The SYSOP Menu

BBS Operation - The Sysop Menu

While the BBS program is waiting for a caller, if you press any of the function keys, you will see a SYSOP menu.

Note: When starting a new system, it is IMPORTANT that you enter at least one public message before letting any other callers log on. There are two reasons for this. First, this will force the last message read variable to be increased by one (allowing new users to read their mailboxes the next time they log on to your BBS). Second, it is critical that when the first message is posted on a new system that you always answer Y to the question "Start a new subject (Y/N)?". When you type O for logoff, the BBS will save your last message read variable along with several other stats and then begin waiting for the next caller. For this reason, your first steps should be doing a local mode login and creating a message in your message base.

The SYSOP menu is comprised of:

F1: Local Mode Logon

F1 on this menu is local mode. This allows you to log into the BBS as if you were calling it, except the first thing displayed will be a question if you desire to perform a Fast-Logon as User #2 (which will take you directly to the command prompt) or perform a normal login. The normal login option will take you to the User ID prompt (it will not show the initial start-up screens). For both type of logins, graphics mode will automatically be turned on and text will scroll across the screen at a maximum rate.

F2: Term Mode

F2 on the SYSOP menu will take you to the TERMINAL program. If you decided to put the "√bbs.term" overlay with your Program Files, it will be loaded and you will enter the Plusterm program. You will see another menu allowing Terminal mode, Change Graphics/Baud Rate, Autodial, Dos Wedge, Upload/Download, Protocol (Punter or Xmodem), Buffer, and Return to BBS mode. This term program supports full color capabilities and full multi-file transfer capabilities. It also has a built-in buffer function for capturing text information online. Once in terminal mode, you press F1 to exit back to the TERMINAL menu to start an upload or download, use the buffer, or return to the BBS. See the section on Plusterm for more specific instructions on the use of the Plusterm program.

F3: Display Caller Log

F3 on the SYSOP menu allows you to print the caller log onto the screen or a printer (Commodore or compatible setup as device #4 only). The caller log is stored on disk as √caller log" and is continuously updating itself. The log is limited to a size selected by you in the SETUP program and will hold information for several calls in the order they were made. When someone calls, their name and the time they called are added to the log. Then a “trail" is made of their activity. This can be helpful in determining what areas of the BBS are most frequently accessed or which downloads are most popular. Also, it can be useful in tracking down a problem caller. Press the home key to pause (it generates the same code as a CTRL/S) or SPACE BAR to abort.

F4: Network Menu/Set Time and Date

F4 on the SYSOP menu is a dual function key. If you are running the Network configuration, then this will take you to the Network menu (see Network documentation for more information). If you are not running Network, then pressing F4 allows you to reset the date and clock and re-initialize the "√level ? msg” variables. There will be little need to change the time or date, but if you ever add or remove a "√level ? msg", make sure you select this option (or use the [↑]Change Time & Date command online) to reset the appropriate variables.

F5: List Feedback (Display/Answer Mail)

F5 on the SYSOP menu allows you to print your mailbox to the screen or printer. (If you are using an SFD with the CSI Connect 400 interface to store your private messages, you will not be able to print your mailbox to the printer due to a bug in that interface). Use the HOME key to pause or SPACE BAR to abort. After reading your mail, you will be given the option to send a private message in response and clear your mailbox file. All replies from this selection are addressed as sent from membership number 2.

F6: Password Maintenance

F6 on the SYSOP menu will take you into the password maintenance routine. This routine is used to display (or print) and edit your password file. Again, if you are storing your password file on an SFD with the Connect 400 interface, you will not be able to print. Use the HOME key to pause and the SPACE BAR to abort. At the end of the listing, you will be told how many passwords are on file. If you see this value approaching the maximum number of passwords that you set your system up for, you will know it is time to either remove some callers that have not called in a long time or to increase the size of the password file. When the listing is completed or aborted (abort using the space bar - you may have to hold it down for a few seconds), you will be given the opportunity to edit any of the password records. Enter the membership number of the member to edit and that member’s information will be printed on the screen (access level, name, password, etc.). If you need to add/subtract from the number of blocks uploaded/downloaded, or change the caller's name/handle, password, access level, or time remaining today, you will be able to do that here. One by one, you will be allowed to enter new information or just press RETURN to leave the information unchanged. To delete a member from the membership list, change their access level to “0”. You will be asked "Are you sure?". This will also automatically delete any old mail that still may be on the system addressed to this member.

The information that is printed when you are listing the password file is formatted in a special way. Here is a template of the information that is printed:

record#: membership name, password,

level, expiration date, membership information,

DL blocks, UL blocks, times called,

access group, last date called, block size,

last message read, time left, number of posts,

real name, phone number, birth date,

address line 1

address line 2

When you are printing the information to a printer, it will be formatted for 80 columns but will still be in the same order as the above template. Refer to section 3.3 for information on the use of each of these fields.

One function you will need to perform regularly is to create a new “√membership list". This is the list that the callers will see when they select (M)embership list. Having a membership list separate from the password file that is updated only by the Sysop allows us to remove any embarrassing words or phrases from the password file before making a new public membership list. After you have listed and possibly edited the password file, you will be given the opportunity to create a new membership list. If you are just setting up your system for the first time and have not yet made a membership list, then now is a good time to edit your name and password. When you list the password file, you will only see one member. It has the password that the BBS automatically set up for you the SYSOP. Enter “2” for the record number to edit. Then press RETURN until you are prompted for your name. Type in your name. Then press RETURN until you are prompted for your password. Now type in your new password. Then type return a few more times (to skip past the rest of the information) and your password information will be saved to disk. Next, press RETURN when asked for the record number to edit and answer "Y" to create a new membership list. When the routine is finished, the program will automatically return to the Waiting for Caller screen.

F7: DOS Wedge

F7 on the SYSOP menu will take you to the BBS Dos Wedge routine. This routine is in "√bbs.xfer", so there will be a delay after pressing F7 (unless you are running an REU or HD system). It operates exactly like the one in the stand-alone message editor program.

The table below lists the Dos Commands available in the DOS Wedge:

Disk Commands in DOS Wedge
Wedge Command	Function	Format
@	Status/Read Error Channel	Single command
$	Display directory	Can pattern match – “$0:A*”
#	Change Device Number	#<num>
N	Format Disk	N0:<diskname>,<id>
C	Copy File	C0:<source_filename>=<target_filename>
R	Rename a File	R0:<oldname>=<newname>
F	Read a File	F0:<filename>
P	Print a File	P0:<filename>
%	Regenerate Directory	Single Command
!	Message Editor	Single Command
X	Two Drive Copier	Single Command
SYSOP	Sysop In/out flag toggle	Single Command

One feature of the directory routine is that it counts the number of files selected. For example, if you want to see how many callers have mail waiting for them, you could switch to the drive that holds the private messages and then do a $0:?private* and hit RETURN. All filenames matching that pattern will list on the screen and at the end you will see a line saying how many files were selected. You can find this feature very handy when trying to balance your files between the drives. When reading a directory or sequential file, press the HOME key to pause, or the SPACE BAR to abort.

F8: System Shutdown

F8 will save the message index, caller log, system variables and then exit to BASIC. This is the ONE AND ONLY proper way to shut the system down. If you hit the stop key by accident with the stop key enabled (rerun on errors turned off), type "cont" and hit RETURN. If that doesn't work, type “GOTO9991” (without quotes) which should execute a proper system shut down, saving the message index, caller log and variables. Stopping the system without using F8 (or GOTO9991) will leave files open and some vectors pointing to the BBS's ML routines.

Next Section: Password Record Information

BBS Operation