• Sexpots

    From Daryl Stout@1:103/705 to All on Thu Apr 15 23:18:27 2021
    When I started the BBS nearly 30 years ago, it was dial-up
    only, and the phone lines were analog, which was no problem
    for the modems (I have a US Robotics External V.92 56K Fax
    Modem)...and originally used InterMail for the frontend, with
    BGFAX as the backend.

    I was running GT Power for the dial-up software back then.
    With the setup, I could take calls from BBS Users, FIDONet
    Netmail Runs, GT Power Netmail runs, or Faxes...the latter
    saved any input to a file, where no fax paper was wasted on
    "junk faxes".

    However, most all analog lines have now gone to digital
    or VoIP, and these aren't as "friendly" to the modems. I had
    set up a program that came with the software for the USR
    Modem noted, called Classic Phone Tools, basically for
    accepting faxes. With the initialization, the FAX/ARQ light
    flashes, and the MR and TR lights are solid, like they used
    to be in waiting for a call. However, when a fax (I guess)
    comes in, the system times out on receipt of the data.

    Anyway, I took a look at the Sexpots program tonight (I'm
    running Windows 10 32-bit on the BBS machine), and was
    wondering if I could set it up for that. The system has an
    AUTOEXEC.BAT file with only 1 line, REMmed out for NTVDM;
    yet it's READ ONLY after the System starts up. I gather I
    would have to boot up in command prompt only to edit that
    file, or create an AUTOEXEC.NT file with various items,
    then reboot the system.

    I edited the sexpots.ini file for the various parameters
    (comport, etc.), but in starting it (either with command
    line prompt or to install the NT service), it seems the
    modem doesn't see it. Unfortunately, I don't have another
    modem to test it with...and the laptop I use to access the
    BBS with is running Windows 10 64-bit.

    Yet, all this may be moot, if the VoIP line won't work
    with the program. AT&T did me and my late Mom very dirty
    prior to her death, and I doubt they have analog lines
    anymore (I think they've all gone to digital), plus a
    vanilla line costs big bucks each month (since most
    folks are using cellphones for their phone service).

    In short, I was curious if anyone out there is using
    SEXPOTS with their setup, and if so, what modem strings
    they have, and what OS they're running. It's not critical
    if I can't get it going, but it'd be nice if I could.

    Daryl Stout, WX4QZ, Sysop
    The Thunderbolt BBS, Little Rock, Arkansas
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Daryl Stout on Fri Apr 16 01:06:47 2021
    Re: Sexpots
    By: Daryl Stout to All on Thu Apr 15 2021 11:18 pm

    Anyway, I took a look at the Sexpots program tonight (I'm
    running Windows 10 32-bit on the BBS machine), and was
    wondering if I could set it up for that. The system has an
    AUTOEXEC.BAT file with only 1 line, REMmed out for NTVDM;
    yet it's READ ONLY after the System starts up. I gather I
    would have to boot up in command prompt only to edit that
    file, or create an AUTOEXEC.NT file with various items,
    then reboot the system.

    AUTOEXEC.NT is only used for 16-bit DOS command prompts. It is not used at all during Windows startup.

    If you want something to startup automatically in Windows, you have other means (startup folder, services, etc.). For SEXPOTS, the correct way is to install it as a service:
    https://wiki.synchro.net/util:sexpots#installation

    I edited the sexpots.ini file for the various parameters
    (comport, etc.), but in starting it (either with command
    line prompt or to install the NT service), it seems the
    modem doesn't see it.

    Enable Deubg level log output and post the log output here.
    --
    digital man

    Sling Blade quote #11:
    Doyle Hargraves (to Karl): What in the hell you doin' with that hammer?
    Norco, CA WX: 50.9øF, 88.0% humidity, 0 mph SSE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Daryl Stout@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Apr 16 08:45:56 2021
    Re: Sexpots
    By: Digital Man to Daryl Stout on Fri Apr 16 2021 01:06 am

    Rob,

    I made the note from the Wiki on Sexpots.

    But, I've noticed another issue with QWK Packets.

    I have a directory set up as c:\sbbs\text\qwk -- for these items:

    HELLO - Welcome Screen
    BBSNEWS - System News
    GOODBYE - Logoff Screen (I have a list of selected telnet BBS's)
    BLT-0.# - Various bulletins

    However, the BLT items are no longer showing up in the QWK packet,
    and I haven't changed anything at my end. I normally do all my mail
    via MultiQWK. I last downloaded and installed sbbs_dev and sbbs_run
    (with the docs and exec directories) from April 14, 2021.

    Daryl
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Daryl Stout on Fri Apr 16 11:42:45 2021
    Re: Sexpots
    By: Daryl Stout to Digital Man on Fri Apr 16 2021 08:45 am

    However, the BLT items are no longer showing up in the QWK packet,
    and I haven't changed anything at my end. I normally do all my mail
    via MultiQWK. I last downloaded and installed sbbs_dev and sbbs_run
    (with the docs and exec directories) from April 14, 2021.

    Thanks for the report, should be fixed now.

    When reporting a new issue, please either create a new message thread or create an issue at gitlab.synchro.net.
    --
    digital man

    Rush quote #31:
    Live for yourself, there's no one else more worth living for
    Norco, CA WX: 66.6øF, 49.0% humidity, 7 mph E wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)