GENERALConfiguration Help -n- Usage

RATSoft/ST Configuration Editor v3.0
1993 R0dent Laboratories Software
written by Steve Hughey

MultiTOS compatible, RATSoft Help System v2.0 interface functions

General Configuration Help
--------------------------

To locate help on a specific topic, pull up the dialog you need, then
select "HELP" from the menu bar, or press ALT+H. Detailed help is
available for all windows, explaining all functions found on that
particular page.

BBSINFOBBS Information Page

  {3,8}Official BBS Title

    This is the "official" name of your BBS, as requested when ordering
    RATSoft.

  {3,8}BBS Name

    This is the name of your BBS, and may be a fancy name or nick-name.

  {3,8}SysOp Name/Alias

    This is your name or SysOp alias.

  {3,8}Telephone Number

    This is the telephone number to your BBS system. It should include
    no separators. If you live outside of the US/Canadian area-code system,
    please include your country code.

  {3,8}SysOp Password

    The secondary password required for remote access when a SysOp (level
    255) logs onto the system. NOT case sensitive.

TOGGLESToggles

  {3,8}New Users Leave Feedback

     New users are required to leave feedback to the SysOp when applying
     for an account.

  {3,8}Re-boot CPU Every Night

     This is included for system stability. If your system tends to go
     hay-wire after several days without re-booting the system, turn this
     option on. {2,1}NOTE:{1,1} You MUST have RATSOFT.PRG set to auto-boot from
     {1,1}the desktop!

  {3,8}Un-Hide "Masked" Characters

     "Masked" characters are those shown to a user when entering
     "secret" information, such as their password. If this option is
     on, the actual character will be revealed on the SysOp screen,
     while the user will continue to see the masked character.

  {3,8}Log Nightly Device Stats

     If on, during the mid-night maintenance, the system will dump a
     table of device statistics to your system log. It includes total
     bytes, free bytes, and warnings if space on a given device is
     dangerously low.

  {3,8}Use Printer Bells
 
     In addition to the normal chat pager, the printer (if available)
     is "beeped". This allows notification of a user trying to page you
     without requiring the monitor to be turned on.

  {3,8}Go Off-hook for Local Log-ons

     The modem is taken off-hook, therefore "busying" the line until
     you Log-off the system.

  {3,8}MESSAGE.BAK and FILEAREA.BAK

     RATSoft renames old MESSAGE.DAT and FILEAREA.DAT files to .BAK files
     in case of error. In most cases, should these files become corrupted,
     RATSoft will automatically look for the .BAK files and use them if they
     are present. {2,1}However, you should make backups of ALL important
     {2,1}BBS data files on a regular basis!

  {3,8}Real Names Only

     RATSoft will not allow handles or aliases to be used.

  {3,8}Extended System

     If on, RATSoft's normal limitation of 50 message bases and 50 file
     sections is expanded to 1,024. {2,1}NOTE: {1,1}This allocates an extra
     {1,1}10k per user!

  {3,8}Re-Boot on Fatal Error

     Should an error be "fatal", RATSoft will automatically re-boot the
     system. {2,1}NOTE:{1,1} You MUST have RATSOFT.PRG set to auto-boot from
     {1,1}the desktop!

  {3,8}Remove Window While Local

     The normal SysOp window is replaced with a 1-line status line when the
     SysOp is on locally. This yields a complete 24-line display, rather than
     limiting the display area with a complete SysOp window.

  {3,8}Off-hook During Log-off Maintenance

     The modem is taken off-hook while the Log-off maintenance is preformed.
     Some systems are slow at updating data after a user has logged off, and
     this prevents other users from dialing in.

  {3,8}System Log to Printer

     System log is sent to the printer rather than disk.

  {3,8}Use Memory Buffers

     Reduces memory requirements. Various buffers (including screen
     buffering) is sent to disk rather than stored in memory. Slower,
     but more memory efficient.

  {3,8}"Quick" Ring Detection

     The modem port is scanned for a ring rather than looking for "RING" to
     be sent by the modem. Not compatible with all modems or systems.
     Experiment.

  {3,8}Case Format New User Info.

     New User information is "formatted" for proper case. For example, if
     the user inputs their name as "joe user", RATSoft would convert it to
     "Joe User"

  {3,8}Auto Check Scripts

     Scripts are automatically checked for proper structure when modified.
     Syntax is not checked.

  {3,8}Remove Crit. Error Handlr.

     Removes TOS's Critical Error Handler, preventing dialogs such as
     "Insert Disk B in Drive A" or "Disk A is not responding" appearing
     on screen and locking up your BBS.

  {3,8}Re-Boot on all Sys. Errors

     System reboots on ALL system errors rather than just "fatal" errors.
     May be required if RATSoft's recovery methods are incompatible with
     your environment. This is usually the case with MiNT.

  {3,8}Scan Message Module Mail

     All installed mail bases are scanned for new mail.

  {3,8}Make TRANLATE.DAT Resident

     TRANLATE.DAT is loaded into memory on boot-up.

  {3,8}Double Screen

     Any resolution which normally uses a 8x16 font (640x400 or greater)
     can be "doubled". This uses 8x8 fonts giving you twice the display.
     50 lines in 640x400 and 60 in 640x480.

  {3,8}3 CR's Engage Edit Prompt

     2 blank lines (3 RETURNs) automatically call the [Edit] prompt in the
     message editor.

PATHSSystem Paths


  {3,1}RATSoft           Main path to RATSoft, where RATSOFT.PRG
                    resides
  {3,1}InfoForms         Where InfoForms are kept. These are the
                    questionnaires used by RATSoft. All InfoForms
                    are kept permanently unless deleted by you
  {3,1}Text Files        Path to text files
  {3,1}File Mail         Path where file mail (f-mail) is sent to.
                    Should have a decent amount of free space.
  {3,1}Work              Work path -- used for arc utilities, file
                    lists, and by several other modules for "temporary"
                    storage of files. This folder is cleared when the
                    caller logs off.
  {3,1}Databases         Where database data files are stored

PATHS2Paths, Page II

  {3,1}Section News      Path to section news files
  {3,1}Auto Messages     Path to auto-messages
  {3,1}Voting Booths     Path used by the VOTE.RAT module for storing
                    vote poll information
  {3,1}Help Files        Used by the RATSoft/ST Help System, RATSoft
                    on-line help module (HELPSYS.RAT), and other modules.
                    Nothing is saved to this folder.
  {3,1}Dictionary        Path to the RATSpell Dictionary Files.

PATHS3System Paths, Page III

  {3,8}Quick Access Utilities

     Programs executed from the wait-call screen by pressing the {1,1}T or
     {1,1}E keys. This was created for easy access to a terminal program (T) or
     text editor (E), but they may be anything you like.

  {3,8}Launch Program

     Program executed during the RATSoft boot-up process.


MODEMModem Configuration

  This page contains a list of default modem configurations. 
  Simply click on the one that best matches your modem.

  {3,8}Port Rate

     This is the rate at which the port on your computer talks to your
     modem. This should always be set to at least the maximum speed of 
     your modem. For example: if you had a 14,400 modem, you would set 
     the port rate at 19200.

  {3,8}Modem Port

     Some models of the Atari computers support more than one serial
     port. Normally this will be left at the Modem 1 setting. 

  {3,8}Initialization String

  If the default modem string is not acceptable, or your modem was not
  provided in the defaults, you may enter your own modem initialization
  string. A common initialization string might be:

   ATZ<CR>[OK]ATX4 M0 V1<CR>[OK]
    ^  ^   ^   ^         ^   ^
    |  |   |   |         |   \____ RATSoft waits for "OK" response
    |  |   |   |         \________ Sends CR
    |  |   |   \__________________ Sends modem string "ATX4 M0 V1"
    |  |   \______________________ Waits for "OK" response
    |  \__________________________ Sends CR
    \_____________________________ Sends "ATZ" (resets modem)

  {2,1}Include a tilde (~) for a 1/2 second pause, or a single quote (') for
  {2,1}a 1/10 second pause.


TIMERSTimers Settings Page

  Timers restrict access to either the system or file sections based on
  a caller's modem speed, or bps rate.

  {3,8}Log-On Timers

     Log-On Timers set the timers which restrict access to the entire 
     BBS system.

     Click on the speed to toggle between three options: Off, On, and
     Times. If ON, there is no restriction on the speed at any time. If
     OFF, the speed is always restricted regardless of what time it is.
     Lastly, if neither ON or OFF is set, the times listed under the "On
     At..." and "Off At..." columns are used. A caller at that speed is
     only allowed access between "On At" and "Off At". However, if a
     Low-Speed Password is used, the user may over-ride the restriction 
     if the correct password is entered.

  {3,8}File Section Timers

     File Section Timers restrict users from the file sections.

     Click on the speed to toggle between three options: Off, On, and
     Times. If ON, there is no restriction on the speed at any time. If
     OFF, the speed is always restricted regardless of what time it is.
     Lastly, if neither ON or OFF is set, the times listed under the "On
     At..." and "Off At..." columns are used. A caller at that speed is
     only allowed access between "On At" and "Off At". However, if a
     Low-Speed Password is used, the user may over-ride the restriction if
     the correct password is entered.


SET1Settings, Page I


  Like the System Paths pages, Settings is divided into three pages.
  Click on the "Next" or "Previous" buttons at the bottom of the window 
  to move between pages.

  {3,8}Idle Time-Out:

     The number of seconds required with no modem or keyboard input 
     before a user is disconnected.

  {3,8}Idle Time-Out Local:

     The number of seconds required with no keyboard input before 
     a local caller is disconnected.

  {3,8}Delete E-Mail After...:

     At mid-night, RATSoft will delete all e-mails which are older 
     than the given number of days. Enter 0 to disable this option.

  {3,8}Delete F-Mail After...:

     At mid-night, RATSoft will delete all f-mails (files attached 
     to e-mails) older than the given number of days. 0 disables 
     the option.

  {3,8}Delete File Attaches After...:

     Like above two options, only files attached to messages 
     (other than f-mail) is deleted after the given number of days.

  {3,8}Minimum Level for Log-on Bulletins:

     The minimum over-all level required before a user may see the 
     log-on bulletin file (LOGONBUL.*).

  {3,8}Minimum Level for One-Liners:
     
     The minimum over-all level required before a user is shown the 
     one-liners during log-on.

  {3,8}Minimum Level for Reading System News:
     
     The minimum over-all level required before a user may read any 
     system news files.

  {3,8}Minimum Level for Voting Booths:
 
     The minimum over-all level required before a user may enter the 
     voting booths. Use this option if you do not want new users to 
     vote on mandatory polls.

  {3,8}Mask Applied to New Users:
 
     The number of the mask which is to be applied to new users 
     logging onto the system. If 256, the user is logged off after 
     the NEWUSER3.* file is displayed.

  {3,8}Mask Applied to Visitors:

     The mask used when a visitor logs on. If 256, no visitors are 
     permitted.

  {3,8}Mask for Call-Back Verifier:

     Mask applied to the user account if a call-back verify attempt 
     was successful.

  {3,8}Mask Applied to Expired Accounts:

     A mask which is applied to accounts which have expired, as set 
     with the E[X]piration Date option in the User Editor.

  {3,8}Maximum Lines for Message Editor:

     The maximum number of lines allowed in the message editor. 
     This may be anywhere from 10 to 32000, although a setting of 
     200 to 500 is more reasonable.

  {3,8}Maximum Number of Banners:

     The maximum number of on-line banners (one-line messages shown 
     before the main menu prompt) your system will allow. Users may 
     add banners to the system. Set this to 0 to disable the banners 
     feature.

SET2Settings, Page II


  {3,8}Re-Initialize Modem Every...:

     After the given number of minutes without any modem activity, the
     modem is automatically re-initialized. Useful if problems arise 
     with the modem "falling asleep" or ceasing to respond after a long 
     idle period.

  {3,8}Answer Phone on Ring #...:

     The number of rings required before RATSoft answer the incoming 
     call. This is normally 1 unless your modem sends caller ID 
     information between the first and second rings, in which case, 
     a setting of 2 or 3 is needed.

  {3,8}RATSoft Memory Base:

     The "base" amount of memory RATSoft allocates for itself in 
     kilobytes (k). This does not reflect how much memory RATSoft 
     actually uses, but rather how much it is allowed to operate with. 
     A very low setting may cause slow performance or crashes, where 
     as a high setting may needlessly take memory which RATSoft does
     not require. Using the default setting is recommended. If crashing 
     becomes a common problem on your system, try adjusting this number
     upwards.

  {3,8}Direct All Feedback to...:

     When a caller uses the feed-back function ([feed]), the message 
     is sent to the given user number. Normally, this is 1 for the SysOp.

  {3,8}All New User Notices Sent to...:

     RATSoft notifies the given user number of new callers to the 
     system with a brief little notice.

  {3,8}Filelist/DSC Filename Prefix:

     The prefix used for the file section list generator, and .DSC files.
     This should be unique to your BBS to prevent conflicts with other 
     RATSoft systems. This may be 1 to 6 characters, although 3-4 is 
     recommended.

  {3,8}BBS Operation Hours:
    
     If your system is not active 24 hours, you may use this option 
     to automatically limit the hours RATSoft will respond to incoming 
     calls.

  {3,8}Chat Availability Hours:

     The chat pager is automatically turned ON at the given time, 
     and OFF at the end of the period. The first is for weekdays 
     (Monday-Friday), and the second for Weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

SET3Settings, Page III

  {3,8}Alternate File Devices:

     These are the devices which RATSoft will scan for available 
     space when choosing a destination for uploads when they are 
     validated.

     For example, if the default path for a file area is 
     C:\RATSOFT\ATARI\UTILS\, RATSoft will first scan this path for
     enough free space. If there is not sufficient free space, the
     alternative devices are used. For example, if devices I and J 
     are selected, RATSoft will then check those devices, and place 
     the file in I:\RATSOFT\ATARI\UTILS\ or J:\RATSOFT\ATARI\UTILS\.

  {3,8}Alternate Upload Devices:

     The largest available partition is used for incoming uploads. 
     The folder scheme follows that which was first defined when an 
     upload path was specified for the conference.

  {3,8}Screen Saver:

     After a given number of minutes have passed at the wait-call 
     screen with no activity, the screen is blanked preventing 
     "burn-in." 

  {3,8}ANSI: Controls ANSI emulation.
 
     If your system appears to be slow when emulating ANSI on your 
     screen, change this option to "Off at High Speeds" (ANSI emulation 
     is only used for calls below 9600 bps), or "Off" (no emulation).


CONFConferences

     Remember that each conference may have it's own message bases and file 
     sections, separate from those located in other conferences. Users may 
     be denied access to a conference through flags in their user data.


  {3,8}Add Conference:

     Select where (in what order) you would like the new conference to be
     placed in relation to the existing conferences and click the ADD button.
     RATSoft will then create a new directory for that conference as well as
     set up a path for all of the message base files for that conference.

  {3,8}Delete Conference:

     Click on the conference you wish to delete and then click on the delete
     button. {2,1}Remember, deleting a conference is permanent, you can't bring
     {2,1}it back!

  {3,8}Move Conference:

     Simply, drag the conference you desired moved, to it's new position
     relative to the other conferences. RATSoft will confirm with you that
     you do indeed wish to move the conference. It will then move the 
     conference to it's new position.

  {3,8}Changing Folder Names:

     To change a Conference's folder name, simply click on the column called 
     "Folder" on the line for the conference you wish to change the name of.
     You may then type in a new name for the folder.

  {3,8}Changing Conference Names:

     Select the conference you wish to change, and type in the new name.

COLORColor Settings Page

     This page allows you to select whether the Wait-Call Screen and the 
     On-Line screens background color is black or white. 

     If you wish to change the actual colors of the text and graphics 
     within RATSoft, use the Color CPX module to adjust them system wide.
