.TOPIC:                                           
File Transfer Functions

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-1


         ͻ
          CHAPTER SIX ANNEX C    FILE TRANSFER FUNCTIONS                 
         ͼ

                Transferring program and data files over phone lines was
         one of the original reasons for the invention of modems, transfer
         protocols, and BBS softwares; to this day, it remains one of the
         most popular functions of BBSs.
                As a sysop, the number of files (if any) you have avail-
         able for download and their content is your decision and your re-
         sponsibility.  Some BBSs have huge transfer sections with thou-
         sands of files online; others have only a few (or even NO) files
         available for download.  Most boards, however, fall somewhere in
         the middle of the range, with a few dozen to a few hundred files
         in their transfer sections.
                If you prefer to keep your transfer section small, you
         might consider carrying anti-virus software (your users will ap-
         preciate you for it), a communications program or two, and sev-
         eral general utilities.  If you want a "mondo" file section, the
         sky's the limit; there are, however, a few general statements
         that are in order here:

           1)  Having commercial programs, such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Word-
               Perfect, available for download is ILLEGAL.  BBS operators
               are responsible/liable for the content of the files they
               offer to the public, and several sysops have been arrested
               for running "pirate boards" offering commercial software.

           2)  Adult-oriented files should NOT be made available to users
               under the age of 18; the potential legal hassles over the
               distribution of pornography to minors simply isn't worth
               it.

           3)  Practice "safe computing".  Use a virus-scan program on 
               each file that you offer for download and on each file 
               that is uploaded to you.  If a user gets a virused program 
               from your BBS, word WILL get around, and it may cost you 
               several users.


         Transfer Menu Commands and What They Do
         

                Below is a listing of the commands available from the
         Transfer Menu, which is accessed by pressing [T] at the Main
         Menu (in the default setup).

         [C] Change Directory           Displays a list of directories in
                                         the current topic area and asks
                                         the user which one to change to.
         [$] Change Topic Area          Displays a list of available topic
                                         areas; also allows user to view
                                         an index of the file section, if
                                         desired.

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-2


         [L] List Files *.*             Lists all files in the current
                                         directory.
         [S] Search All Dirs            Searches for filenames based on
                                         the mask entered by the user.
                                         If no mask is specified, this
                                         will display ALL files in ALL
                                         directories.
         [D] Download Files             Download one or more files.
         [R] Review Files               Browse file information in cur-
                                         rent directory, in a manner
                                         similar to reading messages.
         [N] New Files Scan             Scans for files that have been
                                         added since the user's last
                                         logon.
         [U] Upload Files               Prompts user for files to upload.
         [B] Batch Functions            Used to mark and then download
                                         multiple files.
         [Y] Your Transfer Stats        Displays user's KB uploaded, KB
                                         downloaded, and ratio (even if
                                         ratios are not enabled on your
                                         BBS).
         [P] Popular Downloads          Searches current topic area and
                                         compiles a list of the most
                                         frequently downloaded files.
         [J] Set New File Scan          Allows user to configure new-files
                                         scan to show new files received
                                         during last x number of days.
         [K] Default File Dir           Directory user defaults to (#1 if
                                         not set).
         [F] Find Description           Finds file through keyword sear-
                                         ches in file descriptions.
         [>] Next Directory             Also activated by [+]; advances
                                         one directory in current topic
                                         area.
         [<] Previous Directory         Also activated by [-]; reverses
                                         to previous directory.
         [#] Change to Dir #            Entering a directory number will
                                         take you to that directory.
         [M] Download Master List       Compiles a master list of files
                                         available for download; the list
                                         is deleted after download.
         [Q] Quit to Main               Exits to Main Menu.
         [G] Goodbye/Log Off            Exit BBS.

          Sysop 

         [X] Sysop Directory            Allows sysop to review new addi-
                                         tions to the upload directory.
         [Z] Local Upload               Uploads files from the sysop di-
                                         rectory to their proper down-
                                         load directories.

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-3

         Setting Up Topic Areas
         

                As with message bases, file databases may be broken down
         into topic areas.  Typical topic-area arrangements for the file
         section might look like this:

         L -- Utilities                 T -- Windows Programs
         M -- Games                     V -- DOS Programs
         N -- Applications              K -- OS/2 Programs
         O -- Communications            Y -- Untried/untested uploads

         Of course, the characters you use for topic areas are up to you;
         it wouldn't be difficult to come up with a different arrangement
         for the topic areas, either ... but you get the idea.  Under the
         "DOS Programs" area mentioned above, you might have the databases
         broken down like this:

                1   Utilities
                2   Graphics Games
                3   Text Games
                4   Word Processors/Text Editors
                5   Programmers' Tools
                6   Term Programs & Protocols
                .
                .

         Again, the arrangement/breakdown is entirely up to you.  VBBS al-
         lows for one hundred databases within a topic area and the topic
         area designator needs to be a unique character (ascii 33-255).


         Uploading Files Locally
         

                When you're setting up your file section, remember that
         file databases need a specific DOS path so that VBBS will know
         where to look for the file.  File databases need to have UNIQUE
         DOS filenames, lest your file descriptions start showing up on
         networked message bases.
                To "load" files into your file section, move them to the
         appropriate DOS directory you've specified for the database in
         VCONFIG.  Log onto the BBS and go to the Transfer Menu, then
         select [Z] -- Local Upload.  If you specify a filename, you may
         upload that ONE file into the database; if you press [Enter] at
         the prompt, you're telling VBBS you want to upload ANY files
         in that directory that aren't currently on display.  You may also
         tell VBBS to upload any new files within the entire topic area,
         if you wish.
                Once you've selected the desired option, VBBS will prompt
         you for a one-line description (and an optional extended de-
         scription).  When the file is uploaded, VBBS will insert a "zip
         comment" to the archive; this comment contains your ZIPCOMNT.TXT
         (found in the \TXT directory).
                For procedures on uploading files from a CD-ROM into VBBS
         please refer to the CDROM.DOC in the Appendix.

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-4

                To upload files to specific directories after a remote
         user uploads a file to your \SYSOP directory, simply choose the
         "Copy File" option from the sub-menu to place the file where it
         belongs in your transfer section.  You may then wish to use the
         "Toggle File Online/Offline" option to move the original file
         to a backup diskette, directory, or tape drive.

         Remote Transfers
         

                VBBS comes configured for several transfer protocols.  The
         "de facto" standard protocol is ZModem, a shareware protocol by
         Omen Technologies that is readily available from other BBSs.  
         ZModem allows for the "batch" uploading and downloading of files 
         to and from your BBS (this means that users can upload or down-
         load files in groups, instead of one at a time).  ZModem is also
         faster than the earlier XModem or YModem protocols, particularly
         at a 2400-baud connect rate.  ZModem comes in two "flavors":
         DSZ, which has been the standard for a while, and GSZ, which is
         basically DSZ with a graphical display and is becoming quite
         popular.  If you use GSZ, it is highly recommended that you
         rename that file to DSZ.COM so that it matches the DSZ command
         line already configured within VBBS and is also used by the
         VNET networking software.
                VBBS comes pre-configured for XModem, YModem, ZModem,
         ZModem Batch, and the developing HS-Link bidirectional proto-
         col (which allows simultaneous uploading and downloading of
         files).  If you're using ZModem and/or HS-Link, the .EXE and/
         or .COM files for these programs need to be in your main VBBS 
         directory to facilitate transfers.
                VBBS' own standalone VXY.EXE is an integral part of the
         package.  VXY handles XModem, YModem, ZModem, and ZModem
         Batch also and is a fully functional replacement for DSZ. This
         is preconfigured for you in the upload.cfg and download.cfg
         files when you first install VBBS.
                In the case of uploads, the sysop may define in VCONFIG
         whether the user will be prompted for a file description before
         or after the upload (if before, VBBS will check for duplication
         of files).  Another VCONFIG upload option is whether an "upload
         event" (such as a virus scan) will be performed offline after
         the upload. In any case, VBBS checks for compressed file
         integrity following upload (and optionally, at download).  A
         file located in the defined \TXT directory, called REMUPLD.TXT,
         is displayed to the user immediately prior to the upload prompt;
         this file may be edited according to your needs.
                VBBS displays the user's upload/download ratio after each
         transfer.  In VCONFIG, you may opt to have a specific minimum
         ratio to allow downloads; you may also exempt particular users
         (such as visiting sysops) from this ratio in the user editor.
                If you want to make certain files available as "free"
         downloads that will not be charged against a user's ratio, you
         simply need to create a file called FREEDL.TXT in your \TXT
         directory.  This file should contain the names, one per line, of
         the files you wish to have as "free" downloads.  Typical files
         that might fall into this category might include virus-scan pro-
         grams, text files describing your BBS and its features/policies,

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-5


         etc.  It should be noted that if you're running a credit system,
         the user WILL be assessed a credit charge for these files (in
         "default" VBBS, anyway).


         Files Sub-Menu
         

         [Enter] Next Entry             Advances to next file or file lis-
                                         ting.
           [D]   Download File          Download current file; [?] dis-
                                         plays options.
           [B]   Batch Functions        Adds file to "batch queue" for
                                         multiple file transfers.
           [A]   List Again             Redisplays the current file's in-
                                         formation.
          [###]  Jump to File ###       If you enter a number, VBBS takes
                                         you to that file's description.
           [Q]   Quit                   Quits to Transfer menu.
           [V]   View Archive           View the contents of the archived
                                         file (for details, see section
                                         D of the VCONFIG setup instruc-
                                         tions).
           [R]   Request File           Allows user to request a file from
                                         its networked file listing.  The
                                         sysop will be prompted to approve
                                         or disapprove a request.  This
                                         also works for local files listed
                                         as <OFF-LINE>.
           [T]   Test Archive           Allows testing of the current
                                         file's archival integrity.

          Sysop 

        [O] Move File Online/Offline    Toggles file to/from diskette or
                                         tape drive.  It may also be used
                                         simply to toggle the file's
                                         availability.
        [X] Remove File                 Remove file listing and/or file
                                         from the current directory.  Use

                                           VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 6-C-6


                                         with caution.
         [M] Move File                  Move file from one directory to
                                         another (there have been some
                                         reported problems with this
                                         command; don't use it to move
                                         a file into the first database
                                         in the first topic area, and
                                         all should work well).
         [E] Edit Description           Allows the sysop to edit the short
                                         file description.


                Parting words on files:  The file transfer section can be
         a real joy to work with, or it can be a real pain; it depends on
         how you (and your users) approach it.  Even the most idealistic
         sysop can be driven almost to distraction by persistent file
         leeches -- users who do nothing but download files without ever
         exploring the other areas of the BBS (I speak from personal ex-
         perience here).  Never say "I'll never run a ratio or credit
         system" unless you: a) truly don't care whether your users ever
         use the BBS to communicate with others, or b) like to eat crow
         (perhaps with peppercorn sauce).  :-)
                Of course, NOT having a file section GREATLY reduces your
         system's risk of contracting a virus ... but it can be of great
         comfort if you have the latest anti-virus software when a user
         REALLY needs it!
                Some sysops take a sort of perverse pleasure in seeing
         just how many files they can have online; if you're a beginning
         sysop, don't sweat it.  Have as many files online as you feel
         comfortable with.  Don't get into a "competition" with BBSs
         that have 1.2-gigabyte hard drives or multiple CD-ROM drives
         if you don't want to; it gets REAL expensive, both in hardware
         costs and long-distance charges.

