Filename:  RA-FAQ01.TXT
Title:     The Unofficial RemoteAccess FAQ
Revision:  0.01   (December 26, 1995)
Author:    Damien Guard  <sysop@blackice.conqueror.co.uk>


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 1.  About this document
     1.1   What is this document?
     1.2   Where can I get the latest copy?
     1.3   Contacting the author
     1.4   Acknowlegements

 2.  About RemoteAccess
     2.1   What is RemoteAccess?
     2.2   Where can I get the latest copy of RemoteAccess?
     2.3   Where can I register RemoteAccess?
     2.4   What are the various flavours of RemoteAccess?
     2.5   How do I get a beta copy of RemoteAccess?
     2.6   What's going to be in the next version of RA?

 3.  Setting up RemoteAccess
     3.1   What init string do I need for my modem?
     3.2   What is a FOSSIL driver?
     3.3   Why does RemoteAccess get the bps rate wrong?
     3.4   Why do my JAM mail areas not work?
     3.5   My todays callers list keeps erasing

 4.  Advanced RemoteAccess features
     4.1   Why does the conferencing not work?
     4.2   What high-speed serial cards are available?
     4.3   How can I multitask my RemoteAccess BBS?

---

1.  About this document
=======================

     1.1  What is this document?
     ---------------------------
     This document is a frequently asked questions and answers help file
     for the popular bulletin board software program RemoteAccess produced
     by Wantree Development/Andrew Milner.

     After spending a long time in various conferences about RemoteAccess
     I kept seeing the same questions come up time and time again and
     wondered why I hadn't seen a RemoteAccess FAQ.  So here it is in all
     it's glory.

     This is only the first release so there's plenty to be added and no
     doubt a few mistakes, all constructive criticism, comments and ideas
     are appreaciated!  See '1.3  Contacting the author' for more
information.


     1.2  Where can I get the latest copy?
     -------------------------------------
     At the moment I'm not aware of any site on the net I can post this too
     when new versions come out, but if you can offer this facility, please
     contact the author.

     In the meantime you can get it:

     FidoNet FREQ:      2:255/78  (4800bps-28k8 v.34)  name: RA-FAQ
     BBS download:      +44/0 1481 727140/727141       login: GUEST/GUEST
                        +44/0 1481 712440 (v.32b)


     1.3  Contacting the author
     --------------------------
     If you want to send any feedback to the author of this document, you
     can do so by e-mailing the following:

     Internet:  sysop@blackice.conqueror.co.uk
     FidoNet:   damien guard 2:255/78


     1.4  Acknowledgements
     ---------------------
     My thanks to Gary Smith at FlightPath for his assistance in setting up
     my BBS and my continual questions that must plague his life.  Additional
     thanks to those I have discussed RA with especially in the RANet and
     FidoNet areas on the subject.

---

2.  About RemoteAccess
======================

     2.1  What is RemoteAccess?
     --------------------------
     RemoteAccess is a DOS based BBS package for IBM PC compatibles.  It
     comes in both shareware and professional versions and is extremely
     flexible with no hard-coded language text, and virtually unlimited
     in the number of message areas, file areas and doors.


     2.2  Where can I get the latest copy of RemoteAccess?
     -----------------------------------------------------
     Most good BBS's carry a copy of RemoteAccess, but for up to date
     versions, try the following:

     Internet:       ra.fileshop.com
     FidoNet:        2:254/99           FREQ: RA

     2.3  Where can I register RemoteAccess?
     ----------------------------------------
     United Kingdom:    Gary Smith / Flightpath BBS
                        This is where I registered my copy via credit card.
                        I had a very fast response and excellent after-sales
                        support.


     2.4  What are the various flavours of RemoteAccess?
     ---------------------------------------------------
     2.02sw        Standard shareware release, unregistered.
     2.02+         Same as 2.02sw but registered with a valid ra.key file.
     2.02 Hobby 5  Hobbyist 5 node version.
     2.02 Pro 2    Professional 2 node version.
     2.02 Pro 10   Professional 10 node version.
     2.02 Pro 255  Professional 255 node version.
     2.50b5+       Latest v2.50 beta release (private).


     2.5  How do I get a beta copy of RemoteAccess?
     ----------------------------------------------
     RemoteAccess has what is called a 'Closed' beta team as opposed to a
     'Public' beta team.  This means the beta testers are a select few chosen
     by Wantree Development/Andrew Milner.

     It has been known for Gamma versions (The inbetween version after beta
     but before the full release) to be released to the public, but it is
     highly unlikely you will get hold of a beta copy by legitimate means
     as the current team does a good job and no doubt have much better
setup's
     than your average dual/single node system.


     2.6  What's going to be in the next version of RA?
     --------------------------------------------------
     Wantree keep forthcomming developments very quiet and never release
     details on features you can expect to see in new releases.  Likewise
     official beta sites are under a strict obligation to keep it under
     wraps also.

     Therefore NOBODY is able to tell you what is comming next, nor when it
     is due as again Wantree do not publish release dates.

---

3.  Setting up RemoteAccess
===========================

     3.1  What init string do I need for my modem?
     ---------------------------------------------
     This is the hardest question to answer around.  In general, you want
     to set the following options.  I've included the Hayes command
     (taken from the Hayes Optima manual) to point you in the right
direction.

     Option                                     Hayes command
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     RTS/CTS flow control                       &K3
     Speed negotiation on                       N1
     Return result codes                        Q0
     Return DTE negotiation                     W2
     Disable auto-answer                        S0=0

     What I tend to do is use a comms program to set my parameters and then
     write them to the modems memory using AT&W.  I then set my init string
     to ATZ| which will use the parameters stored in memory.


     3.2  What is a FOSSIL driver?
     -----------------------------
     FOSSIL is an acronym for "Fido/Opus/SEAdog Standard Interface Layer".

     A FOSSIL driver is a software layer between various comms & BBS software
     and your serial port.  By keeping the software to using a FOSSIL you
     can in theory have any sort of non-standard serial device such as a
     high speed DigiBoard or Hayes ESP card and only need a FOSSIL driver
     that supports that card for all of your software to work.

     There are a few well known and reliable FOSSIL drivers, a list follows:

     Title:    X00
     System:   MS-DOS
     Author:   Ray Gwinn
     Latest:   1.50 (1.53 public beta)
     FTP site: vmbbs.gwinn.com
     Comments: Avoid versions 2.xx as there are a number of hacked versions
               floating around.

     Title:    BNU
     System:   MS-DOS
     Author:   David Nugent
     Latest:   ??
     FTP site:
     Comments: Awkward setup for non-standard IRQ's.

     Title:    SIO/VX00
     System:   OS/2
     Author:   Ray Gwinn
     Latest:   1.50
     FTP site: vmbbs.gwinn.com
     Comments: This excellent package replaces OS/2's entire serial support
               with a much better set of drivers including a virtual FOSSIL
               driver.

     Title:    VFOSSIL
     Sytem:    OS/2
     Author:   Joakim B Hernberg
     Latest:   0.54 beta
     FTP site: ftp.luth.se /pub/os2/2.0/dos/network
     Comments:

     Title:    ADF
     System:   DOS
     Author:   Scandinavian Digital Systems
     Latest:   1.20
     FTP site:
     Comments: ADF is a very fast FOSSIL which has been designed & written
               with multitasking operating systems in mind, although it does
               not allow the 'fine tuning' parameters offered by some of the
               other FOSSIL's around.


     3.3  Why does RemoteAccess get the bps rate wrong?
     --------------------------------------------------
     If you are running RemoteAccess with a mailer, ensure your batch file
     and error levels are set correctly as this can cause all sorts of
strange
     problems.

     A more common error though (on both standalone and mailer modes),
     is that the modem is setup to report DTE (computer-to-modem) speed.
     This is easy to spot if all of your callers happen to call in at the
     bps rate you have locked your FOSSIL driver to (ie. 19200).

     To correct this, check your modem's manual and set the option to report
     DCE (modem-to-modem) speed.  If your modem is fully Hayes compatible
     then the command ATW2 should set this option and should either be
     written to the modems VRAM or added to the initialisation string.


     3.4  Why do my JAM mail areas not work?
     ---------------------------------------
     In order for the JAM mail format to work, SHARE.EXE (or it's equivalent
     VSHARE.386 under Windows for Workgroups) must be loaded.

     SHARE is a program which comes with Microsoft's MS-DOS, Novell/Digital
     Research's DR-DOS, IBM's PC-DOS and Novell's DOS 7.  It is not required
     under OS/2 or Windows 95.

     This program can be loaded as a DEVICE= line in your config.sys or
     as a program in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.  (Loading in your CONFIG.SYS saves
     256 bytes of memory).

     Examples:          DEVICE=C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /F:5100 /L:500  (CONFIG.SYS)
                        SHARE /F:5100 /L:500                   
(AUTOEXEC.BAT)


     3.5  My todays callers list keeps erasing
     -----------------------------------------
     RemoteAccess will clear the todays callers list if the current call
     is earlier than one in the log.  If you are running a multi-machine
     based BBS (via a network) then it is important that all clocks are
     syncronised or this will happen!
---

4.  Advanced RemoteAccess features
==================================

     4.1  Why does the conferencing not work?
     ----------------------------------------
     The teleconferencing system in RemoteAccess 2 is not available in the
     shareware versions despite it's menu options being included in the
     menu designer.  If you wish to use the teleconferencing then you will
     need to upgrade to either Hobby or Professional versions of
RemoteAccess.

     4.2  What high-speed serial cards are available?
     ------------------------------------------------
     This section will not mention non-intelligent 16550 cards which now come
     as standard on many motherboards and I/O cards.  Instead you will find
     information on special serial cards designed for heavy modem thruput.

     Model:   ESP
     Make:    Hayes
     Ports:   1/2/8
     Compat:  Combic/16550
     Buffers: 1k send/1k recieve for each port
     IRQ's:   2/5/7/9 (all ports can share 1 IRQ with no problems)
     Comment: Native Combic mode supported by SIO/VX00.
     Price:   Special sysop deal, contact Hayes direct.
              US  (404) 441-1617        BBS: (404) HI MODEM
              UK  (01252) 775544        BBS: (01252) 775599

    Model:    BBS550
    Make:     GTek
    Ports:    8
    Compat:   DigiBoard
    Buffers:  ?
    IRQ's:    Shareable
    Comment:  Certified with X00, SIO, TBBS and PCBoard.
    Price:    Contact GTek
              US   (601) 467 8048       BBS: (601) 467 0029

    Model:    Smart Card-8
    Make:     GTek
    Ports:    8
    Compat:   Built in FOSSIL driver in hardware
    Buffers:  32k/128k dynamic
    IRQ's:    None required
    Comment:
    Price:    Contact GTek
              US   (601) 467 8048       BBS: (601) 467 0029


     4.3  How can I multitask my BBS?
     --------------------------------

     There are three multitaskers which are generally up to the job, these
     are:

     Software:  DESQview
     Supplier:  Quarterdeck
     Version:   2.63
     For:       Small memory overhead, fast system response
     Against:   No memory protection, can crash easily

     Software:  Windows
     Supplier:  Microsoft
     Version:   3.1/3.11
     For:       Lets you run Windows apps while your BBS runs
     Against:   Can be very tricky to get running smoothly
                Windows 3.x multitasking rather poor, and will show

     Software:  OS/2
     Supplier:  IBM
     Version:   Warp 3
     For:       Good crash protection
                Smooth multitasking
                SIO serial/FOSSIL system works like a dream
     Against:   Requires more memory than the others
                Can be a bit slow at times

     There are others which I've not been able to get working etc:

     Software:  Novell DOS
     Supplier:  Novell (no longer available)
     Version:   7
     For:       No 640k problems
     Against:   Multitasker does NOT support background communications
                (Novell statement)

     Software:  Windows 95
     Supplier:  Microsoft
     Version:   1.0
     For:       Good looking OS
     Against:   Problems getting it running multi-node, errors, etc.

