Using CD-ROM's with RATSoft/ST
  written by Steve Hughey

   [ this may be used for other BBS programs as well, but since I didn't
     write those other BBS programs, and I did write RATSoft, I will only
     refer to RATSoft/ST in this documentation. ]

 As always, the author is not responsible for any hair-pulling, cussing, or
 damage caused by use of these programs. While the included utility is
 extremely harmless, I won't rule out anything.

 I wrote this over the last hour or two, so I still consider it "beta".
 While it not real complicated in nature, the possibility of bugs exists,
 as always. If you should spot any, please inform me so they may be
 promptly squashed.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RATSoft/ST is a trademark of R0dent Laboratories Software and is (c)1993
  by R0dent Laboratories Software and Steve Hughey

 This archive may be freely distributed, as long as all files remain
 intact. This is freeware. No fee is required for use. Commercial
 distribution is prohibited unless given permission. The author may be
 contacted at:

 Steve Hughey
   c/o R0dent Laboratories Software
 P.O. Box 391
 Alta Loma, CA. 91701, USA
 Support BBS: (909)/989-3381
 GEnie: S.HUGHEY1

 This archive may NOT be included with any other BBS packages, whether they
 be commercial or public doman, shareware, freeware, etc. Sorry, but I have
 to protect my interests. However, feel free to use the included utilities
 with whatever BBS program you run. That's why it was released as freeware.         

 MiNT is a trademark of Atari Corp.
 ICD is a trademark of ICD, Inc.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ICD has recently released a new CD-ROM driver for use on the ST/TT/Falcon.
 It utilizes MiNT. While it may accomplish what it set out to do, it does
 so VERY SLOWLY. Unless you are using a semi-fast to fast machine (nothing
 less than a 16mhz 68000), your BBS will crawl with MiNT installed. This
 has nothing to do with RATSoft, but the nature of MiNT.

 Please note that if you do install MiNT, remember what it stands for: MiNT
 is NOT TOS. And that it is not. You may find some (or many) programs to be
 incompatible with MiNT installed, especially online games. RATSoft has
 no compatibility problems itself, however. An example MINT.CNF is
 included here. No real modifications are needed, other than turning OFF
 BIOSBUF (BIOSBUF=NO), and not using fasttext or HARDSCROLL.

 [example MINT.CNF]
 ------------------
 BIOSBUF=NO
 ------------------

 Yes, it is only 1 line, but in most cases, that is all you will need. The
 other default options are set up automatically.

 If you have lines which read HARDSCROLL=xx or CON=u:\dev\fasttext, please
 comment them, thus turning them off. Place a "#" before the line, for
 example:

 #HARDSCROLL=60
 #CON=u:\dev\fasttext

 These functions do not really affect the performance of RATSoft (RATSoft
 will run with these functions on), however, if BIOSBUF is not "NO", your
 screen output will be doing some very strange things.




 Read Only Device Intercept Utility
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 written by Steve Hughey, [c]1993 R0dent Laboratories Software

 Why?
 """"
 Some archive utilities are very fond of temporary files. These are created
 for whatever reason the archive utility sees fit, often in situations where
 you would see no need for a temporary file -- but it's created anyway.

 When working with a read-only device, a CD-ROM for example, you may only
 read from that device, and not write to it. The archive utility doesn't
 know this, attempts to create a temporary file, and it's bombs-away!

 This little utility fits inbetween RATSoft (or any program for that
 matter), and simply checks to see if the archive you are accessing is
 located on a read-only device. If it is, it is copied to a work drive (a
 HD usually), and then the archive utility is called, now accessing the
 archive from it's new location. A simple concept.

 Installation
 """"""""""""
 Run READONLY.PRG. Follow instructions. Done.

 Your archive utility is renamed with a leading "_", and the intercept
 program is named what your archive utility was. For example, STZIP.TTP
 becomes _STZIP.TTP, and the intercept prg is STZIP.TTP. No modifications
 will be needed to your ARCHIVE.DAT, FILETOOL.DAT, or other data files.

 Notes
 """""
 o You may define which commands to intercept. This MUST be the first
   character on the command line. If you have trouble, specify "ALL".
   Normally, you will only need to intercept the delete, add (which is
   useless in the end, but will protect from crashing), update, freshen,
   and other such commands which involve re-arranging the archive.
 o The copied file is deleted once the archive utility has been executed.
 o The returned status code is that of the archive utility, and not a code
   generated by the intercept program.



 This utility was designed for RATSoft/ST, the ultimate BBS package for
 your Atari ST/TT/Falcon, and hands-down the most fun you can have with
 your pants on! Version 2.0 will be released on July 4th, 1993, featuring 3
 3 fully packed disks, a printed and bound manual spanning some 300 pages,
 and as always, RATSoft comes with un-heard of support. While it may not
 start your car, make coffee, or fix the ozone layer, it comes DAMN close.

 To see RATSoft online:

 R0dent Laboratories Support BBS: (909)/989-3381
            Approaching Oblivion: (801)/272-8370


 I'm outta here... have fun!

 Steve Hughey
 June 20th, 1993