Journal LEGENDS BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM Version 6.0 for the IBM Personal Computer JOURNAL Copyright 1988 by R/C The E-Phreaker April 9, 1988 This JOURNAL is approximately 28K long, it requires approximately 15 (fifteen) minutes to read at 300 Baud. [CTRL-S] Pause Listing [CTRL-C] Abort Listing Press any key to start reading LEGENDS BBS v6.0 JOURNAL..... 0 INTRODUCTION ----------- Foreword -------- Legends BBS is a Bulletin Board System for the IBM Personal Computer, which was created for the following purpose: to encourage the use of telecommunications via BBS (Bulletin Board Services), to provide a friendly user environment on a BBS, and to provide BBS users many powerful features (e.g., no wait time message reading). Legends BBS was created from many thousands of hours of man power, which included programming time, debugging time and Beta runs. Such effort was used to create one of the most innovated BBS programs available to this date! The history behind Legends BBS ------------------------------ During the beginning of that summer, I was interested in starting a BBS, since I had just purchased a 1200 baud modem and I had nothing else to do. I looked at a few BBS programs for the IBM and I found that not one BBS program had all the features I looked for. Dismayed, I decided not to start a BBS. A few days later, while I was talking to my friend about my predicament, he suggested that I should write my own BBS. I thought about the idea for a while, and decided to write one. My first version of Legends BBS was completed by July of 1988, and was a result of over a month of programming and two weeks of debugging. Legends v1.0 had many features, it included a nice editor, fast message access, and 3 SECI commands (Special Effects Command Interpreter; it allowed special text movements, like MCI on C-Net). The BBS was in operation for the rest of the summer. At the end of September, Legends BBS had over 125 active users, and averaged 10 calls a day. There were many revisions that were made since the first version of Legends BBS, and I will briefly explain the most important revisions that were made. Legends BBS v2.0 had a new type of message file system, instead of using a file for each message, each message base was contained in a relative random access file. This version also corrected the word wrap problem found in v1.0 Legends BBS v3.0 included file transfer capabilities, X-Modem transfer protocol was available now. SECI was also extended to 10 commands, and the editor was improved to support quick keys. Legends BBS v4.0 was the first version of Legends to support ANSI graphic/color codes. It expanded the SECI commands to 20 and gave users renewed interest in the BBS. Auto-comments were also added into the BBS. Legends BBS v5.0 included a voting booth, user editable auto-comments, and a separate sysop and sub-op menus. Also supported the use of drop to DOS feature. Legends BBS v6.0, the newest version of Legends Family contained many revisions from the older versions, including Y-Modem support, SECI expanded to over 30 commands, new access level assignment, more sysop and sub-op features, and over 30 main prompt commands! A detailed list of all of Legends v6.0 features will be described later. People who made Legends BBS possible ------------------------------------ Many people contributed to the success of Legends BBS, and I would like to thank each one of them for all their help. Such help ranged from programming suggestions, new ideas, improvements, etc. Without their help, this BBS could not be what it is today: Richard Wicentowski (Neptune) Mike DePepe (CoCo Kid!) Chris Hizny (Red Eagle) Jason Dessel (Genius!) John Maccaquano (JohNNy Nu-Wave) Mike Conklin (AF) Carl Wojtkowiak (CW/Sir Lance) Joe Conklin (Scarecrow) Victor Borlaza (Dupre) I also would like to thank all those people who have helped me via the modem whom I was not able to find out their real names: 8-Bit Xpert Quasitan Robin EP To those whose names I have not mentioned -- my deepest apologies, but your help will never be forgotten, for the Legends will always continue, and you are part of that legend! Legends BBS System Requirements ------------------------------- Legends BBS is designed to operate on an IBM Personal Computer or 100% compatible with the following: At least 256K of ram or more At least 2 floppy ddrive PC-DOS/MS-DOS 2.0 or higher 80 column monitor A Hayes compatible modem using communication port #1 or #2 o Automatic recording of System Errors The following are more detailed informationabout some of Legends BBS features: Quick keys ---------- Legends BBS allows one key command input, and displays the function name automatically (e.g. if a user press "A", the program will display "Auto-Message") After the command is displayed, the user is allowed to execute that command by pressing the [RETURN] key or chose another one by pressing the backspace key. These quick keys provide users an idea what the command does without the need of looking at a menu. Blurbs ------ Blurbs are another name for Legends BBS auto-comments. The number of Blurbs that are available can be set by the Setup program. Blurbs in Legends v6.0 are user editable. The program allows users to change or edit a blurb only if their access level is equal or greater than the access level of the user who created the blurb. This method is used to allow users with higher access more power than the lower access users. Full function Editor -------------------- Legends' Editor allows a full 80 column use. The maximum length of lines available for messages are set by the Setup program. The editor itself includes word wrapping and allows users to return to a previous line by pressing the backspace key at column 1. Editor functions can be called for anytime by pressing [CTRL-E]. Pressing [CTRL-E] will cause the editor to save the current line in memory and display the editor prompt, after the function is completed, the editor will redisplay the line that the user was working on. The editor functions include the following: Abort, Continue, Delete Lines, Edit a Line, Help on Commands, Insert a Line, List Lines, New Message, Read Message, and Save Message. Message files ------------- Legends stores all messages into one relative random access file. This method provides a quick method of retrieving messages. The Message Base uses two files, one file contains the message itself (SUB0.MES) and the other file (SUB0.SCN) contains the beginning and ending locations of the message in SUB0.MES, thus SUB0.SCN is essentially a scanning file that is used to find the message the person reads. This method provides virtually no wait time for reading messages, since all the messages are indexed; the purpose of using this method. (See Appendix B for more information) SECI Commands ------------- SECI (Special Effects Command Interpreter) are special functions used in messages that provide colors, text movement, key input, and conditional statements. These commands are activated by the tilda key, and then followed by a command letter and then an optional digit code can be provided for different variations of the function. I decided to program in SECI into Legends BBS, when I saw such commands available on C-Net BBS programs, and thought that such commands provide some extra interest in reading messages. There are currently 34 SECI commands available on Legends v6.0 Chat Mode and Terminal Emulation -------------------------------- Forced chat can be activated by pressing the F10 key on the sysop's keyboard only. When chat mode is activated, the BBS program automatically stops counting the user's time on-line, until he exits chat mode. Chat mode also provides automatic word wrapping and allows both the sysop or user to exit chat by pressing [CTRL-E]. Legends v6.0 also allows a terminal emulation mode when there is no users on-line. This function can also be activated by pressing the F10 key on the sysop's keyboard. Legends will check if there is an active modem, and if there isn't it goes into a terminal emulation mode. The terminal supports at this time 300/1200 Baud with eits BBS searches for these files first (if ANSI graphics toggle is on) by looking for the *.ANS extension on those files. If an ANSI file cannot be found, the program defaults to the normal file. Three level security -------------------- Legends BBS contains a triple layer access system, Primary Access Level, Secondary Access Level, and Sub-Board Access Level. Primary Access Level - is used most often, it determines what functions the user can use. The Primary Access level also determines how much time is allowed to the user per a call. Secondary Access Level - determines what Sub-Op or Sysop functions is available to the user. Sub-Board Access Level- determines what Sub-Boards the user has access to. (See Appendix A for more information about Legends Security procedures) Automatic time reduction ------------------------ Each time a user calls into the BBS, their time limit reduces by a certain ratio determined by the Maximum time available to the user divided by the number of calls made that day (e.g. A user has a maximum of 90 minutes per a call, and on his third call he will only have 30 minutes) Data capture of user session on-line ------------------------------------ This feature allows the user to record every function the user executed while on the BBS. This allows the sysop a continuous security monitor on all users without needing to watch the system every time a call comes in. (See Appendix A for more information) Legends configuration file -------------------------- Legends configuration file called "SETUP.EXE", allows sysops of the BBS to configure the BBS program: - Sub-directories of all of Legends Files - Assign names to Sub-Board - Assign access status titles - Change certain message variables - Change certain BBS parameters (e.g. communication port #) - Assign new user questions - Assign access time for each level - Assign access level for each command SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH BBS COMMAND -------------------------------------- GLOBAL COMMANDS/FUNCTIONS ------------------------- [CTRL-S] allows any long file listing to be paused, pressing any other key will continue listing. [CTRL-C] allows long file listings to be aborted and returns user to the current menu prompt. [ESCAPE] in any input prompt will allow the user to access character graphics codes above ascii value 127 (IBM Graphics Characters), pressing the [ESCAPE] key with another key will create a certain graphics code corresponding to the value of the key pressed plus an ascii value of 127. MAIN MENU --------- [A]uto-Message - This is a toggle switch that allows users to switch in and out of the Auto-Message sub-board. [B]lurbs - This function allows a user to access the blurb sub menu, which allow users to list and edit Blurbs. Each blurb is assigned an access level equal to the creator of the Blurb, only users with the same access level or higher can edit that blurb. [C]hat - Pages the Sysop for assistance. If the sysop is not available, the program will inform the user (if the user pages the sysop more than 5 times, he is logged off) The chat page will sound every minute until the sysop answers it or until the user logs off. [E]mpty Mailbox - Allows the user to delete all of his mes. [V]iew Userlist - gives a list of the users that call the BBS and their last call date. [W]elcome File Toggle - allows the user to turn on and off the sub-board welcome files displayed each time they switch subs. [X]-Change Password - users can use this function to switch their current password to a new one. [Y]our Status - displays the user's current status on the BBS. [Z]-Welcome File - displays the welcome file of the current sub-board. [>] Up a Sub - allows the user to switch to the next highest sub-board available. [<] Down a Sub - allows the user to switch to the next lowest sub-board available. [?] Menu - displays a menu of all the BBS commands. [@] Reset Colors - resets the ANSI colors back to their normal colors, white text on black background. EDITOR MENU ----------- [CTRL-E] is used to access the Editor Prompt Menu. [A]bort Message - aborts the current message and returns to the main prompt. [C]ontinue - returns user to editor to continue editing the current message. [D]elette Lines - allows the user to delete one or more lines in the current edited message. [E]dit a Line - allows the user to edit a line, [CTRL-D] is supported to display the current default letters. [H]elp - allows user to obain help on a certain command by entering a keyword. [I]nsert a Line - inserts a line before a certain line specified. [L]ist Message - lists the current message without executing SECI commands. [N]ew Message - clears the editor and starts over at column 1. [R]ead Message - reads the message and performs all SECI commands included in the message. [S]ave Message - saves the current message in memory onto the disk. READ MESSAGE MENU ----------------- [A]bort Message Read - aborts message read and returns to main prompt. [D]elete Message - allows users to delete their own message. [E]dit Message - allows users to edit their own message. [N]ext Message - reads the next message. [R]eply to Message - allows user to reply to the creator of the message. SUB-OP MENU ----------- [C]hat Emergency - overrides Chat not available Message and allows subop to page the sysop. [D]elete Message - deletes a message in the current sub. [E]dit a Message - edits a message in the current sub. [I]nquiry Deletion - allows the deletion of an inquiry. [L]ook at Message - same as Read Message in Main Menu. [R]ename Sub-Board - allows subop to rename a subboard and also allows the subop to edit the Sub-Board welcome file. [S]ub-Board Access Change - allows subop to change other user's current access to the current sub-board. [U]ndelete Message - allows subop to recover a deleted message. [W]eed Messages - permanently deletes all current messages in the subboard. SYSOP MENU ---------- [A]ccess Level Change - allows sysop to change a user's current Primary Access Level. [B]lurb Reset - resets all Blurb Access levels to 0 so that any user can edit a bllurb. [D]OS Shell - allows sysop to leave the BBS and into the DOS environment. [E]dit Text File - allows the sysop to edit any textfile available on the current Drive/s. exits the menu, the system returns to the Chat Mode. --------- F9 - Sysop Available for Chat toggle, turns the sysop available message on and off, and consequently the chat page. F10 - Forced Chat Mode, allows the sysop to communicate with the user in a free chat, chat mode disengages the timer count and thus any time on chat mode will not be deducted from the user's total time left. Forced Chat Mode is the only time where Temporary and Permanent Validation keys can be accessed. CLOSING STATEMENTS ------------------ Afterword --------- As you can see, Legends BBS is a great work of achievement, and this achievement is shared with everyone who calls this Bulletin Board Service. I believe that my hard work has gone to a good cause, to provide a sophisticated BBS program to encourage the further use of telecommunication throughout the world. Your calls and comments about this BBS is what supports the continuation of further success of this BBS, so spread the BBS number around and support Legends BBS! Comments and Suggestions ------------------------ Comments and suggestions about Legends BBS is always welcomed. If you have any suggestions to improve the BBS, please, leave me Feedback. If you have any comments about the BBS, leave me feedback also. If your Comment is to point out a problem or flaw with the BBS program, please also leave me any suggestions on how I could alleviate the problem. Please remember that your comments and suggestions is what makes this BBS the most innovated in it's class! Purchase of Legends BBS ----------------------- Legends BBS v6.0 is presently not for sale, but this may change in the near future. If you would like to purchase this BBS, please leave me Feedback, and I will discuss with you about it. Legends v3.0 is available as a public domain program and any user who would like to have a copy of it should leave feedback. APPENDIXES ---------- Appendixes are currently not available. They will be available by the end of 6/88. Blank [95 min left]---* System News *->