Running your RBBS-in-a-Box System

                        By Loren D. Jones

     I have configured RBBS-in-a-Box consistent with the standard
RBBS-PC installation as recommended by Ken Goosens and Doug
Azzarito.  A few modifications to the security levels were made
to configure it the way I find most Sysops want their systems
configured.

     When new users log into the system they are presented with some
preliminary information about the system through the NEWUSER file,
tored in the \RBBS\TEXT subdirectory on your hard disk.  They are
then asked if they wish to register, or disconnect.  If they choose
to register, they are walked through the basics configuration questions
for RBBS, then transferred to the RBBS-REG.DEF, a questionnaire for new
user information stored in \RBBS\QESTION.

     I require all users to provide me with real names, a current
address and telephone numbers where their information can be
verified if need be.  This provides safeguards for both the Sysop
and the users by screening to some extent would-be troublemakers. 
Vandals seldom want anyone to know their true identity.  They come
in initially at a security level of 10.  If they complete the
registration information and confirm it is correct, they are given
a security level of 30.  If they didn't, they are at level 20. 
Both security level changes occur within the RBBS-REG.DEF
questionnaire file and the registration information is stored in
the \RBBS\QESTION\REGINFO.DAT file.

     Following registration, they will see the news bulletin.  All
users will see this bulletin if their are any additions to it since
their last call.  The news bulletin is called MAIN.NWS and is
stored in \RBBS\TEXT.

     After the news bulletins they are brought to the bulletin menu.
I have three bulletins that new users are required to read.  I review
the new registrations daily and, assuming their registration checks
out and they read the required bulletins, I raise their security
level to level 50, which is normal access level providing access
to all the major features.  This is accomplished using option 5 from
the main Sysop menu, the selecting the M)odify option.  You can look
up any user by select F)ind, then entering the user name.  To raise
their security level, select the S)ecurity option, then enter their
new security level.

     As for message file maintenance, you will periodically need
to kill old messages, then run the "Pack message file" option from
within CONFIG.EXE.  This will clear out the old, deleted messages
freeing up space for new messages.  At login you will be provided
a status report on the messages file.  When 80% or so of the
message records are used, it is probably time to repack.

     The File Management System (FMS) directory has been split into
multiple parts, but is treated as one automatically by RBBS.  This
makes maintenance much easier.  All files from 1983 thru 1985 are
in the MASTER85.DIR file, and 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991
files are in the MASTER86.DIR, MASTER87.DIR, MASTER88.DIR, MASTER89.DIR,
MASTER90.DIR and MASTER.DIR files, respectively.  All new uploads are
added to the MASTER.DIR.  This is a fixed length file that can be
edited with any ASCII editor (I prefer the WordPerfect Program Editor,
however Qedit is an excellent shareware choice provided the files do
not get too large), but you must make sure you keep the length of the
lines consistent.  Please be aware that the Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions
impose certain restrictions on filenames.  Many of the special
characters ($, &, @, #, -, etc.) are not valid characters for filenames.
For that reason we have had to rename certain files that may have
originally carried that name.  A view inside the .ZIP file, however,
will reveal the correct name of the files contained therein,
irrespective of the ZIP filename.  You will have to be on the alert
for duplicate upload files that users may send your way that may include
a dash (-) when you already have the same file on the CD-ROM with an
underscore (_).

     Most important of all, load your printer with a stack of paper,
then print out the RBBS documentation files.  They are stored on the
CD-ROM under the \RBBS\DOC directory.  (If you have a LaserJet, I
recommend the excellent utility 4PRINT, available on your CD-ROM as
4PRNT320.ZIP  This is a "must have" utility and I'd urge you to
register your shareware version immediately.  It'll save you a ton of
time and money with you LaserJet!)  There is an enormous amount of
information there, much of which will go right over your head the
first time you read it.  But as you work with your board, study the
files I have provided with it, and then review the documentation, I
think it will begin to make some sense. If you've read the
documentation twice, and you have done your best to make it work,
but you continue to have problems, call RBBS-PC of Chicago at (708)
352-1035.  If it is a dire emergency, leave a number where I can call
you back collect.  I will help you any way that I can, as will the many
other Sysops who use the board.

     In particular, you will want to keep in touch with RBBS-PC of
Chicago for updates and enhancements.  This disk contains the latest
release of of RBBS-PC which includes indexed access to the file system.
This has reduced the average time required to find any given file on
your system from as much as 60 seconds to less than two seconds!  As
further enhancements are available, they will be posted on my BBS so
please give keep in touch!

     Enjoy!!




Version 3.1  6/11/91

Copyright (c) 1990 Loren D. Jones & Associates, Ltd.