MicroHost 1.0 Documentation

         (c) 1987 Michael Cox - This program is in the public domain

     "This software may be distributed in any FREE manner as long as
     this archive is unchanged. This does NOT include compilations
     of PD programs offered for sale, user group libraries that
     charge more than the cost of a disk for copies, or bulletin
     boards that charge for database access. These three outlets are
     expressly disallowed."

     MicroHost is a miniature, personal BBS system for unattended
     file transfers. It is very small and can run in the background
     while you are running other tasks. It provides XMODEM upload and
     download plus a bulletin file and CHAT mode. The window shrinks
     down to almost nothing for maximum memory savings.

     MicroHost will work with any modem that will return the CONNECT,
     CONNECT 1200, etc. result codes. Although it has not been tested
     at higher than 1200 baud, it should work just fine up to 9600
     baud. (For 2400 and faster I recommend a text speed enhancer such
     as BLITZFONTS.) Your modem must be set to provide these extended
     result codes. It must also be set to auto-answer mode, of course.
     When the program boots, it sends your modem an AT X1 command, which
     on MY modem puts it in extended command set mode. If yours is
     different, you will have to then enter your code manually. This is
     important, or only people calling at 300 baud will get connected.
     Also, your modem should be set to NOT echo commands sent in local
     mode. MicroHost assumes you have a 1200 baud modem; it will NOT
     work with a 300-only. If you only have a 300, get in touch and I'll
     make you a special copy.

     Oh yes, one more thing; your modem MUST be set so that the DTR line
     is NOT forced. Otherwise MicroHost can't hang up at the end of a
     call.

     MicroHost looks in the default directory for all its files. There are
     several of these:

     Password - Contains a ten-character case-sensitive system password
                of your choice. NOTE this must be EXACTLY 10 characters;
                no less and NO MORE, meaning no CR after it in the file,
                or you'll get a visit from the Guru.

     Welcome -  The first text file seen upon connection and before entering
                the system password.

     LoggedOn - Text file seen after system password has been correctly
                entered.

     Catalog -  A listing of files available for downloading. Again, these
                must be in the default directory.

     Bulletin - A textfile for any use of your choice, called by the
                main menu [B]ulletin option.

     Menu     - The command menu.

     All of these files should exist, even if they are empty. You may of
     course change any of them to suit yourself. If they are not present
     your users will see a "Text file not found" message. They are in
     simple ASCII file form, compatible with any text editor.

     It is not easy to try out the system locally. It CAN be
     done, however. Set your modem's switches so that commands entered
     in local mode are NOT echoed; boot MicroHost and enter your modem's
     command to override the switch and echo local characters. Manually
     type in CONNECT 1200 (or whatever) and hit RETURN. Before entering the
     system password, turn your modem OFF and then on again. You should
     be able to log on and look around.

     All BBS commands should be entered in lower-case letters. The commands
     are u for upload, d for download, b for bulletin, c for chat, and
     g for goodbye.

     CHAT works as follows: When a user requests a chat, the window's
     title bar changes to show that you are being paged. You answer the
     page by hitting F1 at the COMMAND prompt; this is also how you
     get out of chat mode. The window title then resets itself.

     It is possible to use MicroHost as a simple terminal if you DISABLE
     the result codes. MicroHost is only triggered by the CONNECT messages.

     In this version there is no message base capability; the
     next release will have this feature. Also (sigh) the system won't see
     a dropped carrier. This WILL be fixed in version 1.1.

     MicroHost requires no maintenance whatsoever other than the setting
     of the system password and the creation of the text files. The XMODEM
     routine does NOT perform auto-chopping. I recommend frequent changing
     of the system password.

     A last word: I seriously hope that this software does not get used
     for illegal purposes. Enough said.

     I hope you find this program useful; it seems to me to fill a rather
     obvious gap in the modem software available for the Amiga. You do
     not need to send in a donation for the use of this system unless
     you are really moved to do so; however, if any of you have a job for
     an enterprising young Amiga programmer/documentation writer, by all
     means get in touch!

     This is my first sizeable program in C. If you like it you might also
     try my ICONOCLAST BBS system, available as shareware. The number
     of the home board is 915-833-3899. Ideas, complaints, bug reports,
     etc. are solicited.

     Long live the Amiga.

     Michael Cox

     BIX "Michael_Cox"

     P.O. Box 9399
     El Paso, TX 79984