Keeping in Touch
April 1992
SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter for registered SPITFIRE Sysops
Compliments of Buffalo Creek Software
In this issue
- SPITFIRE UTILITY REVIEW - CALLPRO
- NATIONAL ADVERTISING ON SPITFIRE BBS
- SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH
- NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS
Archival transcript
The text below is a faithful Unicode rendering of the original SF04-92.TXT. Its DOS line wrapping, spacing, capitalization, spelling and CP437 box art have been retained.
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║ ╟─┐
║ K E E P I N G I N T O U C H ║ │
║ ═══════════════════════════════ ║ │
║ SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter ║ │
║ for registered SPITFIRE Sysops! ║ │
║ April 1992 ║ │
║ Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE ║ │
║ Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496 ║ │
║ 38400/19200/9600/24400/1200 Baud ║ │
║ 2 Nodes ║ │
║ ║ │
╚═╤══════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Edited by Jacque Shipley
The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud
Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede
Roam This Fertile Land - (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud
Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz
Other Contributions As Noted
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║ Notes from the author of SPITFIRE! ╟─┐
╚═╤═══════════════════════════════════════╝ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
With the release of SPITFIRE v3.2 out and about, it might be
good for me to discuss some common mistakes that are being made with
the new release. I hope the below information will be helpful.
QUESTION: My callers are not being given credit for their uploads.
What is wrong?
ANSWER: You didn't properly follow the SPITFIRE v3.2 installation
instructions (smiling - its true). Your external protocol
batch files are still written to move the uploaded file(s)
from the external directory to a File Area. Those commands
must be removed or the caller will NOT be given credit for
uploads. SPITFIRE now moves the files.
QUESTION: Callers tag a bunch of files and then when they go to start
the download they are told 'there is nothing to do'. What
is wrong?
ANSWER: You have your modem configured to report the port speed rather
than the actual speed of the caller. For example, you have
your system configured at 38400 and you have your modem
configured to report 38400 rather than the actual speed of
the incoming call. Change you configuration so you modem
will report the actual speed of the incoming call and this
problem will disappear.
QUESTION: Every once in awhile, SPITFIRE doesn't put a tag character
in front of every file. What is causing this 'bug' (smiling)
in SPITFIRE?
ANSWER: The file line in SFFILES.BBS is not properly written. SPITFIRE
looks for a comma at the 18th position in the line and looks
for a hyphen at the 26th position in the line. When either of
these tests fail, then SPITFIRE assumes the line is not a file
listing and does not place a tag character in front of the file
name.
QUESTION: After chatting with a caller and when returning the caller to
the board, the caller is logged off for the no keystroke
violation. What am I doing wrong?
ANSWER: You are not doing anything wrong. This problem existed in about
1% of the systems which operated SFv2.8 and about 1% of the
systems which operated SFv3.0. The problem disappeared in
SFv3.1 and now it has come back in about 1% of the systems
which are operating SFv3.2. I have never been able to duplicate
this problem but I have figured out a fix for it.
QUESTION: What do I use to move files to different File Areas now that
SPITFIRE supports multi-line file descriptions?
ANSWER: I am doing it the same way I have done it for 5 or 6 years.
I am using my MUV utility to move the file and a text editor
to move the file description. Yes, I know that isn't what you
want to hear (smiling). Bob Zimmerman has updated his SFFILES
utility to handle the SPITFIRE multi-line file descriptions.
I am sure you will find that Bob's program works just fine.
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about SPITFIRE
version 3.2. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Now that SPITFIRE v3.2 is finished, I plan to revise other programs
that I have written to work in conjunction with SPITFIRE. I also plan
to finish my UTI. I have the UTI about 90-95% complete so it is just
a matter of finding the time to finish it. I have written it in
assembler so it should be fast. The folks that have tested it in its
current condition tell me that it screams.
I am also hopeful that we will be able to get back to work on FireNet.
FireNet will be a great improvement to the SPITFIRE project.
I take this opportunity to thank each of you who have left me messages
telling me how much you and your callers like SPITFIRE v3.2. We truly
appreciate your support and your comments.
Until next time, may God bless you...
Mike, Ann & family
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│ SPITFIRE UTILITY REVIEW - CALLPRO │
╘═══════════════════════════════════╛
CALPRO32 is a SPITFIRE utility that provides Sysops a comprehensive
analysis of their caller's log file(s). The keyword here is analysis.
There are any number of utilities that read the caller's log and
report statistics. CALPRO32 goes beyond merely reporting the
number of calls to the BBS or how many times bulletins were read,
although it does that as well.
CALLPRO reports on the total number of calls, uploads, downloads,
messages entered on-line, door usage, log on time, and bulletins read.
Next, it calculates on average per caller statistic for each of these
categories. Finally, each caller is given an index rating based on
their BBS participation in comparison to the calculated average.
Each caller's name and statistics are listed to an output file in
descending order according to their index rating.
CALLPRO can be executed from the DOS prompt using a /m parameter.
Used in this method, CALLPRO will prompt the user for the name of the
input file, the caller's log file name, and the name for the output
file. It may also be executed from a batch file, such as a SPITFIRE
event, where the /i specifies the input file and /o specifies the
output file.
CALLPRO also allows up to 8 names to be entered in a file called,
NOPRINT.DAT. Any names contained in this file will not be reported
on. For instance, a sample NOPRINT.DAT includes the name Sysop,
which prevents any statistical information on the Sysop from being
reported.
The output file can be a SPITFIRE ASCII display file, such as a
bulletin or SFNWSLTR.BBS, allowing the information to be made available
for viewing by the caller. CALLPRO will not, in the current version,
create an ANSI display file.
A simulated output report file would resemble the following:
Caller Profile Report For Spitfire 3.2 BBS Systems
Callers: 96 Logon Hours: 54.00
Calls: 194 New Messages: 57
Start Time: 00:04:33 on 04-19-92 Uploads: 29
End Time: 18:50:18 on 04-23-1992. Downloads: 131
Start Number: 52,201 Bulletins Read: 69
End Number: 52,394 Door Usage: 221
Message Uploads/ Bulltns Door
Caller Name Calls(Hours) Count Downloads Read Usage Index
------------------ ------------ ----- --------- ---- ----- -----
Caller Name #1 6 ( 2.52) 0 11 / 4 2 4 6
Caller Name #2 5 ( 2.35) 1 0 / 3 1 11 6
Caller Name #3 3 ( 1.40) 1 4 / 8 1 0 6
Caller Name #4 3 ( 1.02) 0 2 / 10 1 0 5
Caller Name #5 4 ( 0.92) 0 0 / 5 3 8 5
CALLPRO comes to us from Mountain State InfoSystems. Registration is
simple. To register, a Sysop must call The Megalist BBS at (304) 797-0277
and leave a comment to the Sysop stating you wish to become a registered
user of CALLPRO at no cost. You must include your name, mailing address,
BBS name and data phone number in your comment.
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│ NATIONAL ADVERTISING ON SPITFIRE BBS │
╘══════════════════════════════════════╛
Jireh BBS is directed by Fred Greenwald, President of Jireh
NEW NATIONAL CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING BBS USING SPITFIRE BBS SOFTWARE.
Jireh BBS of Chicago and Kansas City have introduced a for profit
BBS specializing in National Classified Advertisements. Using Spitfire
and doorways, they have created a professional and quality looking BBS.
Jireh BBS is directed by Fred Greenwald, President of Jireh
Information Services which specializes in long distance and 800
number communications.Fred has developed a program that will allow
participating associate Sysops to receive income by promoting Jireh BBS
on their boards and running Jireh BBS's ads through doorways. Having the
doorway capability is a requirement for participating Sysops. Jireh BBS
has an 800 number and private extension available to all participating
Sysops as well as communication through the Sysop private file and message
area. They are currently enrolling SPITFIRE Sysops as associates.
Jireh BBS Pays approximated 40% commission to the participating Sysops
out of the advertising fees. A finders fee of $15 is given to each Sysop
for enrolling qualified Sysops as Jireh BBS associates. The participating
Sysops can earn a graphic fee by using Ansi drawing programs to design the
ads graphics.
Jireh BBS provides 16 ad categories for the advertiser, which are:
Automotive Entertainment Medical
Business/Financial Food Personal Care
Children & Pets Health/Fitness Professional Service
Clothing Home Interior Restaurants
Computers/Electronics Home & Garden Sports & Recreation
Entertaining & Gifts
Fred feels that the trend of National Classified Advertising will
replace many of the existing methods of reaching a national audience. The
Future Is Now!! For more information concerning Jireh BBS, you may call
(708)969-7900 (Chicago) or 1-800-622-9153 (Kansas City). The Jireh BBS
number is (708)969⌐8043.
Fred and Frank, Welcome to Spitfire!
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│ SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH │
╘════════════════════╛
George Garvin
The Mick's BBS
Rowland Heights, California
He's been involved with computers for quite a long time, George Garvin has,
starting as a programmer using SPS and an Autocoder on an IBM 1401 RAMAC back
in the early '80s.
"We originally had a massive 4K on the system," he remembers. "And then
there was the gala day when we upgraded to 16K. You can imagine, I'm sure,
our elation when we went to 64K. That IBM system filled a good-sized room,
compared to our desktops of today.
"Right now, I'm running a computer installation in Los Angeles, an IBM
1440 computer, 3480 tapes, 3380 disk drives. Our operating system is MVT/VSE
and we also run a HYDRA protocol converter with 64 ASCII units tied to the
mainframe.
"I guess running my BBS is something like a busman's holiday for me, but
it certainly keeps me occupied. `The Mick's BBS' was started to exchange
genealogy files and mail through the conferences on RIME. I can recall
when Mike Woltz, in his not-so-busy days long past, would jump on his board
and chat when you logged on. In fact, his customer service at that time
extended to his actually writing a customized door for me geared toward
genealogy. (Sorry to say, Mike, I lost that door in a bad disk crash.)
"But SPITFIRE and I have continued to develop and grow--indeed, the SPITFIRE
listing of Sysops is currently database size and getting bigger daily.
"I suppose I could write more, but this for me is an unproductive period
word-wise. I only have time to get this posted to Walt. You see, I'm on
vacation and heading out to the Ozarks to get in some fishing on Table Rock
Lake."
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│ NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS │
╘════════════════════════════════════╛
A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have
recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems:
The Computer Club..........................09 5758-665...2400 Baud
Neville Harlick, Sysop.......................Auckland, New Zealand
The Phone Connection......................902-835-0928...2400 Baud
Jim Pickett, Sysop....................Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Blue Whale................................510-458-5466...9600 Baud
Paul Thomas, Sysop........................Walnut Creek, California
The Oil City Main BBS.....................814-676-0283...2400 Baud
Edward Horne, Sysop.........................Oil City, Pennsylvania
Dark Tower................................702-227-0270...9600 Baud
Alan Orndorff, Sysop.............................Las Vegas, Nevada
The Light House...........................402-597-2451...2400 Baud
Michael Noftzer, Sysop........................Pappillion, Nebraska
Lucky 7's BBS.............................702-253-0378...2400 Baud
Terry Duke Jr., Sysop............................Las Vegas, Nevada
The Grave Yard............................410-398-2881..38400 Baud
Raymond Worrilow, Sysop............................Elton, Maryland
GameMaster................................714-889-3219...2400 Baud
George Kauhl, Sysop......................San Bernadino, California
The Old Poop's World......................214-613-6900...2400 Baud
Sonny Grisson, Sysop...............................Mesquite, Texas
The Arcade BBS............................907-561-8118...2400 Baud
Clinton Jones, Sysop.............................Anchorage, Alaska
RomLine...................................319-277-6872..19200 Baud
Jason Freiberg, Sysop............................Cedar Falls, Iowa
Still Alive BBS...........................916-721-8301...2400 Baud
David Deaver, Sysop.....................Citrus Heights, California
The Harvest BBS...........................916-363-3826...2400 Baud
Ryan Doutt, Sysop...........................Sacremento, California
Freedom City..............................602-750-1118...2400 Baud
David Pontius, Sysop...............................Tucson, Arizona
Micro-Tech BBS............................505-434-2328..38400 Baud
Lunn Schott, Sysop..........................Alamogordo, New Mexico
Raven's Roost.............................208-587-8041...9600 Baud
David Huston, Sysop...........................Mountain Home, Idaho
Archimede's Screw.........................312-769-5542...2400 Baud
Renan and Mitzi Ponce, Sysops....................Chicago, Illinois
Popsicle's Place..........................817-539-7723...2400 Baud
Mark Pospisil, Sysop..............................Fort Hood, Texas
The Micro Connection BBS..................216-262-4486..38400 Baud
Mark Arras, Sysop....................................Wooster, Ohio
Forest Park Connection....................513-742-5767...2400 Baud
Dave Goff, Sysop..................................Cincinatti, Ohio
Dansville Link............................716-335-3352...2400 Baud
Clyde Coolbaugh, Sysop.........................Dansville, New York
The Pool BBS..............................702-658-8241...2400 Baud
George Flatman, Sysop............................Las Vegas, Nevada
The Unbroken Chain BBS....................215-662-0842...2400 Baud
Ken Dahlin, Sysop.......................Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Communicator Network BBS..............614-366-5672...2400 Baud
Don Evans, Sysop.......................................Heath, Ohio
Colossus..................................401-823-0979...2400 Baud
Andrew Bent, Sysop..........................Coventry, Rhode Island
The Livewire BBS..........................713-821-4749...9600 Baud
Dave Fricker, Sysop..................................Spring, Texas
Southern Cross BBS........................302-846-0632...2400 Baud
Richard Jones, Sysop..............................Delmar, Delaware
G I Joe's BBS..........................82-36-1-59-5450...2400 Baud
Joseph Rofke, Sysop............................................APO
Modem Madness BBS.........................716-483-2852..14400 Baud
Jeff Padan, Sysop..............................Jamestown, New York
Boundless Horizons Co./PCPD...............206-290-8066...2400 Baud
Lesley Loja, Sysop............................Lynnwood, Washington
MSLS BBS..................................207-549-3213...2400 Baud
George Fergusson, Sysop....................North Whitefield, Maine
In addition, there were 8 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems
registered. These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations
from: Tucson, Arizona; Newark Air Force Base, Ohio; Salena,
Kansas; Calgory, Alberta, Canada; Spring, Texas; St. Helens,
Oregon; Clarinda Hills, Illinois; and an overseas APO address.
There were 21 registrations for whom registration information was
incomplete. These included BBS's in: Chicago, Illinois; Provo, Utah;
Wilmington, Delaware; San Ramon, California; Centreville, Virginia;
Sterling, Virginia; Brampton, Ontario, Canada; San Jose, California;
Sebring, Florida; Morgan Hill, California; Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada;
Southbridge, Massachusetts; Wellington, New Zealand; Humble, Texas;
Houlma, Louisiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Buffalo Grove, Illinois;
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada; Germany; Fort Riley, Kansas; and
Portland, Maine.
The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is
largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's new policy of accepting
on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations.
JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for
contributions. Please forward any articles in ASCII text to
either Buffalo Creek's BBS or The Mother Board BBS.Source note
This reading edition was decoded from SF04-92.TXT in the original SF04-92.ZIP package. The page date records the preserved archive timestamp; it is not a newly inferred publication date.