  --------   Continued from previous message --------
                       PART 7

*********************************************************************
                 CHAPTER 5 - BBSing WITH AMIGA
**********************************************************************

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                   AMIGA COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE
                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5.01 - AmiExpress
5.02 - BBX
5.03 - CNet Amiga 

============================================
5.04 - DLG Pro. v1.0 (Dialog Professional)
============================================

FEATURES
---------
* up to 65000 users
* 255 different user levels
* 9999 different message areas
* 9999 different file areas
* number of BBS lines is limited only by serial port availability
* all text strings and ANSI colors are completely definable by
  the sysop
* string sets are available in several languages
* each user can choose what language he wants to use for his
  session
* custom international character mapping is supported
* 7/8 bit character transparency is configurable
 
Not all of DLG is built big, though. DLG was also designed to work on
even modest Amiga setups. Here are the facts:
 
* DLG's modular, disk based operating system design allows for
  low memory usage
* DLG uses from 40-150K per active BBS line depending on setup
  and usage
* low CPU usage for excellent performance on multiple lines
* works with as little as 512K of system memory
* works on Amiga 500, 1000, 2000, 2500, and 3000 under AmigaDOS
  1.3 & 2.0
* works with even modest Hard Drive setups.

USER PREFERENCES
-----------------
Each DLG user can set a number of preferences for his on-line
session:
 
* help level (novice / intermediate / expert)
* screen length and width settings to match his terminal software
* optional MORE prompt for paced system output
* ANSI colour, smart ANSI screen positioning, screen clears, and
  partial screen scrolling are all definable independently
* optional hot keys for fast single letter command input
* preference settings for personal upload/download protocols
* choice of message editors
* automatic command sequence (command stack) to be executed at
  login
* alias name (handle)
* create and edit personal signatures (4 types) to be
  automatically appended to messages and file descriptions
* create lists of message and file areas to search
* custom menu sets with different BBS languages attached to them
* custom character maps
 
CONFERENCES
------------- 
In addition, there are a number of DLG features that users find
helpful:
 
* online user manual and help text files for individual commands
* full user list and search capabilities
* list of important events since last call - list is kept for
  each user while he is off-line
* list of waiting public mail is kept for the user and marked for
  easy retrieval at login
* ability to see who is on other BBS lines and what they are
  doing
* ability to send online messages to users on other lines
* smart menus that show only those commands the user can actually
  use, moment to moment
* fully customizable smart menu displays that allow the SysOp to
  be creative with his menus
* quote of the moment module
* today in history module
* quick and easy searching for new messages and files
 
MESSAGING
------------ 
Here are some features of DLG's full online public/private mail
system:
 
* powerful, full-screen free-form ANSI based message editor
* free-form paragraph oriented message editor with query search and
  replace and the ability to back up over lines using a standard
  terminal program
* use of an external Amiga message editor/word processor is allowed 
  from a local session
* support for third-party online editors
* up to 9999 separate message areas
* users can automatically scan the areas they choose for new messages
* messages can be packed up and archived in the background while the 
  user does other things online, or the user can start the mail
  packing and pick it up on a future call to the system
* users can edit their own custom message and file signatures
* message header scan with message TTagging' is supported to quickly 
  scan for messages in large message areas 
* a smart message thread reading mode can be enabled to automatically 
  follow conversations as you read
* continuous read mode with optional ANSI/more-prompt disable
* ability to continuous read all areas at once
* active readers of an area can be listed
* individual privileges can be assigned to each user in each area
  separately, or automatically assigned based on user level
* users are informed of all types of mail received
* users can kill their own messages depending on access
* maximum number of messages allowed in each area can be set
* messages can be renumbered at any time
* message areas can be searched based on who the messages are from, 
  who they are addressed to, or on the subject line of the message
* messages can be forwarded and transferred from public, to private, 
  to UUCP, to Newsgroups, to NetMail, to EchoMail or any combination
  of the above
* messages can be re-edited by their author or by users with SysOp 
  access in the message area
* messages can be Lex checked and analyzed for readability
* messages can be sent to online group mailing lists
* translated message areas can be created with the help of PD novelty 
  programs such as Jive, ValSpeak etc.
* message areas can be set to have inappropriate language 
  automatically filtered out of messages as they are saved
* each user has a private mail directory
* user can keep a carbon copy of private mail sent
* message reading in forward and reverse directions
* private mail traffic can be monitored by the sysop
* messages can be automatically sent by the system or from batch
  files using the off-line message sending module
 
FILES
------
Features of DLG's online file system:
 
* up to 9999 file areas are supported
* validated uploads are supported so that files may be checked by the
  SysOp before they are made available
* each user's access can be tailored individually for each file area
  or defaults can be set for each area based on user level
* full file searching of all available areas with wild card support 
  files can be searched by name, date, range of dates, since last 
  call, since number of days, or by description
* files can be sorted by natural forward/reverse, or alphabetical
  forward/reverse
* users can easily scan file areas they wish to monitor for new files
* each file can have up to a 32K description
* users can add comments to existing file descriptions to aid others 
  with their downloading decision
* choice of quick or verbose listing of all files in an area
* users can kill files that they upload if their access permits
* trash-can-like directory saves deleted files as a backup against 
  accidental or unwanted deletions
* uploader's custom file signature is applied to file descriptions
* archive content viewing supported for any archiver with that ability
* protocols are completely configurable to allow the use of external 
  file transfer protocols (XPR) and DLG-compatible protocols
* custom Xmodem (Checksum / CRC / 1K) and Zmodem protocols included
* super fast Zmodem transfers that auto adjust to the CPU and current 
  load conditions to give optimum performance without 'bogging' the 
  rest of the system down
* files can be uploaded to another user's private directory
* users can have size limits placed on their private directories
* batch uploads are supported for appropriate protocols
* partially uploaded or downloaded files can be resumed at a later
  date
* files can be Ttagged' for batch download using appropriate protocols
* partial 'tagged list' and 'partial file' downloads are supported
* a tagged file list is retained from call to call and is not deleted
  until the user does so, or downloads the files it contains
* user can list and edit his tagged file list
* DLG supports upload / download ratios
* individual files can be marked as FREE and will not count on ratios
* default protocol can be set, or can be selected at time of download
* optional auto-log-off after download (5 second bail out)
* files can be transferred from public to public, private to private, 
  private to public or public to private
* file descriptions indicate number of times downloaded
* files show approximate download time based on protocol efficiency
* protocols are definable and defaults are selectable by the user
* SysOp can upload and download from a local session
* sysop can have up to 127 global file paths where files from any
  section can be stored
* CD Rom drives are fully supported with the use of alternate and
  global paths
* ADS file areas are supported with the use of third party 'tick'
  programs
 
FIDONET
---------
* Includes TTrapdoor' - the Amiga's premier network mailer
* high speed nodelist compiler
* cost and call accounting
* ZedZip, ZedZap, DirectZap, Dietlfna and FTS-1 protocols
* FTS-1, FTS-6 and EMSI handshaking
* four dimensional addressing
* supports AKA's
* FidoNet - Echomail and Netmail areas are fully integrated into the 
  message system
* separate origin lines can be defined for each Echomail area
* support for multiple domains, multiple networks, multiple zones
* can feed points
* automatic dupe elimination
* supports all known types of mail bundling
* extensive routing capabilities
* can be used for hubbing or in network coordinator positions
* echo area traffic reports
* incoming Netmail is sent to the users' private mail directory for 
  assured reception
* full cost implementation allows charging for Netmail via a user
  account credit system
* users are informed of incoming Echo/Netmail in real time if they are 
  online, or via their event log if they are not
* support for outgoing file attaches and file requests
* can accept file requests from other systems
* a list of requestable 'magic file names' can be created with
  optional password protection
* file areas can be designated as File Requestable
* crashmail is supported
* can zonegate FidoNet messages
* can receive and send/reply to point systems
* full nodelist support
* echomail is imported in the background while even users are reading
  the areas receiving mail
* incoming Netmail mail can be addressed to online group mailing lists
* is capable of running as a point
 
DLG Professional includes everything you need to set up a FidoNet
system.
 
DLG & USENET
-------------
* Each user has their own personal UUCP account
* UUCP mail can be received in a user's private directory
* UUCP mail can be entered by any user with the proper access
* UUCP messages can be replied to with one easy key-stroke
* UUCP mail can be sent to online mailing lists
* UseNet newsgroups are treated as normal DLG message areas
* UUCICO accounts may be set up to allow the system to provide UUCP 
  feeds to other sites
 
PEOPLETALK
------------
Message and file area support is standard for most Bulletin Board
System software. DLG adds to that the excitement of PeopleTalk -
multi-user real time conferencing. Here are some features of
DLG's PeopleTalk system:
 
* users can create rooms at any time
* minimum baud rate and user level can be set for each room
* people can view users in a room
* users in conference can send private messages to others in the same
  room
* system wide message broadcast upon room creation
 
CONTROLS
----------
DLG has powerful options for SysOp control of the entire system:
Here are some features:
 
* a full point and click install program will have you up and running 
  within minutes 47 different attributes of each user can be edited,
  including:
* user level which determines access to auto-access message and file 
  areas, and to menu command selections
* daily and session time limits
* time used today
* 'K' uploaded / downloaded
* upload / download ratio
* netmail credit
* bulletin write access
* UUCP write and client privileges
* definable archivers that users can select for mail packing and the 
  system can use for viewing archives
* multiple user validation templates make validating new users fast
  and easy
* batch user editing capabilities
* users can be purged based on number of days since last call and can
  be excluded from this based on user level
* message and file areas can be easily created/edited/deleted
* groups of users can be created for batch private mailing

OTHER FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:
------------------------
* the language / format of the new user application form is 
  configurable
* SysOp can break into chat with a user at any time
* user can page the SysOp for chat
* a requester is popped on the workbench screen that indicates who is 
  paging and the SysOp can answer or ignore the chat request
* two colour chat display with full word wrap
* chat keeps a full log file of all text entered in chat mode
* single or double linefeeds can be selected for chat
* configurable log entries
* internal log entries can be assigned the user level required to view
  them
* additional custom log entries can be defined
* a logging utility is provided so that external tasks such as online 
  games and network mail events can be monitored
* File maintenance section
* All files from a particular directory can be uploaded at once. The 
  SysOp can individually enter file descriptions, specify a single
  file description for all files, or take descriptions from filenotes
* All attributes of a file can be edited
* message and file areas can be easily renumbered
 
Each BBS line can be configured separately. IE:
-------------------------------------------------
* modem configuration
* BBS Name
* public vs private (only users in a certain group have access)
* idle timeout delay
* minimum baud rate
* initial menu to be used
* default login command stack
* screen colors
* forced login command stack (applied before a user's personal login
  command stack)
* language
* character mapping
* SysOp can easily monitor users who are online
* custom and workbench screens are supported
* screens for current online users can be open and closed from
  AmigaDos
* any screen resolution / depth can be used
* any non-proportional font can be used
* can have a screen open automatically as each user logs in or have 
  them remain closed for more memory / CPU efficiency
* can configure screens to open only for designated users
 
MANAGEMENT
------------
* access to serial ports is managed so that term programs and network
  mail software will not interfere with the BBS
* automated tasks that use the serial port are executed one at a time
  as the serial port becomes available
* access to message and file areas is managed so that conflicts do not
  arise between users and network mail software
* a powerful event scheduler is provided necessary for a 24hr 
  automated system especially if networked mail is being used
* events can be scheduled to occur on any combination of minute, hour,
  day of week, day of month, month of year
* typical uses include scheduling of mail events, renumbering of 
  message areas, dynamically regulating access to phone lines DROP TO 
  DOS
* SysOp has full access to DOS from remote
* limited access to DOS can be given to users
* access to DOS commands is configured based on user level
* number of arguments allowed for each DOS command can be set
 
MENUS & DOORS
---------------
* powerful menu configuration
* any number of menus can be configured
* menu items can launch batch files, executables, other menus,
  command stacks, or special DLG batch files
* any program that runs with standard input / output from a CLI can be
  run from a menu
* menu items are accessible by user level
* user's only see the menu items they can access
* SysOp-editable help files can be attached to any menu item
* up to 128 custom menu TSETS' can be added to the system to allow 
  thousands of custom displays to be defined
* custom menu displays have no limits - they are totally free-form can
  still maintain the Tsmart menu' philosophy where the user only sees
  the commands that are available at the time
 

OBTAINING A DEMO OF DLG
------------------------ 
For a live demo of DLG Professional BB/OS, call the DLG development
BBS at:
 
BBS:    (306) 249-2352 
        (306) 652-2084 
Voice:  (306) 665-3811
Fax:    (306) 665-3811
 
FidoNet address: 1:140/90
 
Mailing address: #20 - 1524 Rayner Avenue,
                 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
                 S7N 1Y1

=======================
5.05 - Excelsior! BBS 
=======================
- Info for Excelsior! BBS will be available in future versions
  of the BBS FAQ.


================
5.06 - MEBBS
================
 
                     MEBBSNet v1.0 highlights
                   -------------------------------
Fixes, and changes you can expect to see in MEBBSNet v1.0 are:
 
o DRASTIC reduction in executable size. The MEBBSNet executable is
  now under 270k vs. 380k+ for StarNet. (Possibilities are good it
  will shrink even further before release as fine tuning continues).
 
o DRASTIC reduction in the amount of system STACK usage. MEBBSNet
  only requires a 20k stack for operation (Down from 60k in StarNet).
 
o DRASTIC increase in execution speed. Sophisticated programming
  techniques and removal of 'busy loops' have resulted in incredible
  speed increases in system operation.
 
o Removal of all Enforcer and MungWall problems. The software has
  been converted to TRUE 32bit base-relative addressing, and uses a
  'vanilla' compile (no switches needed at compile time).
 
o All Date handling code rewritten from the ground up for proper
  operation.
 
o WorkBench v1.3 Compatable.
 
o Complete new file transfer protocol operation. Existing file 
  transfer protocols have been completely removed (and subjected to a
  horrible, fiery death). XPR protocols are now used for file 
  transfers, and are Sysop configurable via an included GUI utility. 
  There is no hardcoded limit to the number of XPR's you may use. 
 (Hooks are in place to allow XPR protocols to be configurable by 
  accesslevel in v2.0)
 
o Libraritized Task Management system keeps memory usage to a minimum
  while maintaining a secure and stable environment.
 
o 3rd Party Developers Library and programming support
  (MEBBSutility.library). Developers are furnished full library
  information, example code, and complete documentation in 'autodoc'
  format.
 
o 3rd Party Developers are assured upwards compatability with new 
  releases of the MEBBSutility.library. No more recompiling when a new
  version is released. If it works under MEBBSNet v1.0, it will work 
  under future releases.
 
o Graphic User Interface (GUI) utilities for Editing system 
  configuration, Users, and Files (MEBBScfg, MEBBSue, MEBBSfl).

 
MEBBSue (User Editor) feature highlights:
------------------------------------------
Hotkey launch from BBS screen.
Find New users
Add new users
FAST searching. Point/click search ability on upto 2 fields at once.
Ability to delete user(s) waiting mail file.
Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename.

 
MEBBScfg (System configuration) feature highlights:
----------------------------------------------------
Hotkey launch from BBS screen.
Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename.
Changes made are updated immediately, not just upon exit.
Full point-n-click operation for adding file/message areas, 
access levels, and all system paths.
 
MEBBSfl (File Area Maintenance) feature highlights:
----------------------------------------------------
Hotkey launch from BBS screen.
Built-in Help. Ability to 'localize' language used for Help functions.
ARexx port.
Adopt/OnDisk functions for adding/removing files.
Check/Change file extensions (great when using re-archivers)
Filenote files with short descriptions.
Kill/Move/Rename/Edit file functions.
Update file information (size, etc.)
Sort existing files in file catalog.
Fully configuable filelist generation via Point-n-click or Arexx.
Includes all aspects of file catalog entries such as uploader,default
description, <Free Download>
All features are configurable to operate on either individual file
areas or on a global basis.
Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename.
 
o Support for alternate character sets.
o Full Internal ASCII string configurability. This includes not only
  the text itself, but also the Menu Command letters.
o Sysop-definable font for bbs screen(s).
o Serial I/O has been rewritten from the ground up with an eye on
  stability and speed.
o Support for 16,800, 19,200, 21,600 bps modems and ISDN lines.
o NEW Modem Compiler.
o NEW Menu Compiler.
o NEW ARexx port (with MORE features).
o NEW Nodelist Compiler (MEBBSnlp) is full-featured and FAST.
o CLI Door support.
o Emulator for running existing StarNet doors (games).
o NEW Line-oriented Message Editor 
o Line Editor has the ability to upload a message from disk and dump
  a message to disk (or printer).
o All file I/O code rewritten. (No more 'lost' files.)
o Internal File Indexing routines rewritten using linked-lists.
  ReIndexing now is fast (system dependant) as well as easy on the
  CPU.
o Support for alternate 'FrontEnds' rewritten for proper operation.
o Internal FrontEnd now supports EMSI. EMSI is sysop configurable 
  (On/Off) and will properly fall-back to YooHoo (then lotek) if it 
  fails to get an EMSI connect. Support for 9 (nine) network addresses. 
  Addresses now use a common inbound/outbound area. No more multiple
  inbound/outbound directories!
o NEW Tosser/Packer (MEBBStoss), is 5x faster than the previous
  Tosser/Packer. MEBBStoss supports 4-D Addressing, FidoNet 2.2 packet
  headers, and Packet-level passwording. Exports conform to Fidonet
  2.0 message standards.
o MEBBStoss has the ability to generate a report on your mail areas 
  for debugging purposes when setting up FidoNet.
o Packet-level passwords are Sysop configuable for inbound mail, 
  outbound mail, or both.
o Mail packets are processed in chronological order. No more reading
  replies before the original.
o Poll packet generation can be done on a z:n/n.p basis, or use the
  Call_<line>.ctl file to generate multiple poll packets at once.
o Tosser/Packer has the (Sysop definable) ability to auto-create new
  echomail areas as they are received.  MEBBStoss generates E-Mail to 
  Sysop with full stats on the area(s) created. MEBBStoss auto-updates
  the Areas.cfg file with the new tagname(s) for reduced Sysop 
  maintenance requirements. Path to new message areas is configuable.
o EchoMail security features abound (even with nodes you already
  connect to). Network connections and mail processing now have
  security features which are several orders of magnitude above that  
  which existed previously.
o Netmail routing as Originator or Passthru.
o Point.CTL file removed. All point information is contained in 
  Areas.CFG and is listed in 4D format.
o PassThru.ctl removed. All Passthru information is contained in 
  Areas.CFG. PassThru areas do not need a message base 
 (or any other directory space) on your system other than the space 
  the outbound (passthru) mail packet(s) will occupy.
o Tagnames are no longer tied to a particular messagebase #. If you
  move a messagebase from one area to another, Areas.CFG no longer 
  needs to be modified.
o MEBBStoss has a RESET commandline switch to auto-update all high 
  message counters automatically.
o .TIC files are deleted upon sucessful transmission. Reduced 
  maintenance for those who Hub in file networks is a result.
o Netmail/Fido File attaches now can use complete Path:To/Filename in 
  .FLO files for both convienience and space savings.
o Event handling completely rewritten. The old problem of a user 
  getting shorted daily time because an upcoming event was near is no 
  longer a factor if the next event also allows callers (MEBBSNet 
  will execute the script(s) in the background). 64,000 (sixtyfour 
  thousand) scripts supported for your convienience. Flags for start
  of event script, fidoin, fidoout, and user logoff. Also configurable 
  are file requests, crashmail, mailonly, and nonetwork. If NoNetwork
  is selected, the bbs will not display the 'Press Escape' prompt, and
  go directly to the Welcome screen. This has been added for those 
  systems who do not belong to any network(s).
o NewUser Login has been rewritten for more logical operation. The old
   problem of a newuser entering an existing handle no longer dumps
   them back to the beginning.
o NodeList search function rewritten for proper operation. Display has 
  been reorganized to show Net address, system name, and phone number.
o MEBBSbase now removes 'holes' (deleted file #'s) from the filebases
  upon initialization (aka 'NOGAPS'). A CLI/Shell utility is supplied
  (CleanCatalog) to automatically remove duplicate filenames from your 
  file areas. CleanCatalog generates a batch file which (if executed) 
  will also delete the files themselves.
 
o General reorganization of the system for more logical operation. For
  FidoNet(c) systems, Areas.cfg now handles 4-D Addressing, Passthrus,
  and tagnames.
o All user-configurable text files (.ctl) now reside in the
  MEBBSnet:Configfiles directory. A Sysop now need only look there to
  find configurable textfiles. 3rd party developers are encouraged to 
  use this reorganizational change for their utilities also. Binary
  configuration files are located in MEBBSNet:S
o Log files now are more descriptive and consistant. This will allow
  for 3rd party utilities for billing, and other things that rely
  upon system logs for operation to operate easier and with greater 
  efficiency.
o Modem Dial-out functions have been completely rewritten.
o New miscellaneous CLI/Shell utilities include:
 
BBSStringParse Compile ASCII strings within the executable into binary.
BBSStringDump  Take bbs stings (binary) file and dump to ASCII
CheckEvent     Returns information about current running event.
CleanCatalogs  Remove duplicate filenames from file catalogs. 
               Generates script file that can be edited and executed
               to remove duplicate filenames themselves.
DinkyRobo      WB2.0 GUI message posting utility.
FrekIt         Generates list of file-requestable files. Supports
              'magicnames' include file, ability to remove file
               extensions from requestable names, attach passwords.
KillEmpty      Kill any file listed by AmigaDOS as <Empty>
ProtocolConfig WB2.0 XPR protocol configuration.
NLSearch       Find a node in the nodelist.
ReScanStrings  Edit BBS ASCII strings, recompile, then use this 
               utility to make MEBBSNet aware of the new changes.
TestMessage    View message headers.
TestPacket     View Fido packet headers.
TestRoute      View Fido routed netmail.
ShowModemDat   View compiled Modem_<line>.Dat file as MEBBSNet sees it.
 
o This is not to mention the dozens of little changes and refinements
  to remove backwards logic in things that worked before.
o Eight Support Site systems available 24 hours a day to registered 
  users. Four are located in the United States, 1 each in Australia, 
  Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. All are available via 
  FidoNet(c) and some are available via alternate networks.


o Software Upgrade Fees, MEBBSNet v1.0:
 
Registered StarNet licensees: NO CHARGE
 
o Documentation Upgrade Fees, MEBBSNet v1.0: (Not set at this time)
 
A completely new manual will be made available upon release. Due to
printing costs, it will be made available at our cost (We are NOT in
the manual selling business!). Cost has not been determined at this
time, and will be set after quotes have been received from printers.

Roger Walker
Director, MEBBSNet BBS Product Development
MEBBS Engineering and Software


================================
5.07 -   X E N O L I N K v1.90
================================

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT: XENOLINK 1.90
------------------------------------------------
Next Generation Professional Bulletin Board Software 
Copyright (C) 1990-1994 Xenomiga Technology
Available: March, 1994


The principle upon which Xenolink has been designed:

"If a QuickSort in C is faster than a Bubble Sort in Assembly Language,
then let Xenolink be the QuickSort in Assembly Language."

Xenolink's efficient new architecture is now faster and more compact
than ever.

The changes are obviously far too numerous to list, but a brief
synopsis of the areas affected is listed below:

- Attractive AmigaDOS Release 2 interface
- Vastly enhanced security features
- Improved door support
- Completely redesigned FidoNet support
- Decrease in the already low usage of memory and disk space
- Even faster operation than before

Xenolink 1.90 has been tested as never before, by countless beta
testers with setups ranging from Amiga 500's to 4000's, 68000's to
68040's, CD-ROMs, FAX-Modems, HST 16.8k modems, Point hosts, Network
hubs, multi-line systems - the list goes on.


Overview
---------
- Designed and written for AmigaDOS Release 2 and above.
- Superlative reliability
- Very easy to use
- Attractive interface
- State of the art software design and system architecture
- Full multi-line capability
- Configurability to an almost sinful degree
- Foreign language support
- Highly efficient use of memory and disk space
- Optimised high speed performance
- Object Oriented library and door interface
- Full XPR (External Protocol) support
- Low CPU usage
- Supports all serial cards and all baud rates
- Uses Commodore's (GUI) Installer program for easy installation
- Mature software; large amount of third party Xenolink software
  available.
- Large private support network linking together hundreds of Xenolink
  owners with Xenomiga Technology.


Base Software Architecture
----------------------------
- Xenolink Resource Handler controls access to all Xenolink resources.
- Avoids unnecessary disk activity if a resource (such as a message.
  base or file area) is in use by more than one process.
- Crash protection; if a door crashes or hangs a Xenolink node, system
  data files and log files are preserved, even on the node that
  crashed.
- Automatic resource preloading enables Xenolink to asynchronously
  open files before they are required, thus reducing the bottleneck
  caused by disk activity.

 
MEMORY USAGE
--------------
- Dynamic memory and resource allocation
- Xenolink and its accompanying utilities are residentable
 (extremely low memory usage for multiple nodes)
- Extensive use of xenolink.library shared library routines
- All executables are very compact (needless compiler overhead
  eliminated)

 
DISK SPACE USAGE
------------------
- Two files per message area, for unequalled speed and compactness
- Three files per file area
- Compact user data files
- Real-time data compression used on compiled nodelist
- Xenolink's compact data files have numerous advantages:
     o Very high speed operation due to the small number of files used
     o Minimises disk fragmentation
     o Data files are easily archived
     o Makes backing up very easy (very few files to back up)
 
SPEED
-------
- Very fast implementation of fast algorithms (both are important!)
- Enhanced Global Quick Indexing (EQDX) algorithms enable virtually
  instantaneous location of any file catalogue entry or user.
- Written in C and assembly language, using SAS/C Version 6
- Any area requiring speed has been written directly in assembly
  language; this includes:
     o Screen/modem i/o
     o Mail processing parsing and i/o
     o Searching
     o Sorting
     o Hashing
     o Semaphoring
     o CRC checking

- Only a few assign statements required.
  o Xenolink does not require you to add countless assign statements
    to your startup-sequence
  o Location of all directories specified in "dir.config" file

- Separate configuration files, stored in a single directory:
  o General/global configuration options
  o Node configuration
  o Message bases
  o File areas
  o User access templates
  o Bulletins
  o Archivers
  o External protocols
  o BBS text 
  o BBS entry points
  o Access restrictions

- FidoNet configuration files stored in a separate directory:
  o Node security (password, default protocol, archive type,
    send type)
  o Nodelist configuration
  o NetMail routing and forwarding
  o EchoMail area configuration (origin lines, feeds, passthrough
    are as)
 

DOOR SOFTWARE SUPPORTED:
-------------------------
- Full CLI door support
  o Any program that runs in your CLI (shell) can be run as a door
  o Does NOT require the use of fifo.library or custom handler files

- DOS Shell feature allows the CLI shell to be run within Xenolink
 
- AREXX interface
  o Complies with the ABBEREXX door standard
  o Supports many commands used by other BBS programs
  o Many Xenolink specific commands
 
- Can run many Paragon/Star-Net doors
 
- Xenolink doors run in the same task context as Xenolink itself:
  o Eliminates task context switching
  o Door interface provides direct hooks into Xenolink functions
 
- Xenolink's shared library (xenolink.library) provides an easy to use
  Object Oriented Interface for door programmers:

  o Complete access to users, messages, the file catalogue, system
    configuration, linked lists, node operations & tilde codes.
  o Doors may initiate file transfers, send messages to other nodes.
  o Doors which use the Xenolink library routines extensively are
    often as fast as Xenolink.
 
- Internal BBS commands can be replaced by external modules.


Where can I purchase Xenolink 1.90 & how much does it cost?
------------------------------------------------------------

Tech Support/Sales:
--------------------
- None provided at the time of this release.

Xenolink can be ordered from the author:
---------------------------------------- 
Jonathan Forbes
1132 Bay Street
Suite 1101
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2Z4 Canada

COST:
------ 
US$ 150 + $15 P&P if ordered directly from the author, contact your
local support board for the price in your currency. 

Contact your local support board for the latest information file and
demoversion of Xenolink.

Local support sites:
---------------------- 
BBS Name: The Castle Arrgh!
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fido #: 1:153/727.0
Phone #: 604-327-9494
SysOp: Jeno Horvath
Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - SupraFAX
 
BBS Name: Electronic Image
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Fido #: 1:167/165.0
Phone #: 514-937-9984
SysOp: Sean Mollitt
Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - Dual Standard
 
BBS Name: The Amiga Alliance
Location: Sedalia, MO  USA
Fido #: 1:280/81.0
Phone #: 816-827-1688
SysOp: Ron Teague
Baud/Modem: 2400/14.4k - Dual Standard
 
BBS Name: The Attic
Location: Methuen, MA, USA
Fido #: 1:324/125.0
Phone #: 508-975-2340
SysOp: Mike Soucy
Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - v32bis Sportster
 
BBS Name: Destroyers Den
Location: Napa, CA, USA
Fido #: 1:161/903.0
Phone #: 707-255-0784
SysOp: Robert Thaller
Baud/Modem: 2400/21.6 - Dual Standard
 
BBS Name: The Mouse Trap
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Fido #: 1:202/121.0 1:202/122.0
Phone #: 619-464-2134
SysOp: Bruce Lawson
Baud/Modem: 1200/21.6 - Dual Standard (v32/HST)
 
BBS Name: Arkham Asylum
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Fido #: 2:201/244.0
UseNet Add: Daniel_Frost@bad.se
Phone #: +46-8-626-9355
SysOp: Daniel Frost
Baud/Modem: 1200/28.8k - V32bis/V.FC

BBS Name: Disaster Teams BBS
Location: Landskrona, Sweden
Fido #: 2:200/219.0
Phone #: +46-418-36999
SysOp: Micke Persson
Baud/Modem: 2400/14,4k - Dual Standard
 
BBS Name: Fish Disc Office Switzerland
Location: Buttwil, Switzerland
Fido # : 2:301/562.0
Phone #: +41-57-443222
SysOp: Adrian Glutz
Baud/Modem: 1200/14,4k - HST

BBS Name: Echo BBS Dordrecht
Location: Dordrecht, Holland
Fido #: 2:285/312.0
Phone #: +31-78-180305
Usenet: bart@xecho.wlink.nl
Sysop: Bart Schraa
Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - ZYX/V32bis
 
BBS Name: BAT
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Fido #: 2:362/4.0
Phone #: +351-1-705070
SysOp: Paulo Laureano
Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - V32bis
 
BBS Name: Pertos Asshole
Location: Aarhus, Denmark
Fido #: 2:230/815
Phone #: +45-867-20273
SysOp: Kenneth Perto
Baud/Modem: 1200/16.8k - Dual Standard
 
BBS Name: Amiga Central
Location: Redditch, United Kingdom
Fido #: 2:253/167
Phone #: +44-527-69701
Usenet: marjon@martinac.demon.co.uk
SysOp: Martin Wasley
Baud/Modem: 300/21.6k - Dual Standard Terbo
 
BBS Name: Sidecar Express BBS
Location: Logan Village, Queensland, Australia
Fido #: 3:640/463.0
Phone #: +61-75-463-252 - MultiLine
Usenet: bpratt@splat.paxnet.com.au
SysOp: Brendan Pratt
Baud/Modem: 300 - 14400 v32bis + ZyXEL 19200
 
BBS Name: Pipeline BBS
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Fido #: 3:772/250.0
AmigaNet #: 41:649/250.0
Phone #: +64-9-262-3563 - MultiLine
SysOp: Dan Croft
Baud/Modem: 1200 - 14400 v32bis

           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                AMIGA SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE
           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- 4D-BBS
- ABBS  Software 
- AXsh

==================================
-  A M I G A   C I T A D E L
==================================

What is the address for Citadel BBS & how much does it cost?
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF THE PRODUCT:  Amiga Citadel BBS(also know as Citadel 68K)

ADDRESS:
SNAIL MAIL:
Custom Services
P. O. Box 254
Moorestown, NJ 08057
 
BBS: The Amiga Zone (609) 953-8159
Internet: apreston@isd.csc.com, or tony-preston@portal.com
 
COST: FREEWARE, but donations accepted.  


Brief Description Of Amiga Citadel BBS(also know as Citadel 68K)
------------------------------------------------------------------

Minimum System
----------------
Can be run on an A500 with 1.3 ROM and 512K with 2 floppies, but is
very limited.

Recommended System
--------------------
Any Amiga with 2.04 ROM or better, 20 MB  HD space, and 2 MBs or more
of memory.
 
Citadel is a FREEWARE BBS project that is supported on the Amiga, IBM,
MAC(although the MAC is inactive now), and Atari.
 
Citadel is a room-based system.  It is excellent for messaging.  The
basic organization is in floors and rooms.  While other BBS programs
have a message base as a secondary item attacked to the BBS, 
in Citadel it is the BBS.  Floors are a group of rooms.  Floors 
are a partitioning of the rooms into groups so that sysops and 
users can manipulate their view of the system(you can for example
forget a whole floor).  Think of floors as similar to conferences. 
The basic unit is a room. A room is a location of a conversation.
Messages are that conversation.  Most rooms will have a topic
(Like Amiga, MS-DOS, ect), some rooms can be shared with other
systems(networked).  Room-based systems like Citadle have an
extremely streamlined set of commands for fast access to the messages.


History Of Amiga Citadel
-------------------------
Citadel was created in Nov. 1981 from something called DandD.pas,
a Dungeons and Dragons an adventure game editor/driver It then was
substantially revised and made to run on a CP/M based system.
Somewhere around April to June 1985 is became Citadel-86 with
automatic networking.

Later, versions for the Amiga, Atari, and MAC were created by various
people along with other variants for the IBM. The source was public
domain and spreading like wildfile!  I have maintained the Amiga
Citadel since Jan 92 after complaining of bugs and was told by the 
current maintainer to put up or shut up...  I inherited the source 
and have since done additional ports from the IBM source.  Citadel is
not perfect or bug free, but all the major features work and it is
Enforcer hit free!
 

Basic functionality of Amiga Citadel
--------------------------------------
A Room is the basic unit.  it may be:
- Shared, networked with other systems on the C86Net, or even other
  networks(like FIDOnet, USENET) via external programs.
- Private, Public, Hidden, or Invitational.  Rooms default to public,
  with all users invited.  Hidden rooms are available to users if they
  know the name(a user tells the bbs to goto the room) after which it
  is public to them.  The Invitational rooms are private and the room
  moderator must invite them to the room.
- Anonymous, where there is no user identification as to who posted the
messages.  This is great for door games where users can create their
own identification using their door names.
- Directory, where a sysop or aide can attach a directory for uploading
and downloading of files.  Files have a short and long display format.
Users can not only up and download files, they can examine the contents
of archives, extract and download just one file!  Citadel has a powerful
command set.
- Doors may be attached to a room or globally accessable.  Citadel uses
a stdio door interface and can run many popular door.  The interface is
flexible enough that you can run any program that runs from a cli shell
window. Citadel comes with a full set of documentations, help files for
the user, and both a 68000 version and a 68030/20 version.  Included in
the documentation is a list of about 100 systems in Canada and the USA
that are on the C86Net so you can call and ask questions.  All required
files can be found on the Amiga Zone BBS (609) 953-8159 along with door,
external protocol and archives information.


CLOSING
---------
Citadel comes with several large documentation files that detail all the
inner workings of the configuration file and the BBS setup.  Much of
this is the IBM documentation, but there are Amiga specific files.
 
Citadel is FREEWARE and may not be sold.  It may be distributed with any
hardware or software collection so long as no charge is made for it.

Commercial use of Citadel may only be made to the extent that a BBS is
being run.  Pay BBSes must get prior approval from the authors or
current maintianers before charging users for access.
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