Hello all!
In reference to queries on how to setup a BBS, I have put
together a simple help file.  It contains examples of some
ways to do things for a simple, single node system mostly.
In order to make it easier to follow, I have used 'generic
conventional' names and paths through out the FAQ.  You do
NOT need to use the same ones, and for added security you
SHOULD change them.  You will find a general reference to
the names used, at the end.

The softwares used are primarily FrontDoor version 2.25 and
DOS version 5.0.  If you have a 28.8 or better modem, you
will need to upgrade to FD2.12 or higher to support it
properly.  While FD is the primary one dealt with here it
probably isn't that radically different in concept for other
front end softwares.

FD2.25 has only one method of passing the errorlevel.  This
FAQ shows the DOBBS/EXEBBS method required for FD2.25/SW users
and usable by earlier FD versions.  The second FAQ (shown
later) shows the 'one bat file, errorlevel method' which
may be used with FD2.12/SW or below.  The essential difference
for those using FD2.12/SW and below is in having one long bat
file, or several short ones.

There is also some added capability in the DOBBS/EXEBBS method as it allows
you to pass the time of the next FD event, and /ARQ connection information.
Suit yourself to what you like best if using FD2.12/SW and below.

      1.  Go into FD config, and make sure you have assigned a number to
      each baud rate connecting to your system.  In this example, we used
      errorlevel 200 for all connection speeds and turned on the 'create bat
      file option' in FD.

      2.  Add the following to your 'frodo.bat' file or just replace your
      old one with this example then add in what you need for your setup.


---- begin FRODO.BAT-----

@Echo off
c:
cd \fd
:Start

   
   Cd\fd
fd
   If ERRORLEVEL 253 Goto Mail_Out
   If ERRORLEVEL 252 Goto Make_Node
   If ERRORLEVEL 209 Goto Mail_Test  ;Function Key activated
   If ERRORLEVEL 201 Goto FB100
   If ERRORLEVEL 200 Goto Connect

Goto end

:Mail_Out     ;Gecho 1.11+ specific, adapt as needed!
c:
cd c:\fd
AT H1 1
DEL c:\tg\tgmscan.now
GEcho toss -NOMGR
GEcho scan
GEcho MGR
MBUTIL pack -renumber -link -purge
Goto Start

:Make_Node
If Exist c:\fd\file\nodediff.* Goto Node_Here
Goto Start

:Node_Here
Copy c:\fd\file\nodediff.* c:\fd\nodelist
cd c:\fd\nodelist
editnl 
cd c:\fd
fdnc /f
Goto Start

:FB100        ;external event in FD to do 'stuff' as needed
CD \tg\FFS    ;for online games and other items needed nightly
FISHMANT
CD \FD
mbutil pack -renumber -link -purge
cd \tg
INDEX BUILD ALL
INDEX SORT ALL
cd \tg\goc
maint
cd \fd
call tickout.bat      ; processes inbound filebone
Goto Start

:Connect       ;here begins the connection sequence
call dobbs0.bat        ;note FD2.25 makes dobbs0.bat
                       ;FD2.12 and below makes DOBBS.BAT

:Mail_Test
IF EXIST C:\TG\ECHOMAIL.TG? GOTO Mail_Out
Goto Start

:End          
-----end FRODO.BAT-------

DOBBS0.BAT is created by FD each BBS call, and it then activates EXEBBS.BAT
which you design.  (Reminder, in FD2.12 it is DOBBS.bat).

EXEBBS.BAT (This file is activated by DOBBS0.BAT or DOBBS.BAT):

----begin EXEBBS.BAT--------------

C:
CD \TG
TELEGARD -B%1 -X%3 -N%4 -C%5 -Q
If Not Exist c:\tg\ECHOMAIL.TG? GoTo End
Del c:\tg\ECHOMAIL.TG?
cd \fd
Gecho Toss
Gecho Scan
:END
Frodo                         ; your FD batch file

This is a very basic batch file to startup TG with the DOBBS process. Make
note that if you use another filename for your 'FD.BAT' other than 'FRODO.BAT'
you will need to change it here too!  If you dont, your BBS will land in
'zululand' because it wont know what to do after a caller exits!

(Note:  %1=baud, %2=port, %3=time till next event, %4=node if multinode, 
%5=other modem connect info such as if it is an ARQ connection)

Informational assistance provided by Kevin Watkins.

Note, this version shows also how to scan for mail left by a caller and
packing if they left any outbound mail by checking for the existance of a
ECHOMAIL.TG? file.  This is optional and the mail_test routine shows for local
sysop mail.  The echomail.tg? means in place of the ? to use J for Jam or S 
for Squish.  Replace as needed for other BBS softwares.

For informational purposes, here is a rundown of some of the lines you may not
be familiar with:
  AT H1 1 -  This is a common software which is called AT.COM and manipulates
  your modem.  In this case, it is taking a modem on Com1, offline.  Depending
  on your modem brand, you may not need an extra utility to do this.  Both FD
  and TG have the capability of taking the modem offline for you.  It is there
  only for assistance of those sysops who's modems wont stay offline with FD's
  codes.

  EDITNL - This is one of the many nodediff merging softwares on the market.
  Depending on your version, the addition of the /KILL switch, will also
  delete the old nodediffs.  It was included only as an example, and you
  should use whatever you find at a local dial.  Mergenl is widely available
  and does the same thing.

  MBUTIL - Gecho specific packer for message bases.  See the 3rd FAQ for other
  examples of tossing/packing sequences you may use for your needs.

 End FAQ 1.
                                 xxcarol
                                 TG Beta Norfolk
Errorlevel Method- FD 2.12 and below only                      15AUG98
Adapted for Fidonews, 18Jan 2001

Hello!  For those of you using FD2.12 and below, this method may be easier
to start with. It's basically one big batch file and you dont have to pass
off to other batch files.

      1.  Go into FD config, and make sure you have assigned a number to
      each baud rate connecting to your system.  Use the same numbers I
      have below in the 'frodo.bat' file if you wish or swap them to others
      and match them in the 'frodo.bat' file to the new ones.  It will be
      easier and safe to use the ones I post.

      2.  Add the following to your 'frodo.bat' file or just replace your
      old one with this example then add in what you need for your setup.

;---- begin FRODO.BAT----
@Echo off
c:
cd \fd
:Start

   Cd\fd
fd
   If ERRORLEVEL 253 Goto Mail_Out
   If ERRORLEVEL 252 Goto Make_Node
   If ERRORLEVEL 200 Goto FB100
   If ERRORLEVEL 046 Goto 2880_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 045 Goto 2640_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 044 Goto 24000_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 043 Goto 2160_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 042 Goto 1920_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 041 Goto 1680_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 040 Goto 1440_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 039 Goto 12_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 038 Goto 9600_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 037 Goto 7200_baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 036 Goto 4800_baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 035 Goto 2400_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 034 Goto 1275_baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 033 Goto 1200_Baud
   If ERRORLEVEL 032 Goto 300_Baud

Goto end

:Mail_Out     ; Gecho 1.11+ specific, adapt as needed!
c:            ; other examples for other tossers later in
cd c:\fd      ; FAQ
AT H1 1
GEcho toss -NOMGR
GEcho scan
GEcho MGR
MBUTIL pack -renumber -link -purge
Goto Start

:Make_Node
If Exist c:\fd\file\nodediff.* Goto Node_Here
Goto Start

:Node_Here
Copy c:\fd\file\nodediff.* c:\fd\nodelist
cd c:\fd\nodelist
editnl 
cd c:\fd
fdnc /f
Goto Start

:FB100        ;external event in FD to do 'stuff' as needed
CD \tg\FFS    ;for online games and other items needed nightly
FISHMANT      ; specific to FFS online game
CD \FD
mbutil pack -renumber -link -purge
cd \tg
INDEX SORT ALL      ;TG Maintenance
INDEX BUILD ALL     ;TG Maintenance
cd \fd
call tickout.bat    ;Tosses filebone. See FAQ #3 for example of it
Goto Start

:2880_baud       ;here begins the connection sequence
cd \tg
Telegard -b28800 -q
Goto Mail_test

:2640_baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b26400 -q
Goto Mail_test

:24000_baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b24000 -q
Goto Mail_test

:2160_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b21600 -q
Goto Mail_test

:1920_Baud
cd \tg
telegard -b19200 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:1680_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b16800 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:1440_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b14400 -q
goto mail_test

:12_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b12000 -q
Goto Mail_test

:9600_Baud
cd \tg
telegard -b9600 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:7200_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b7200 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:4800_baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b4800 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:2400_Baud
cd \tg
telegard -b2400 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:1275_Baud
cd \tg
Telegard -b1275 -q
Goto mail_test

:1200_Baud
cd \tg
telegard -b1200 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:300_Baud
cd \tg
telegard -b300 -q
Goto Mail_Test

:Mail_Test
If NOT Exist c:\TG\ECHOMAIL.TG# goto Start
del c:\TG\ECHOMAIL.TG#
Goto Mail_Out
                             ; note TG# means TGJ for Jam or TGS for Squish


:End          
---end FRODO.BAT----

Now that was a big 'frodo.bat' file!  

For informational purposes, here is a rundown of some of the lines you may not
be familiar with:
  AT H1 1 -  This is a common software which is called AT.COM and manipulates
  your modem.  In this case, it is taking a modem on Com1, offline.  Depending
  on your modem brand, you may not need an extra utility to do this.  Both FD
  and TG have the capability of taking the modem offline for you.  It is there
  only for assistance of those sysops who's modems wont stay offline with FD's
  codes.

  EDITNL - This is one of the many nodediff merging softwares on the market.
  Depending on your version, the addition of the /KILL switch, will also
  delete the old nodediffs.  It was included only as an example, and you
  should use whatever you find at a local dial.  Mergenl is widely available
  and does the same thing.

  MBUTIL - Gecho specific packer for message bases.  See the 3rd FAQ for other
  examples of tossing/packing sequences you may use for your needs.

End part 2.
                                 xxcarol
                                 TGbeta Norfolk
Edited for Fidonews- 4FEB01


Part 3 of 'how to series' as based on Telegard FAQ series

This series is meant to work in tandem with the FAQ1 and FAQ2 posted
earlier in Fidonews.  Some aspects of the FAQ on 'BBS Security' are
implemented in the samples here (ZANSI).

-----------

Ok now we have you passing the right errorlevel.  Next we see if we can help
you optimize your memory needs.  Note:  This will show only the simplest of
optimization.  Your exact needs WILL vary depending on your software and
hardware.  Lets just call it a 'starting point' to work from.

This part will show the autoexec.bat and config.sys changes you may need to
make it all work together well. It will also show several methods of tossing
mail, if you run a tosser other than Gecho.

It is based on DOS 5.0, and standard softwares in use by many.  I did
however delete the VSHIELD referents as many use other versions of scanners
today.  The BBS example is Telegard to match the earlier 2 FAQ's in
the series.  Replace the command lines as needed if you run a
different software.


First, the config.sys file:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
FILES=60
BUFFERS=50
DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.SYS /X
DEVICEHIGH=X00.SYS E 1 B,0,57600 R=2048 T=1024
DEVICEHIGH=C:\ZANSI.SYS

That was it.  Make sure the directories match and you run the same files.
If for example you use BNU, swap out the entire X00 line with your own.
ZANSI if you wonder is an older file that replaces ANSI.SYS and is smaller,
faster, and doesnt contain the code to remap a keyboard .  If you dont find it locally, you can freq it
from 1:275/100 as ZANSI.  Note:  Do NOT use ZANSI with Desqview or WIN NT or
any software which requires re-mapping of the keyboard for proper action.

Ok time for the Autoexec.bat I think!

SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM
set FD=c:\FD
PATH C:\DOS;C:\;C:\FD;C:\TG
GE=c:\fd 3                      ; gecho specific
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
SET TZUDT=-0500                 ;FD225 Specific, East Coast Time
SET TMP=C:\FD\TEMP              ;FD225 Specific
VERIFY OFF
C:\DOS\APPEND C:\DOS
PROMPT $p$g$e[36;44m
LH c:\dos\share.exe
cd \fd
tsmail

Now that was the autoexec.bat in generic format.  Note:  Some doors might
require you add the 'protocol directory' to your path line.  If so, the door
will make note of it in the documentation.  External CD-ROM doors and some
games are the most common ones to need this.  Bet you wonder what that
'tsmail' was right?

TSMAIL.BAT is my way of automating repairs to the system when it hangs
sporadically on a toss of mail.  My husband just reboots the system and it
tosses mail again.  When it is done, it brings the BBS back up to FD.

Here is a copy of it, included just so you can see that you can do all sorts
of maintenance on re-booting.

AT H1 1
c:
cd \fd
GEcho Toss -NOMGR 
GEcho scan
GECHO MGR
mbutil pack -renumber -link -purge
frodo                                ; your FD batch file

Note that this TSMAIL.BAT file is Gecho 1.11+ tosser specific.

Here are some command lines for other tossers:
-for SQUISH users,

SQUISH IN
SQUISH OUT SQUASH
SQUISH LINK
SQPACK C:\TG\MSGS\*.SQD              ; should actually be run nightly only
frodo                                ; your FD batch file

Notes relevant to SQUISH use.  If you have lots of memory, try using
 SQUISH IN LINK and delete the SQUISH LINK line.  It will run faster.
 SQPACK actually should be moved to a nightly event area vice run  at each
 toss of mail.  Some SQUISH users, like to add SQFIX either nightly or
 at each toss to clear any possible errors in the squish bases.


-for FMAIL users

Fmail Scan /A /J
Fmail Toss /A
Fmail Import

Note:  No Registration required for JAM mode in a non-commercial environment.
This example is without the AREAMGR functions activated.

-for FASTECHO users

CD \FD\FASTECHO
FASTECHO TOSS
FEUTIL IMPORT
FASTECHO SCAN
FEUTIL PURGE
FEUTIL PACK -RENUMBER -JAM
FEUTIL LINK -IGNORE
frodo                                ; your FD batch file

Example of how to toss filebone with TICK version 2.10

---Begin TICKOUT.BAT----

Echo Off
C:
Cd \Fd
Tick
cd \tg
FA2FB -DATE
files2tg
FB2FA -DATE
cd \fd

----end TICKOUT.BAT----

The program files2tg.exe reads the files.bbs type entry created by TICK and
uploads it to your TG filebase.

Now for the most recent addition to the FAQ set, a simple TIC.CFG file.  Note
TIC is an older freeware program.  It works fine but lacks the frills of the
newer simular softwares like ALLFIX.  If you are an end user, it will most
likely suffice to the needs of your system.

---begin TIC.CFG----

IN C:\Fd\File\
ZONE 1 C:\fd\packet\
NET 275
NODE 100
TZ EST4EDT

AREA c:\TG\file\telegard TG_SUP
         1:101/321 password *
         1:202/323 * *                      ;downlinks the files to this node

AREA c:\tg\file\apps NODEDIFF
        1:275/429 password *

STOPDUP C:\fd\file\temp\
TEMP C:\Temp
FIDO
mail c:\fd\Mail\
hold c:\fd\holdtick\
quiet
QDIR c:\Temp
LineFmt %3:-13 %1
ListName Files.Bbs
REPLACE
LOGPATH
NoWait
---end TIC.CFG example----

Note that example was set for zone1, net 275, node 100.  You will need to edit
it and the paths to match your setups.  It is also set to allow files to be
deleted if the releaser set it to remove the old versions (Replace option).
In TG, this will not remove the entry but it will remove the file itself.

Where it says 'password' you place the actual password you and your hub agreed
on.  If you have no password, place an * in that location. Format is
basically: AREA path password handling_codes

You can use * for both password and handling_code positions in TICK2.10.

Standard names used in FAQ for batch files, and paths, not explained elsewhere
in the information.  Reminder:  You shouldn't actually use these specific
names, but once you change them, you need to look over all references in your
batch files and in FD/TG to match names to what you actually used as
appropriate!

C:\TG  -- generic name for Telegard main directory.
C:\TG\MSGS -- Generic name for TG's main message base.
FRODO.BAT -- Generic name for the batch file used to start FrontDoor.
TICKOUT.BAT -- Generic name for a batch file to toss inbound filebone to TG.
TSMAIL.BAT -- Generic name for a batch file used to manually toss mail.

Time for many KUDOS/ BRAVO ZULUS!

For overall assistance, Kevin Watkins has been a DREAM!

For the idea we needed such at all:  Thanks to Martin Pollard for having the
old 'How2Mail' file.  It helped so many of us, I wanted to try to make
something kinda like it for others to use.

Comments and critics are WELCOME to reply here or in netmail to me at
1:275/100.
                                                          
                           xxcarol
                           DPC USN
                           Norfolk TG Beta
                                       xxcarol

--- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4
 * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS, Sasebo Japan 0956-25-2561 (6:730/275)