Signon: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:07, 23 February 2026

BBS Operation - Signing On Your BBS

Sign On

There are two primary ways to initiate a sign-on: a remote caller can connect using their modem, or you can perform a local sign-on by pressing F1 from the SYSOP menu.

Local Sign-On

This is usually the first action taken on a newly running BBS. The Local Sign-On allows the SYSOP to enter the system directly from the console. While you are logged in locally, the modem is taken off-hook, meaning remote callers will receive a busy signal until you log off.

When F1 is pressed, the system asks whether you want to perform a Fast Logon. Fast Logon bypasses all startup screens and places you immediately at the main command prompt as user #2 (the SYSOP account).

If you answer “N”, the system performs a normal login. You must enter your user name and password, though the √systemstart and √systemstart2 screens are skipped. The system automatically assumes graphics capability during local login, so the first screen displayed will be √welcome1 followed by the User ID prompt.

When your local session is complete, log off normally. The system will return to the Waiting for Call state.

Normal Sign-On

When a remote caller connects, the BBS answers the line and negotiates baud rate with the caller’s modem. If the connection succeeds, the system displays √systemstart and √systemstart2, followed by the graphics mode check.

The Graphics Mode Check (and √systemstart2)

After the initial startup screens, the BBS performs a graphics capability test. The caller must press the DELETE or BACKSPACE key. You must instruct users to do this within your √systemstart2 file.

Do not use graphics or color codes in √systemstart or √systemstart2, as the caller’s display capability is not yet known.

The DELETE/BACKSPACE test determines terminal type:

Commodore graphics terminals send ASCII 20.
ASCII/ANSI terminals send ASCII 8 or 127.

If ASCII/ANSI is detected, the system asks whether the caller wants ANSI color and graphics. If plain ASCII is selected, the caller is also asked whether line feeds should be added to carriage returns.

After graphics mode is established, the file √welcome1 is displayed. Test this file in Commodore, ASCII, and ANSI environments to ensure it appears correctly.

Note: Earlier versions of Color 64 hardcoded the graphics prompt. In version 8.1a, you must explicitly include instructions in √systemstart2. This allows greater customization.

The User Number Prompt

The system prompts for the caller’s user number. This corresponds to their record number in the password file.

A new user types “NEW” to apply for membership. An existing user enters their assigned user number. Pressing RETURN displays the membership list.

On a fresh installation, only one user exists: the SYSOP as record #2 with password “SYSOP”. You should immediately edit this record and change your password.

Record #1 is reserved internally to store the total number of password records.

If an invalid user number is entered, the system reports the error. Otherwise, the caller is prompted for their password.

The Password Prompt

Passwords are 3–9 characters long and may contain uppercase letters, numbers, and certain non-graphics characters. As the caller types, asterisks are displayed instead of the actual characters.

After three incorrect attempts, the system disconnects and logs an invalid sign-on. After five invalid attempts within 24 hours, the BBS enters a 3-minute lockout period.

If login is successful, the following files display (if present):

√welcome2
√logon stats (40-column) or √logon stats80 (80-column)
√sysopin or √sysopout
√level # msg (matching the caller’s access level)

Next, √sysop news is processed (see Installation → System Messages for formatting details).

The system then checks for private mail. If mail exists, headers are shown and the caller may choose to read it. After mail handling, the caller may be prompted to sign the guestbook before reaching the main BBS prompt.

New Users

If a caller enters "NEW" at the user number prompt, the system performs the following steps:

The system checks for the file "√bbs closed". If it exists, it is displayed and the caller is disconnected.
The caller is prompted for a handle (membership name).
- Must contain at least one alphabetic character
- Maximum 20 characters
- No graphics or color codes permitted
The system checks the password file:
- If the name already exists, the caller must choose another.
- If the password file is full, the file "√membership full" is displayed and the caller is disconnected.
If accepted, the file "√password msg" is displayed and the caller enters a password (3–9 characters). The system then displays the entered information for confirmation.

√new user msg1 is displayed before the application routine. The caller completes the application (see User Application section). After completion, √new user msg2 is displayed. The caller is then taken to the main BBS prompt.

The Main BBS Prompt

All callers eventually reach the main prompt. Commands are executed by pressing a single key corresponding to the defined BBS command. Access depends on the caller’s level as configured in SETUP.

Pressing “?” displays the appropriate √menu# file (based on access level). You may use the included menu maker utility to generate level-based menus automatically.

The system guides callers through complex operations with prompts, and help files remain accessible at all times.

Next Section: Graphics Mode

BBS Operation

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Signing onto your BBS}}
 [[bbs operation|BBS Operation]] - <strong>Signing On Your BBS</strong>
+== Sign On ==
+There are two primary ways to initiate a sign-on: a remote caller can connect using their modem, or you can perform a local sign-on by pressing F1 from the SYSOP menu.
-There are a couple ways to initiate a sign-on: A user can call your system using their modem, or you can do a local sign-on by pressing F1 from the Sysop Menu.
+=== Local Sign-On ===
-<strong>Local Sign-On </strong>
+This is usually the first action taken on a newly running BBS. The Local Sign-On allows the SYSOP to enter the system directly from the console. While you are logged in locally, the modem is taken off-hook, meaning remote callers will receive a busy signal until you log off.
-This is probably the first action you take with your newly-running BBS. The Local Sign-on allows the Sysop to bypass some of the processes and be logged into the BBS locally. This will take the modem off-hook, so users will only get a busy signal until you logoff.
+When F1 is pressed, the system asks whether you want to perform a Fast Logon. Fast Logon bypasses all startup screens and places you immediately at the main command prompt as user #2 (the SYSOP account).
-When F1 is pressed, the system will ask if you want to perform a Fast Logon. Fast Logon permits you to jump all the startup screens and information and places you at the command prompt in the BBS as user #2. If you answer “N” to Fast Logon, it will be a “normal” login where you must enter your user name and password, although √systemstart and √systemstart2 are not displayed. The BBS automatically assumes you are graphics-capable, so the first screen you will see is √welcome1 and the User ID prompt.
+If you answer “N”, the system performs a normal login. You must enter your user name and password, though the √systemstart and √systemstart2 screens are skipped. The system automatically assumes graphics capability during local login, so the first screen displayed will be √welcome1 followed by the User ID prompt.
 [[File:fastlogon.jpeg|center|200px]]
-When you are done with your local session, logoff the BBS as you normally would and the system will be returned to a ready-for-call state.
+When your local session is complete, log off normally. The system will return to the Waiting for Call state.
-<strong>Normal Sign-On  </strong>
+=== Normal Sign-On ===
-If a user calls the system, then the BBS will answer the phone and attempt to connect with the remote modem.  If the connection succeeds, the BBS will find out the baud rate and then display the √systemstart and √systemstart2 screens followed by a Graphics Mode check.
+When a remote caller connects, the BBS answers the line and negotiates baud rate with the caller’s modem. If the connection succeeds, the system displays √systemstart and √systemstart2, followed by the graphics mode check.
-* The Graphics Mode Check (and √systemstart2)
+==== The Graphics Mode Check (and √systemstart2) ====
-: The first thing that will occur after displaying the initial system start screens is a Commodore Graphics check (where the user must hit the backspace or delete key as part of the check).  You need to stipulate this in your √systemstart2 file. Avoid any graphical (like Commodore graphics, color changes, etc) in both √systemstart and √systemstart2 since we do not yet know at this point if the user can display these.
-: The BACKSPACE/DELETE key check is used to detect if the caller is using a Commodore graphics terminal program or an ASCII/ANSI terminal.  Commodore graphics terminals send a character with an ASCII value of 20 for their DELETE character, while ANSI and ASCII terminals will send a character with an ASCII value of 8 or 127.  If they are using ASCII/ANSI, then the BBS program will ask if the user wants to see full ANSI color and graphics.  If the caller selects plain ASCII translation, then they will also be asked if their terminal requires line feeds added to carriage returns.
+After the initial startup screens, the BBS performs a graphics capability test. The caller must press the DELETE or BACKSPACE key. You must instruct users to do this within your √systemstart2 file.
-: Once the graphics mode has been determined, then the file "√welcome1" in the System Files is printed.  You should test to see that this file looks OK in both Commodore, ASCII, and ANSI terminal programs, because it is the first welcome message that all callers will see.
+Do not use graphics or color codes in √systemstart or √systemstart2, as the caller’s display capability is not yet known.
-: One important point here: previous iterations of Color 64 has it hardcoded to prompt the user to hit the backspace or delete key. This is no longer the case in 8.1a. You must have some content in √systemstart2 telling the user to do this. I did this in order to allow sysops to make their BBSes more unique.
+The DELETE/BACKSPACE test determines terminal type:
+* Commodore graphics terminals send ASCII 20.
+* ASCII/ANSI terminals send ASCII 8 or 127.
-* The User Number Prompt
+If ASCII/ANSI is detected, the system asks whether the caller wants ANSI color and graphics. If plain ASCII is selected, the caller is also asked whether line feeds should be added to carriage returns.
-: A prompt is displayed asking for the user number of the caller.  The user number is the record number in the password file that contains the caller's information; the BBS automatically assigns a number to each new user who applies to the BBS system.  A new user would type "NEW" at this prompt to apply for membership on your BBS system.  A current user would enter their user number, or a caller may press RETURN to view the membership list.
-: When the system is first installed, there will be only one user: you the SYSOP as user number 2. Again, the password is "SYSOP".  You should use password maintenance to edit your record and change your password (and other relevant information too).  You may be wondering why the SYSOP is user number (record) 2 and not number 1.  The reason for this is that record number 1 in the password file is used to store the current number of records in the file.  This information must be stored along with the password file because it could get lost or destroyed if stored in a different file.
+After graphics mode is established, the file √welcome1 is displayed. Test this file in Commodore, ASCII, and ANSI environments to ensure it appears correctly.
-: If a caller enters a number at this user number prompt, then it will be checked to see if it is a valid user number.  If it is not, then the BBS will tell the caller that the number is invalid.  Otherwise, the caller will be asked for their password.
+Note: Earlier versions of Color 64 hardcoded the graphics prompt. In version 8.1a, you must explicitly include instructions in √systemstart2. This allows greater customization.
-* The Password Prompt
+==== The User Number Prompt ====
-: Passwords can be from 3 to 9 characters, and they are restricted to uppercase alphabetic characters, numerals, and some other non-graphics characters.  As the caller is typing their password, it will not be displayed on your screen; only asterisks will be displayed as each character is typed.
-: If the caller happens to enter the incorrect password, they will be notified that the password is incorrect and will be sent back to the user number prompt.  If after three attempts the user cannot correctly enter a password, then the system will hang up and record the incident as an invalid sign-on.  After the fifth invalid call within one 24-hour period the system will go into a waiting mode, where it will not answer any calls for about 3 minutes, to deter pranksters and hackers.
+The system prompts for the caller’s user number. This corresponds to their record number in the password file.
-: If all goes well and the caller enters the correct password, then the rest of their information will be loaded in from the password file and the following files will be displayed if they exist in the system’s directory:
+A new user types “NEW” to apply for membership.
-: * √welcome2
+An existing user enters their assigned user number.
-: * √logon stats or
+Pressing RETURN displays the membership list.
-: * √logon stats80 file for 80-column users
-: * √sysopin or √sysopout depending on setting
-: * √level # msg where “#” is the user’s access level number
-: Once this is done then the "√sysop news" file will be printed, but since it has a special format, you may want to review information on this file in the Installation Section "System Messages".
+On a fresh installation, only one user exists: the SYSOP as record #2 with password “SYSOP”. You should immediately edit this record and change your password.
-: Next, the system will check to see if the caller has any private e-mail waiting for them.  If they do, then the system will do a quick scan of the mail headers to show the caller who the messages were from and who posted them.  The caller can then decide if they want to read their e-mail or not.  If the caller decides to hold their e-mail, or once they are done reading their e-mail, the system will ask if they want to sign the guestbook and then proceed to the main BBS prompt.
+Record #1 is reserved internally to store the total number of password records.
-* New Users
+If an invalid user number is entered, the system reports the error. Otherwise, the caller is prompted for their password.
-: If a caller entered "NEW" at the user number prompt, then the system would perform the following procedures:
-:: 1) Will check to see if the file called "√bbs closed" exists in your System Files and if it does it will be displayed to the caller, after which they will be disconnected from the system.  You should create this file if you want to close the system to any new users.
-:: 2) If the BBS is not closed, then the caller will be asked to enter a name or a handle.  This is what will be put into their password record as their membership name, the name that all the other users will see.  The membership name must contain at least one alphabetic character and can be no more than 20 characters long.  No color or graphics can be included in the membership name, so it can be made up of upper- and lower-case letters, numerals, and non-graphics characters.
+==== The Password Prompt ====
-:: 3) The system will check the password file to see if that name already exists, and to find a spot in the password file for the new user.
+Passwords are 3–9 characters long and may contain uppercase letters, numbers, and certain non-graphics characters. As the caller types, asterisks are displayed instead of the actual characters.
-::: * If the membership name already exists, then the caller will be notified and will be allowed to enter another membership name.
+After three incorrect attempts, the system disconnects and logs an invalid sign-on. After five invalid attempts within 24 hours, the BBS enters a 3-minute lockout period.
-::: * If the password file is full, then the system will print the file called “√membership full" in the System Files to notify the user that no more space is available, after which the user will be disconnected.
-:: 4) If all goes well, then the file "√password msg" in the System Files will be printed and the caller will be asked for the password that they want to use on your BBS.  The password must be from 3 to 9 characters and is limited to a small set of characters to prevent callers from entering passwords with graphics characters (most often which they would not be able to remember easily).
+If login is successful, the following files display (if present):
-: Once the caller successfully enters a password the BBS system will display the new user's information for review.  After that, the file called "√new user msg1" in the System Files will be printed as a prelude to the application routine.  This file can be used as information about the system, or specific instructions about the application to follow.  Once that is done the user will be asked to fill out an application for membership on your system.  See "User Application" for more details.
+* √welcome2
+* √logon stats (40-column) or √logon stats80 (80-column)
+* √sysopin or √sysopout
+* √level # msg (matching the caller’s access level)
-: Once the application is completed, then the BBS system will display the file called "√new user msg2", after which the user will be sent to the main BBS prompt.
+Next, √sysop news is processed (see Installation → System Messages for formatting details).
-<strong>The Main BBS Prompt </strong>
+The system then checks for private mail. If mail exists, headers are shown and the caller may choose to read it. After mail handling, the caller may be prompted to sign the guestbook before reaching the main BBS prompt.
-All callers, new or otherwise, will eventually end up at the main BBS prompt, from which they can decide which aspect of the system they want to utilize next.  From this prompt the caller only needs to type a single key that corresponds to a main BBS command.  Users will be able to use a command only if their level is equal to or higher than the level defined in SETUP.
+==== New Users ====
-Also, the user can also press the "?" question mark key to get a menu of commands available to them.  The file called "√menu#" will be printed, where the “#” is the level of the user (e.g. a level 1 user will see the √menu1 file).  You can use the included menu maker utility to create the level menus if you wish, because it will automatically put the valid commands for each level into the menus.
+If a caller enters "NEW" at the user number prompt, the system performs the following steps:
-The function of each command is self-explanatory and the system will guide a caller through a series of prompts for complex operations.  Also, the caller will always have access to the help files, so that they can find out how to use specific features of the system.
+# The system checks for the file "√bbs closed". If it exists, it is displayed and the caller is disconnected.
+# The caller is prompted for a handle (membership name).
+#* Must contain at least one alphabetic character
+#* Maximum 20 characters
+#* No graphics or color codes permitted
+# The system checks the password file:
+#* If the name already exists, the caller must choose another.
+#* If the password file is full, the file "√membership full" is displayed and the caller is disconnected.
+# If accepted, the file "√password msg" is displayed and the caller enters a password (3–9 characters). The system then displays the entered information for confirmation.
+√new user msg1 is displayed before the application routine.
+The caller completes the application (see User Application section).
+After completion, √new user msg2 is displayed.
+The caller is then taken to the main BBS prompt.
+=== The Main BBS Prompt ===
+All callers eventually reach the main prompt. Commands are executed by pressing a single key corresponding to the defined BBS command. Access depends on the caller’s level as configured in SETUP.
+Pressing “?” displays the appropriate √menu# file (based on access level). You may use the included menu maker utility to generate level-based menus automatically.
+The system guides callers through complex operations with prompts, and help files remain accessible at all times.
+Next Section: [[graphicsmode|Graphics Mode]]
 [[bbs operation|BBS Operation]]