Have you ever called a system and then paged the SYSOP
only to find he does not answer? If you wanted to leave a
message then you probably entered the BBS for that system,
and then left your message.
That is why I wrote NUCHAT. Different name so it will not
be confused with the 'standard' CHAT. This upgrade was made
in hopes of getting it somewhat compatible with CHAT.
There are basically two choices; First you can use NUCHAT
in direct replacement of the current CHAT program (although
NUCHAT has no provisions for anything less that CP/M 2.x).
Second, if you find it cannot replace CHAT, then maybe you
could then use COMSEC. COMSEC (computer secretary) is the
message system without CHAT. Maybe it would be possible to
chain COMSEC in the event there is no answer in CHAT? Ethier
way, a message may be left without having to re-enter a BBS
(or if there is no BBS online!).
The commands are very similar between both programs.
NUCHAT does allow the callers name to be sent to the CRT
upon entering (if you are using RBBS only), hence sending
the callers name is only accomplished if an RBBS is present.
If there is no answer from the SYSOP then the caller is
automatically entered into the message mode. A different
prompt will be presented in this mode too, with instructions
on saving the message or aborting. Once the message is
saved the program will store it to disk ALONG with the
callers name at the end of the message. A delimmiter will
be inserted to allow easy selection between messages in the
file when typed out.
There are several options the user can change. A couple
of the important ones allow the size of the message file to
be set. This way a wave of callers cannot fill the disk up
(see note in source). The number of similar characters can
be checked also. The maximum can only be 8 less than the
number of characters per line. This is due from the
automatic CRLF insert.
All in all it might possibly make life easier for the
caller and you. Although it does give the sysop another
file to check (sigh)....
When the user types in the program name, the following occurs:
1) The LASTCALR file (if RBBS=YES) is checked for exist-
ence, and aborts if it does not exist.
2) The file is opened, or created if necessary and the
current contents (if any) is DMA'd right after the
program in memory. MEMLIM is used to control the size.
3) After pointers are established, the sign-on for the
particular option is presented. Note also that this is
the time the LASTCALR name is typed CRT device (if
SEEIT=YES). Remeber: If one can bypass the normal sign
on, the LASTCALR name may contain a previous user!
* * * FEATURES * * *
This program is basically CHAT but with several advantages
that help the SYSOP.
Whenever a conversation has taken place, the contents of
the buffer can be saved. This includes normal CHAT mode
and the MESSAGE mode. If the SYSOP does not answer the
PAGE mode, the caller is then dumped into the MESSAGE mode
automatically. The sysop can even save any 'chat' he had
with a caller.
Just about every error that might occur, is tested and
displayed
* Full error trapping exists on all disk I/O activities.
* One can also limit the amount of memory used by this pro-
gram, hence also the size of the message file.
* User area equates are used for both message and LASTCALR
files.
* Another feature is to try and trap as many 'twits' as you
can. This is attempted by keeping track of the number of
repetitive characters. If the value equals the 'TOMANY'
equate, it aborts saving nothing the user types in except
his name (and a message telling you why he doesn't have
a message for you).
The only catch is, the maximum value can only be 8 less
than the number of characters-per-line limit. This is
because the program inserts CRLF pairs automatically,
and the 'counter' will be reset.
I'll leave it up the operator if they want the users to
know about the 'D' option for immediately entering the
MESSAGE mode.
I am aware of no 'bugs'. I have tested (I hope) for all
types of conditions....but we all know how that goes.....
Please, if any modifications (or bugs), I would appreciate
knowing the whereabouts of them by leaving a message on:
