Kowloon

BBS Number:
852-330-7761 * 1200bps - 16800 bps
852-330-8104 * 2400bps - 14400 bps

NetMail:
6:700/2 (FidoNET)
6:700/111 (FidoNET)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒▒ QUESTIONS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

If you have a question about registration please call:

Voice: 1(819)682-6670 9:00am-5:00pm Mon EST
(Our hours will increase after our next
major release, but until then we need to
get some programming done)
Fax: 1(819)685-0994
NetMail: 62:6200/0 (WorldNET)

If you would like a written response please write to:

S.H. Graphics Inc.
P.O. BOX 633
Aylmer Quebec,
CANADA. J9H-6L1.

Support echoes can be found via WORLDNET. If your city
does not have a worldnet hub you should contact Antonio
Riveros (FIDO 1:342/33) and start one, or start your own
local support echo. WorldNET registration information and a
copy the WorldNET nodelist have been included in the ROBO-
BOARD bundle.