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 data directory with a filename of areas.bbs, but this default location and filename may be overridden through configuration settings and command-line options.

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 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.

There are multiple ways in which you may create a Synchronet/SBBSecho compatible Area File:

1. By hand, with a text editor (old school)
2. Export Areas from SCFG->Message Areas, with the format: “areas.bbs SBBSecho Area File”
3. Executing the echoareas.js script (e.g. executing with JSexec) and redirecting the output: jsexec echoareas > areas.bbs. Configure your uplink in 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 SCFG for the networked sub-boards)

The most common setup steps:

1. Locate and contact a suitable hub for the FTN you are interested
2. Once you have obtained a node number for the network, configure that node number in SCFG->Networks->FidoNet->System Addresses
3. Obtain an EchoList (preferably in backbone.na format) for the network in question
4. Create a new message group in SCFG->Message Areas (make a note of the “Short Name” you chose)
5. Use the SCFG->Message Areas... “Import Areas...” option to import the EchoList into the newly create group
6. Use the SCFG->Message Areas... “Export Areas...” option to create the SBBSecho Area File (areas.bbs), when prompted enter your uplink's FTN address
7. In EchoCfg->Linked Nodes, select your uplink and add the newly created message group's Short Name in the “Uplink for Message Groups” field

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