By: Tom Almy
Origin: Bitter Butter Better BBS, Tigard OR, 503-620-0307 (1:105/290.0)
Edited by: John Tetreault, Lakes Region Gateway (603) 934-2779 (1:132/216)

Editor's Note:  Where I have felt necessary, I have added my own comments 
                to this file.  To help in distinguishing my comments from 
                those of Tom Almy, all my comments are preceded by a
                --> symbol.  Special thanks to Tom Almy for providing this
                helpful information.


Before you start:

1. For best results have 8 megs of RAM, and run a disk cache (I have
   2megs). This will eliminate disk thrashing.

2. Use Windows 3.1, not an earlier version. You must use enhanced mode.

3. If you have a high speed modem, use a 16550 UART. The commercial
   program TURBOCOM does wonders for performance.

--> I have a program, WFXCOM.ZIP which accomplishes the same thing available
    for FREQ at 14,400 Baud from the Lakes Region Gateway (1:132/216)

4. Get a copy of DV2WIN (I have it for FREQ) which makes programs
   that are DV aware but not Windows aware think they are running under
   DV (this includes Frontdoor, but not RemoteAccess which is Windows
   aware!).

--> You must tell RA to run under Windows, if set to autodetect, it will
    detect DV if DV2WIN is running.  DV2WIN.ZIP is also available for FREQ
    at the Lakes Region Gateway (1:132/216)

5. Ignore the postings that occur saying you are nuts, and to use
   Desqview instead. 

6. The FOSSIL driver should be loaded in the RA batch file, run from
   within windows. Don't load the FOSSIL before running Windows.

--> I have been successful loading BNU.SYS in my CONFIG.SYS file, others
    have not been so lucky.  Just make sure you go into Windows Control
    Panel, Ports, and select Never Warn for the port your BBS is on.

7. Do not run a screen saver! When active, these programs consume considerable
   processor cycles, that are needed by the BBS for best operation. Turn off
   your monitor when you are not around -- this saves electricity as well.

-->  If you _must_ use a screen saver, I suggest using the blank screen 
     one which came with Windows, since this does not have the hassle of
     drawing graphics and animating them on the screen, and it should
     therefore not take as much CPU time.

PIF settings (not everyone agrees on these):

1. Video Memory: Text
2. Memory Requirements: 640k 640k

--> I have not been able to get KB Required to 640K, since it is impossible
    to get 640K of free DOS memory, I set this to required as high as is
    available, and desired to 640K.  This usually works out to 614K 640K

3. EMS Memory: 640k 640k (allows for swapping out RA or FD)
4. XMS Memory: 0k 0k (use EMS)
5. Display usage: Full Screen (You should by default run either full
   screen (fastest) or minimized (icon at bottom of screen).
   Performance is hurt when run in a window, even at low baud rates.
6. Execution: Background (Important!)
7. Multitasking Options: I leave these at default 50, 200, Detect
   Idle time. If BBS operation is slow when task "minimized", turn off
   detect idle time.
8. Memory Options: Lock Application Memory
9. Display options: Emulate Text Mode
10. Other options: Allow Fast Paste


