



                         
                                     
                                    

          Writen by Ron Staples ( System Operator of The Ocean\Side Bbs )

         Bulletin Board Number: 1-609-971-9489  Chain\Link HUB2 11:112/0

         Allthough there have been several docs put out by different people
       alot has not been covered.   This is one of the most configurable bbs
       software that I've have seen, depending on the Sysop, no two Renegade
       boards will look the same.  And now with the Rip graphics, you realy
       stretch your limmits.

        This is comprised of several tips and uses that have not been covered
        in many of the docs that have been put out.  Thease are tips that me
        and the sysops here in the Chain\Link net, have came accross and would
        like to share them with you.  


                       T A B L E  O F  C O N T I N E T S

                            Choose Menu Selection 

                              System Anocements

                                 File Select

                                Message Select

                                  No Access

                                  Post Call

                                File Download
                                  (Hotkey!)

                              Using The FirstCMD

                                 

                             
  Choose Menu
  ============

   This is neat action not seen on most Renegade boards, some SysOp's would
  rather not bother, but the users seem to enjoy it.

  This allows your users to choose a menu set... By using a Choose menu as
 your start out menu.  You can have as many or few that you wish, I recomend
 at least five.   This is allso great for 2400 users and 9600, depending on
 modem speed, you can have a menu for the that modem.  Instead of the 2400
 users having to settle for b/w menu's I just cut back on the ansi.  Enclosed
 are a few examples. 2400.ans 9600.ans 14400.ans  Of course if you plan on
 using *.RIP graphics, you bypass this whole thing ;)

 This is an example of on of many commands you can hve in your Choosmen.mnu


  1. Long description:(1) 2400 Ansi Style
  2. Short description:(1) 2400 
  3. Menu keys:"1"
  4: Acs required:"S10"
  5: CMDkeys:-D
  6: Options:C:\renegade\misc\1.bat 
     flags
  Q: Quit

  Here is an example of the 1.bat file;

  @echo off
  pkunzip -o 2400.zip
  cd\renegade
  exit

  The "-o" is for overide, you have to do tis so the menus will over write 
 the last set.  With out asking you if it's ok to over write.

 





  System Anocements
  ==================

  This is kida like a built in Renegade New bulletin, that a lot of users
 did not know was there.  This will display any new or anocements that you
 may have reguarding your Bbs.  Now I use a START menu on my Bbs wich has all
 of my little bbs things in it, than the user gets put into the main.
  That way if the user gose back into the Main menu, he dose not get blasted
  with the nonsense again.

  This is the System anocements cmd in the START.MNU

  1: Long descript:XXXXXX NONE
  2: Short descript:XXXXX NONE
  3: Menu keys: "FIRSTCMD"   <--This brings it automaticly
  4: ACS req: "S10"          <-- I use s10 for NEW users, you want ALL to view
  5: CMDkeys: MN             <-- The CMD to scan for NEW *.msg and display them
  6: Options: 1              <-- The base number to READ Mine is System NEWS
     flags
  Q: Quit

   Sample of the " System News " Message base.

   1: Name: System NEWS
   2: Filename: NEWS
   3: Base type: LOCAL
     message path: UNUSED
   4: ACS req: "S10"           <-- Again, everyone gets to read it.
   5: Post/MCI ACS: S255/S255  <-- YOU should be the only person posting in here.
   6: SysOp ACS: S255
   7: Max msg: 50
   8: Anonymous: NO
   9: Password : 
   N: Net Address: Unused
   C: Colors: Make your own ...
   M: Mail Flags: Unused
   O: Orgin line: Unused
   T: Togels: ----F    <- This flag will FORCE your users to read the base.
   P: QWK index: 
   Q: Quit

  Just atip or two here, I have a few users you love to blast there way 
 through the menus and such, on there way to the file section.  They DON'T 
 look at any of the news or what ever you place up for them.  So When I post 
 my NEW I place a few  AT8'S at the bottom (That @8) they give a slight delay
 to the user, make them slaow down and read ....




 File Select
 ===========

  You know when you press "A" at the file menu and it displays the file areas
 with a PAUSE prompt on the bottom.  Than you press the keyboard and it
 brings you BACK to the file menu, for you to select your file base.
  Well this will allow your users to select the file base, as there viewing
 the file areas.

 Here is an example located in the File.MNU

 1: Long descript: List files availble to you
 2: Short descript: List Files
 3: Menu keys: "A"
 4: ACS req: "S50"
 5: CMDkeys: FA
 6: Options: @# L  <- The @# turns the Pause prompt OFF, simple hey?
    flags
 Q: Quit


 Message Select
 ===============

  Same as above, and your users will be able to select the base as they see
 the list.



 NOACCESS
 =========

  This took a LONG time for me to figure out.  I was using the NOACCESS.ANS
 but it would not tell the user WHY they had no access, the ansi I made 
 would give them several reasons.  Not good.  So affter asking around and
 searching far and wide, I came across the information on "The Library of
 Trantor"  Thanks Ben!

  The key command is the "!" wich = NOT   If you use a post\call and 
 mandatory voiting or whatever, this is for you.

 ACS: "!ZZ" = NO post/call if the users post/call is not to par I. E. 1 post
 every 5 calls.  The user will NOT be able to pass to the sub-menu.

 ACS: "!MM" = The user MUST vote on ALL topics before they can pass through
 the sub-menu.

 The following is an example for the file sub-menu.

 1: Long descript: XXXXXX NONE
 2: Short descript: XXX NONE
 3: Menu keys: F      <-- MUST be the SAME cmdkey
 4: ACS req: "!ZZ"    <-- NOT POST\CALL to par  (Use !MM for manditory voting)
 5: CMDkeys: -L       <-- Displays ONELINE of text
 6: Opitions: You need to make a few POSTS!  <-  Your text 
    flags:
 Q: Quit


   You must have ALL your commands in order !ZZ than !MM than the sub-menu
  all using F as a command key.
  REMEMBER THAT YOUR MAIN MENU -=*MUST*=- HAVE THE ACS SET TO "" ALL
  THE SUB-MENUS WILL HAVE THE ACCESS SET I.E. ACS: "S50!MM!ZZ" Wich
  means the user MUST have a security of 50 and have voted and there 
  post\call ratio be to par.

   So when the user press's F the !MM will check for voting and the !ZZ will 
  look for p\c ratio. And if al is good they WILL enter the file menu.
  You will have to make three commands, one for each.  Be sure to put the
  sub-menu comand last.  I hope you get all of this,  <G>



  File Download (HOT KEY)
  =======================

   This is primarly used for allowing the user to download a File.lst
  of your bulletin board system.

  1:Long descript: Whatever
  2: Short descript:
  3: Menu keys:
  4: ACS:
  5: CMDkeys: *4  <-- sends the file and asks for protocall
  6: opitions: (file path) ex. c:\renegade\file\file.lst
    flags:
 Q: Quit



 FIRSTCMD
 =========

 This is good for displaying an ansi for user of the day or for your start
 menu.  This is my start menu

 1: Long descript: XXXXXX           1: Long descript: XXXXX
 2: Short descript: XXXXX           2: Short descript: XXXXX
 3: Menu key: FIRSTCMD              3: Menu key: FIRSTCMD
 4: ACS: ""                         4: ACS: ""
 5: CMD key: -F                     5: CMD key: -F
 6: Opitions: Hung_up.ans           6: Opitions: main
   flags:                              flags:
 Q: Quit                            Q: Quit


  As you can see  hang up ansi will be displayd showing the current users
  that have hung up on my system, than once a key is press, the user is sent
  to the Main Menu.  Nice hey?  You can do a lot more with this....




  Goodbye
 =========

  This is somthing that I found out on a Renegade bbs (Woverine I think)

  Don't ya hate when user log off so fast, blow right past your logoff
 screen?  This will give them a quick *.msg.

 1: Long descript: XXXXX
 2: Short descript: XXXXX
 3: Menu key: /G
 4: ACS: ""
 5: CMDkey: "HM"
 6: Opitions: Hey where ya going in such a rush! (Whatever you like)
    flags:
 Q: Quit

  Adds a little touch to your bbs.



  The following is a list of people who has help compile this doc, I
 would like give great THANKS to them.  You pick a lot of brains your
 gona get your figures dirty.  ACK!!  
 
 If you have tip, please send it to me.  

 Ron Staples

 Ocean\Side Bbs 609-971-9489    

  Special thanks to;

  Mystical Illision           The Library of Trantor
  609-296-4370                404-920-7711

  Mosh Pit                    The Woverine Bbs
  908-269-8652                513-422-9652


  A GREAT BIG THANKS goes to Theo Van Dinter, SysOp of the;

     GS Conection 207-799-9080 for the docs.  A BIG HELP!

  And Cott Lang for a great Bbs package!

