| |
config:areas.bbs [2018/02/20 22:36] – created digital man | config:areas.bbs [2018/03/01 12:10] (current) – Links to util:binkit changed to module:binkit digital man |
---|
====== areas.bbs ====== | |
| |
The ''areas.bbs'' file is (a.k.a. Area File) a pseudo-standard configuration file for FidoNet EchoMail programs (a.k.a. "tossers"). The area file is normally stored in your Synchronet ''[[dir:data]]'' directory with a filename of ''areas.bbs'', but this default location and filename may be overridden through configuration settings and command-line options. | |
| |
===== Format ===== | |
| |
The Synchronet/SBBSecho Area File is a plain text file with a each FTN-networked message area specified on its own line with the syntax: | |
| |
<code> <echo-tag> [uplink] [[downlink] [downlink] [...]] | |
| |
Where ''<code>'' is the internal code of the sub-boards as shown in [[util:SCFG]]->Message Areas. Internal codes may be up 16 characters in length and contain only valid filename characters (no spaces!). | |
| |
Where ''<echo-tag>'' is the official ''tag'' (a.k.a. area tag) given to this message conference by the network administrators. Echo-tags may be up to 35 characters in length and contain alphanumeric ASCII characters and the underscore (no spaces!). | |
| |
Where ''[uplink]'' is the FTN address of the hub for this message area (if your BBS is not the hub). The uplink address must be a valid 3D or 4D FTN address. | |
| |
Where ''[downlink]'' is the FTN address of one or more additional FTN-style nodes for whom you feed this message conference. Each downlink address must be a valid 3D or 4D FTN addrses. | |
| |
===== Creation ===== | |
| |
There are multiple ways in which you may create a Synchronet/SBBSecho compatible Area File: | |
| |
- By hand, with a text editor (old school) | |
- Export Areas from [[util:SCFG]]->Message Areas, with the format: "areas.bbs SBBSecho Area File" | |
- Executing the ''echoareas.js'' script (e.g. executing with [[util:JSexec]]) and redirecting the output: ''jsexec echoareas > areas.bbs''. Configure your uplink in [[util:EchoCfg]]->Linked Nodes first and be sure to designate them as the "Uplink for Message Groups" for the message group(s) which you created in [[util:SCFG]] for the networked sub-boards) | |
| |
===== Setup ===== | |
| |
The most common setup steps: | |
| |
- Locate and contact a suitable hub for the FTN you are interested | |
- Once you have obtained a node number for the network, configure that node number in [[util:SCFG]]->Networks->FidoNet->System Addresses | |
- Obtain an EchoList (preferably in ''backbone.na'' format) for the network in question | |
- Create a new message group in [[util:SCFG]]->Message Areas (make a note of the "Short Name" you chose) | |
- Use the [[util:SCFG]]->Message Areas... "Import Areas..." option to import the EchoList into the newly create group | |
- Use the [[util:SCFG]]->Message Areas... "Export Areas..." option to create the SBBSecho Area File (''areas.bbs''), when prompted enter your uplink's FTN address | |
- In [[util:EchoCfg]]->Linked Nodes, select your uplink and add the newly created message group's Short Name in the "Uplink for Message Groups" field | |
| |
===== See Also ===== | |
* [[:config:|config index]] | |
* [[:util:SBBSecho]] | |
| |
{{tag>fidonet}} | |
| |