Possibilities - Realities 8/93

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
           (303) 699-6872      Fax
           (303) 699-8222      BBS
           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

REALITIES 8/93
--------------

*** From August 1993 Possibilities Newsletter ***
*** Copyright 1993 by eSoft, Inc.  All Rights Reserved ***

REALITIES...how to make it work
by eSoft Technical Support Staff

From the moment you first install TBBS, it's easy to see the possibilities are 
almost endless.  Turning those possibilities into realities can bring up 
questions.  For this reason, quality customer support is at least half the 
overall value of any software package. 

We recommend you call the eSoft Support BBS (303-699-8222) and read through 
the messages in each of the various support areas.  You could find answers to 
your questions, even before you've asked them!  You'll definitely get some 
useful tips and ideas for bringing possibilities to life with TBBS.  In this 
section of the newsletter, we will answer some of the more commonly asked 
questions we receive. 

Multitaskers and TBBS...

Q. Can TBBS be run under a multi-tasker, like DESQview, Windows or OS/2? 

A. We don't recommend it.  TBBS is designed for use on a plain, DOS-based 
system.  TBBS is engineered without the use of DOS extenders or other unusual 
memory management techniques.  As a result, TBBS can successfully be loaded 
under multi-taskers which provide virtual DOS sessions.  Due to TBBS' 
interrupt driven design, however, running it under a multi-tasker like 
Windows, OS/2 or DESQview can result in poor system performance.  Further, 
since these complex operating environments can often be unstable and 
unreliable unless carefully installed and configured, they can affect the 
reliability of your TBBS system. 

In no case can you realistically expect TBBS to provide the same performance, 
high speed, and high line count capabilities you are no doubt accustomed to 
when running it under a plain, DOS-based PC. 

Private File Areas...

Q. I need to setup private file areas for each of my 250 users.  I thought of 
trying to do this with access flags, but I can't design an effective solution 
with flags alone.  Isn't there some way TBBS can handle this? 

A. Yes, and quite easily.  TBBS 2.2 introduced the concept of insertion 
parameters.  These powerful tools can be used in a variety of ways -- 
including a solution to your problem. 

You begin by placing a unique drive and path in the NOTES field of each users' 
account with ULEDIT.  You could, of course, assign multiple users the same 
drive and path if desired.  Once this is done, create raw upload and download 
menu commands in TBBS, using the %NOTES% insertion parameter, like this: 

Entry:
<U>pload to Private Area
Key=U Type=28 Opt Data=%NOTES%

Entry:
<D>ownload From Private Area
Key=D Type=34 Opt Data=%NOTES%

These two menu entries will point to the drive and directory stored in the 
caller's userlog account, substituting that drive and path into the Opt Data 
each time the menu is called. 

Strange Logon Options...

Q. I've changed some of the options in CEDIT on the Logon Options screen.  For 
some reason, these changes work on all lines except for line 1.  What gives? 

A. You have a Custom Logon set for line 1.  Custom Logons allow you to have 
different options set for each line, thereby letting different lines behave 
differently.  In your case, however, you don't want this override. 

To clear it, run CEDIT.  Select Com Ports, then Port Definitions.  From the 
line list, select line 1.  You'll then be on the Port/Modem Options screen for 
line 1.  Press F4, then F2 to clear the custom settings.  A dialog box will 
appear asking you to confirm the changes; select Yes.  You'll save the changes 
on the way out of CEDIT, and the system will now operate normally. 

- END -
PS0893-2
Rev. 8/93

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

