Questions and Answers for RemoteAccess 2.x
###### RA.Q&A ######
Updated on 02/04/96
By: Eric Staufer
The Concession Stand
FidoNet 1:374/6568
Table of Contents: Section:
+------------------- +---------
* Message Menu Commands *Q&A* ...................... 1
+- More Message Areas
+- Message Parameters
+- Mass Mail
+- Group Mail
+- JAM Message Base Setups
+- JAM Message Base w/ FastEcho
+- Watchdog messages
+- How to get rid of the '*' on AreaList
+- A method faster than @all ?
* File Area Commands *Q&A* ......................... 2
+- U/L problem from RA 1.11
+- More File Areas
+- Installation of CDROM
+- GENFBASE.EXE Help
+- RAFILE.EXE Help
+- RAMGR File Base Help
+- How to import a FILE_ID.x
+- Different Filelist Formats
+- How to shorten the download counter
+- How to Zip Comment Files off of CD-ROM
* Language Editor/Control Codes *Q&A* ............. 3
+- Changing Colors in Language Prompts
+- Color Code Chart
+- K!xxxxx| Option
* Security Level Setup *Q&A* ....................... 4
* Miscellaneous Features *Q&A* ..................... 5
+- How to get Multinode logs
+- External Protocol Setups
+- How to setup ANSI screens for Menus.
+- How to get RA to check and download RIP Icons
+- How to make RA not to echo password characters
+- How to automatically notify a user whose had
an incorrect password attempt
+- How to get ESC, <--, ENTER, & TAB as hotkeys
+- What to do if you have users logging in at
64000bps every time
+- What to do if at each login, it says that
you have an event coming up.
+- Default Logon Preferences
+- Not using FILEAREA.A?? or hard-coded areas
+- Setting up different menus for different SLs
* Multiple hotkey setup with RemoteAccess! ......... 6
* FAX with RemoteAccess ............................ 7
- 1 -
#### Message Menu Commands ####
Q. People say that there can be more than 250 message and file areas, how?
A. If and when you do need more areas than 250 areas, you go into the
RACONFIG under Manager, go over to the File Areas, and then hit PGDN
to you reach 250, then all you do is hit the INS key, and 1 more area
will be added, you do the same with the message areas.
Q. How do I send mail to EVERY USER? {+} Registered Command
A. This is not to hard of a task. MAKE SURE THAT THE GROUP MAIL IS SET
TO SYSOP LEVEL, or every user will send mass mail to every user, once
they find how to do it!
Area 15 - * Sysop's Mass Mail *
From: Eric Staufer (or your name)
To: @all
Subject:
Then just enter the message.
When it asks you for a a Return Receipt, put (N)o. Or you will add
on a good size more mail. I have roughly 396 users (as of 12/11/93)
and I had to send this 4k message to everyone, it ended up for me
to use around 1.3 megs to send all the mail out! Imagine if you
requested a return receipt!
Q. How do I send messages to a specific security and group?
A. Straight from the RA.DOC, here's what it says about this:
Users having access to the Group Mail feature may use any
of the following macros in the To: field of a message:
To Field Action Description
-------- ------------------
@group Post message to all users in group
@ALL Post message to all users
=security Post message to all users with security
level equal to
>security Post message to all users with security
level greater than
Q. How do I setup a JAM Message base with RA 2.x?
A. JAM Message Bases are not that difficult to setup, here is an
example of one of my JAM Message Bases:
+----------------------------------------------------+ Message area 14 ++
| |
| Name Fido: RA Support |
| Origin The Concession Stand, 407-569-6568, RA/Beta, 33.6 Dual |
| |
| Read security 0 Type EchoMail AltGroup1 0 |
| A flag -------- Status Public AltGroup2 0 |
| B flag -------- Users Real names only AltGroup3 0 |
| C flag -------- Days old 30 AllGroups No |
| D flag -------- Days rcvd 7 NetReply 0 |
| Max msgs 250 |
| Write security 0 Echoinfo Yes |
| A flag -------- Combined Yes |
| B flag -------- Attaches No |
| C flag -------- SoftCRs No |
| D flag -------- Deletes No |
| AKA 1:374/6568 |
| Sysop security 100 Age 0 |
| A flag -------- Group 2 |
| B flag -------- Area type JAM |
| C flag -------- JAMbase c:\ra\msgbase\jam\rasupp |
| D flag -------- |
| |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
* Notice the Area type -- JAM
and
* Notice the JAMbase -- c:\ra\msgbase\jam\rasupp
The JAMbase asks you to state a path and a base filename of the JAM
files.. Such as for this message base RA SUPPORT, all of the files
for this message base will be named RASUPP.*
These files will be created for this area:
RASUPP JHR 171562 08-06-95 11:17a
RASUPP JDT 404089 08-06-95 11:17a
RASUPP JDX 5032 08-06-95 11:17a
RASUPP JLR 304 08-06-95 11:17a
Just remember when you DO fill out the JAMbase do NOT state
a file extension !
*** SHARE must be loaded in order for JAM to work properly ***
Q. How do I setup FastEcho with a JAM Message Base?
A. With the example above, I will show you how to setup one (1) JAM
message base with FastEcho.
+---------------------------------- Edit Area -----------------------------+
| Name: RA_SUPPORT Group: A |
| Comment: RemoteAccess Support Echo |
| Origin: |
| Type: Echomail |
| Storage: JAM Board: |
| Path: C:\RA\MSGBASE\JAM\RASUPP |
| Use Aka: 1:374/6568.0 |
| |
| Mandatory: N Keep SEEN-BY: N Tiny SEEN-BY: N CPD: N Pass: N |
| Convert Umlaut: N Keep users: N Kill read: N Disable Passive: N |
| Manual changes: Y Hide area: N Keep netmails: N |
| |
| Purging # Msgs: 0 # Days: 0 # Rcvd Days: 0 |
| Security Read: 0 Write: 0 |
| |
| Seen-by: 1:374/6568 |
| Export to: |
| |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Press F10 to save or ESC to abort editing... |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
* The STORAGE is JAM ..
* The PATH is the path to the base filename of your JAM files for that
|-- specific message area, which in this area would be RASUPP.
|
|-> (Remember that in the example above this one, the base filename for
this messagebase is RASUPP, so make sure they both match).
This works for me, and the echo tosses fine, and I can reply just fine.
Q. What are the RAMSG parameters to link, purge, etc ... for the JAM
Message Bases?
A. The ones listed below is what I use, and it works fine for me.
ramsg link -clean
ramsg pack -jam -purge -delete -recover -renumber -overwrite -link
Q. How do I get rid of those '*' which are to the left of the
message areas?
A. Just add a /NONEW in the optional data parameter in the menucmnd.
Q. How can I setup mass mail on my board without filling up the
harddrive and taking forever to do so?
A. Bryan Fuller had sent me this information:
Ok everyone. Listen up. This is for all of you complaining about how
when you do a @all it makes hundreds of copies and fills up your
drive,and besides that, is slow. I have a solution that is quick and
easy.
Make an area called Board Notices or something like that. Set it to
No-Reply, read security should be set to your normal user security (Or
whatever security level you want to be able to read it), write security
should be set to sysop or co-sysop, and deletes not permitted.
In your TOP menu, Make a command to read messages, set it to autoexec,
set the security to match the read security of the area, and in the
optional data do a "# /K=N" where # is the number of the message area.
TA-DA!
For those of you that don't know and want to know, the /K=N means to
enter the N keystroke just as the user would, making it read new
messages only. See the RA documentation for info on this feature, I just
love it :).
- 2 -
#### File Area Commands ####
Q. I just upgraded from 1.xx to 2.x, and how do I get uploads to work?
A. Simple, you must first go into the menu manager in the RACONFIG, find
your upload option and then change the optional data from the path to
the area number, in which you have the New Upload area.
1.xx> Optional Data: d:\uploads
2.xx> Optional Data: 11
Q. People say that there can be more than 250 message and file areas, how?
A. If and when you do need more areas than 250 areas, you go into the
RACONFIG under Manager, go over to the File Areas, and then hit PGDN
to you reach 250, then all you do is hit the INS key, and 1 more area
will be added, you do the same with the message areas.
Q. How do I install a CD-ROM disc that have Files.BBS in each directory?
A. First, you must make areas in the RACONFIG, that match the number of
areas you have on your CD. For Example,if you were installing Night Owl
v19, they have areas on the disc like 001a - 052a or something close,
(make sure you know what area 001a is, like Games A-Z, or something.
You should set your areas to like this.
+------------------------------------- File area 140 +ger
-----------| |--------+--
###########| Name CD-ROM: Harddisk Utilities | areas |##
###########| Path E:\UTILS |roups |##
###########| |e areas |##
###########| DL security 50 New No AltGroup1 0 |roups |##
###########| A flag -------- Dupes No AltGroup2 0 |tocols |##
###########| B flag -------- CD-ROM Yes AltGroup3 0 |guages |##
###########| C flag -------- Free No Device 0 |Fn keys |##
###########| D flag -------- LongDesc No AllGroups No |nts |##
###########| DirectDL No |us |##
###########| List security 10 PwdUL No | files |##
###########| A flag -------- UL scan No |bined |##
########## | B flag -------- ArcType |its |##
###########| C flag -------- DL days 0 |--------+##
###########| D flag -------- FD days 0 |###########
###########| MoveArea 0 |###########
###########| UL security 100 Min age 0 |###########
###########| A flag -------- Password |###########
###########| B flag -------- Group 3 |###########
###########| C flag -------- Def.cost 0 |###########
###########| D flag -------- Uploads 0 |###########
###########| |###########
-----------+------------------------------------------------------+-----------
**Note** Please make sure that you change the Name of the Area, Drive Letter,
D/L security, List Security, and U/L security to suit your needs.
CD-ROM has to be set for YES, and the NEW has to be set for NO,
if set to yes, it would search this area in the NEW FILES SEARCH
Q. How do I import descriptions from the CD to the file manager?
A. Well, seeing how you should have already setup all the CD file areas,
you should now run GENFBASE, be sure that you remember the area numbers
that begin with your CD areas and the area that ends them.
+++ I advise that you backup your TXT, HDR, and IDX, directory before
you start this, you might mess it up and some words might be missing,
from the descriptions. +++ It will ask:
Start at area#: xxx
End at area#: xxx
Then it will ask about download counters.. put in NO.
Then it will ask about LF/CRs or something... check your Files.BBS
on the CD, to see whether or not if it has multiple descriptions,
if it only has 1 line description (ie Monster Disc II), put in NO.
but if it does have multiple descriptions (ie Night Owl vx.0) put in
YES.
If it asks about something having to do with indentation with the
Files.BBS, leave it at the default, 0.
+++ like I said, make a backup of the TXT, HDR and IDX dir, before you
go on with this thing. +++
Q. I just switched from RA 1.11 to RA 2.x, and this RAFILE thing is
sorta screwey to me.. how do I make it generate a newfiles list,
a master list, and main board files (this is if you have CD-ROM areas)
? What is this /B option, the /D option, and the *.LST files used in
the RAFILE FILELIST command?
A. Here are my examples, the ones I use, and I organized it show I'll
show you what each one does.
rafile filelist d:\ra\files\concess\master.txt /Brafile.ban
+-- path plus file name. +- banner to make appear
before the list.
rafile filelist d:\ra\files\concess\concess.txt /Brafile.ban @CONCESS.LST
+-- path plus file name. +- Banner +- which
area I want
to be shown
on the list
rafile filelist d:\ra\files\concess\newfiles.txt /Brafile.ban /D7
+-- path plus file name. +- Banner +- Newfiles
in 7 days.
you can change
(How CONCESS.LST reads: the 7 to any
number.
1-39
1-39 are the file areas that I want included on one of the lists that
I generated. Change it to anything that you want it to be.
The /Dx number shows the newfiles in how many days (x=days) (optional)
The /Bxxxx.xxx option gives you the option if you want a banner file
in the filelist, you do not have to use this if you decide not too
(optional).
RAFILE FILELIST
This is required, of course to make it run the filelist program.
^^^^^^^^
d:\ra\files\concess\newfiles.txt
The path of course, is required, please change to suit your needs.
^^^^^^^^
The @xxxxxxx.xxx option, lets you have which areas in the list that you
want to have or not. The @ is required beforehand. (optional)
Q. How do I enable the (T)agging prompt on the Keyword Search and the
Filename search commands?
A. Simple, just add in the Optional Data line for these commands a
/T parameter, this will fix this up for you.
*** Here are the listing of all the RAMGR Fx keys ***
+---------------------------------------------------------- Command summary +
| (ESC) Escape back to file area selection list |
| (ENTER) Edit the highlighted file or comment |
| (F2) Edit the description of the highlighted file |
| (SPACE) Drop anchor for file block |
| (DEL) Delete the highlighted file(s) |
| (INSERT) Insert a new file entry at the highlight position |
| (SHIFT-INSERT) Insert a new comment at the highlight position |
| (ALT-A) Adopt orphaned files |
| (ALT-B) Buffer operations (copy, paste, edit, import, export) |
| (ALT-C) Copy highlighted file(s) to another area |
| (ALT-D) Toggle file listing display format (user mode is slower) |
| (ALT-F) Find a file (wildcards valid) |
| (ALT-G) Generate a text file from the current area (FILES.BBS) |
| (ALT-H) Hurl (move) highlighted file(s) to another area |
| (ALT-I) Import a text file as comment lines |
| (ALT-K) Find a file (keyword description search) |
| (ALT-M) Move highlighted file(s) within the current area |
| (ALT-P) Put a copy of the highlighted file(s) in any directory |
| (ALT-R) Rename the highlighted file |
| (ALT-S) Sort highlighted files |
| (ALT-T) Touch upload date on highlighted files |
| (ALT-U) Update highlighted entries from DOS information |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Q. How do I import a FILE_ID.x into the RA's FDB, without using an
external utility?
A. Here is how to do it:
1.> Go into the RAMGR and pick a filearea in which you would like
to do this to.
2.> Then press ALT-B and this should pop-up:
+---------- Buffer +e Date DL# Last DL Flags +-- Keyword --+
| Copy to buffer |----------------------------------------------------------
| Edit buffer |
| Paste to comment | TCS Filelists/NewFiles
| +-to description |
| Import from file |ailable : 4 Average Downloads: 227
| Export to file |ze : 654Kb Total Downloads : 2045
+------------------+ File : RAFILES.ZIP downloaded by 796 users
CONCESS.ZIP 223145 26-Jan-96 0652 26-Jan-96 F------
FILESTAT.ZIP 7603 26-Jan-96 0012 23-Jan-96 F------
NEWFILES.ZIP 6319 26-Jan-96 0492 21-Jan-96 F------
RAFILES.ZIP 207933 26-Jan-96 0796 26-Jan-96 F------
----------Area 1: TCS Filelists/NewFiles (13 entries) (FREE)-----------+ 7+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F1) Command summary
Well, not necessarily these files that I have on my bbs should appear :)
But this little box in the upper right hand corner should appear, then
move the cursor down to the IMPORT FROM FILE:
+-- Name --+ Size Date DL# Last DL Flags +-- Keyword --+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCS Filelists/NewFiles
Files available : 4 Average Downloads: 227
Total size : 654Kb Total Downloads : 2045
+-------------------------------------------------- Import file to buffer +
| |
C| ###################################################################### |
F| |
M+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
NEWFILES.ZIP 6319 26-Jan-96 0492 21-Aug-96 F------
RAFILES.ZIP 207933 26-Jan-96 0796 26-Jan-96 F------
----------Area 1: TCS Filelists/NewFiles (13 entries) (FREE)------------+ 7+-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F1) Command summary
This box should pop up in the center of the screen after you press enter
on the IMPORT FROM FILE. Simply, enter the name of the file in which
you would like to import. Then press ENTER. The file will be put into
RA FDB's Buffer. In which you can edit by bringing up the pop-up menu
again, but pressing ALT-B and down to EDIT BUFFER. Then, once you have
everything setup properly, hit ALT-B again, and move it to the
+- to description and press ENTER. Then this will pop up:
+-- Name --+ Size Date DL# Last DL Flags +-- Keyword --+
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCS Filelists/NewFiles
Files available : 4 Average Downloads: 227
Total size : 654Kb Total Downloads : 2045
+------------------------------------------------ Paste buffer to description +
| |
| Paste the buffer into the description of the highlighted file (Y,n,esc)? # |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
NEWFILES.ZIP 6319 26-Jan-96 0492 21-Jan-96 F------
RAFILES.ZIP 207933 26-Jan-96 0796 26-Jan-96 F------
----------Area 1: TCS Filelists/NewFiles (13 entries) (FREE)-----------+ 8+-
Main BBS Files on The Concession Stand, updated nightly! (NO CDs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F1) Command summary
Then whichever file you are on it will ask you this question, once
you hit ENTER the current file description will be erased with the
one in the buffer. Then just press F2 and edit the description to
suit your needs. It's great to use after you download a files
description from another RA 2.x bbs!
Q. I would love to create different filelist formats with RemoteAccess,
but I am not an artist, and cannot figure this out.
A. Creating different filelist formats isn't that hard to do once you've
experimented.. Listed below are all of the different options you can
put in the format..
(Taken from the RA.DOC)
List Format
------------------------------------------------------------
Using this option, you may configure the format in which
file database entries are displayed to your users. This is
accomplished using a template for the display line. This
method allows you to completely customize the way in which
your file lists are presented. The following table lists
the macros that are supported within this field as well as
within the "Missing format" field described in this section.
{+} Registered only.
Macro String Data Represented by This Macro
------------------------------------------------------------
@NE Filename, uppercase, with extension.
@NN Filename, uppercase, no extension.
@SB File size in bytes.
@SK File size in kilobytes.
@UL Name of the file Uploader.
@UD Date on which file was uploaded.
@FD Actual file date.
@LD Date on which the file was last downloaded.
@TD Number of times file has been downloaded.
@Kn Keyword [n] for the file (where n = 1 to 5).
@CS Cost of the file in credits (deducted from user's
credit).
@DF Formatted description of the file.
@DU Unformatted description of the file (also referred
to as user mode).
@FR Displays (Free) if the file is free, spaces if it is
not.
@NA Displays (NotAvail) if the file is marked as not
available.
@NW Displays an * character if the file is new, space if
it is not.
@PW Displays (Password) if the file is password-
protected.
Here are some sample formats. Remember you can only change this if you are
a registered RemoteAccess SysOp. (For all of the colors look below in the
next section, all of the colors and how to make the "White K" is listed
below: I left out the colors, but this is the main idea:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@NE @SKk @FD@NW [@TD] Uploaded By: @UL| @DF
01 FileName.Ext 243k 01-01-80* [0000] Uploaded By: John Doe
This is where the file description is................................
And this is where it continues.........
(Note: After the pipe there are three (3) spaces)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@NE @SB @FD@NW [@TD] @DF
01 Filename.Ext 29324 01-01-80* [0000] This is where the description goes and
this is where it continues.....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@FR @NA @PW|+-- @NE @SKk @FD@NW [@TD] Uploaded By: @UL | @DF
01 (Free) (NotAvail) (Password)
+-- Filename.Ext 234k 01-01-80* [0000] Uploaded By: John Doe
This is the file description and it keeps going on and on and on.. etc
This is where it continues....
(Note: Most of the time (Free), (NotAvail), and (Password) will show up, and
there are seven (7) spaces after the second pipe and before the @DF)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|@NE @SB @FD New: [@NW]
| + Special_Att: @FR @NA @PW (Sent to us by Paul Webb)
| + Description: @DF
01
Filename.zip 34566 01-01-80 New: [*]
+ Special Att: (Free) (NotAvail) (Password)
+ Description: Formatted Description here....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|@NE (@SKk) @FD@NW @DF
01
Filename.zip (234k) 01-01-80* Description..........
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|+> @NE @SB @FD@NW [@TD] Uploaded by: @UL| +> @DF
01
+> Filename.ext 24958 01-01-80* [0000] Uploaded by: John Doe
+> This is the file description .......
To get the neat little ascii characters such as + hold in the ALT key and
then while it's being held down, press 212 (using the numeric keypad) once
you punch in 212, release the ALT key, and then + should show up).. fool
around with it until you get it, there are plenty more ascii characters! :-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll most likely add more in the next release, but this should
give most of you sysops some ideas on how to improve or replace
your existing filelist format, if you are going to.
I have one other thing to say, if you add TOO many color codes to your file-
list format, then it will go crazy on you and totally mess it up until you
delete a few color codes or so. I've experienced this quite a few times
when creating my filelist format......
Q. How can i shorten the [0000] 4-digit download counter to [000] 3
3 digits or [00] 2?
A. Right before the @TD for the download counter add a #02 for 2 digits
or #03 for 3 digits, then you must have to restore the value back at
normal.. sounds complicated, but it's not. Watch.
[#02@TD#00] that would make it read [00].
[#03@TD#00] that would make it read [000].
Note that the #00 MUST be placed immediately back, or your filelist format
will be totally messed up.
Q. How do I add a Zip Comment to a file which was copied from the
CD-ROM to the HardDrive?
A. You should be able to run a batch file from the language prompt:
"One Moment, Transferring files." -- Prompt #626
I exported this message which Pete Rocca wrote to someone concerning how
to do this:
In your "Copying files from CDROM" message, do a ^X*C /C PROCESS.BAT *N|
before the prompt, that will execute the program PROCESS.BAT and pass it
the node number. Then..
PROCESS.BAT
@echo off
cd \temp_directory_for_cdrom_files\%1
for %%c in (*.ZIP) do PKZIP %%c -z < COMMENT.TXT
for %%c in (*.ARJ) do ARJ command to insert comment
exit
The files should have new comments when done..... Thanks Pete!
- 3 -
#### Language Editor/Control Codes ####
Q. People say that I can change colors in the RACONFIG Language Prompts
I have always wanted to change a particular word/phrase or letter, how?
A. This is not difficult at all. When you are in the Language Editor,
go find your prompt that you want to edit. Once you find it, you have
many choices to turn the letters a different color. Here is the color
codes that RA can support .
Background Normal
Color Foreground
-------------|-------------------
Black 0
Blue 1
Green 2
Cyan 3
Red 4
Magneta 5
Brown 6
Gray 7
Foregound Color
Color #
--------------|--------------------
Black 0
Blue 1
Green 2
Cyan 3
Red 4
Magneta 5
Brown 6
Gray 7
Dark Gray 8
Light Blue 9
Light Green A
Light Cyan B
Light Red C
Light Magneta D
Yellow E
White F
For Example:
--> K[0A - Green Foreground on a Black background
|-> K[3C - Red Foreground on a Cyan background
|
**NOTE** to make a the K, do have to do this in the Language Editor press
| Ctrl-P (the cursor should flash), then press Ctrl-K, a White K
| should appear in the space where you put it.
|
| Here is an example of a text being edited:
|
| Normal Text Line: Enter your current password
|---> Colorized Text: Enter your K[0Acurrent password
This would make the CURRENT PASSWORD change to green.
Q. How do I display a textfile immediately after the other text file
with the new control code? {+} Registered Command Only.
A. Here is my WELCOME.ASC screen for my bbs. Notice the last line below
doubled line. The ^K!WELCOME3|
Hi, ^FW, and welcome back to The Concession Stand!
We have just added a few new door games, so check them out!
Blah and blah blah blah..
Press ENTER to Continue^A
^K!WELCOME3|
The ^K!WELCOME3| will automatically display the text file Welcome3.xxx
after the user hits Enter (notice the ^A, meaning the user has to hit
enter).
The will work with any textfile. ==AND== in the Language Editor!
The best textfile to use this feature, which I think, is the file
ONCEONLY.xxx if you want to display more for the user to see only
one time, use it on this. It works nicely.
Q. How do I put a text file as the prompt in the language editor?
A. Just add the ^K!filename| option in there, make sure that you
have the .ANS/.ASC/.RIP/.AVT made (not everyone has RIP and AVT
on their bbs). For instance:
The language prompt is:
Autologoff in 10 secs; press "!" to disconnect or "S" to remain online.
Instead of that Autologoff message, you can do this, like what I have
done:
K!autolog|
Which would display the textfile (ANS/ASC/AVT/RIP): it appears like this:
[ ^KG, ^KI, ^KJ]
Total Time Online: ^FU mins
* Auto logoff in ten seconds, "!" to disconnect or "S" to Stop *
Of course I had just given you the ASCII version of it, and my
colors are not shown up on here, but this is great for you to use!
-= Please remember that the ^ stands for CTRL. =-
- 4 -
#### Security Level Setup ####
Q. How do I edit/create Security Levels?
A. In the RACONFIG, there is the feature under Manager.Limits
File System Options Modem Manager
---------------------------------------+------------------------------- Edit +
#######################################| |
#+------------------------------ Select| Security 50 57600 0 |
#| Level Time 1200 2400 9600 14400 | Time 45 64000 0 |
#|-------------------------------------| 300 200 Local 1000 |
#| 10 30 0 150 200 350 | 1200 450 RatioNum 0 |
#| 50 45 450 740 1250 1300 | 2400 740 RatioK 0 |
#| 60 90 2500 2500 2500 2500 | 4800 1000 PerMin 0.000 |
#| 61 90 2500 2500 2500 2500 | 7200 1000 FlexTime 0.000 |
#| 81 90 2000 2000 2000 2000 | 9600 1250 Session 0 |
#| 100 800 5000 5000 5000 5000 | 12000 1250 Reset Never |
#| | 14400 1300 ResetOfs 0 |
#| | 16800 1500 ResetAmt 0 |
#| | 19200 1500 |
#| | 21600 1500 |
#| | 24000 1500 |
#| | 26400 1500 |
#| | 28800 1500 |
#| | 31200 1500 |
#| | 33600 1500 |
#+-------------------------------------| 38400 1500 |
#######################################| |
---------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
Time : Daily Time Limit per day
300 - 64000 : Download Limits per day (BPS)
Local : Local Daily Download Limit per day
RatioNum : Download Ratio Limit (number of files)
RatioK : Download Ratio Limit (in K)
PerMin : Per Minute Logon Cost (deducted from Credits)
FlexTime : Credits to deduct after time limit expired.
Session : Max time limit per session (0=Disabled)
Reset : How often to reset credits
ResetOfs : When to reset credits from above field (RESET)
ResetAmt : Credit Amount to adjust users accout by
- 5 -
#### Miscellaneous Options ####
Q. Since I run multinode, how do I obtain a log for each node?
A. This is also simple. Where it asks for your System's Log path.
Enter the path, but instead of just C:\LOGS\RA.LOG do this at
the field.
C:\LOGS\RA*N.LOG
If a user logs on to node 1, then it will produce the log named:
C:\LOGS\RA1.LOG
If a user logs on to node 5, then it will produce the log named:
C:\LOGS\RA5.LOG -- etc...
Q. How do I get RemoteAccess to display RIP Screens with RemoteAccess?
I have already made up the RIP Screens, but cannot get them to
display.
A. Your RIP screens, MUST have the extension .RIP on them, and they
must be placed into your textfiles directory (the directory which
contains all of your ANSI/ASCII files).
Q. How do I setup ANSI menus with RemoteAccess?
A. This is really quite simple to do, here is the overview then I'll go
into detail:
+---------------------------------------+ C:\RA\ENGLISH\MENUS\RAMSG.MNU ++
| |***| Display-H | RAMSG |
| |'1'| Read msgs | 14 |
| |'2'| Read msgs | 15 |
| |'3'| Read msgs | 16 |
| |'4'| Read msgs | 13 |
| |'A'| Post msg | 14 /T= |
| |'B'| Post msg | 15 /T= |
| |'C'| Post msg | 16 /T= |
| |'D'| Post msg | 13 /T= |
| |'Q'| Clear/Goto | MESSAGES |
| |
| |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
here is an overview of the menu itself. Notice how nothing is displayed in
the DISPLAY column. Also, notice the first command on the menu DISPLAY-H
with a hotkey of *** (autoexec). Here's that command:
+-------------------------------------------------------+ Edit Menu Item ++
| |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
| 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123 |
| ; |
| |
| RAMSG |
| |
| Action Display .ANS/.ASC file with menu HotKeys (Type 40) |
| Display |
| OptData |
| HotKey |
| AutoExec Yes |
| Colour Colour example |
| |
| MinSec 0 TimeUsed 0 FlatCost 0 |
| MaxSec 0 TimeLeft 0 TimeCost 0 |
| A flags -------- Age 0 Terminal Any |
| B flags -------- MinSpeed 0 Nodes |
| C flags -------- MaxSpeed 0 Groups |
| D flags -------- Credit 0 DayTimes |
| |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
It's a simple TYPE-40 command with the optional data of the ansimenu only
giving the BASE FILE NAME (no extension), and the AUTOEXEC has is set to YES.
On each of the other commands, there MUST BE a semicolon (;) in the display
field what this does is it keeps the menu from not scrolling up, you'll know
what I'm talking about if you forget to put in one.
Q. How can I get RemoteAccess to check and download Icons?
A. Anthony Haxton sent me a copy of Mike Ehlert's letter on how to
do this, here it is:
How to get RemoteAccess to check and download RIP Icons.
* By Mike Ehlert, forwarded by Anthony Haxton.
>> the most difficult thing to implement was to have my top menu
>> check to see if the user had my icons in their terminal already
>> or not, and if they didn't have them I send them over automaticly.
>Would you mind telling me how you managed to do it? :-)
In my top menu, I have several auto-execute menu options, and the last two
look like this:
|***| Display-H | RIPCHECK
|***| Goto menu | MAIN
So the file RIPCHECK.RIP is displayed just before the main menu is entered,
(if the user is using RIP of cource). This RIP file asks the users terminal
if they already have a particular ICON file. The users RIP returns a "1" if
they do, or a "0" if they don't. Here is how my RIPCHECK.RIP looks:
!|1F000000pcm-file.icn|#|#|#
So this checks the users icon directory for pcm-file.icn, and if it does not
exits, then RIP "presses" the "0" key, which i check for in my main.mnu, and
that hotkey runs (gosubs) my loadicon.menu:
|***| Display | RIPICONS
|***| Execute | c:\protocols\dsz.com port *p sz c:\icons\*.*
|***| Return |
So this menu first sends a RIP file to inform the users terminal that an
icon download is about to take place via zmodem, and then it runs a type-7
which uses DSZ.COM to zmodem the icons to the user, after which it returns
to the main menu.
RIPICONS.RIP looks like this:
^L
!|1K|1B0000020PVS030E000F080700000F07000000|Y00000100
!|1U0303HO990000<><>|S0101|B0H0DH98Y|Y08000300
!|1B0000020QO6030E000F080700000F07000000|1U4R06CI0R2100<>PACIFIC
COAST MICRO<>
!|Y05000600|1B0000020W74030F000F080000080F07000000
!|1U1617GJ2X0000<>Reciving Icon Images...<>|9^[07020000*.ICN<>
!|#|#|#
(Note that the 1st line is a real ctrl-l not the "^L" characters)
(and the ^[ character is really an ESC character)
This displays a fancy window to the user, telling them they are recieving
icons, and then tells their terminal to start recieving icons via zmodem.
Regards, Mike
Q. How can I get RemoteAccess not to echo the password characters?
A. Simply go into the RACONFIG->OPTIONS->SYSTEM->Pwd Echo: _
Then in there use the DELete key to erase the current key, and
hold in the ALT key then by using the numeric keypad hit 0, then
release the ALT key, nothing should be in the box (it's ALT-0)
Hit ESC and then save it.. reboot RA and see what happens..
when it prompts you to type in your password, NOTHING should be
echoed after the password prompt.
Be sure to update your Password language prompt in the RACONFIG...
I have mine set to:
Password (no echo):
Also, note that using the DELete key instead of a ALT-0 would
appear to work; however, if you setup the User's Input text say
White on Blue, and the user mistyped a letter of their password
then hit backspace to fix it, the cursor placement would be a
little out of whack... just a note..
Q. How can I automatically post a message to a user whose account
has had a incorrect password attempt?
A. Go into the RACONFIG->OPTIONS->SYSTEM->Watchdog Areas: _
simply supply a message area and then create a textfile in your
system's directory (e.g. C:\RA) named WATCHDOG.MSG.
My WATCHDOG.MSG looks like this:
This message is to inform you that on the date and time this message
was created, an attempt was made to logon to this system using your
account. However, this attempt failed due to incorrect password entry.
If this was you, disregard this message. If this was NOT you, then be
advised that someone has tried to gain access under your user account.
Eric Staufer
Q. How do I get the ESCape, TAB, BackSpace, and ENTER keys as hotkeys?
A. It's not that difficult. Come time to enter the hotkey, do this:
Hit CTRL-P (cursor will blink) then the key.
If you did it correct, this is what should come up:
o ESC Key .. White [ .. then disappears .. then a little <-- will show up
o ENTER Key .. White M .. then disappears .. then a music not will show up
o TAB Key .. White I .. then disappears .. then a diamond will show up
o BackSpace .. White H .. then disappears .. then a diamond in a shade shows
What I mean by disappears, after you hit Enter and save the hotkey it will
go blank, and no hotkey will appear to be recorded, however it will still
be there. Then when you go back to the whole menu display (after exiting
the edit a command function), the arrow, music note, diamond, or diamond
in a shade will show up for the keys.
These special commands can come in handy, especially if you're a registered
RA SysOp. I have ESC as a global command to goto my Files Menu, TAB to go
to my Doors Menu, and BackSpace to goto my Message Menu (I dont use ENTER
as any of my commands).
Q. How come users are logging in at 64000bps?
A. If your users are logging in at 64000bps, go into the RACONFIG
and then to the modem setting, check to see that ALL of your
CONNECT MESSAGES are filled in properly.
Q. How come everytime someone logs onto the bbs, it says that
there is an event scheduled in a few minutes?
A. Make sure that there isnt a DOBBSx.BAT file residing in your main
\RA directory or in your mailer directory.
Q. How can I make users have default preferences when they logon?
Some users are complaining to me about having a newfiles search
and mail check at logon, while others want it, and some of them
dont even want to be prompted if they want to have it or not.
So, here's a method you can use.
A. This can be all done through a questionnaire off of the TOP.MNU.
A sample one is below.
ClearScreen
Display "|"
Display "|"
ChangeColor 7 0
Display "You will be asked some questions about your logon preferences.
You will|"
Display "only see this set of questions once, unless it's modified later
on.|"
Display "|"
Display "|"
ChangeColor 3 0
Display "At logon, would you like to scan for mail in your [0Fmailbox[03?
(Y/N): "
GetChoice YN 1
If 1 = "Y"
SetFlag B1 ON
EndIf
If 1 = "N"
SetFlag B1 OFF
Display "|"
ChangeColor 7 0
Display "Okay, remember, if you post me a message and expect a reply, you
are|"
Display "going to have to do a mail-box search off of the Message Menu,
'Y'.|"
EndIf
ChangeColor 3 0
Display "|"
Display "At logon, would you like to scan for [0FNew Files[03? (Y/N): "
GetChoice YN 2
If 2 = "Y"
SetFlag B2 ON
EndIf
If 2 = "N"
SetFlag B2 OFF
EndIf
Display "|"
Display "At logon, would you like to see the [0FOneLiners [03Door? (Y/N): "
GetChoice YN 3
If 3 = "Y"
SetFlag B3 ON
EndIf
If 3 = "N"
SetFlag B3 OFF
EndIf
Display "|"
Display "At logon, would you like to be shown [0FWho[03'[0Fs Online[03?
(Y/N): "
GetChoice YN 4
If 4 = "Y"
SetFlag B4 ON
EndIf
If 4 = "N"
SetFlag B4 OFF
EndIf
ChangeColor 7 0
Display "|"
Display "|"
Display "Thank you for filling this out, if you would like to change any of|"
Display "your defaults you can do so off of the Main Menu by pressing 'C'.|"
Display "|"
Display "[03Press [07ENTER [03to Continue[08]:[03"
WaitEnter
SetFlag B8 ON
Quit
[end]
I had to wrap some parts of a line to the next line due to the importing of
the questionnaire..
anyways....
Mail-box Search uses flag B1
New Files Search uses flag B2
OneLiners door uses flag B3
Who's Online program uses flag B4
After the users finishes the questionnaire, it turns Flag B8 ON, so that they
will never have to see this questionnaire again..
Now whats all on the Top.Mnu (in this order):
Display Menu Type/Command Opt.Data: Flags:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
; Type 12 (Execute Q-A) defaults B8 set to 'O'
; Type 22 (Mailbox Scan) B1 set to 'X'
; Type 37 (New Files Scan) /T /K=Y B2 set to 'X' {+}
; Type 7 (Execute Door) blah blah B3 set to 'X'
; Type 7 (Execute Door) blah blah B4 set to 'X'
{+} The /K=Y which inputs a 'Y'es for the new files scan will only work if
your copy of RemoteAccess is registered...
The last two Type 7's were for my OneLiners and Who's Online Doors...
Last two important things... In the RACONFIG, Mail Scan & New files Scan
must be set to 'NO'
Last thing, I also put this questionnaire as an option off of my Change Your
Info Menu, so that they can change their default values at anytime..
Q. I dont want to use the built in file area listing, and I cant
use the external textfile FILEAREA.??? because if I do that,
then some of my users who have a lower security level will
see areas which they arent supposed to. How can I get around
this?
A. Here's what one of the users had sent me pertaining to this:
Phillip Macartney had sent me this:
One thing that has annoyed me for over a year was the hard coded
'File area list' as I wanted a two column list but numbered down the
page (to keep like areas together) & as I have some restricted areas,
even shuffling the areas around wouldn't fix the problem! Also because
I have areas that all users are not to see using FILEAREA.??? was not
the answer.
So the solution I worked out is make an empty file called FILEAREA.ASC
in the TXTFILES directory & make a number of ans/asc displays of the
file areas put them into the TXTFILES directory, make the area select
command goto another menu set this menu up to AutoExec a TYPE 5 Menu &
display the appropriate ans/asc area list for the appropriate security
level/flags/age (repeat as many times as nessary for all the different
security levels) after these a TYPE 50 Select File Area AutoExec (this
will only display the "select area" prompt) finally a TYPE 1 Goto
another menu AutoEexec to return to the file menu (this is working fine
on my BBS, the only problem I have at the moment is having to have a
press ENTER to continue prompt on the bottom of the area list).
Q. How do I setup different ANSi menus on my board for different
security levels?
A. On my board, I did the this... And it's very simple to do, but
I had MANY questions about it.
All you have to do is:
Keep setting up different Type-40 Commands with the menus, but make sure
you limit the MinSec and MaxSec to fit your standards.
Display: Hotkey: MenuCmnd: Opt. Data: MinSec: MaxSec:
----------Å---------Å------------------------Å------------Å--------Å--------
; *** Type 40 (ANS w/hotkeys) MAIN 0 49
; *** Type 40 (ANS w/hotkeys) MAIN50 50 50
; *** Type 40 (ANS w/hotkeys) MAIN 51 0
In this example, the screen MAIN will be shown to users from SL 0-49, 51-65535
And then, the screen MAIN51 will be ONLY shown to users with SL of 51.
- 6 -
###### Multiple Hotkey Setup ######
Everyone wants to be able to have multiple hotkeys within RemoteAccess.
Well, without setting up tons of menuing and making your users get rid
of their "hotkey" flag, you know the thing which allows you punch in
a menu item while the menu is being displayed.. You can simply have your
menu a questionnaire! Yep, thats right, a questionnaire. This enables
you to have SEVERAL hotkeys (heck ones even upto 30+ hotkeys!).
Here's a sample questionnaire on how I run my Doors Menu with double
digit hotkeys (ie 10, 11, 12, etc).
This is very easy to follow, even if you dont know what you are doing with
questionnaires. First, I will show you the questionnaire, then I will
redisplay it for you on what is what with the questionnaire.
:LOOP
ClearScreen
DisplayFile DOORS
Display "Your Selection: "
Ask 2 1
If 1 = "1"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\tradewar.bat *N *UTradeWars *M
Goto LOOP
EndIf
If 1 = "2"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\pit1.bat *N *UThe_Pit *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "3"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\bre.bat *N *UBRE *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "10"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\bbslist.bat *N *D *UBBSLIST *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "11"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\ezhang.bat *N *UHangMan *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "18"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\usurper.bat *N *UUsurper *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "20"
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\fishing.bat *N *UFishing *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = ""
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "/"
MenuCmnd 4 MainMenu
EndIf
If 1 = "P"
MenuCmnd 7 c:\ra\icechat\icechat.exe *! *UIceChat *M
Goto Loop
EndIf
If 1 = "G"
MenuCmnd 4 Logoff
EndIf
If 1 = "Q"
MenuCmnd 4 MainMenu
EndIf
[end]
step by step now:
:LOOP <-- main loop of the questionnaire
ClearScreen <-- clears the screen
DisplayFile DOORS <-- displays the ans/asc/rip screen "Doors"
Display "Your Selection: " <-- my menu prompt
Ask 2 1 <-- asks for a 2 character input/question #1
If 1 = "1" <-- hotkey #1
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\tradewar.bat *N *UTradeWars *M <-- run tradewars
Goto LOOP <-- back to the loop and display file/prompt
EndIf <-- gotta be here to end the IF
If 1 = "2" <-- hotkey #2
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\pit1.bat *N *UThe_Pit *M <-- run ThePit
Goto Loop <-- back to the loop and display file/prompt
EndIf <-- end the if statement
If 1 = "10" <-- HotKey #10
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\bbslist.bat *N *D *UBBSLIST *M <-- runs BBSLIST
Goto Loop <-- goes back to the loop
EndIf <-- ends the IF statement
If 1 = "20" <-- HotKey #20
MenuCmnd 7 *C /c c:\ra\fishing.bat *N *UFishing *M <-- runs Fishing
Goto Loop <-- back to the loop
EndIf <-- ends the IF
If 1 = "" <-- if the user hits "ENTER" as a hotkey
Goto Loop it will go back to the loop, then
EndIf ends the if
If 1 = "/" <-- HotKey / to go back to the main menu
MenuCmnd 4 MainMenu <-- Clear Gosubs/Goto Menu "MainMenu"
EndIf <-- Ends the if statement
If 1 = "P" <-- HotKey P
MenuCmnd 7 c:\ra\icechat\icechat.exe *! *UIceChat *M <-- brings up IceChat
Goto Loop <-- yep.. back to the loop
EndIf <-- ends the if
If 1 = "G" <-- HotKey G
MenuCmnd 4 Logoff <-- goes to my logoff menu using Menu Type 4
EndIf <-- ends the if
If 1 = "Q" <-- HotKey Q
Even some people have now setup their mainmenus as a questionnaire, having
such hotkeys as FILES, DOORS, and QWK, etc..
Just follow the sample above, and you're capable of doing just about anything
that a menu can do as far as menu commands are concern.
- 7 -
Q. How can I do FAX with RemoteAccess?
A. Download the latest copy of BGFax, and then following this
guide sheet:
in RACONFIG.MODEM.COMMANDS the following setting should work:
Please NOTE that this setup worked for my old Zoom 28.8 modem...
check into BGFAX's docs for other modem setups..
init-1: ATZ+FCR=1;+FDCC=1,5,0,2,0,0,0,0|
init-2: AT+FLID="407 569 6568"|
Busy : ~ATH1|
Answer: AT+FAA=1;A|
since the RACONFIG only allows 2 init strings, and three would be nice to
have, you can always add your init string that you use to one of the others,
remember, this size of the init string are really big in the RACONFIG.
(I added on the Z to the first init 1 string right after the "AT" this should
reset your modem to the init string in it's memory).
Sub in your modem for the init-2.
In RACONFIG.OPTIONS.ERRORLEVELS:
set an errorlevel for FAX
For this example I will be using errorlevel 105
in your main batch file that you run RA, have something in there like this:
:recycle
ra
if errorlevel 105 goto fax
:fax
cd\bgfax
bgfax /fast c:\bgfax\in 1 Z
cd\ra
goto recycle
If /fast doesn't work try /fcon instead. The '1' means com1 and the Z
mean ZyXEL fax format. A 'Q' can be used instead for Quick Link II Fax
format.
Most of this stuff should work for you, different modems have different ways
to show a connection of a fax... take for instance, my Zoom 28.8 shows a
connect like this:
+FCON
It doesnt have any of that CONNECT stuff.. if you download BGFax, it'll have
a help file in it, just unzip it, and then it will have many different
textfiles in there, ones for Hayes 288's, USR DS's, Supra, and a few others.
* Trouble Shooting:
+--> I use this setup in shell to mailer mode. This should work fine with
just RemoteAccess by itself, since it has a CONNECT and an ERRORLEVEL
field. If for SOME reason after you receive a fax and then someone calls
up and your board says, "Times up for today, call back tomorrow" or some-
thing close to that, there is a DOBBS0.BAT in your \RA directory. You
must delete that after every incoming fax. This should really not happen
if you are just loading RA by itself, because the DOBBSx.BAT is created
by a mailer. Just a quick note if you do see something like this..and..
yes, you can use this to setup BGFax with FrontDoor or another mailer...
Q. How can i shorten the [0000] 4-digit download counter to [000] 3
3 digits or [00] 2?
A. Right before the @TD for the download counter add a #02 for 2 digits
or #03 for 3 digits, then you must have to restore the value back at
normal.. sounds complicated, but it's not. Watch.
[#02@TD#00] that would make it read [00].
[#03@TD#00] that would make it read [000].
Note that the #00 MUST be placed immediately back, or your filelist format
will be totally messed up.
###### RA.Q&A ######
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