Running your RBBS-in-a-Box System

                        By Loren D. Jones

     I have configured RBBS-in-a-Box consistent with the design of
my system, RBBS-PC of Chicago, for two reasons: One, I know it
works and, two, it will make it easier for me to troubleshoot
possible problems.  When new users log into the system they are
presented with some preliminary information about the system
through the NEWUSER file, stored in the \RBBS\TXT 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.

     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 REGINFO.DAT file.

     Following registration, they arrive at the bulletins menu. 
We 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 1986 are
in the MASTER86.DIR file, and 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 files are in
the MASTER87.DIR, MASTER88.DIR, MASTER89.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. 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.  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 2.0  2/18/89
Copyright (c) 1990 Loren D. Jones & Associates, Ltd.