                                           VBBS 6.11 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 6.11 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 6.11 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 letters 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 letter).


	 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 6.11 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 6.11 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.
	[Z] Add ZIPCOMNT.TXT to ZIP	Manually adds the ZIPCOMNT.TXT to
					 the file archive.
	[X] Remove File			Remove file listing and/or file
					 from the current directory.  Use

                                           VBBS 6.11 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 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.

