ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÜÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛ ÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛß ßÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ßßß ÛÛÛÛß ßÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛßßßÛÛÛÛ ßßßßÛÛÛÛßßßß ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÜÜÜÜÜ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÜÜÜÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛßßßßß ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛßßßÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÜÜÜ ÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ßÛß ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛß ßÛÛ ÛÛß ßÛÛß ßÛÛß ßÛÛß ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÝ ÛÛ ÞÝ ÛÛ ÛÝ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÞÝ ÞÝ ÞÝ Þ ÞÝ Ý ÞÝ Þ ÞÝ ÞÝ Ý Ý Þ Þ Þ Ý ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ IceChat v3.50 - CopyRight Jeremy Landvoigt, 1993 - IceChat v3.50 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ansi/Ascii Split Screen Chat Program For RemoteAccess, SuperBBS Software & Dorinfo1.Def Compatibles Original Documentation by Jeremy Landvoigt, Updated by Eddy Matthews For 3.10 Release Revised again by Jeremy Landvoigt 3.50 Release ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Table Of Contents ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Table Of Contents ...................................................... 1 Some Of IceChat's Features ............................................. 2 Setting Up IceChat Using ChatCfg.Exe ................................... 3 Upgrading from v3.10 to v3.50 .......................................... 9 Installing IceChat Into RA 2.0x Systems ................................ 9 Installing IceChat Into SuperBBS 1.1x Systems .......................... 13 Installing IceChat Into other Dorinfo1.Def Systems ..................... 17 Macros In IceChat Configuration ........................................ 17 BBS System Files Used By IceChat ....................................... 18 Parameters Used When Executing IceChat ................................. 19 Files Created & Used by IceChat ........................................ 20 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................. 23 Registration ........................................................... 24 -1- Archive Contents ....................................................... 25 CopyRight Notices & Program Disclaimer ................................. 26 Credits ................................................................ 27 Program Support - BBS Locations ........................................ 27 ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Some Of IceChat's Features ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ {+} Indicates registered only. IceChat is a split screen chat utility for RemoteAccess & SuperBBS BBS packages. It can be used with many other BBS types as long as they support Dorinfo1.Def type Doors. IceChat supports two different types of chat modes : 1) Horizontal Split Screen Chat (Chat Windows above and below) 2) Vertical Split Screen Chat Mode (Chat Windows Side By Side) IceChat also has another chat mode for ASCII users. {+} IceChat allows the users to post a comment in the area of the SysOps Choice. It has a built Message Editor For this purpose. This function requires the Hudson message Base Type. If the SysOp doesn't answer the page, and you are using RemoteAccess or SuperBBS, IceChat will update the [Wants Chat] flag causing it to be act- ivated on the SysOps status line, and the users total number of pages for the call will be incremented. This is ONLY possible when using RA or SBBS, generic Dorinfo1.Def systems are not supported by this feature. Configurable Emergency page option, password protected. This is activated when a user has paged outside of paging hours. If they chose to emergency page, they must enter a password. This can be disabled by leaving password blank when configuring IceChat. It can also be configured so that only users ABOVE a set security level will be asked for the emergency page password. IceChat v3.50 will seek out Ra 2.0x or Sbbs 1.1x and read in crucial information from the BBS configuration to make IceChat v3.50 even easier to install than it already is. A configurable page tune for those users that are in your VIP.CTL Textfile IceChat is Easily configured, unlike many programs SysOp's have to deal with. Easy To Use SysOp function keys : F1 : Display Help Status Pop Up Menu -2- ALT-F2 : SplitScreen Chat Mode ALT-F3 : Vertical Chat Mode ALT-B : Blacklist User (Security Lockout) [RemoteAccess & SBBS Only!] ALT-E : User Editor ALT-H : Hang Up ALT-J : Drop To DOS ALT-L : Line Noise Key ALT-T : ASCII TextFile Dump to modem & screen ALT-X : Force Program Exit Easy To Use User Keys : CTRL-U : Display User help line CTRL-L : List/Add to available Macros (if enabled) CTRL-W : Clear Window CTRL-R : Redraw Screen Online User Editor : IceChat has an Online User Editor Built in so that the SysOp can edit the users Profile without having to exit back to the BBS. (RemoteAccess & SuperBBS Only) Can play random page tunes Defined Macro Listing in Chat And LOTS MORE!! ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Setting Up IceChat Using ChatCfg.Exe ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ To Setup IceChat, please read this section thoroughly! Then also read the section of these documents that apply to the Installation of IceChat into the particular type of BBS system you are running (i.e. RA, SuperBBS etc) N.B. Menu items that are followed by '{+}' are REGISTERED ONLY features, and will not be active until you have registered IceChat and obtained a valid key. When you run CHATCFG.EXE, you will be presented with a series of pulldown menus. In this section we will step through each menu in turn and explain in some detail what you need to enter in order that IceChat will be configured correctly. The cursor keys are used to move around the configuration program, left and right will move between the various pulldown menus, and the up and down keys will step through the items on each menu or submenu. FILE ------ ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Save & Exit Þ Ý Save Without Exit Þ Ý Exit Without Save Þ Ý Macro Editor Þ Ý Quiet User Editor Þ Ý Registration Info Þ Ý Program Info Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú Save & Exit - Selecting this option will save any changes you have made and exit to Dos. -3- ú Save Without Exit - Save changes and stay in ChatCfg. ú Exit Without Save - Exit ChatCfg, but DO NOT save any changes made. ú Macro Editor - This menu option will bring up a submenu that will ask for a 'Keyword' and a 'Macro' that will be used in place of the 'Keyword' as explained below. You can also configure the colour that will be used when these macros are displayed. - Page #1 - Page #5 There are five pages available for you to enter macros. They are explained below. Pages #3-#5 are ONLY available to registered users of IceChat, unregistered users are limited to two pages. - User Keyword - The word to be translated by IceChat, i.e. RA - Macro - The replacement to be used by IceChat, i.e. RemoteAccess IceChat has the ability to translate Macros when in Chat mode, here you can enter the macro and what IceChat should convert it to. i.e. RA = RemoteAccess. You will be asked for the original word and then for the replacement, enter "RA" (as the original) and RemoteAccess (as the replacement) then whenever you type "RA" when in chat mode, IceChat will convert it to "RemoteAccess" (without Quotes). You have two pages in which you can enter any macros you wish. It is useful to also place common mistyped words here too, i.e TAHT (User Keyword) - THAT (Macro) then every time you accidentally type 'Taht', IceChat will convert it to 'That'. Control strings may also be used in macros. For Example, if your key word is "HT!" and the Macro is "Hi There @F!", when "HT!" is typed in chat, it will be replaced with "Hi There Jeremy!" For example. Available control strings are listed in a seperate section of these documents. - Colour Once you have entered a "User Keyword" and it's accompanying "Macro" IceChat will ask for a colour. This is the colour that the Macro will be displayed in when in chat. An Asterisk (*) will show the colour you have selected. ú Quiet User Editor - Allows you to edit a list of user names. Here you can specify those users that you DO NOT wish to chat to. If a user that is entered in this list attempts to page, IceChat will 'Appear' to operate normally to the user, but it will NOT play a page tune to annoy the SysOp. ú Registration Info - Gives detail of the status of IceChat and other registration info. ú Program Info - Gives detail of the current version of IceChat including release date and any crucial fixes. STRINGS --------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Greetings String Þ Ý User Editor String Þ Ý ASCII Dump String Þ Ý Drop To Dos Header Þ Ý SysOp Help String Þ Ý Page SysOp String Þ Ý Page Reason Header Þ Ý Message String {+} Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ NOTE: IceChat now has the ability to use a number of macro characters that will be translated when it is run. These can be used in the various 'Strings' that can be displayed to the user. See the seperate section of these docs for more info on the macros and their usage. -4- ú Greetings String - String displayed to users when the SysOp first enters chat. This string will only be shown once per program execution. Leave blank to disable. ú User Editor String - String displayed to users when the user record is being altered, by using the built in user editor in IceChat (RA and Sbbs only). ú ASCII Dump String - String displayed to users when SysOp is preparing to view an ASCII file. ú Drop To Dos String - String to be displayed to users when the SysOp Drops To DOS. ú SysOp Help String - String displayed to users when SysOp is viewing local help window by pressing F1 (Function key F1) when in Chat. ú Page SysOp String - Enter the string displayed to users when paging the sysop. ú Page Reason Header - Reason for page header. i.e. "Why do you want to chat with Jeremy?" ú Message String {+} - The string to be displayed when IceChat asks if the user wants to enter a message to the SysOp if the chat request is unanswered. PATHS ------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý MsgBase Path {+} Þ Ý External Editor {+} Þ Ý Logfile Path Þ Ý External DOS Util Þ Ý Regular Pagetune Þ Ý VIP Pagetune Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú MsgBase Path {+} - Path to your message base, i.e. C:\RA\MSGBASE NOTE TO RA SYSOPS: IceChat DOES support the JAM message base at this time. The area selected for IceChat to post messages into MUST be specifically configured to be either a HUDSON base OR a JAM Base. ú External Editor {+} - The full path and command line of the external message editor you want to use such as IceEdit. This will be called whenever a user leaves a message to the SysOp when a page has not been answered. Please refer to the documentation for the message editor of your choice for details of the required command line. ú External DOS Util - When shelling to DOS using the Alt-J function within IceChat, you have the ability to call up a program automatically by enabling this option. If you enter the path and filename of a DOS utility, when you shell to DOS IceChat will ask if you want to invoke your Dos program - You can then select 'Y' to run it, or 'N' to go straight to Dos. If you leave this field blank IceChat will just shell to Dos as normal, you will NOT be asked to press Y/N. ú Logfile Path - The path and filename of the logfile IceChat should use. This can either be a seperate logfile, or IceChat can append to your BBS logfile if you so choose. ú Regular Pagetune - The path and filename the 'Normal' pagetune to be used by IceChat (i.e. C:\ra\Icechat\Page.Ice). -5- ú VIP Pagetune - The path and filename of the 'VIP' pagetune to be used by IceChat (i.e. C:\ra\icechat\Vip.Ice). This tune is used for VIP users who's names are stored in an ASCII control file called VIP.CTL. See the section of these docs about the Files Used and Created by IceChat for more info on this file. TOGGLES --------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Alias Usage NO Þ Ý Force Greeting NO Þ Ý Suspend Time YES Þ Ý Chat In Top Window YES Þ Ý View Macros YES Þ Ý Create Macros NO Þ Ý Allow Remote Exit NO Þ Ý Page Exceeded Hangup NO Þ Ý Beep Remotely YES Þ Ý Use JAMbase NO Þ Ý Use Tearline YES Þ Ý Use Countdown Bar NO Þ Ý Disable Bleep {+} YES Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú Alias Usage - Should IceChat use the SysOp's & User's alias as defined above? Yes/No ú Force Greeting - Should IceChat use the 'Greeting' string when a 'Forced' chat is initiated by the SysOp. ú Suspend Time - Should IceChat freeze the users time whilst in chat. ú Chat In Top Window - Should the Sysops chat window be the top one? If NO, IceChat will place the users chat window on top. ú View Macros - If Yes, users users can view the macros that have been defined. ú Create Macros - If set to Yes, users will be allowed to create thier own macros. If set to No, they can only use the macros that the SysOp has defined. ú Allow Remote Exit - Are users allowed to terminate a chat? If set to NO, only the Sysop will be able to stop the chat by pressing [Esc] or Alt-X. ú Page Exceeded Hangup - Should IceChat drop the carrier on a user if he/she exceeds the permitted number of attempts to page the Sysop. (RA/SBBS Only) ú Beep Remotely - Should IceChat cause the remote (Users) terminal to Beep whilst paging the sysop. ú Use JAMbase - Should IceChat make use of the JAMBase when posting messages to the Sysop after an unanswered page? If NO, IceChat will expect the message base to be a HUDSON message base. ú Use Tearline - Should IceChat append a tearline to the end of messages written from within IceChat? Eg: --- IceChat v3.50 * Origin: Ice Technologies BBS, 905-895-0852, IceSoft HQ! ú Use Countdown Bar - Should IceChat use the countdown graph while paging? (The countdown graph looks like this: [ÛÛÛÛ°°°°°°°°°°°] ) It is useful to disable this if you often abort users pages. ú Disable Beep {+} - Disable the beep on keypress when in ChatCfg. This option also affects some beeps in IceChat itself. -6- NAMES ------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý BBS Name Þ Ý SysOp Real Name Þ Ý SysOp Alias Þ Ý CoSysOp 1 Name Þ Ý CoSysOp 2 Name Þ Ý CoSysOp 3 Name Þ Ý Msg Area Name {+} Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú BBS Name - Enter the name of your BBS system. ú SysOp Real Name - The name of the System operator. If you are a registered user of IceChat, this name MUST be exactly the same as the name that appears in the registration key. ú SysOp Alias - System operators Alias (if used). If this is enabled, IceChat will use the Users alias aswell. ú CoSysOp 1-3 Names - Enter up to 3 Co-SysOps in these fields. To select a CoSysop for Chat, run IceChat with a parameter ranging from A-C, or you may select the CoSysOp for chat from within IceChat while the pagetune is playing. i.e. IceChat.Exe /A - would cause IceChat to use the #1 Co-Sysops name instead of the SysOp's name. OR You may press 1,2 or 3 while the page is playing to select a CoSysOp for chat. ú Msg Area Name {+} - Name of the message area used to post messages into if the sysop does not respond to a chat request (or if he/she manually aborts the request) COLOURS --------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Punctuation Þ Ý Numbers Þ Ý UpperCase ASCII Þ Ý LowerCase ASCII Þ Ý High Bit ASCII Þ Ý Macros Þ Ý Sysop Name Þ Ý User Name Þ Ý Time Clock Þ Ý Chat Timer Þ Ý Status Line Þ Ý Default Settings Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ Here you can define what colours IceChat should use for various types of text. You can select the colour you prefer for any of the following : ú Punctuation ú Numbers ú Capital Letters ú High Bit ASCII ú Macros ú SysOp Name ú User Name ú Time Clock ú Chat Timer ú Status Line ú Default Settings - Selecting this option will restore IceChat's 'Default' colours. Select the colour you prefer by entering the number indicated in ChatCfg.Exe. IceChat will then use these colours when in chat. PAGE SETUP ------------ ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Page Hours Þ Ý Page Duration Þ Ý Maximum Pages Þ Ý Page Reason Length Þ Ý Emergency Password Þ Ý Emergency Security Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú Page Hours - Paging Hours (must NOT extend beyond midnight!) Enter the starting and ending times for each day of the week. Users can ONLY page between these hours, or by entering a password if it is outside paging hours (See Emergency Password). These hours MUST NOT extend beyond midnight. -7- ú Page Duration - How long (in seconds) IceChat should page the sysop. ú Maximum Pages - How many times a user may page in one session. This feature can only be used if SuperBBS or RA is the BBS package. ú Page Reason Length - The minimum number of characters a user MUST enter as a page reason. If the user enters LESS than this amount IceChat will exit and inform him/her that the reason is too short. ú Password required to page the sysop outside normal paging times. The user will need to enter this password BEFORE IceChat will call the SysOp, in this way regular or trusted users can page you at any time. They MUST also have a security level ABOVE the level set in 'Emergency Security' for this feature to be used. ú Emergency Security - The MINIMUM security needed by a user before they will be given the option to FORCE an 'Emergency Page' outside normal paging hours. Users with a security BELOW this level will NOT be given the option to page outside the normal hours. See also 'Emergency Password', the two emergency options (Password and Security) work in combination with each other. OTHER ------- ÛßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÛ Ý Board Number {+} Þ Ý Msg Attribute {+} Þ Ý Origin Line {+} Þ Ý Chat Border Type Þ Ý BBS Type Þ Ý Name Brackets Þ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛ ú Board Number {+} - The number of the message board as defined in your BBS config. This only applies if you are using the HUDSON style message base. If you are using JAMBASE, make sure you specify the full path and filename of the JAMbase in the files setup. ú Msg Attribute {+} - Message Type - Private, Public, Or Both - Select the message attribute. If set to 'Private/Public' IceChat will ask if the message is Public or Private before it is saved. ú Origin Line {+} - The originline that will be appended to messages to the SysOp written from within IceChat. This can be disabled under the Toggles setup. ú Chat Border Type - Choose one out of a selection of three different types of chat windows borders that you would like to use while chatting with the user. ú BBS Type - Select the BBS software you are using. This is essential for the correct operation of IceChat. - RemoteAccess v2.0x - SuperBBS v1.1x If you are using Sbbs, you will be presented with another menu option: - SBBS UserFile Path If you are using SuperBBS v1.1x, you will be asked for the path to your user file (Susers.Bbs). This is the PATH ONLY, NOT the filename of your user file!. - Dorinfo1.Def Compatible If you are not using RA or SBBS, IceChat can still use the generic Dorinfo1.Def file which is generated by *most* BBS packages. Check your BBS documentation to see if it can generate a Dorinfo1.Def file. -8- ú Name Brackets - Select the brackets ( {([ ) that will be used when displaying the SysOp's or Users name in IceChat. Please note that the configuration file is not a text file, so you MUST use CHATCFG.EXE to configure the program, and the configuration file must be named ICECHAT.CFG. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Upgrading From v3.10 to v3.50 ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ This couldn't be easier! Simply copy the files from the v3.50 distribution archive into the directory you have IceChat installed and run 310TO350.EXE. This will upgrade all of the previous versions configuration to the format needed by v3.50 Please Note! Failure to upgrade your previous configuration files will result in an error message being displayed if you attempt to run ChatCfg.Exe or IceChat.Exe You should also run ChatCfg.Exe and step through each of the pulldown menus to ensure your setup is correct. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Installing IceChat Into RA v2.0x Systems ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Please read the section of this document entitled 'Setting Up IceChat Using ChatCfg.Exe' BEFORE attempting to install IceChat into RA. Failure to setup IceChat correctly before installing it into your bbs program will probably result in IceChat failing to run or not running as expected. If you are using RemoteAccess, and you wish to take advantage of the added features for the RemoteAccess BBS Package, you MUST be running RemoteAccess v2.00 or a newer version. IceChat's added features will not work properly with versions of RemoteAccess older than v2.00. In order to run IceChat.Exe, you must have a fossil driver active. A fossil driver such as BNU should work fine with IceChat. If you don't have a fossil driver installed, a simple error message will be displayed, and the program will stop. A fossil is not required when running in local mode. -9- We will now run through EVERYTHING you need to do in order to get IceChat to run in your RemoteAccess setup. 1. Extract all the files in the distribution archive to a directory of your choice. C:\RA\ICECHAT is recommended and is assumed to be the directory you are using from now on. 2. To help IceChat find it's configuration files, you need to define an environment variable for it in this manner in your AutoExec.Bat : SET ICE={PATH TO ICECHAT DIRECTORY} PLEASE NOTE, THE ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE NAME IS ICE - NOT ICECHAT !! The environment variable is used by IceChat to find its system files and configuration. Failure to setup the environment variable can result in IceChat failing to run correctly - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Please see your DOS manual for more information on environment variables. N.B. You will need to reboot your machine after entering the environment variable for it to take effect. 3. Run ChatCfg.Exe and configure all of IceChat's options as explained earlier in this document. You MUST configure IceChat for it to work correctly! Refer to the section of this document for setting up IceChat. 4. You will now need to edit your .MNU files to include IceChat so that when a user pages you it will execute IceChat instead of the internal chat routine built into RemoteAccess. IceChat can be run using either a type 7 or a type 15 menu command. A type 15 menu will require a batch file that is called to execute IceChat, a type 7 menu only needs to have the command line to execute IceChat on the Optional data line of the menu. See your BBS manual for more information on type 7 and type 15 menus... Decide which type of menu command (Type 7 or type 15) you wish to use and then do ONE of the following depending on which menu type you have chosen to use: Type 7 Menu Command: Optional Data: [control codes] Description: This function will run an external program, or door in a shell while the user is on-line. Example command lines for Type 7 usage: In a single line system, calling the SysOp to chat you may use... -10- C:\RA\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe *! *M In a multi-line system, calling the Sysop may use... This example would call the correct node number by using RA's *N parameter. C:\RA\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe *! *M In a single line system, calling CoSysOp #1 (NOT the sysop) you may use... C:\RA\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -A *! *M The following RA parameters are used in the above examples: *M Activate the MemorySwap feature. RemoteAccess attempts to swap itself and all the memory it occupies to XMS and EMS memory (if available) or to disk, leaving only 3KB resident. This is ideal when running memory-hungry programs but takes a few seconds longer in order to perform the swap. If the swap cannot be accomplished, RemoteAccess will attempt to load the program in a normal shell. *N The current node number, as specified by the -N command line parameter when RemoteAccess was loaded. *! Freeze the system timer for the duration of the shell. Type 15 Menu Command: Exit to DOS with errorlevel Optional data: Description: This function causes RemoteAccess to exit to DOS completely, returning an errorlevel to your BBS batch file. The optional data field should contain the errorlevel that you wish to pass to the batch file. The batch file should trap the errorlevel and act accordingly. If you use this exit while the user is still on- line, the user may be logged back into RemoteAccess using the command line parameter -R. This forces RemoteAccess to read the -11- EXITINFO.BBS file that was written at the time of the exit so that it can restore system and user information, presenting the user with the TOP menu. NOTE: Errorlevels 0 through 5 are reserved for internal use by RemoteAccess. For a complete description of these internal errorlevels and how they are used, see the Errorlevels section of the Reference chapter. If you decide to use a Type 15 menu to call IceChat you will need to add IceChat into your BBS batchfile and call IceChat with the errorlevel you have chosen. :START IF ERRORLEVEL 10 GOTO ICECHAT IF ERRORLEVEL 5 GOTO NET&ECHO IF ERRORLEVEL 4 GOTO ECHOMAIL IF ERRORLEVEL 3 GOTO NETMAIL IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO START_UP GOTO START_UP :ICECHAT CD\RA\ICECHAT ICECHAT.EXE RA -R GOTO AFTER_BBS In this example, a TYPE 15 menu command with an Errorlevel of 10 will make the batch file execute the command following the :ICECHAT label. Include the line "RA -R" to return to the board after the external programs have been executed. N.B. DO NOT FORGET to include the correct command line switches for IceChat in your batchfile. Failure to do so will result in IceChat not functioning as it is intended. See the section of this doc file for more info on IceChats parameters. 5. Make sure you have changed ALL of the menus you wish to call IceChat from and that you have saved the changes. 6. IceChat also needs to be setup in RACONFIG.EXE so that when you break in to chat with a user it calls up IceChat and NOT the internal RemoteAccess chat. Change to your RemoteAccess directory and run RACONFIG.EXE 7. What you do next depends on wether you have registered RA.... If you HAVE registered, Goto OPTIONS, PAGING and then to 'External'. Enter the following command line: C:\RA\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -F *E *M *! If you are NOT running a registered version of RA you will need to setup IceChat so that it is called from a Function key, as the above example will ONLY work if you have a registered copy of RA. Instead you will need to do the following. -12- Goto MANAGER, AltFn Key, and choose a blank entry to install IceChat into. We will assume entry 1. Enter the following command line: C:\RA\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -F *E *M *! If you are running an UNREGISTERED copy of RA, and have chosen this second example, you will need to call IceChat by pressing Alt-F1 instead of the Alt-C command which would be used when it is installed in a REGISTERED version. These are only an example to get you going... Please refer to the section of these docs about 'parameters' to ensure you have the correct command line to execute IceChat. 8. Please make sure that there is a Page.Ice in your BBS System Directory, or in your IceChat Directory. IceChat requires this as your page tune. A selection of sample page tunes has been included, just rename the tune of your choice to Page.Ice. 9. When you run IceChat, be sure that the IceChat.Cfg file has been created. If it has not, then you MUST run ChatCfg.Exe. If you don't, and attempt to run IceChat.Exe directly, IceChat will display an error message that IceChat.Cfg doesn't exist. That's all there is to it.... Please make sure that there is a Page.Ice in your BBS System Directory, or in your IceChat Directory. IceChat requires this as your page tune. A selection of sample page tunes has been included, just rename the tune of your choice to Page.Ice. If you have enabled a seperate tune for VIP users the tune you wish to use should be named Vip.Ice and this should also be placed in either your system or IceChat directory. BOTH tunes must exist for this feature to work, if the Vip.Ice tune does not exist, or cannot be located by IceChat the default Page.Ice file will be used instead. When you run IceChat, be sure that the IceChat.Cfg file has been created. If it has not, then you MUST run ChatCfg.Exe. If you don't, and attempt to run IceChat.Exe directly, IceChat will display an error message that IceChat.Cfg doesn't exist. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Installing IceChat Into SuperBBS v1.1x Systems ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Please read the section of this document entitled 'Setting Up IceChat Using ChatCfg.Exe' BEFORE attempting to install IceChat into SuperBBS. Failure to setup IceChat correctly before installing it into your bbs program will probably result in IceChat failing to run or not running as expected. -13- If you are using SuperBBS, and you wish to take advantage of the added features for the SuperBBS Package, you MUST be running SuperBBS 1.15 Or a newer version. IceChat's added features will not work properly with versions of SuperBBS older than v1.15. In order to run IceChat.Exe, you must have a fossil driver active. A fossil driver such as BNU should work fine with IceChat. If you do not have a fossil driver installed, a simple error message will be displayed, and the program will stop. **Note** : Do _NOT_ write protect _ANY_ Of the IceChat files, if you do, IceChat will ignore them, and therefore not run properly. We will now run through EVERYTHING you need to do in order to get IceChat to run in your SuperBBS setup. 1. Extract all the files in the distribution archive to a directory of your choice. C:\SBBS\ICECHAT is recommended and is assumed to be the directory you are using from now on. 2. To help IceChat find it's configuration files, you need to define an environment variable for it in this manner in your AutoExec.Bat : SET ICE={PATH TO ICECHAT DIRECTORY} PLEASE NOTE, THE ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE NAME IS ICE - NOT ICECHAT !! The environment variable is used by IceChat to find its system files and configuration. Failure to setup the environment variable can result in IceChat failing to run correctly - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Please see your DOS manual for more information on environment variables. N.B. You will need to reboot your machine after entering the environment variable for it to take effect. 3. Run ChatCfg.Exe and configure all of IceChat's options as explained earlier in this document. You MUST configure IceChat for it to work correctly! Refer to the section of this document for setting up IceChat. 4. You will now need to edit your .MNU files to include IceChat so that when a user pages you it will execute IceChat instead of the internal chat routine built into SuperBBS. IceChat can be run using either a type 7 or a type 15 menu command. A type 15 menu will require a batch file that is called to execute IceChat, a type 7 menu only needs to have the command line to execute IceChat on the Optional data line of the menu. See your BBS manual for more information on type 7 and type 15 menus... Decide which type of menu command (Type 7 or type 15) you wish to use and then do ONE of the following depending on which menu type you have chosen to use: -14- Type 7 Menu Command: Description..: Shell to DOS and run program This option is used for starting other pro- grams, like doorgames and mailscanners, in SuperBBS. It shells to DOS and starts the pro- gram given in the optional data field. SuperBBS will return to the menu the exit started from. Optional data: ProgramName Example command lines for Type 7 usage: In a single line system, calling the SysOp to chat you may use... C:\SBBS\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe *S *E *! In a multi-line system, calling the Sysop may use... This example would call the correct node number by using Sbbs's *N parameter. C:\SBBS\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -*N *S *E *! In a single line system, calling CoSysOp #1 (NOT the sysop) you may use... C:\SBBS\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -A *S *E *! The following SuperBBS parameters are used in the above examples: *E Read EXITINFO.BBS when returning to BBS. This can be handy if the program used with the type 7 exit, changes some of the user's data, like a timebank. *N Gives current node number. *S Swap SuperBBS to EMS or disk. If you run a program which needs more memory than the normal amount available, specify the *S option, so SuperBBS will swap itself to EMS or, if EMS is not available, to disk. *! Freeze system timer whilst in external program. Mostly you just use the *E and *S parameters. With multi-node operations, you will need the *N and *P options. These are EXAMPLES ONLY, and you should read the section of this manual that details command line parameters for IceChat for more information. -15- Type 15 Menu Command: This is similar in usage to a type 7 menu command, but it returns to the batch file which runs your BBS. Please see your BBS documentation for more info. Description..: Exits to DOS with errorlevel Leaves SuperBBS and returns to the batchfile which you ran SuperBBS from. There you inter- cept the given errorlevel and start an external action. Optional data: Errorlevel The errorlevel will start the action required from your batchfile. (Don't use errorlevels below 10.) If you decide to use a Type 15 menu to call IceChat you will need to add IceChat into your BBS batchfile and call IceChat with the errorlevel you have chosen. Example BBS batch file: :START IF ERRORLEVEL 10 GOTO ICECHAT IF ERRORLEVEL 5 GOTO NET&ECHO IF ERRORLEVEL 4 GOTO ECHOMAIL IF ERRORLEVEL 3 GOTO NETMAIL IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO START_UP GOTO START_UP :ICECHAT CD\SBBS\ICECHAT ICECHAT.EXE BBS -R GOTO AFTER_BBS In this example, a TYPE 15 menu command with an Errorlevel of 10 will make the batch file execute the command following the :ICECHAT label. Include the line "BBS -R" to return to the board after the external programs have been executed. N.B. DO NOT FORGET to include the correct command line switches for IceChat in your batchfile. Failure to do so will result in IceChat not functioning as it is intended. See the section of these docs about IceChats command line parameters for more info. 5. Make sure you have changed ALL of the menus you wish to call IceChat from and that you have saved the changes. 6. IceChat also needs to be setup in CONFIG.EXE so that when you break in to chat with a user it calls up IceChat and NOT the internal SuperBBS chat. Change to your SuperBBS directory and run CONFIG.EXE 7. Goto PATHS, and then to 'Ext. chat'. Enter the following command line: -16- C:\SBBS\ICECHAT\IceChat.Exe -F *E *S *! This is only an example to get you going... Please refer to the section of these docs about 'parameters' to ensure you have the correct command line to execute IceChat. 8. Please make sure that there is a Page.Ice in your BBS System Directory, or in your IceChat Directory. IceChat requires this as your page tune. A selection of sample page tunes has been included, just rename the tune of your choice to Page.Ice. 9. When you run IceChat, be sure that the IceChat.Cfg file has been created. If it has not, then you MUST run ChatCfg.Exe. If you don't, and attempt to run IceChat.Exe directly, IceChat will display an error message that IceChat.Cfg doesn't exist. That's all there is to it.... ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Installing IceChat Into Other Dorinfo1.Def Systems ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Please read the section of this document entitled 'Setting Up IceChat Using ChatCfg.Exe' BEFORE attempting to install IceChat into your Dorinfo1.Def compatible system. Your BBS MUST be capable of producing a Dorinfo1.Def drop file for IceChat to run correctly. If IceChat fails to find this file it will abort with an error message! Because of the number of slight differences between various BBS systems it is impossible to give a detailed explanation of EXACTLY how to install IceChat into any Non RA or SBBS system. However, if you follow the basic ideas outlined in the sections of this document about installing IceChat into either RA or SBBS it should give you the general layout of what is necessary. Please refer also to the documents for your particular BBS system for any differences in layout or command line parameters. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Macros In IceChat Configuration ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ** NOTE : All MACROS and the following strings and headers (UserEditor, ASCII, Drop To DOS, SysOp Help, Page Reason String, and Paging Header) can all make use of built in control strings: -17- @1 = CoSysOp name #1 @2 = CoSysOp name #2 @3 = CoSysOp name #3 @A = SysOp alias @B = BBS name @C = Chat duration @D = Date @F = User's first name or alias @S = SysOp name (Read From IceChat Configuration) @T = Time of day @V = Program version number The control strings can be used in the following manner. For Example, if you were configuring your Page Reason String to ask the user why they are paging, you could put: @F, Why Would You Like To Chat With The SysOp? And then when IceChat is run, and asks the user who is "John Smith" in this example to enter a page reason, the @F will be replaced, and the string will appear to the user as: John, Why Would You Like To Chat With The SysOp? All the control strings can be used in a similar manner in all the other Strings & Headers, as well as macros. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² BBS System Files Used By IceChat ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ See also the section on 'Files Created & Used By IceChat' later in these docs. When executed, IceChat calls upon the following Files from your BBS System: ExitInfo.Bbs - Read/Write To Exitinfo.BBS, to adjust time limit, read in the User's Name, Location, baudrate etc.. and to indicate the [Wants Chat] at the bottom of the SysOp's screen after exiting IceChat. Also accessed by IceChat's User Editor. Dorinfo1.Def - Read in user Information When using RemoteAccess, IceChat also calls upon the following files as well as those above : Ra.Log - IceChat writes out to this file to indicate the User's Paging reason (If you set your Logname to your Ra.Log) -18- PageStat.Ra - IceChat uses this to determine whether or not The SysOp has disabled the paging by using ALT-O in RemoteAccess. If Paging is set to [OFF] Then no page tune will be heard on the Sysops end when the user pages This file is only used if it can be found in the System directory defined in ChatCfg. When using SuperBBS, IceChat calls upon the following files as well as those listed at the start of this section : Susers.Bbs - Read/Write To the secondary SuperBBS UserFile. This is not a RemoteAccess File, it is only accessed with SuperBBS software. If you have registered your copy of IceChat, it will also read and/or write to the various BBS message base files if you have allowed the user to post a message to the SysOp if the chat request is not answered. If you are not using RemoteAccess or SuperBBS, the only file that is read from is the Dorinfo1.Def BBS drop file. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Parameters Used When Executing IceChat ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ There are many parameters that can be used for IceChat. They are : IceChat.Exe -D:[PATH] This will cause IceChat to use the specified [PATH] to locate the dropfiles that IceChat will read in. This is a change since the previous versions, which had a limit of ten paths in the configuration program. This new change will allow for more than 10 paths. IceChat.Exe -F This will cause IceChat to abort the page reason prompt and jump directly into chat mode. This would normally be used when the SysOp instigates a chat with a user, OR if you do not want IceChat to ask for a reason when paging. IceChat.Exe -L This will cause IceChat to run in local/testing mode so that the SysOp is able to test it out. IceChat.Exe -V This will cause IceChat to run in Vertical Split Screen Chat Mode. IceChat.Exe -{A/B/C} This will cause IceChat to change the SysOp name to either CoSysOp #1,#2, or #3. Co-SysOps names are -19- defined in ChatCfg. IceChat.Exe This will cause IceChat To wait for the user to enter a page reason. If they are outside of paging hours, a message to that effect will be displayed, and they will return to the BBS. These parameters may be used in almost any combination when executing IceChat, It is IMPORTANT that you select the right parameters for IceChat to run correctly, so please read this section carefully and refer to the various examples given for setting up your particular BBS in the relevant section of these documents. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Files Created & Used by IceChat ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ IceChat creates a number of files for it's own use, these include it's main configuration file and macro file etc. There are also a number of ANSI files that you can create yourself using an ansi editor (such as TheDraw). These ANSI files will be used by IceChat during its operation. See the following list for a full rundown on the files that are created and/or used by IceChat. !! ALL of these files MUST reside in the same directory as IceChat.Exe !! ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ICECHAT.CFG ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ This files stores IceChat's main configuration. It is created by ChatCfg.Exe and MUST be present for IceChat to run. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ MACRO.CFG ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Macro.Ice file is an encoded file that you MUST use ChatCfg to edit. Do NOT use a standard text editor. It contains words that will be replaced in chat with new words. For Example, if you type "BBS" in chat, it will replace it with "Bulletin Board System". These are all SysOp Defined. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ NOPAGE.CFG ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ NoPage.Ice file is an encoded file that you MUST use ChatCfg To edit. Do NOT user a standard text editor. It contains any names of users that you feel shouldn't be allowed to page. When the user enters the page reason, it will appear that the music is playing from the remote end, but no page music will be heard on the Sysop's end. You do not HAVE to use a NoPage.Cfg, but it is always handy to prevent yourself from being annoyed by the constantly paging user that every BBS has. -20- ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ RANDOM.CFG ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Random.Cfg file is a text file that you can create. It contains any page tunes that you would like to have randomly selected and played everytime a user pages. When the user pages, IceChat will read in all of the page tunes listed in this file, and will randomly select one to be played. Please note, if this file exists, the VIP page tune will not be played for VIP users. The Format is simple : Page.Ice Dallas.Ice Dance.Ice Axel_F.Ice That is a simple example. You do not have to use these particular tunes, just replace these names with the page tunes you prefer. These tunes must be in your IceChat directory. If it can't find the random pagetune that it selects, it will default to page.Ice. A file containing various page tunes is included in the release archive. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ PAGE.ICE & VIP.ICE ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ These are standard RemoteAccess page tunes that IceChat will play while paging. Page.Ice is used for normal users, and Vip.Ice is used for VIP users. These files must be located in either the IceChat directory or the main BBS System directory. These files will not be used if the Random page tune function is active. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ VIP.CTL ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Very Important Person TEXTFILE - use a different tune for these Users. This file is a simple ascii text file which contains a list of user names that will use the Vip.Ice pagetune when they page the SysOp. It's format is simple, just enter each user that you wish to use the Vip.Ice pagetune, ONE name per line as follows: Jeremy Landvoigt Eddy Matthews Joe Smith Dave Jones Etc ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ NOTAVAIL.A** ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ -21- This is an ANSI/ASCII file that can be displayed if the SysOp is unable to (or chooses to abort) the users page. You can create this file using any standard ANSI/ASCII editor. It uses the ^A (ASCII CODE 1) as a 'WAIT FOR C/R' symbol (just like in Remote Access) ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ OUTHOURS.A** ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ This is an ANSI/ASCII file that can be displayed if the user pages outside of the SysOp's paging hours. You can create this file using any standard ANSI/ASCII editor. It uses the ^A (ASCII CODE 1) as a 'WAIT FOR C/R' symbol (just like in Remote Access) This file is ONLY Displayed when user pages out of hours and there is NOT a defined emergency password. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ HORIZCHT.ANS ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ The HORIZCHT.ANS and VERTCHT.ANS MUST be in 24x79 format, and they MUST be saved in ANIMATED mode in TheDraw. If you dont save them like this, it is possible for them to scroll off the bottom of the screen by one line, and thus mess up the display. YOU MUST SAVE THEM IN THIS FORMAT TO WORK !!! If you create this file, it will be used by IceChat to replace the built in Horizontal Chat screen. This file is NOT necessary, but is included so that you can make IceChat look like the rest of your BBS setup should you wish to. Simply create an ANSI screen using an ansi editor (TheDraw) And name it HorizCht.Ans. This file MUST be in the same directory as IceChat.Exe. When an ascii user calls IceChat, this file is ignored and IceChat will use it's internal ascii chat mode. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ VERTCHT.ANS ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ The HORIZCHT.ANS and VERTCHT.ANS MUST be in 24x79 format, and they MUST be saved in ANIMATED mode in TheDraw. If you dont save them like this, it is possible for them to scroll off the bottom of the screen by one line, and thus mess up the display. YOU MUST SAVE THEM IN THIS FORMAT TO WORK !!! If you create this file, it will be used by IceChat to replace the built in Vertical Chat screen. This file is NOT necessary, but is included so that you can make IceChat look like the rest of your BBS setup should you wish to. Simply create an ANSI screen using an ansi editor (TheDraw) And name it VertCht.Ans. This file MUST be in the same directory as IceChat.Exe. When an ascii user calls IceChat, this file is ignored and IceChat will use it's internal ascii chat mode. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ MACROHDR.ANS ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Included in the release archive is an ANSI screen named SAMPLE3.ANS, It is used to replace the header at the top of the macro listing feature. the screen has to be renamed to MACROHDR.ANS to become active. If this screen is not available in your chat directory IceChat will use its built -22- in screens. ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ICECHAT.KEY ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ This is your registration key that you will recieve after you have registered IceChat. It is NOT included in the original archive OR generated by IceChat. Once you have registered your copy of IceChat it will release the functions that are disabled in the trial version. As with all the other files listed here, simply place it in your IceChat directory when you register. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Frequently Asked Questions ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Q: Is it possible to run Icechat from RA's external chat feature? I have the path and filename set correctly, but RA's default chat mode always comes up. A: This is most likely because your copy of RA is Unregistered. This RA feature is only available in the registered version. Change from using RA's external chat routine and use a Function key instead. This is explained in the section of these docs about installing IceChat into RA. -- Q: IceChat is ignoring the necessary configuration files that it requires at startup. What is wrong? A: There are two possible solutions. 1st: Make sure that none of the IceChat files are WRITE-PROTECTED. If they are, IceChat will simply ignore them. 2nd : Make sure that you have set up and icechat environment variable. EG. SET ICE=C:\bbs\doors\chat This will allow IceChat to find its configuration files no matter where IceChat is run on the System. Otherwise, it will be necessary to run IceChat from a batchfile that will CD into Icechats home directory. EG: @Echo OFF -23- Cd \BBS\DOORS\CHAT ICECHAT.EXE Cd \BBS\Ra -- Q: When I try to run IceChat, it gives me a conversion error similar to "Invalid IceChat.Cfg : Please run v3.10 -> v3.50 converter". What is wrong? A: This is most likely because you have just recently upgraded to a newer version of IceChat and not run the conversion utility. The solution would be to run the Conversion program, or to delete your IceChat.Cfg file and start the installation from scratch. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Registration ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The Development of IceChat v3.50 took many long hours, and alot of time and effort not to mention money. This program is not FreeWare. If this program satisfies your expections of a chat utility, if not MORE, then you are expected to register it after an evaluation period of 30 days or sooner. By doing this you can be sure of continued development of the software. Thanks for your support. This Program may be freely distributed but DO NOT under any circumstances change any of the executables or alter any files that come in the original distribution archive. I urge you to register as soon as you can! The more registrations that I have will show the interest of people in the program, and I will release a newer version with many more features. If you register, the IceChat built in message editor will be available and the extra Macro editing screens. Also, all "Unregistered" messages and almost inaudible beeps within the program will be removed. If you wish to register, please fill out the registration form : Register.Can - Registration Form For Canadian Users Register.Aus - Registration Form For Australian Users Register.Eur - Registration Form For United Kingdom / Europe Register.Wld - For All Other Registrations Please at this time send ALL registrations to the address listed in the correct registration form. Thank you for your support. If you are interested in becoming a Support/Beta Test Site, and there is not one in your area, you may file request a Beta Application Form. Information you need : FileName : BetaTest.App MAGIC : ICEBETA FileSize : 3702 Bytes Address : 1:250/912 Who : Anyone can FREQ -24- When : Can be FREQed at anytime Once it is completed correctly, send it to the address listed at the end of that file. You will be contacted if you are accepted as a Support/BetaTest site. Please note also, that if you are not accepted, you will not be contacted until a time when your help might be required. (If I was to call everyone that sent in a Betatest Form my Phone Bill would be Sky-Rocketing!) Any Registration/Betatest forms that have invalid or missing information may be considered void and not be processed, depending on the extent of the errors. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Archive Contents ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The IceChat archive should contain the following files : ICECHAT.EXE - The Main Program CHATCFG.EXE - Use to configure the program ICEPLAY.EXE - PageTune Player 310TO350.EXE - Convert your old IceChat.Cfg with this ICECHAT.DOC - Program Documentation WHATSNEW.350 - Changes (Additions/Deletions) in IceChat v3.50 REGISTER.WLD - Generic Registration Form REGISTER.AUS - Australian Registration Form REGISTER.CAN - Canadian Registration Form REGISTER.EUR - UK/Europe Registration Form PAGE.ICE - Page Tune FILE_ID.DIZ - General Program Description PAGES.ZIP - A selection of pagetunes SAMPLE1.ANS - Sample Horizontal ANSI screen (rename to HorizCht.Ans to use it). See HorizCht.Ans in the section of these docs on 'Files Used & Created by IceChat' for more info. SAMPLE2.ANS - Sample Vertical ANSI screen (rename to VertCht.Ans to use it). See VertCht.Ans in the section of these docs on 'Files Used & Created by IceChat for more info. SAMPLE3.ANS - Sample Macro Header ANSI screen (must be renamed to MacroHdr.Ans to be used). See MacroHdr.Ans in the 'Files Used & Created by IceChat' section for more info. If one or any combination of these files are missing, or files have been ADDED, then you are using a possibly modified or altered copy of ICECHAT. It would be advised that you delete this copy, and get a clean copy of ICECHAT from one of the BBS's listed at the end of the documentation. Newest Version of IceChat can be F'REQed from Ice Technologies BBS under the magic name 'ICECHAT' (Without the quotes) Files IceChat will create are : ICECHAT.CFG - The configuration file MACRO.CFG - Encrypted Macro File NOPAGE.CFG - List of TWIT users who may not page -25- ICECHAT.LOG - Usage Log (Can be configured to be appended to your BBS system log) ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² CopyRight Notices & Program Disclaimer ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ The door IceChat, along with all its support files and documents, are Copyright (C) 1993 Jeremy Landvoigt. Distributing a version AFTER it has been registered is prohibited; distribution of the original, unaltered version is permitted, indeed encouraged, as long as all support-files and documentation accompany the program are included WITHOUT ALTERATION OF ANY SORT. The author can be quickly reached for information through the RA_UTIL international FidoNET Conference. If you wish to trust comments/complaints/suggestions to the Post Office, you can send them to: Jeremy Landvoigt 100 Burling Place Newmarket, Ontario L3Y - 5W4 Canada The following programs mentioned in this documentation are Copyright of their respective authors. They are listed in no particular order: IceChat - CopyRight Jeremy Landvoigt RemoteAccess - CopyRight Wantree Development & Andrew Milner SuperBBS - CopyRight Aki Antman & Risto Virkkala X00 - CopyRight Raymond L. Gwinn BNU - CopyRight David Nugent and Unique Computing Pty Limited FKFossil - CopyRight Tim Strike and Forbidden Knights Systems Turbo Pascal - CopyRight Borland International THE USUAL LEGALITIES I (Jeremy Landvoigt) make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including without limitation any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. I shall not be held liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from the failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user. I shall not be held liable for any damage to data or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by the use of this program. In no event will I be held liable for any damages, including (but not limited to) any lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use -- or the inability to use -- this program, or for any claim by any other party. -26- ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Credits ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ There are a few people who helped with the development of IceChat that although they weren't involved in the creation or writing of the program, their suggestions, Bug reports, and lengthy áeta testing have been an enormous asset. I would like to thank in no particular order : Bill Dykstra, Danny Dufour, Adam Roycraft, Marcus Limosani, Eddy Matthews, Marc Kulak, Max Quagliotto, Bob Miedema, Tom Harvey, Jim Edwards and Steve Lanning for all of their help. Couldn't have done it without them! Also, portions of the Fossil Routines used in IceChat v3.50 are Copyright 1993 By Tim Strike and Forbidden Knights Systems. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³°°°±±±²²² Program Support - BBS Locations ²²²±±±°°°³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ IceChat can be File Requested from any of the following BBS's under the magic name of ICECHAT. 1200-14400 Baud Rates Supported. Legend ÄÄÄÄÄÄ S - Support Site B - Beta Site R - Registration Site D - Distrib. Site L - Up To 2400 Bps H - Up To 14.4k Bps BBSName Location Phone FidoNET Flags ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ * Ice Technologies ON, Canada (905) 895-0852 1:250/912 S B R D H Blue iCE Beta Labs TX, USA (817) 596-5574 1:130/1016 S D H Decker's BBS WI, USA (715) 839-0942 1:2300/15 S B D H GeNNeXXuS NSW, Australia 61-2-725-3541 3:713/611 S D H Infinity Links Vic, Australia 61-3-850-9115 3:633/262 S B R D H InfoSoft BBS Cleveland, UK 44-642-764245 2:252/51 S B R D H (21:00-08:00 GMT Only!) Adventurer's Inn SC, USA (803) 552-6292 1:372/6577 S B D H -27-