User-based Settings
BBS Operation - User Settings
Users have the option to modify their profile both for BBS performance as well as customization of their profile. There are two areas set up for Color 64 v8.10a:
- User Settings
- User Profile Editor
Edit User Stats – Modifying User Settings
If a caller types the [!]Edit User Stats command from the main prompt, they will be asked three questions regarding the way their terminal is set up.
- Page-Pauser Lines
- This is the setting for the screen height of the current caller. If the caller is reading a particularly long message, this setting will automatically pause after the number of lines indicated here.
- 40/80 Column Setting
- This option allows the caller to have Color 64 take advantage of 80-column word wrapping in the text editor, and the special 80 column modifications made to Color 64.
- Character Delay
- Some callers may complain to you about garbled text information; this may be caused by line noise in some situations. In some cases, however, especially if you are using a Lt. Kernal or CMD w/RamLink, it may be caused by the fact that the output speed of Color 64 is too fast for their terminal program to keep track of. In this case, they can increase the character delay number until the output problems disappear. Also, if it is a line noise problem, changing this setting will sometimes alleviate the trouble.
- When a new user signs on, this option will be at a default of 7, which is just right for 2400 bps callers. Callers signing on at higher BPS rates may not find the speed fast enough however, so you may want to display a general note about this character delay feature (perhaps in the user application) so that all users can adjust this setting to suit their own terminal program.
Edit User Profile – User Self-Service Profile Editor
A new module has been added for Color 64 8.10a, the BBS Profile Editor, which is loaded by √bbs.profile. It permits the user to edit some aspects of their user record, create an auto-signature for the message editor, and make a customizable screen that is shown during their login process and displayed to other users when sending them a private email.
The feature is called by the Spare Command “2” which must be set up for permissions in the +SETUP program. It is up to the SYSOP to decide who can be allowed to use this function.
See picture below as an example. This is a unique feature of the BBS; Users can have their own personalized greeting to other users when the user sends them an email! This started with me having a unique personalized banner for each user showing their username in a cool graphic format when they login and it just kind of grew from there. I figured users might like to make their own and be able to have it displayed when being emailed. Users can create their own or edit whatever is there.
Both the user signature and their profile banner are stored in the AUX1 designated area. Note that any files generated here in the user space (AUX1) will be deleted for a specific user if their account is deleted by the Sysop.
For their user record, the users are permitted to change their real name, email address, phone number, and city/state. This is stored back in the password file of the system.
The user signature that was added in the Message area is recalled when the user types "=sig" on a blank line in the editor.
Next Section: Using the Mod Menu