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| 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 |
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| ====== areas.bbs ====== | |
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| 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. | |
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| ===== Format ===== | |
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| 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: | |
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| <code> <echo-tag> [uplink] [[downlink] [downlink] [...]] | |
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| 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!). | |
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| 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!). | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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| ===== Creation ===== | |
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| There are multiple ways in which you may create a Synchronet/SBBSecho compatible Area File: | |
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| - 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) | |
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| ===== Setup ===== | |
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| The most common setup steps: | |
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| - 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 | |
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| ===== See Also ===== | |
| * [[:config:|config index]] | |
| * [[:util:SBBSecho]] | |
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| {{tag>fidonet}} | |
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