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Answers to frequently asked questions regarding Synchronet Version 3.0
by Rob Swindell (digital man), December 1999 (updated June 2000)
* Updated February 2002
Q: Is Synchronet going to continue to be freeware?
A: Yes, I'm just doing this for fun (what a sicko!).
* See http://synchro.net/copyright.html for details.
Q: What operating system does Synchronet Version 3.0 run on?
A: Synchronet v3 is currently a Win32 application designed for use on Windows
95/98/NT4/2000.
* Windows XP is supported too.
* Synchronet v3.10 also runs on Linux and FreeBSD operating systems.
Q: Is v3 multi-user/multi-threaded?
A: Yes, all nodes are (typically) run in the same process/window.
External programs, however, run in their own processes/windows.
Version 2.3 for OS/2 was also multi-threaded, but not multi-user: each node
ran in its own process/window.
Q: Is there going to be a DOS version of v3?
A: No, but I did release an update to v2 for DOS/OS2 (2.30c). This update
included some of the Y2K fixes I've made in v3 and some other minor
additions, fixes, and features.
Q: Is there going to be an OS/2 version of v3?
A: Possible, but not probable.
Q: Is there going to be a Linux version of v3?
A: Definitely.
* The Linux version is currently distributed in source code form only,
see http://synchro.net/source.html for details.
Q: Can I mix v2 and v3 nodes on the same BBS?
A: Yes, all of the configuration and data files were purposely kept backwards
compatible.
* As of v3.10, there are additional "issues" that must be addressed when mixing
v2 and v3.1 nodes (mainly in regards to the TEXT.DAT and exec/*.BIN files).
Q: Can I mix v2 and v3 nodes on the same computer?
A: Yes.
Q: Does v3 still support traditional dial-in users?
A: No, v3 is a telnet-only BBS program. Use v2 nodes for your dial-in users.
Q: Do I need a Telnet/FOSSIL application (e.g. NetModem or COM/IP) for v3
nodes?
A: No, Synchronet v3 includes a DOS/FOSSIL interrupt driver (dynamically loaded
VXD for Windows 95/98 and VDD for Windows NT/2000).
Q: Is v3 Y2K compatible?
A: Yes.
Q: Is the source code for Synchronet v3 available?
A: * The source code has been available since October, 2000.
See http://synchro.net/source.html for details.
Q: How many v3 nodes can I run on one machine?
A: Theoretically, 250. If your BBS uses external DOS programs for file
transfers and/or doors, then the realistic number is much lower depending on
bandwidth and horsepower (DOS programs consume more system resources than
native 32-bit programs).
Q: Can I spread my nodes across two or more machines?
A: Yes, v3 includes a configuration dialog that lets you specify a range of
nodes to support in that instance.
Q: Are there limitations to v3?
A: Yes:
o No direct dial-in support (Telnet only)
o Only externals programs that use DOS interrupts (XSDK/WWIV doors) or
FOSSIL for I/O will work with v3.
* 32-bit doors that use TCP Sockets or Standard I/O are also supported.
o Relative paths (e.g. "..\XTRN\BLA.EXE") are no-longer supported in
command lines (the current directory cannot be assumed to be the
current NODE directory). Relative paths ARE still supported in data
directories and other paths in SCFG.
Q: Are there benefits to v3?
A: Yes:
o Speed, speed, speed
* Separate I/O threads dynamically created for each node in use
* Direct socket communications (except when running dos
externals)
* No DOS context-switching (except when running dos externals)
* Idle nodes (WFC) consume no resources, bandwidth, or CPU time
* System events run in their own dedicated thread
o Reliability
* A crashed door shoudn't crash the entire system, or in most
cases, even the current node
o Functionality
* User IP address and host name are logged and stored in user
record
* Optional AutoLogon via IP address
* IP/Host name trashcan
* Users can be ;INTERrupted while running ANY external program
* Non-exclusive events do not take any nodes off-line
* No memory limitations (for configuration items, message
lengths, etc)
* Integrated FTP Server: seemlessly integrated with the BBS
file database with long filename support and QWK transfers
* Integrated Mail (POP3/SMTP) server supports MX-record
lookups, aliases, SPAM filters, are more
o Simplicity
* No third-party Telnet/FOSSIL driver (NetModem or COM/IP)
necessary
* Simple COM port configuration (all nodes can use COM1, for
example)
* No more hassling with baud rates and initialization strings
(they're not used)
* As many nodes as you want to run, all in the same window!
* Eliminates all those short-cut icons and taskbar buttons!
* DCDWATCH no longer necessary to support WWIV externals
Q: When will v3 be available?
A: It is available now. Logon to vert.synchro.net via FTP or Telnet.
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***************************************************
* What's New in Synchronet Version 3.00 for Win32 *
***************************************************
General
~~~~~~~
o All "nodes" run in a single multi-threaded process
- Minimal resource requirements and improved performance
- DOS Windows are automatically opened/closed for external DOS programs/doors
- It's never been easier to run a 10+ node system (with DOS door support) on
one computer
o Professional GUI Control Panel to monitor all clients and servers
simultaneously
- Replaces old "Waiting for call" screen
- Launch configuration and editor dialogs directly
o Optionally plays sysop's choice of .WAV file on user connect/disconnect
Internet
~~~~~~~~
o Supports Telnet logins only (no more direct-dial user support)
- No third-party FOSSIL/Telnet driver (SIO/VMODEM, NetModem, COM/IP) required
- Full FOSSIL/DOS/WWIV/XSDK program/door support (easy setup!)
- Outbound Telnet module included for external MUDs/BBSs
- Automatically detects and logs client IP and hostname
- Optional auto-logon via IP address (requires V exemption)
o Includes integrated FTP server
- Supports Anonymous (Guest) logins
- Virtual directory structure mimics BBS filebase hierarchy
- User security settings enforced
- Supports long/mixed-case filenames
- Dynamically generates index (description) files
- Supports blind upload and sysop directories
- QWK/QWKnet packet uploads and downloads
- Upload description support
- Transfers included in BBS and user upload/download statistics
- Time/Credit system enforced
- Custom login/hello/goodbye messages
- Optional connect/disconnect sounds (.WAV files)
o Includes integrated Mail (POP3/SMTP) server
- Check BBS mailbox using standard Internet mail clients (Eudora, Outlook)
- SPAM Filters supported: RBL, RSS, DUL
- Configurable alias list
- Optionally receive mail by user number (1@yourbbs.com)
- Optional inbound/outbound sounds (.WAV files)
- Optional DNS/MX record lookup (no SMTP Relay Server required)
o IP/hostname filter/trashcan file (IP.CAN) for all Internet servers/services
Configuration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New @-codes:
REV :Synchronet revision
CONN :current connection type
LOCATION :system location
TNODES :total nodes on system
HOST :user's hostname
CID and IP :user's IP address
QWKID :System QWK-ID
INETADDR :System's Internet Address
FIDOADDR :System's primary FidoNet address
o The following environment variables are now initialized for DOS externals
(specifically for event batch file convenience):
YEAR :Current year (2000)
MONTH :Month (1-12)
DAY :Day of Month (1-31)
WEEKDAY :Three letter weekday abbreviation (Mon, Tue, etc.)
- Example: if %DAY%==1 call maintain.bat /reroll
- Example: if %WEEKDAY%==Tue chksmb /q %sbbs%\data\mail.shd
Message Base
~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New SMB REPLIED attribute to indicate a message has been replied-to
- Requires TEXT.DAT update (additional %s in MsgAttr line)
External Programs/Doors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o Most popular DOS doors fully supported
- Includes native 32-bit FOSSIL driver that requires NO configuration/setup
- Users can be ;INTERrupted while running ANY external program
- Non-exclusive events do not take any nodes off-line
- No more hassling with baud rates and initialization strings
- DCDWATCH no longer necessary to support WWIV/DOS extrernals
o New TELNET_GATE Baja function/module to run external MUDs and BBSs
- Includes any-time ^] menu to see who is on the BBS, send messages, etc.
- See TELGATE.DOC for details
***********************************************************************
* What's New in Synchronet Version 3.00 Revision B (official release) *
***********************************************************************
General
~~~~~~~
o Windows Version Information display:
- Windows NT/2000 indicated by "NT"
- Windows 95/98 build number corrected in version information
- Service pack information now displayed along with version info
o Block FOSSIL transfers (from DOS externals) now correctly escape Telent IAC
character (255) - fixed SBBSEXEC.VXD - does not effect FDSZ
o Windows NT/2000 FOSSIL/DOS Interrupt driver (DOSXTRN.EXE) created and VDD
(SBBSEXEC.DLL) created to complete Windows NT/2000 support
o Changed insert text command from Ctrl-<minus> to Ctrl-V
o Changed center text command from Ctrl-V to Ctrl-L
o Filename searches are no longer case sensitive
o Fixed problem viewing extended file description if longer than screen length
o Ability to easily switch A and R commands on the reading mail/msgs prompts
for some or all command shells (see RA_EMU.BIN)
- New @-codes to represent correct command keys in menus
(MSGREPLY and MSGREREAD)
o New @-codes:
LOCAL-IP displays current local IP address
CRLF carriage return/line-feed pair
UP Move cursor up one row (ANSI)
UP:n Move cursor up n rows (ANSI)
DOWN Move cursor down one row (ANSI)
DOWN:n Move cursor down n rows (ANSI)
RIGHT Move cursor right one column (ANSI)
RIGHT:n Move cursor right n columns (ANSI)
LEFT Move cursor left one column (ANSI)
LEFT:n Move cursor left n columns (ANSI)
GOTOXY:x,y Move cursor to x/y (1-based) (ANSI)
PUSHXY Save current cursor position (ANSI)
POPXY Restore saved cursor position (ANSI)
STATS.LOGONS Total logons during history of system
STATS.LTODAY Total logons today
STATS.TIMEON Total time used during history of system (in minutes)
STATS.TTODAY Total time used today (in minutes)
STATS.ULS Total uploads today
STATS.ULB Total bytes uploaded today
STATS.DLS Total download today
STATS.DLB Total bytes downloaded today
STATS.PTODAY Total posts today
STATS.ETODAY Total e-mails sent today
STATS.FTODAY Total feedbacks sent today
STATS.NUSERS Total number of new users today
MSGREPLY Command key to reply to last message
MSGREREAD Command key used to re-read last message
o Ability to disable hostname lookups for Telnet, FTP, and Mail servers
o Ability to disable the spinning cursor for one or all nodes via Baja:
OR _node_misc NM_NOPAUSESPIN
Control Panel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New Clients window shows all connected client details (username, IP address,
hostname, time connected, etc.)
- Allows sysop to disconnect any client by right clicking socket number and
selecting "Close"
o New GUI User Editor (USEREDIT.EXE)
- Launched from SBBSCTRL->User->Editor
- Create new user records
- Edit all user fields, statistics, and settings
o New Sysop Availability toggle button (replaces v2.3 Scroll-Lock function)
FTP Server
~~~~~~~~~~
o FTP server now times out and closes data connection if user runs out of time
- Helps eliminate stranded transfer threads/sockets
o File aliases supported
- Put links in your FTP root directory to often access files
- Link to files on your local hard disk or your BBS filebase
- Use general alias names to point to often-changing versioned filenames
o Credits now checked before allowing file download
o QWK packet creation time-out bug fix (wasn't timing-out ever)
o Special logon sequence to receive sysop access (users with level >= 90)
o Complete access to local file systems for remote sysops
o Ability to disable QWK packet transfers
Mail Server
~~~~~~~~~~~
o Attempts delivery a configurable number of times before bouncing message
- Uses new SMB message field: delivery_attempts
o Automatically re-scans mail database every configurable number of seconds
o Fixed rare Access Violation in MAILSRVR.DLL during shutdown
Online Programs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o 32-bit door support
- Duplicate socket handle passed in DOOR32.SYS drop file (new standard)
- Duplicate socket handle passed on command line via %H specifier
- Support for external programs written with 32-bit XSDK (v3.0)
************************************************************************
* What's New in Synchronet Version 3.00 Revision C (official release) *
************************************************************************
General
~~~~~~~
o Sysop ;SPY command to remotely spy/control other nodes via Telnet
o Support for Windows 95 (pre-OSR2) and Windows NT 3.x
o New filter/trashcan (.CAN) file syntax:
- Ignores leading white-space
- Beginning a line with a semicolon (;) indicates a comment (line ignored)
- Beginning a string with an exclamation mark (!) reverses the match logic
o Win32 DLLs built with Visual C++ 6.0 (Previous 3.0 DLLs built with 5.0)
o "user_alias" is synonymous with "user alias" and "user.alias"
- For logins, duplicate name checking, receiving e-mail, etc
Control Panel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New Local Sysop Split-screen Chat module
o New Local Node Spy module (with ANSI terminal emulation)
- View multiple nodes simultaneous
- View consecutive logins
- Customize font and window size
o New User Listing form with sortable columns
o New BBS Login menu option (launches telnet://localhost)
(REGEDIT->HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Swindell\Synchronet Control Panel\LoginCommand)
o Version information for each module is now retrieved and displayed in the
Help->About dialog box
o Reorganization of the Edit Filters sub-menu
o Configurable SCFG command line
(REGEDIT->HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Swindell\Synchronet Control Panel\ConfigCommand)
o Documentation Index (docs/index.htm) can now be launched with SBBSCTRL->Help->Index
Internet
~~~~~~~~
o RLogin server for immediate logins from trusted hosts
- Similar to Trade Wars Game Server (TWGS) operation
o Separate IP address and hostname filter/trashcan files
(IP.CAN and HOST.CAN)
o Added new telnet_gate mode: TG_PASSTHRU (defined in SBBSDEFS.INC)
- Allows passthrough of Telnet commandsto gated system
- Included UNIXGATE.SRC/BIN to gate to Unix telnet servers
o Added new telnet_gate mode: TG_RLOGIN (defined in SBBSDEFS.INC)
- Allows outbound logins using BSD RLogin protocol
- Included RLOGIN.SRC/BIN to gate to RLogin servers (e.g. TWGS)
FTP Server
~~~~~~~~~~
o Sysops and dir-ops can now remove files from the filebase with the DELE
command
o Directory aliases (in FTPALIAS.CFG) now supported.
Example: incoming bbs://main/uploads/ Blind uploads
o Optional "Directory File Access" allows users to view and download files
in the local directory that are not in the BBS file database
- Useful for FidoNet packets and other dynamically generated files
o Filename filter/trashcan file (FILE.CAN) is now checked before allowing uploads
o QWK packet option no longer forced on (whoops)
o Total user credits are now displayed during login (for non-exempt users)
o Credits are no longer checked (before download) for D-exempted users
o Credits are only checked for downloads now (not getdate/size commands)
o Now deletes QWK packet semaphore file if failed to create packet
(BBS event thread not running?)
o New sets user modem/connection description in database to "FTP"
o Fixed socket leaks under certain circumstances
o Fixed Access Violation in FTPSRVR.DLL if shutdown during transfer
Mail Server
~~~~~~~~~~~
o SMTP relay support (supported relay clients must be listed in RELAY.CAN)
o SMTP server now supports multiple recipients (locally, relayed, or forwarded)
o SendMail thread immediately bounces fatally errored messages
o New SMTP state machine guards against invalid sequences of commands
- Some messages could cause corruption (SMB error -7, missing header fields)
o Configurable SMTP Relay Server port number (defaults to 25)
o DNS MX-record lookups using TCP (optionally instead of UDP)
o Mail message base is no longer left locked for extended periods of time
o Supports SMB v2.13 extended error information
Baja
~~~~
o New /Q (quiet/no banner) command-line option
o Included shell/module Makefiles for Borland and GNU make
New Functions:
- GETCHAR Case-insensitive version of GETKEY
- CMDCHAR Case-insensitive version of CMDKEY
- COMPARE_CHAR Case-insensitive version of COMPARE_KEY
- COPY_FIRST_CHAR Copies first char of str var to int var
- COMPARE_FIRST_CHAR Compares first char of str var to constant
Source Code
~~~~~~~~~~~
o Now available as Open Source, see http://www.synchro.net/source.html for details
o Main modules may be built with
- Microsoft Visual C++
- Borland C++ Builder (required for SBBSCTRL)
- Borland C++ Builder Compiler 5.5 (free)
- GNU C/MinGW support in the works
o User Editor may be built with Borland Delphi
Documentation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o Updated for version 3 (version-specific features are noted)
o Converted to HTML format (see docs\index.htm)
************************************************************
* What's New in Synchronet Version 3.00 Revision D (alpha) *
************************************************************
Control Panel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New MinimizeToSysTray option
- Minimizes SBBSCTRL to an icon in the system tray
- Icon animates when there are active clients
- Icon tool tip reports number of active clients
- Double-click icon to restore SBBSCTRL window
o New Control Panel Properties Dialog (File->Properties)
- Allows configuration of LoginCommand, ConfigCommand, etc.
o Closing no longer interferes with Windows shut-down procedure
o Sorting by first/last on dates in User List now works correctly
Telnet Server
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o Quicker response to Ctrl-C (abort) command
o Binary receive mode is automaticaly disabled when returning
from external programs
- Some Telnet clents (e.g. HyperTerminal) enable Binary mode when
transferring files, but do not disable Binary mode when done.
This causes transmitted CR/LF pairs to be interpretted as two
separate characters (instead of one).
Baja v2.30
~~~~~~~~~~
New Control Flow Functions:
- LOOP Begins an execution loop (nesting supported)
- CONTINUE Continues an execution loop
- BREAK Breaks an executuion loop
- END_LOOP Ends an execution loop
New TCP/IP Functions:
- SOCKET_OPEN Create/open a TCP/IP socket
- SOCKET_CLOSE Close a socket
- SOCKET_CONNECT Initiate outbound connection
- SOCKET_ACCEPT Accept an inbound connection
- SOCKET_NREAD Get number of bytes ready to read
- SOCKET_PEEK Peek at receive buffer
- SOCKET_READ Read from socket
- SOCKET_WRITE Write to socket
- SOCKET_CHECK Check socket connection status
- FTP_LOGIN Login to a remote FTP server
- FTP_LOGOUT Logout from a remote FTP server
- FTP_PWD Print current working directory
- FTP_CWD Change current working directory
- FTP_DIR Display current directory listing
- FTP_PUT Send (upload) a file to server
- FTP_GET Receive (download) file from server
- FTP_RENAME Rename file on server
- FTP_DELETE Delete file from server
Miscellaneous New Functions:
- INCHAR Case-insensitive version of INKEY
- COPY_CHAR Copy current cmdkey to int var or str var
- COMPARE_ANY_BITS Compares bits in any two integers
- COMPARE_ALL_BITS Compares bits in any two integers
- SHIFT_TO_FIRST_CHAR Shifts string to first occurance of char
- SHIFT_TO_LAST_CHAR Shifts string to last occurance of char
- FILE_RECEIVE Like FILE_PUT, but doesn't require sys pass
- LPRINTF Local printf (to local console)
New System Variables (defined in exec/sbbsdefs.inc):
- _FTP_MODE FTP operating modes (see FTP_* constants)
- _CLIENT_SOCKET Current telnet client's socket handle
- _SOCKET_ERROR Last socket error
- _STARTUP_OPTIONS BBS startup options (See BBS_OPT_* constants)
************************************************************
* What's New in Synchronet Version 3.00 Revision E (beta) *
************************************************************
BBS
~~~
o Fixed Guru Chat GPF/segfault bug (finally)
Control Panel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o New "Events" window for event-thread log messages and status
- No longer clutters Telnet Server log
o New tray-minimized icon (globe)
o Updated closure method
- Hopefully resolves problem with shutting down after net event
- 30 second time-out waiting for servers to stop (just incase)
FTP Server v1.05
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o Failure to create uploaded file (e.g. directory not created) bugs fixed:
- Error message cause gpf/segfault
- No 450 error response to client
o Resumed downloads (using FTP "REST" command) fixed (wrong response code)
o Now uses control port-1 (normally 20) as TCP port for all active data sessions
o Added active/passive mode indication to upload/download log output
o Detected hack/intrusion attempts are now logged to data/hack.log
o Directory listing are now sorted alphabetically (ala Unix)
Mail Server v1.11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o SMTP Sending to a forwarded address (251 response) fixed
o POP3 port, address, hostname activity logged
o Now supports destination address hostnames starting with a digit
/* End of V300_NEW.TXT */
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Answers to frequently asked questions re: configuring Synchronet Version 3
by Rob Swindell (digital man), May 2000, last updated October 2001
Q: The SBBSCTRL:BBS->Login menu option isn't working for me.
A: The default local login command in v3.00 ("start telnet://localhost") does
not work on NT-based OSes (including Win2K and WinXP). If you're running
v3.00, run REGEDIT and go into
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Swindell\Synchronet Control Panel
and change "LoginCommand" to "telnet localhost" or "mtel localhost" or
whatever your favorite telnet client is.
If you're running v3.10e or later, then the "start telnet://localhost"
command line should work (start up your registered telnet client).
Q: The SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure menu option isn't working for me.
A: SCFG and SCFG32 are console-mode programs that only work in an 80x25
console window. If you're seeing the message "USCRN failed!" that means
you probably have your default console window set to a dimensions larger
than 80x25.
You can fix this on Windows NT/2K/XP by adjusting the properties of your
System32\command.pif file. Make sure "restore settings at startup"
(under the "Screen" tab) is not checked. Also, make sure the screen buffer
size is no larger than the screen window size (80x25).
Q: I want to create custom menus. Is there any detailed documentation or
samples regarding custom menus on Synchronet?
A: Yes, see http://synchro.net/docs/customization.html and
http://synchro.net/docs/baja.html for details.
Q: How do I join DOVE-Net?
A: If you've installed v3.00, Telnet to vert.synchro.net and create a new
account for your QWKnet transfers (using your system's QWK-ID for the user
name), then edit the file VERT.FTP in your EXEC directory, replacing the
qwk-id and password with the username and password you created on
Vertrauen.
If you've upgraded to v3.00e or later, you'll probably want to use the
new QNET-FTP Baja module instead of the old VERT.BAT/VERT.FTP scripts.
See exec/qnet-ftp.src for instructions.
If you're running an older version of Synchronet (or upgraded to v3.0b),
then you'll need to create the message areas and QWKnet hub information in
SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->Networks->QWK Packet Networks->Network Hubs.
See DOVE-NET.ZIP for details.
Q: What is my system's QWK-ID?
A: This is normally an abbreviation of your BBS's name that YOU determine
and configure in SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->Message Options. You may want to
look at NODES.DAT in DOVE-NET.ZIP for any conflicts with other DOVE-Net
systems' QWK-IDs.
Q: What is the "!QWKTOMSG failed" or "Duplicate message" warnings in my
Telnet/Event log while importing DOVE-Net QWK packets into my message
areas?
A: This warning indicates a duplicate message in your QWK packet was detected.
Duplicate messages in the SYNCDATA echo are normal and you can disable the
duplicate message checking for that echo in SBBSCTRL:Configure->Message
Areas->DOVE-Net->SYNCDATA and the warnings should go away.
Q: How do I join/setup a FidoNet Technology Network (FTN)?
A: Use SBBSecho (included with Synchronet) to toss (export) and scan (import)
your FidoNet bundles, packets, and NetMail (see
http://synchro.net/docs/sbbsecho.html for details).
You will also need a TCP/IP FTN transport program like Binkd, Internet Rex,
Argus, etc. Traditional Front-End Mailers (FrontDoor, InterMail, D'bridge,
BinkleyTerm, etc) are NOT normally used for TCP/IP-based FTN transfers.
See http://net229.darktech.org/fidosetup/ for instructions on setting
up Synchronet with the Argus 32-bit FidoNet mailer.
Q: Does anyone know of a good, stable newsgroup door I can download or buy?
I would LOVE to have newsgroups on my board.
A: I don't know of any doors, but I do know of several newsgroup<->fido
gateway packages: newsgate, gigo, internet rex, and many others.
A: You can also try MerlinSystem's NetXpress Usenet Gateway for Synchronet
(nx-sync, it's free): http://www.binaryh.com/merlinsys/
A: Internal NNTP support for Synchronet is planned for the near future.
Q: How do keep external programs (doors) from popping up windows and stealing
the keyboard/mouse focus?
A: Check SBBSCTRL:Telnet->Configure->Minimize Externals.
Q: How do I set additional nodes for telnet access?
A: Create the additional nodes in SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->Nodes if you
haven't already done so (Version 3 uses the same configuration information
from the first telnet node for all telnet nodes and the COM port/modem
configuration information is ignored). Set SBBSCTRL:Telnet->Config->Last
Node to highest node number you want available for telnet logins.
Q: How come some of the times diplayed are off by exactly one hour?
A: There is a time-zone bug in the Microsoft Visual C++ run-time library I'm
using in Synchronet v3 related to day-light savings time. Those of you
using v3 in a timezone which has daylight savings, may see a different time
in the BBS (ctrl-T for example) than you do in SBBSCTRL or your system tray.
You can fix the problem by removing Windows' knowledge of daylight savings
altogether (which I think is a dumb idea to begin with). You need to run
TZEDIT which is included on the Win98 CD in the tools\reskit\config
directory. It's included with Win95 OSR2 in the Admin\Apptools\Tzedit
directory. Anyway, run tzedit, select your time-zone from the list (it
should already be selected), click the "Edit" button, and UN-CHECK the
"Automatically set Daylight Savings Time" check box. Then clck OK, then
click CLOSE.
Now, you need to RE-SELECT the time-zone by double-clicking the time in your
system-tray (lower right corner) or by re-selecting the time zone in the
control panel. Now when you run Synchronet and user logs on (for example),
the times should all be correct.
Q: I get an error message that contains "file: c:\src\sbbs3\etc" or something
similar but I do not have Synchronet installed on drive C or that path does
not exist?
A: The "Source" or "File" portion of the error message is for the author's
reference only and has nothing to do with your Synchronet configuration. The
file path in question was the original source code file where the error
occured, which you do not need to concern yourself with (unless you are
modifying the source code). Send the ENTIRE error message (as shown in your
data/error.log file) to the author if you still have any questions or
concerns that aren't answered here or in the sysop documentation.
Q: How do I add files to the file database?
A: The easiest way is to use the ADDFILES utility which can automatically
detect and import embedded descriptions (e.g. FILE_ID.DIZ). See the
chapter in the sysop manual on "Adding files" and the ADDFILES utility
chapter for details. No, a files.bbs list is not necessary for adding
files. Use "ADDFILES * /DIZ" to search all directories for a new files.bbs,
import any embedded descriptions (e.g. FILE_ID.DIZ), and delete the file.bbs
after importing it.
Q: My long filenames aren't appearing correctly on the BBS?
A: The Synchronet file database currently only supports the DOS 8.3 naming
format. Longer filenames will be shown in their Micros~1 mangled form.
The Synchronet FTP server does automatically detect and display long
filenames, however. Long filenames will be supported in the BBS/Telnet
server in a future release.
Q: How do I enable forced upload/download ratios.
A: By default, Synchronet utilizes a "credit" system, where a user typically
earns credits by uploading files, posting messages, playing online games,
etc. And downloading files requires a number of credits based on the size
of the file.
If you prefer to use a less flexible upload/download "ratio" system, you
can do so by using the UDR (upload/download byte ratio) or UDFR
(upload/download file ratio) ARS keywords in the Download Requirements of
your file areas. These ARS keywords, like the PCR (post/call ratio) keyword
use a specified minimum "percentage". So if you wish to enforce a 1:3
upload/download ratio, then use "UDFR 33" for 33%, 3:4 ratio would be
"UDFR 75" for 75%, 1:2 would be "UDFR 50" for 50%, etc.
See http://synchro.net/docs/security.html for details on using ARS.
Q: How do I allow users to send Internet e-mail from the BBS?
A: See http://synchro.net/docs/message_section.html for details.
Q: How do I disallow connections from specific host names or IP addresses
(or ranges).
A: Add the disallowed host names to your text/host.can file or IP addresses
to your text/ip.can file. To disallow a range of IP addresses, use the ^
wildcard character (e.g. "192.168.10.^"). To disallow a partial string in a
host name, use the ~ wildcard character (e.g. "mofoisp.com~").
As for v3.10, you can use the familiar '*' wildcard character
(e.g. "*.aol.com" and "192.168.*").
Q: When I run SBBSCTRL it asks me for the path to MAIN.CNF, but I don't have
this file.
A: You've installed the v3 upgrade without installing v2.3 first. Install
Synchronet v2.3 (SBBS230?.ZIP) first, then apply the upgrade.
Q: File transfers (DSZ) aren't working.
A: You need to use FDSZ (FOSSIL version of DSZ) in place of DSZ:
1. Verify you have FDSZ.EXE in your Synchronet EXEC directory.
2. Change the command lines in SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->File Options->
Transfer Protocols from "%!dsz ..." to "%!fdsz ...".
A: If you're using an NT-based OS (including Win2K and WinXP), you'll need
to upgrade to v3.10e or later to get the fix for Zmodem transfers.
Q: Why do I get an SBBS.DLL error about missing GetDiskFreeSpaceEx?
A: You're attempting to run Synchronet v3.0 on pre-OSR2 Windows 95 or Windows
NT 3.x. Support for pre-OSR2 Windows 95 was added in Synchronet v3.00c.
See http://www.synchro.net/platforms.html for a matrix of supported
platforms.
Q: Can I run version 3 under Windows NT4/2000?
A: The first beta release (v3.00a) did not include a FOSSIL/DOS interrupt
driver for NT/2000, so only Windows 95/98 was fully supported. Version
3.00b includes a FOSSIL/DOS interrupt driver for NT4/2000. If running under
NT4/2000, see NTREADME.TXT for configuration details.
Q: My CPU/kernel-utilization meter reports 100% when a user is online and
entering a string/line of text.
A: Set SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->Nodes->Node X->Toggle Options->Low Priority
string input to "Yes" (where X is your first telnet node).
Q: How do I allow anonymous logins to the Synchronet FTP Server?
A: You need to create a Guest account on your BBS. Create a new user (login
as "New" or use the User Editor included with v3.00b) with a user name of
"Guest". Give this user the 'G' exemption and the 'G' restriction and
delete the password for the account. You may also want to give the Guest
account additional exemptions (e.g. L, P, T, etc).
Q: How can I get door X to work?
A: If the door wasn't specifically written to run on Synchronet (XSDK) or
WWIV BBS Software (typically using CHAIN.TXT), then it must support FOSSIL
communications (most popular doors support FOSSIL) and the door must be
configured to use a FOSSIL driver (yes, you'll need to read the door's
documentation files).
The Synchronet FOSSIL driver is automatically configured and loaded when
needed and ignores the COM port information used by doors, so configuration
details such as COM port number and baud rate are irrelevant (you can just
leave them set to their default values if the door configuration program
allows them to be changed, or use COM1/38400 if it makes you happy).
Q: How can I get this FOSSIL door to work?
A: Make sure you have "Intercept I/O Interrupts" set to "No" for all FOSSIL
doors in SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->External Programs->Online Programs
(this includes Synchronet Match Maker v2.x).
Make sure you have the appropriate startup directory, command line, and
drop file options set in SCFG. See SBBSDOOR.ZIP for specific instructions
on setting up some popular door games (i.e. LORD, BRE, GlobalWar, TW2002).
Make sure you DO NOT have any FOSSIL drivers loaded (including X00, BNU,
ADF, COM/IP, WinFOSSIL, or NetModem) as they will conflict with
Synchronet's FOSSIL driver.
Make sure the door supports FOSSIL communications (read the door's docs)
and that the door is configured to use a FOSSIL driver. Synchronet's
FOSSIL driver is automatically configured and loaded when needed - there
is nothing you need to do to install or load the Synchronet FOSSIL driver.
Q: How do I get Synchronet to create a DOOR32.SYS drop file?
Q: How do I tell Synchronet that a program is 32-bit?
A: Add the program's base filename to SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure->External
Programs->OS/2 Program List (this is actually the native 32-bit program
list). If you specified the executable file extension (e.g. ".exe") on
the program's command-line, then you'll also need to include the
filename with the extension in the 32-bit Program List.
This process will be improved greatly in a future version of Synchronet.
Q: SyncEdit isn't working correctly.
A: See the file SYEDTFAQ.TXT for details.
Q: When I read messages on my v2.3c (or earlier) nodes, I sometimes get a
garbled Message Attributes line.
A: Synchronet v3 introduced a new message attribute (REPLIED) and this
attribute is not currently supported in v2.3c. To work around this problem,
remove one of the %s's from the MsgAttr line of your CTRL\TEXT.DAT file.
I plan on releasing a v2.3d with this fix (and others) in the future).
Q: I have Scroll-Lock on, but I'm still not available for chat page.
A: Synchronet version 3 no longer uses Scroll-Lock to indicate sysop
availability. Instead, there is a button on the SBBSCTRL tool bar and on
the BBS menu to toggle the sysop availability for chat (added in v3.00b).
Q: What is SCFG?
A: The Synchronet Configuration Utility (exec/scfg.exe). This 16-bit
console/text-mode program is left-over from Synchronet v2 and is still used
(as of v3.10) to configure many of the aspects of Synchronet v3
(SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure). See http://synchro.net/docs/system_config.html
for details.
There is also a 32-bit version of SCFG, SCFG32.EXE, that should be used in
place of SCFG.EXE when more than a few hundred kilobytes of memory are
required for configuration information (typically, for large numbers
of message areas).
You can change the program and command-line used with the
SBBSCTRL:BBS->Configure menu option: in v3.00, run REGEDIT, and change
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Swindell\Synchronet Control Panel\ConfigCommand
or in v3.10, go to SBBSCTRL:File->Properties. Change the string to
"%sSCFG32 %s" (removing the "/t2") to utilize the 32-bit version of SCFG.
You can run SCFG/SCFG32 from the command-line by specifying the path to your
Synchronet CTRL directory as the first parameter
(e.g. "c:\sbbs\exec\scfg32 c:\sbbs\ctrl"). When running the 16-bit version of
SCFG under Windows, it is highly recommended to use the "/t2" command-line
switch to yield Windows time-slices.
SCFG and SCFG32 only work in 80x25 text windows (on Win32-based OSes).
SCFG will fail with a "USCRN failed!" error message when run in a non-80x25
window.
A GUI re-write of SCFG (for Win32 and Linux) is planned for the near future.
Q: Is there any updated documentation for Synchronet v3?
Q: The documentation I have (sysop.doc) appears to be for v2.3 for DOS/OS2?
Q: Do you have documentation that is easier for me to view/print/etc?
A: Yes, the documentation included in Synchronet v3.00b was the same old
SYSOP.DOC (ASCII text file) created for Synchronet for DOS and OS/2 v2.30.
It was reformatted in HTML and updated for version 3.00c (as of
December 2000). You can view the progress of the Synchronet Documentation
project at: http://synchro.net/docs. Contributors are welcome!
The Synchronet HTML docs have been converted to PDF for your
viewing/printing pleasure and can be downloaded @ vert.synchro.net.
As always, see the documentation if you have any questions that aren't
answered here: http://synchro.net/docs
/* End of V3CFGFAQ.TXT */
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