diff --git a/MBSE.FAQ b/MBSE.FAQ new file mode 100644 index 00000000..ffb7d4b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/MBSE.FAQ @@ -0,0 +1,177 @@ +Frequently asked questions for MBSE BBS + + +Author: P.E. Kimble aka King Kimerud + kimerud@bayahus.org + + + +Introduction + +This FAQ is a work in progress. It is not complete, nor does its author claim +that it is complete. This FAQ only answers questions pertaining to using MBSE +BBS on your Linux box. It is a compilation of previous questions that Michiel +Broek has recieved and answered from us newbies in getting MBSE up & running. + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + +MBSE Installation + 1.1 Why do I have to install mbse in the /opt directory? + 1.2 Will MBSE ever be ported to other Operating Systems? + 1.3 Will MBSE BBS ever be ported to DOS/Windows or OS/2? + 1.4 What does the guest switch in BBS user setup mean? + 1.5 How do I monitor as the things happen? + + +FidoNet Setup +2.1 The nodelist compiler crashes +2.2 What is the purpose of the "Comment" line in the tic area setup? +2.3 How do I poll a node? +2.4 I created a filerequest but mbcico doesn't call out. +2.5 Does MBSE support fidonet via ftp feeds? + +Internet Setup +3.1 Posting newsmessages to the newsserver fails. +3.2 Ftp fidonet feeds how-to + + + +INSTALLATION + +1.1 Why is MBSE installed in /opt/mbse, I want to install in /usr/local. + +A: The /opt is for extra applications, when mbse is installed there it + is easier to upgrade the OS. If insist on installing in /usr/local + the do it in /usr/local/mbse. + + +1.2 What other operating systems will MBSE run on? + +A. Currently only linux, most distributions. The author, Michiel Broek, +has made a valiant effort ensuring that MBSE-0.33.17 will recognize and +install on the major distributions of linux. Additionally, MBSE will compile +on FreeBSD, but is still in testing. + + +1.3 Will MBSE BBS ever be ported to DOS/Windows or OS/2. + +A: No. + + +1.4 What does the guest switch in BBS user setup mean. + +A: Nothing yet. + + +1.5 How do I monitor as the things happen? + +A: tail -f /opt/mbse/log/system.log or start mbmon. + + + +FIDONET SETUP +2.1 The nodelist compiler crashes + +Note: From previous experience, it is vital that you follow the docs +closely. Also, ensure that you have a copy of a valid nodelist and +nodediff file. I have ran into problems where either the noddiffs +don't match the nodelist, the crc checks fail, or I have files from +two different zones. I have even had to back up several months before +finding a valid noddiff that would match the nodelist. + +A: Make sure the domain translations do exist, with mbsetup enter +menu 17 and save it even if you didn't change anything. + + +2.2 In Menu 10.2 (Tic Area Setup) line 1: comment, Is this an internal + comment or will this be extracted somehow and sent to downlinks? + +A: The downlinks will see this when receiving FileMgr replies. It is + meant only as a description for the filearea. + +2.3 How do I poll a node? + +A: mbout poll f2802.n280.z2 + + +2.4 I created a filerequest but mbcico doesn't call out. + +A: You need to add a poll for that node to do the call. + + +2.5 Does MBSE support fidonet via ftp transfers? + +A. No, not directly. It is a matter of using scripts to translate the .*lo +(*.flo, *.clo, *.dlo, *.ilo) files for each node, and copying the node's +outbound files to their respective directory. Refer to 3.2. + + + +INTERNET SETUP + +3.1 Posting newsmessages to the newsserver fails. + +A: Check if you need the "mode reader" command for the newsserver. + Set this flag in mbsetup 1.14.5 + + +3.2 How do I configure MBSE for my ftp filenet feeds? + + 1. In mbsetup menu 1.3.11, remove any reference to a DOS translation path. + 2. In mbsetup menu 1.3.12, remove any reference to a DOS translation path. + +This will give you a "True' path to your files directory where mbcico tosses +the inbound files. + + 3. Ftp Script for running a ftp feed with MBSE +NOTE: Gracefully contributed by Janis Kacht + +a. This script does not delete or change the .flo file. It reads it in and +creates a new script that will be used to move and copy the files to the user's +outbound directory you specify on the command line. Just call this script, +then call the finalflo.sh script with the directory name where the files +should be PUT, like: + + parseflo + finalflo.sh /home/fido/jdoe/out + +b. You will need a full path to the flo file in the "test" line below and change +the name of the flo file (it's not going to be 00000063.flo) +Uncomment the "if test" line, and also uncomment the last line (fi) + +#!/bin/sh +if test -e /opt/mbse/mail/outbound/00000063.flo ; then +cat 00000063.flo | sed 's/\/home/cp \/home/' > newflo.txt +cat newflo.txt | sed 's/\^\cp \/home/mv \/home/'> newflo2.txt +cat newflo2.txt | sed 's/$/ \$1/' > finalflo.sh +fi + +c. here's what finalflo.sh looks like, +$1 is a variable for the directory name you specify on the command line, +or in a cron script: + +cp /home/ftp/pub/filegate/fg_worf/filegate.zxx $1 +mv /opt/mbse/mail/outbound/00000063/dooqi39k.tic $1 +cp /home/ftp/pub/filegate/ss_areas/ss_areas.zip $1 +mv /opt/mbse/mail/outbound/00000063/dooqi39l.tic $1 +cp /home/ftp/pub/filebone/admin/backbone/backbone.z1b $1 +mv /opt/mbse/mail/outbound/00000063/dooqi39m.tic $1 + +## Janis Kracht can not and will not be held liable if harm is done to your +computer system due to any use of this script, either directly or indirectly. +This script works perfectly when instructions are followed, and the correct +directories are substitiuted. How it will affect your system, is the +responsiblity of the system administrator! + +### In the future this segment will be moved to the MBSEBBS-HOWTO! + +4. Do not forget to test this setup. It has work fine on my system, but +nothing works the way it should the first time out of the box! Pay close +attention to the ftp script and directories you enter. It seems as if 75% +of the problems experinced with this sed script is due to improper +outbound directories. + +"And that is all I am going to say about that"! + ~Forrest Gump