                                 GNTNC
                             Version 1.20b
           Copyright (c) 1993 Casey Robinson and GenericSoft

What is it:

 GNTNC, or The Generic Note To Next Caller Door, allows users to enter a
message displayed at log-on to everyone. At the sysops discretion there
can be from 1 to about 32,000 messages at a time. When the number of
messages is greater than allowed, the oldest message is deleted. It also
includes a sysop editor within the door that allows the sysop to scroll
through the messages and delete them. Handy, huh? Users
are not allowed to enter RA control codes(because of security problem!) so
there is no pesky drop to dos commands in the user's notes. The
sysop can also configure the door to send screen clearing codes after
each message. There is a sysop configurable beg/thank you line. This
allows you to enter a short(1 line) message displayed in the door and in
the actual note to next caller. This is intended as a beg for
registration or a thanks to someone for registering the door. GNTNC is
not expireware or crippleware. No delay, no nuthin. If you like this door
I ask you to send a $10 registration fee. I feel this is very reasonable
and allows me to continue developing doors(and it allows me to get the new
Borland Pascal 7 that I want REALLY BAD!<Grin>).

Disclaimer:

 I can't be held responsible for anything this door does. Although it
has been tested, it is possible that some problems might have slipped
through. So use this at your own risk.

 Licensing:

  I know how expensive running a BBS can get, so I believe in reasonable
 pricing for BBS doors and utilities. $10 is all it costs for
 registration. You can use this product for 30 days OR as long as you
 don't have $10 to spare. If you register this, it will give me even
 more incentive to make the door better. If you don't have $10 to spare,
 I ask that you at least send me a message, via netmail or US Mail,
 telling me that you are running the door. It is not money I am looking
 for so much as the knowledge that my name is plastered on every BBS in
 the world<grin>. So just send me anything telling me you are using it.


What is needed:

 GNTNC is compatible with RA, SBBS, and any others that use the
DORINFOx.DEF files. It has been tested with both RA2.01 and
RA1.11, but it should work with most RA-Like bbs's. It has the option to send
textfile control codes for RA, I believe they are the same for QBBS and SBBS
(#12 for clearscreen and #5 for disabling screen pause). If you run a
software that does not use these codes(or if you are in doubt), set this
option to NO in gntnconf.exe. It needs a FOSSIL, but so do most BBS
softwares. It does not yet lock the files(I'm gonna do that soon).

Installation:
  Unzip GNTNC into its own directory. Then run GNTNCONF. This will
generate a configuration file and a batch file to run the door. Most of
the questions are self explanatory, but here is some help with ones you
may have trouble with:

Number of notes: This is the maximum # of notes allowed at once. I
recommend that this NOT be 32000!<grin>.

Do you want control codes: If you run a BBS with RA compatible control
codes for screen clearing and pausing, set this to yes. If not, this is
no.

Do you want screen clearing: If you say no, the notes will scroll down
the screen. The user will press enter after each note. Yes clears the
screen after each individual note.

Beg/Thank you line: Simply a 1 line message you can enter that will be
displayed in the header of the note file. It can be anything you want, I
saw it in another door and thought it was keen.

Make batch file: This is the preferred way to set up a batch file. It
asks you some questions and spits out a spiffy batch file custom made
for you!<grin> If this doesn't work you'll have to set it up manually.
The command line for GNTNC is GNTNC.EXE <path to dropfile> <node>
Path to dropfile: This is the path to dorinfo1.def, with a trailing
backslash.
node: This is the node number. It doesn't do much yet so you might as well
just set it to 1. In the near future I will make the door more
multi-node aware. Hold yer' horses! :>

Then just make a type 7 exit with the command *c /c c:\ra\gntnc.bat *m
the *m is optional memory swapping, not needed.

If you don't run a RA type BBS I can't help you with running the door
except to say that you need to convert the door dropfile if your
software doesn't use DORINFOx.DEF and you will probably need to set the
control codes option to no.

Future:
  I have a lot more additions to the door: File locking, Soon I hope to
finish the permanent message routines. I also plan to add a way for users
to enter GNTNC specific codes for color and various other things. I plan to
add a sysop menu, so you can delete or insert messages. Ummmm, I might add a
way for the sysop to configure the color scheme. That's all that comes to mind
now.

If you need help with this door, contact me at:
Fidonet: 1:138/224
BBS: (206)584-5960
Address:
10110 88th Ave. SW
Tacoma, WA 98498
