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< T.A.G. Version 2.7 StartUp Documentation >
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│││ T.A.G. Bulletin Board System │││
│││ Copyright (C) 1986-1994 The T.A.G. Team │││
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T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 1
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< T.A.G. Version 2.7 Start Up Instructions >
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T.A.G. is distributed with a standard configuration which we have
found to work well for most beginning systems. It is very easy to get
a T.A.G. bulletin board system up and running, but a lot of work must
be put into ANY bulletin board system to make it your own.
**** <<<< IMPORTANT >>>> ****
Add the following lines in your "config.sys" configuration boot file
(usually found in the root directory of your C drive). If
"config.sys" does not exist, create one:
buffers=30
files=20
If a "files" and/or "buffers" line already exist in your "config.sys"
file, make sure "files" are defined to at least 20, and "buffers" to
at least 20.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 2
** T.A.G. Version 2.7 Release Description **
(*) = Required File
(#) = Required File For New T.A.G. Systems Only
(%) = Required File For Existing T.A.G. Systems Only
TAGM27.ZIP(*) - Main program package for the T.A.G. Bulletin Board
System Version 2.7.
TAGD27.ZIP(*) - Documentation package for T.A.G. Includes main
reference documentation and menu documentation.
TAGS27.ZIP(#) - Start-up package for a new T.A.G. Bulletin Board
System (this file was included in this archive).
TAGC27.ZIP(%) - Conversion package to upgrade from T.A.G. Version
2.6f/2.6f1 to T.A.G. Version 2.7.
TAGN26D.ZIP - Nodelist index compiler package (for FidoNet
nodelist compatible networks).
TAGR27.ZIP - Complete Borland Pascal 7.0 and "C" equivalent
record structure package for T.A.G. (used for
writing utilities).
TAGW26.ZIP - Dictionary package for the message system spell
checker (/SPELL in message editor).
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 3
** Installing the T.A.G. Files **
1. Make sure you have followed the instructions marked "IMPORTANT"
at the beginning of this document (concerning "buffers" and
"files").
2. All the T.A.G. archives (listed above) which you have downloaded
must be placed in a common directory on your hard drive.
3. UnZip the TAGS27.ZIP into the directory.
4. Execute the T.A.G. installation program by entering "INSTALL".
5. Follow the on screen instructions. Note that a help box is often
presented at the bottom of the screen with extra information.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 4
** Booting the System **
Now you are almost ready to boot your T.A.G. system.
Please make sure your system time and date are set correctly.
Go into the Main BBS Directory which you have chosen to serve as your
main BBS directory (usually \BBS).
To boot the system simply go into the Main BBS Directory which you
choose and enter:
TAG
After preforming several boot steps, the system will attempt to
initialize the modem. If after a few moments the system is unable to
initialize the modem, press the <SPACE BAR> to abort the process. In
this case you will have to modify the modem initialization strings as
defined in the system configuration to suit your particular modem.
This of course assumes that the modem is turned on and connected
correctly. The documentation describes the operation of the various
options in the modem configuration command.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 5
** Entering The System Configuration **
To configure the system to your particular needs, use the system
configuration command from the SysOp menu. Follow these steps to
enter system configuration:
- Press "Control-Q" or "S" from the wait screen to enter the
SysOp menu.
- Press "S" to edit system configuration.
- A ":" will appear, this indicates the system is waiting for
a SysOp Password. In this case the default SysOp password
#3 is "SYSOP". Type "SYSOP" and press enter.
Once inside the system configuration, carefully look over each section
and change whatever you feel necessary. The main documentation
contains detailed information about each function as necessary, though
many of the options will be fairly self explanatory.
After you are finished, press "Q" to exit back to the SysOp menu. And
then "Q" again to exit to the wait screen.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 6
** Creating the SysOp User **
1. From the waiting for callers screen press the <SPACE BAR> to
logon locally.
2. Press "Y" at the verification prompt.
3. After the title screen is displayed you will be asked to enter
your user name or ID number. You are a new user so type the name
you wish to represent the SysOp of the system (most systems use
"SYSOP").
4. T.A.G. will inform you that the user does not exist, Press "Y" to
continue with the new user logon.
5. Proceed to enter to required new user information.
6. After your logon is complete, work your way to the main menu.
7. Now to give yourself Full SysOp access:
- Press Alt-F1, and enter "N" to validate your account to
normal access.
- Press F1, and enter 255 for SL (security level).
- Press Shift-F1, and enter 255 for DSL (download security
level).
- Press Shift-F2, and type "*" to toggle all AR flags active.
You are now a full SysOp!
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 7
** Additional Installation Concerns **
1. If you plan to use the standard protocols, you will need to do
two things:
- Obtain a copy of the
DSZ Protocol Engine
(C)Copyright by Omen Technology INC
and place it in your main BBS directory (C:\BBS for the
default setup). See the main documentation for more
information.
- Define the DSZLOG environment variable by adding the
following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SET DSZLOG=C:\BBS\DFILES\DSZTEMP.LOG
Replace "C:\BBS\DFILES" with the path to your Main Data
Files Directory if it is different.
2. Choose a location for both your message and file sections. The
installation system has left these defined to directories off of
your Main BBS Directory. These are called MSGS (for Messages)
and GENFILES (for General Files). This should be changed as soon
as possible.
- Depending on the format of your message sections, one or
more directories may be needed. Use the message section
manager (//BOARDEDIT) and modify the directory defined for
each section.
- Each file section should have a directory of its own. Use
the file section manager (//DLBOARDEDIT) and modify the
upload and download directories defined for each section.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 8
** Optional Setup Items **
Included with the start up package are the following files:
ANSIMENU.ZIP - Sample ANSI graphic menus for several areas of the
system. NOTE: These menus should follow the
existing command structure. They are presented
for example only and should be edited to match
your specific BBS. These ANSI screens were
provided by Alex Mcneilly
RIPMENU.ZIP - Sample RIP graphics menus for several areas of the
system. NOTE: These menus follow the existing
command structure. They are presented for example
only and should be edited to match your specific
BBS. These RIPScript screens were provided by
Alan Jurison.
If you did not select the option to install the menus in the
installation program, and you would like to set up these
menus for use on your system, simply unzip the archives into
your alternate data files directory (C:\BBS\AFILES). Note
the installation program has done this already if you
instructed it to do so, and no error was reported.
Now when a user has ANSI or RIP graphics active, they will
see these menus, as apposed to the standard ones T.A.G.
generates from the information in the menu editor.
ANSI graphic file generators such as The Draw (tm) can be
used to create and/or modify ANSI menus.
RIPScript files can be created with a variety of different
programs such as RIPPaint (tm) to modify RIP screens.
NEWUSERQ.ZIP - Sample new user questionnaire.
To set the new user questionnaire up on your system, simply
unzip the NEWUSERQ.ZIP file into your alternate text files
directory (C:\BBS\AFILES - The installation program may have
done this if specified). T.A.G. will automatically search
for the file after a new user logs onto the system and
execute the questionnaire. Consult the main documentation
for more information, it is very likely that you will wish
to tailor this questionnaire for your own system needs.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 9
** Closing Notes **
Using the main/menu/update documentation and the provided sample
files, the customization of your system should be fairly straight
forward.
Experiment!!!
It's a big system, don't expect to learn it all in one sitting.
Things to do to a new system:
- Modify the system configuration for your system. Go into each
configuration screen and look at all the options. If you are not
sure about on of them, check the main documentation for detailed
information.
- Check over the menus and command access levels in the menu editor
(//MENUEDIT). Determine what access levels you are going to
assign new users, normal users, privileged users, remote sysops,
etc.
- Add/change message sections with the message section editor
(//BOARDEDIT).
- Add/change file sections with the file section editor
(//DLBOARDEDIT).
- Add/change the validation levels with the access editor
(//ACCESS).
- Add/change the protocols defined for the system using the single
and batch protocol editors (//SINGLE and //BATCH). See the main
documentation for more information.
- Change or edit the default text files for your system. There are
also many files that do not appear in the Main Data File and
Alternate Text File Directories (C:\BBS\AFILES). These optional
files are listed in the main documentation.
- Add *.CLR versions of various text files for ANSI users. You'll
need an ANSI editor to do this. "The Draw" is by far the popular
ShareWare editor going around. See the main documentation for
information on which files have the "*.CLR" option.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 10
- Add *.RIP versions of various text files for users calling with
RIPScript. You'll need a RIPScript editor to do this.
"RIPPaint" is one of the most popular ShareWare editor going
around. All files that can have "*.CLR" screens can also support
"*.RIP."
- Create a voting board using the voting editor (//IVOTES). A
default question is already installed.
- Post a message in each section describing the purpose of the
section. This usually generates messages following the topic.
- Set up or modify the various "trash can" systems to prevent use
of various user names, phone numbers, or upload file names. Some
are already defined.
- Use the file utilities (FUTIL???.ZIP) or the directory manager
(DIRMAN??.ZIP) to add any files you already have to their
appropriate file section. There are also many public domain and
shareware utilities available to T.A.G. SysOps to use for their
systems.
- Set up any games you wish to be on-line (T.A.G., PC-Board(tm),
RBBS(tm), DOORS.SYS, GAP(tm), QuickBBS(tm)/RemoteAccess(tm), and
many others are supported). See the main documentation.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - StartUp Documentation - Page 11
- Set up a shell DOS system if you wish one to be available. See
the main documentation.
- Consider setting up matrix/echo mail to inter-connect with the
International FidoNet Network or other available alternative
networks such as StormNet. It's a whole new world out there!
- Consider setting up a multi-user system if you have the necessary
equipment, time, and money.
- Set up logon events to restrict users from logging on or prevent
them from using specific commands at certain times.
- Set up external events to execute maintenance files at night.
For example: Nightly maintenance for any games or utilities that
require once a day maintenance.
- Place one or more QWK off-line mail reading programs in your file
section for your users. This will allow them to read and reply
to messages without staying connected to your system using
T.A.G.'s Internal QWK processor. Off-line reading can save user
long distance charges and allow more people to use your system.
- Edit and recompile the programmable string files to change the
appearance of your board even more.
Good Luck !!
Hopefully you will enjoy being
a SysOp as much as we have.
Bumper sticker for computers:
"My other node is a Cray XMP-2"
M. Presnell
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/he /ag /eam