
















                      ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******
                 (c) Copyright - Challenge Business Systems
                             Burnaby, B.C. Canada
                                  May, 1995
                             All Rights Reserved

                          
                          
                          SYSOP GUIDE & INFORMATION                      
                      ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


     1.0  - Program Overview......................................... 2
     2.0  - The U-Net Editor......................................... 3
          2.1 - Adding UseNet Conferences............................ 3
          2.2 - Changing U-Net Conference Information................ 4 
          2.3 - Deleting UseNet Conferences.......................... 4
          2.3 - Using The Auto-Update option......................... 4
          2.4 - Downloading A UseNet Conference List................. 5
     3.0  - The U-Net Purge Utility.................................. 6
          3.1 - Delete Messages...................................... 6
          3.2 - UnDeleting Messages.................................. 7 
     4.0  - Important Program Information............................ 8












































                                    - 1 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


1.0 - PROGRAM OVERVIEW

      The U-Net Messager is comprised of 3 programs. These are the users
module - UNET.WCX, the setup and maintenace module - UEDITOR.WCX and the
purge UseNet messages module UNETPURG.WCX.

      UNET.WCX - This is the program that callers to your BBS will use to
join, read and write messages with. The file UNETGDE.TXT explains how this
program operates.  Please refer to it after reading this manual.

      UEDITOR.WCX - This your program for initial and on-going maintenance
of the U-Net Messager.  This program must be run at least once to setup the
database that will hold your list of UseNet conferences. See the file 
UNETSET.TXT for initial setup instructions.

      UNETPURG.WCX - This is a handy utility to get rid of old dated messages
in any or all of your UseNet conference. It allows you to delete (and undelete)
messages by date for all or selected UseNet conferences in the U-Net Messager
database.

 


































                                    - 2 -                   
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


2.0 - THE U-NET EDITOR 

     The first time you enter this program it will automatically create your 
U-Net Database and add your UseNet Conferences. We made the decision to place
all the UseNet conferences in a database for speed considerations only.  Our
tests showed that repeated scanning and searching the Wildcat conference
database for UseNet groups left much to be desired, epecially if you have a
large number of conferences with a multi-line BBS.
 
     For the unregistered version it will add the first 5 it finds in number
order.  For the registered version a maximum of 3,200 is allowed. If you elect 
to register the program the auto startup feature will run again to automatically
add the rest of your UseNet conferences.

     Once the "auto startup" has been run the U-Net Messager is ready to go
and no further action is required.  This program need only be run again if
you make any additions, changes or deletions to your UseNet conferences.

 
2.1 - ADDING U-NET GROUPS

     Before you can add a UseNet conference to the U-Net database it must have
been created using Wildcat's Makewild Utility and designated as UseNet type
Conference.  

     From the Main Menu press the letter "A" to add a new UseNet Conference.
You will be prompted to enter the conference number. This is the same number
as assigned by Wildcat. If a valid UseNet conference number is entered the
name you gave it via Makewild, will appear. You will prompted to enter a
description.  You may enter up to 30 characters to describe what this
conference is about.  To skip adding a desription just press the "ENTER" key.

     The program will then prompt you to enter a "Y" or "N" to allow users to
post messages to this Newsgroup using their Alias (Handle) instead of their
real name. Enter "Y" for YES-use an alias if they have one or "N" for NO-real
names must be used.  The default is "N". You may press "ENTER" if this is 
what you want.

     The conference description is NOT changable from within the U-Net Editor.
To change the name of a conference use your Makewild utility (see Update 
conferences.   

     The program remains in "Add Mode" until you press the "ENTER" key by
itself without a conference number.

     If any additions are made the U-Net database will be sorted into proper
numerical order when you exit the program ("Q" from the Main Menu). Depending
on how many conferences you have this could take from 1 to 15 minutes.


2.2 - CHANGING U-NET GROUP INFORMATION

     To change a description or to modify the Alias press the letter "C" from
the Main Menu. You will be prompted to enter the conference number. This is
the same number as assigned by Wildcat.

                                    - 3 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


2.2 - CHANGING U-NET GROUP INFORMATION (Cont.)

     If a valid number is entered the name you gave it via Makewild, will
appear. You will prompted to enter the new description. You may enter up to 30
characters to describe what this conference is about.  To skip changing the
desription just press the "ENTER" key. To erase the existing description use
the "Space Bar" or "Del" key.

     The program will then prompt you to enter a "Y" or "N" to allow users to
post messages to this Newsgroup using their Alias (Handle) instead of their
real name. Enter "Y" for YES-use an alias if they have one or "N" for NO-real
names must be used.  The default will be "N" unless you have changed it
previously.  You may press "ENTER" to keep the current setup.

     By choosing the "Change" option the name of the conference will 
automatically be updated if it is not the same as what is in the U-Net
database.  If you have deleted the conference via Makewild the name will be
replaced with "Deleted Conference" and further access blocked. It must be 
removed via "Delete" or "Update".

     The program remains in "Change Mode" until you press the "ENTER" key by
itself without a conference number.


2.3 DELETING U-NET CONFERENCES

     To delete existing conferences in the U-Net database press the letter "D"
at the Main Menu. You will be prompted to enter the conference number. This is
the same number as assigned by Wildcat. If a valid number is entered the name
you gave it via Makewild, will appear. You will then be asked to confirm the
deletion. Press "Y" for YES-delete this conference or "N" for NO-do not delete
this conference.

     The program remains in "Delete Mode" until you press the "ENTER" key by
itself without a conference number.

     If any deletions are made the U-Net database will be sorted into proper
numerical order when you exit the program ("Q" from the Main Menu). Depending
on how many conferences you have this could take from 1 to 15 minutes.
     

2.4 - AUTO-UPDATING THE U-NET DATABASE

     This option is a quick and easy way to add or delete UseNet conferences
and update any conference name changes.  If you have more than 1 addition,
change or deletion just run this option instead of going thru the 3 manual 
steps listed above.

     From the Main Menu press the letter "U". You will be prompted to confirm
that you wish to run the Auto-Update.  Press "Y" for YES-start the process or
"N" for NO cancel and return to the Main Menu.

     If you press "Y" program will commence the update process as follows.
 
        A) Delete any conferences you have removed with Makewild (or changed
           to a non-UseNet type). 

                                    - 4 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


2.4 - AUTO-UPDATING THE U-NET DATABASE (Cont.)

        B) Add any UseNet conferences that are not currently in the U-Net
           database. (Max. 5 total for the unregisterd version.)

        C) Change any conferences names in the U-Net database that do not
           match what is in the Wildcat conference database.

     Each step will be displayed on the screen. If any additions or deletions
are made the U-Net database will be sorted into proper numerical order.
Depending on how many conferences you have this could take from 1 to 15
minutes.

     When finished, a recap of any additions, deletions or changes will be
displayed on the screen with a copy written to the Wildcat activity log for
the node you are on.   


     NOTE: Should the index files for The U-Net Messager ever become
corrupted for any reason just delete them from the U-NET directory. They
will be automatically re-created for you when you enter the U-Net Editor.
The names of the 2 files are UNETGRPS.IDX & UNETSORT.IDX.


2.5 - DOWNLOAD A USENET CONFERENCE LIST

    By choosing this selection you can download a complete list of all
the conferences in the U-Net database, either remotely or locally.

     This file is formatted as a report with date and page numbers ready for
printing on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, using a text editor or word processor of your
choice.

     From the "Main Menu" press the letter "L". You will be asked to confirm
you want the file downloaded to you. Enter the letter "Y" for YES-download this
list to me or "N" for NO-stop, cancel the download.

     If you calling into the BBS remotely and have chosen a default download
protocol as part of your BBS settings it will be used, otherwise you will be
prompted for a protocol. The file will be placed in your remote computer's
normal download directory as "UNETGRPS.TXT"

     If you are logged on locally the file "UNETGRPS.TXT" will be placed in
your U-Net program directory.











                                    - 5 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******
                                    

3.0 - THE U-NET PURGE UTILITY                                    

     The U-Net Purge utility is an easy way to "Flag" all those old unwanted
UseNet messages in your Wildcat message database for deletion. By using this
program you no longer have to do it "By Hand".  Just pick the date and
conferences.  If you make a mistake just run the undelete part and "undo"
what you did. 

NOTE: WCPACK or WCREPAIR must be run to physically remove the messages from
      from your database.

3.1 - DELETING MESSAGES

     There are 2 ways to remove old messages.  Both of them require you to
enter a date. All messages BEFORE this date are removed (i.e. 05/01/95 means
all messages up to and including 04/30/95).

    When finished, a recap of the number of deletions will be displayed
on the screen with a copy written to the Wildcat activity log for the node
you are on.   

     From the Main Menu press the letter "D".  You will be prompted to choose
between deleting messages in ALL conferences or SELECTED conferences. To exit
Delete Messages at this point press the letter "Q"

DELETING BY DATE FOR ALL CONFERENCES

     If you press the letter "A" you will be asked to enter the purge date.
Enter it in MM/DD/YY format. To cancel at this time just press the "ENTER"
key without putting in a date. 

     You will be asked to confirm the message purge using the date you
entered.  Press "Y" for YES-continue with the purge or "N" for NO stop the
purge.
         
     The system will then ask you if you wish to exclude any conferences from
having messages removed from them. If you press "Y" you may enter up to 50
conference numbers. To stop adding conferences to the exclusion list press the
"ENTER" when prompted for a conference number. After entering your exclusion
list or pressing the letter "N" (for no exclusions) the purge process will
begin. As each UseNet conference is processed it's name will be displayed on
the screen. Depending on the number of conferences your system has this process
could take from 1 - 20 minutes. 


DELETING BY DATE FOR SELECTED CONFERENCES

     If you press the letter "S" you may select up to 50 conferences for
purging messages from. To stop adding to the selected purge list press the
"ENTER" when prompted for a conference number. After this step the system will
ask you to enter the purge date. Enter it in MM/DD/YY format. To cancel at
this time just press the "ENTER" key without putting in a date.  As each
UseNet conference is processed it's name will be displayed on the screen.
Depending on the number of conferences your system has this process could take
from 1 - 20 minutes. 

                                    - 6 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******

3.2 - UNDELETING MESSAGES

     The process for undeleting old messages is exactly the same as the
Delete Messages Process. There are 2 ways to undelete old messages.  Both of
them require you to enter a date. All messages BEFORE this date will be 
undeleted (i.e. 05/01/95 means all messages up to and including 04/30/95).

    When finished, a recap of the number of messages undeleted will be
displayed on the screen with a copy written to the Wildcat activity log for
the node you are on.   

     From the Main Menu press the letter "U".  You will be prompted to choose
between un deleting messages in ALL conferences or SELECTED conferences. To
exit Undelete Messages at this point press the letter "Q"
                                    
UNDELETING BY DATE FOR ALL CONFERENCES

     If you press the letter "A" you will be asked to enter the undelete date.
Enter it in MM/DD/YY format. To cancel at this time just press the "ENTER"
key without putting in a date. 

     You will be asked to confirm the message undelete using the date you
entered.  Press "Y" for YES-continue with the undelete or "N" for NO stop the
undelete.
         
     The system will then ask you if you wish to exclude any conferences from
having messages undeleted from them. If you press "Y" you may enter up to 50
conference numbers. To stop adding conferences to the exclusion list press the
"ENTER" when prompted for a conference number. After entering your exclusion
list or pressing the letter "N" (for no exclusions) the undelete process will
begin. As each UseNet conference is processed it's name will be displayed on
the screen. Depending on the number of conferences your system has this process
could take from 1 - 20 minutes. 


UNDELETING BY DATE FOR SELECTED CONFERENCES

     If you press the letter "S" you may select up to 50 conferences for
undeleting messages from. To stop adding to the selected undelete list press
the "ENTER" when prompted for a conference number. After this step the system
will ask you to enter the undelete date. Enter it in MM/DD/YY format. To
cancel at this time just press the "ENTER" key without putting in a date. 
As each UseNet conference is processed it's name will be displayed on the
screen. Depending on the number of conferences your system has this process
could take from 1 - 20 minutes. 

                                    
                                    








                                    - 7 -                     
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


4.0 - SYSOP INFORMATION

      There are several keys points that you, as the sysop, should be aware of
regarding this program . We want you to have this information as a reference
because we think its important that sysops know as much as possible about any
program running on their BBS.

The Key Points:

     1) All users who enter the U-Net Messager will automatically have a 
        datafile and index created for them. These files hold the conference
        numbers and the highest message read for each UseNet conference the
        user has read or downloaded message from.  The purpose of this was to
        let active readers review, read & download only the new messages in
        a conference since the last time they were in it.  Wildcat does NOT
        track the last message read for users in public conferences. Without
        this your users would be required to page thru piles of old messages
        to get to the new ones or read them is reverse order (highest to
        lowest)-not a good idea since most topics are on-going. 
 
        The naming system for these files are unique to each user based on 
        their user id number assigned to them by the BBS. Example - User 101
        on the BBS would be assigned a datafile called UN000101.DAT where UN
        stands for the U-Net program, .DAT is the file extension for datafile
        and 101 is their Wildcat User Id Number, leading 0's are placed after
        the UN and in front of the id number, if necessary to ensure the file
        names are always a length of 12 characters. The naming process for the
        index that goes with the user's datafile is the same except the 
        extension is .IDX instead of .DAT

        These user files will be placed in the U-Net directory and should be
        added to your routine backup for protection from loss or damage.

     2) The differences between the 4.01 and 4.10/4.11 versions is minor and
        only affects writing messages but WCCODE 4.10/4.11 does contain 1 bug
        fix in this area so we incorporated it.  Uploading attached files in
        "Write Messages" from a wccode application does NOT work in 4.01.
        This was fixed in 4.10. Users of the 4.10/4.11 versions will NOT be
        asked if they wish to upload a file to attach to the message when
        first selecting "Write Message". 
        
     3) Using Wildcat temporary directories with WCCODE (both versions). If
        your node batch startup files don't contain a SET TEMP=<path>
        statement then WCCODE is going to look for a directory called TEMP
        in the node's home work directory (i.e. C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1\TEMP)
        and create this directory if it doesn't exist. If you don't want
        this to happen then you must tell WCCODE what temporary directory
        to use for temp. files the program and user creates.

        WARNING - Do NOT use the same SET TEMP=<path> statement such as
        SET TEMP=C:\TEMP for all your nodes. The program uses the same file
        names for all users on at the same time (so does Wildcat).  This
        will cause errors on message text file uploads and new messages.  

                                    - 3 -                      
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******

4.0 - SYSOP INFORMATION (Cont.)


     4) All activity such as entering The U-Net Messager and program errors
        are written to the appropriate node's activity log for your review.
        This includes the date & time plus a description of the error, if any.

     5) All activity when using The U-Net Messager Utilities are written to
        the appropriate node's activity log for your review.  This includes
        the date & time plus a description of the error, if any.

     6) This program reads the following Wildcat data files.

                    A) Allusers.dat - The User Database
                    B) Confdesc.dat - The Conference Database
                    C) Makewild.dat - The Main Wildcat Configuration File
                    D) Messages.dat - The Message Header Database
                    E) Security.dat - The User's Security Level Database
                    F) Nodeinfo.dat - The User's Node File

     7) This program writes to the following Wildcat data files.

                    1) Allusers.dat - The User Database
                    2) Messages.dat - The Message Header Database
                    3) Activity.??? - The Node's Activity Log File (???
                                      being replaced with the node Number)

     8) What is written to the datafiles.  The following fields are changed
        during the use of the program if the user actually writes messages,
        downloads a message or downloads a UseNet conference list.

        A) The Users Database (ALLUSERS.DAT)

           1) The Messages Written count is increased by 1 each time a
              message is written (and actually saved).
           2) If you are charging messages downloads to the user's Upload/
              Download Ratio (see UNETINS.TXT) The Download Kbytes Field
              is increased (+)IK and the Download Files Total is increased
              by (+)1 upon a successful message download. or (+)2K & +(1)
              if they download a UseNet conference list. These file
              sizes are set by the program and can not be changed.  This
              was done because you can determine a file size from within a
              WCCODE program when doing a single download. If the user
              selects batch download the correct totals will be written to
              the user's record.
            
        B) The Messages Header Database (MSG?????.DAT)
 
           The actual name of this file is MSG plus the your Internet UseNet
           conference number. It is located in the confernece's directory as
           you defined with the Wildcat utility Makewild.  New records are
           added to this file for every message written so all relevant fields
           are updated.  See Item 9 for further changes to this file when
           deletions are made. 


                                    - 3 -                      
                        ******* THE U-NET MESSAGER *******


4.0 - SYSOP INFORMATION (Cont.)
               
     9) If a user elects to delete a message that has a file attached to it
        the file will be deleted from the selected UseNet conference attach
        files directory, upon the user confirming the deletion. The Messager
        header will have both the internal and external files names erased
        as well.

        While we still show the users the deleted messages on the screen
        (flagged with a "D" in Red) the attached file must be deleted when
        the user confirms the deletion.  This is because Wildcat does not
        remove the attached file when you run Wcpack or Wcrepair.  This
        conforms to what happens when the user selects Wildcat's Delete
        Message. (You can confirm this easily enough if you wish.) 

     WARNING: A) Should a problem arise with any of the datafiles listed
                 above in 5 & 6 The U-Net Messager will not function
                 properly (and probably the rest of your BBS too). 

              B) Strange things can happen if your user's database and/or
                 the messages database index files become corrupted. This
                 includes putting the wrong user-id number in the message
                 header.  If that happens WCGATE will put the wrong e-mail
                 return name on the message when it exports it to FXUUCIO.

                 This will get your users quite upset when they don't see
                 their message postings as being from them and some users 
                 will get very, very upset if their name gets accidently
                 posted in an ALT.SEX.???????? Conference.  Should your BBS
                 suffer a system crash be sure to run the Wildcat Utility
                 Wcrepair and re-build these index files. 
              
    10) Our "In-House" testing has shown that the regular (daily?) use of
        WcPack or WcRepair to remove deleted messages and re-index your
        message conferences greatly enhances the overall performance of The
        U-Net Messager.  
 


                   *********** END OF INFORMATION **********















                                    - 3 -

