Introduction to TeleFinder

 

 

Software Overview

TeleFinder BBS is a bulletin board system that you can use to share files, send electronic mail, chat, post public messages, run an Internet Web site, and e-mail Post Office. TeleFinder makes it easy to simultaneously support users connecting from a variety of sources, including the Internet, your local area network, ISDN, and modems.

The TeleFinder BBS package includes the following software programs:

 

Client Software

  • TeleFinder/User for Macintosh
  • TeleFinder/User for Windows

 

Server Software

  • TeleFinder BBS Server
  • User Manager
  • Mail Server

 

TeleFinder/User

TeleFinder/User for Macintosh and TeleFinder/User for Windows are the communication software packages for the end user. They make using the BBS as easy as using the Macintosh Finder. TeleFinder/User automates using a modem and provides a graphic interface to your bulletin board. The software license permits the owner of the TeleFinder BBS package to distribute copies of the TeleFinder/User software to clients of the BBS.

 

The TeleFinder bulletin board system server modules are described below.

 

TeleFinder Server

TeleFinder Server is the BBS communications server that controls the connection. TeleFinder BBS Server provides either a graphic user interface or terminal interface to clients of the BBS. Clients who connect with TeleFinder/User will see the graphic interface. Clients who connect with terminal emulation software will see the terminal interface.

TeleFinder Server also includes several components as explained below.

 

Caller Log

The TeleFinder BBS Caller Log keeps track of the connections to each of the active nodes of your BBS. It records each connection made, the connection speed, user activity, time spent on-line, and other information. Caller log displays this information in a list on the screen. Caller Log also records this activity in a disk file. It organizes the file into a format compatible with popular database software programs. You can use this file for statistical analysis of calling patterns and billings.

 

Transfer Log

The TeleFinder BBS Transfer Log keeps track of file transfer and e-mail activity. It records the file name, method of transfer, receiving location, and other statistical information about file transfers. Transfer log displays this information in a list on the screen. Transfer Log also records the file transfer activity in a disk file. It organizes the file into a format compatible with popular database software programs.

 

Transfer Log also makes it possible to resume ZMODEM file transfers that did not initially succeed. Transfer Log does this by maintaining a file that enables the ZMODEM file transfer protocol to complete transfers from where they left off.

 

Chat Server

The TeleFinder BBS Chat Server provides multi-user chat capabilities to the BBS. Users can send each other messages while they are on-line ( "Instant Messages"), or to many users at the same time in a "Chat Room." Both types of chat offer real time communications between users. Multi-user chat requires a multi-line or networked BBS since the users involved need to be connected to the BBS at the same time to send and receive chat messages.

 

Finger Server

The TeleFinder BBS Finger Server provides directory services to the Internet. Finger service lets other Internet users learn e-mail addresses on your BBS, as well as who is connected to your BBS. This server may only be used when your BBS is connected to a TCP/IP network.

 

Web Server

The TeleFinder BBS Web Server is a Hypertext Transport Protocol ( HTTP ) 1.0 server. It lets you set up a Web Site that can be accessed by a variety of browser's including Netscape, Mosaic, Explorer and America Online. This server may only be used when your BBS is connected to a TCP/IP network.

 

POP3 Server

TeleFinder's Post Office Protocol (POP3) server supports Internet mail applications like Eudora and Claris Em@iler. The POP server supports enclosures using Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME).

 

 

User Manager

User Manager enables you to create and edit both user database and access files. It also enables you to enter and maintain data on BBS clients (name, password, and access privileges). The access files let you control user access to BBS files and services. In addition, the User Manager application acts as a server to provide user information to TeleFinder BBS Server and other programs.

 

 

Mail Server

Mail Server extends TeleFinder's e-mail and conferencing capabilities. Mail Server manages both internal (like SMTP and TFNet) and external gateways (like UUCP and Fidonet).

Using Mail Server TeleFinder can exchange e-mail and conferences (Message Topics) with other TeleFinder BBS's, FidoNet, and the Internet. Mail Server makes it possible for users to send a message to multiple recipients and to gateways using Internet domain name addressing. Mail Server requires 1500K of memory and is an optional part of a TeleFinder BBS.

 

Requirements

To run the Internet Server software, you need a color capable Macintosh running System Software version 7.0 or higher. If your system has less than System 7.5 you'll need to install the Thread Manager package. Installation of the TeleFinder Server requires one megabyte (MB) of random access memory (RAM) to run two nodes. Each additional node requires an additional 125 kilobytes (K) of RAM.

To run the TeleFinder/User communications software, you must have a color capable Macintosh with a hard drive, using System Software Version 7.0 or higher. TeleFinder/User requires a minimum of one megabyte of RAM

The TeleFinder/User and TeleFinder BBS Server programs operate with any Hayes compatible modem or integrated services digital network (ISDN) card that supports Communications Tools. Using "Hardware Handshake" cables permit faster transfers with 9600 bps and faster modems.

 

 

How TeleFinder Uses Paths

TeleFinder uses "paths" to refer to files and folders. A path is a hierarchy of directory names that leads to a specific file or folder. The following picture shows a hard disk named "Macintosh HD." 

   
   
Notice that Macintosh HD contains the folders, "System
      Folder" and "My Programs," and the file, "Things To Do." Notice
      also, that the folder "My Programs" contains "Things To Do
      Program."
      
      
A full path starts with the hard drive name and leads up to
      a specific file or folder, separated by colons. A path to a
      folder will send with a colon, a path to a file will not. For
      example:

      
      
 

      
      
A path to the the hard disk, Macintosh HD:

   
   
Macintosh HD:

   
   
 
      
      
A path to the System Folder:

   
   
Macintosh HD:System Folder:
   
   

   
   
A path to the file "Things To Do":

   
   
Macintosh HD:Things To Do
   
   

   
   
A path to the application "Things To Do Program":

   
   
Macintosh HD:My Programs:Things To Do Program
   
   

   
   
A partial path starts with a colon and refers to
      either a file or a folder. The beginning point for a partial
      path is in the current folder. The current folder is where the
      application is running. If the partial path begins with two
      colons, it is referring to the folder one setup above.
      
      
 

      
      
For example:

      
      
From the Macintosh HD, a partial path to the file "Things To
      Do":

   
   
:Things To Do
   
   

   
   
From the Macintosh HD, a partial path to the
      appliation "Things To Do Program":

   
   
:My Programs:Things To Do Program
   
   

   
   
From the My Programs folder, a partial path to the
      folder "System Folder", which is located one level up:

   
   
::System Folder: