﻿=============================================================================
fsxNet Ready BBS - Powered by Mystic BBS 1.11 (Win32)
=============================================================================

Ver 1.1 - Released 26 March 2016

This documentation is Copyright (C) 2016 Paul Hayton. All Rights Reserved
Mystic BBS is Copyright (C) 1997-2016 By James Coyle. All Rights Reserved

Thanks for James Kelly for his help with menus used in the fsxNet theme
on this version of Mystic BBS.

The latest version of this archive can be found at
http://bbs.geek.nz/fsxbbs.zip

If you have questions or would like to help with fsxNet or Mystic BBS you
can reach me a number of ways, if you're just starting out then email is
probably the best way to go - here are some options:

	* Email   : avon@bbs.geek.nz
	* Web	  : www.bbs.geek.nz - login to Agency BBS using the website
                    terminal + leave a message for 'Avon'
	* Telnet  : agency.bbs.geek.nz:23 - I recommend you download a copy
                    of 'NetRunner' from mysticbbs.com - it's a great Telnet
                    client to use that supports ANSI colour graphics.
	* NetMail : Paul Hayton 21:1/101 (fsxNet) | 3:770/100 (FidoNet) or
                    46:3/203 (Agoranet)

The document is a work in progress. Please contact me with any feedback,
suggestions etc. you may have for it as they are most welcome!

Regards, Paul Hayton (avon@bbs.geek.nz)

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
=============================================================================

	* Windows OS 32/64bit (Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / XP)
	* 256MB RAM, 40GB HDD, Celeron CPU or better - a budget system is ok!
	* Internet connection
	* The ability to open ports 23 and 24554 on your router 

=============================================================================
INTRODUCTION
=============================================================================

Thanks for taking the time to download and take a look at the contents of
this archive. This archive contains a customised version of Mystic BBS
(ver 1.11) released in November 2015 by James Coyle aka g00r00.

Mystic BBS is bulletin board software that is under active devlopment.
The next version of Mystic BBS is being developed at the time this 
documentation was being written. It's good software :)

With this software you can opt to run a public bulletin board system if you
want to or you can simply use it as a standalone private system that only you
access to read/post messages etc. - it's entirely up to you.

The software in this archive has been configured to get you quickly connected
up to a small, but growing, global message and file network called fsxNet. It
uses a stable version of Mystic BBS to do so.

Further supporting documentation about both Mystic BBS and fsxNet can be 
found in the following directorys:

Mystic BBS - c:\mystic\docs\mystic
fsxNet     - c:\mystic\docs\fsxnet

=============================================================================
FSXNET
=============================================================================

fsxNet is a [f]un, [s]imple and e[x]perimental network established in late
2015 by Paul Hayton. It uses FTN style communications to link users running
BBS software (such as the Mystic BBS) together.

fsxNet is not a perscriptive network. e[X]perimentation is at heart
of its name and members are actively encouraged to be creative in their
use of the network. Only a handfull of message areas and file bases are
used - setup is quick and [S]imple.

Technologies covered by the network include (but are not limited to)
BBSing, ANSI art, Vintage Computers & Gaming, FTN communications,
network protocols & topologies, encryption methods and more...

The goals of fsxNet are:

* Develop and encourage international communications between 20 (or more)
  geographically diverse bulletin board systems.

* Support and create learning and experimental opportunities between
  members.

* Foster borderless international friendships.

* Explore and develop new and interesting methods of online communication
  between members.
  
* Have fun, be respectful and helpful to each other.

Based in Dunedin, New Zealand - the fsxNet HUB (21:1/100) offers a FREE 
feed of all fsxNet EchoMail (public message areas) as well as a private
NetMail service (BBS user to BBS user email).

The rest of this guide will talk you though the steps you need to do in order 
to install and configure the software in this archive, apply for, and
configure your fsxNet node number. Follow the steps below to get started
- set up is quick and easy.

=============================================================================
STEP 1: INSTALL MYSTIC BBS, CHANGE DEFAULT ADMIN USER NAME AND PASSWORD,
        REGISTER FOR A FSXNET NODE NUMBER
=============================================================================

1) Create a c:\mystic directory on your HDD and unzip FSXBBS.ZIP in to it.
Unzip the archive retaining the directory structure populated within it.
It's important to do this!

2) Create shortcuts on your desktop to the following .exe files

c:\mystic\MYSTIC.EXE 	  You run this to login to your BBS locally
c:\mystic\MYSTIC.EXE -cfg Starts Mystic BBS up in 'configure' mode
c:\mystic\MIS.EXE	  Mystic Server - this runs all the time and is used
			  to process messages in/out of BBS, run daily maint.

3) Start MIS.EXE and allow it inbound/outbound access to ports 23 (Telnet)
and 24554 (Binkp server) through your OS Firewall and LAN router. Set port
forwarding on your router for posrts 23 and 24554 to point to the computer
you are installing this software on.

While MIS.EXE is running you can use the TAB key to toggle between the
Telnet, BinkP and Event status windows to keep an eye on the program.

*** IMPORTANT ***

Keep your Mystic Server (MIS.EXE) running at all times!!

This ensures fsxNet Netmail and EchoMail flows smoothly in/out of your BBS.
You can't send or receive messages and files if this program is not
runnning. 

5) Run MYSTIC.EXE and login as follows:

	* Username: admin
	* Password: letmein
	* Invisible login: No

Feel free to have a poke around the BBS menus using this account. It's set up
as a system operator account with 'GOD' security access. This ** is not **
an account you want to leave with the default password intact so let's CHANGE
IT NOW.

6) Run MYSTIC.EXE -CFG

6a) Press E to open up the 'Editors' menu. 

6b) Press U to open up the 'Users' menu

6c) Press ENTER on the only listing you see ('admin') then:

6d) Press ENTER on the 'Handle' field and update the handle/alias you wish to
    use.

6f) Press ENTER on the 'Real Name' field and update it with your real name.

6h) Press Enter on the 'Password' field and update it with your preferred
    password.

6i) Press the ESC key and confirm you want to save the changes made.

Pressing the ESC key a further 2-3 times will back you out and close the
configuration window.

** Next time you login to Mystic BBS you will need to use the updated user
name and password you just set in order to access the system **

7) Fill out the application form contain in FSXNET.TXT and email this to
avon@bbs.geek.nz - you will find this file in c:\mystic\docs\fsxnet

It's important to obtain a unique fsxNet node number for your BBS in order
to be able to correctly receive private netmail and be a functioning node
in the fsxNet network.

To start with your turn-key system is configured to use a default 'new sysop'
node number of 21:1/999 - Once your application to join is processed you will
recieve your own unique node number and authentication information to connect
to the fsxNet HUB.

Step 2 (below) guides you through how to set your BBS up once you have the
information from the fsxNet network coordinator (NC).

=============================================================================
STEP 2: CONFIGURE YOUR ASSIGNED FSXNET NUMBER AND HUB SESSION CREDENTIALS
=============================================================================

In this section we're assuming you have applied to be part of fsxNet and 
have heard back from the NC with your fsxNet node number and other key
registration data.

Your number will take the form of 21:1/xxx where you will have been advised
as to what value xxx should be.

You will have from your NC three key pieces of rego data you will need
to complete this configuration - a node number, a session password, and a
password to use for Allfix / TIC.

Here's the default data your BBS is set up with to communicate with the
fsxNet HUB (21:1/100):

	Node Number		: 21:1/999
	Session password	: letmein
	Allfix / TIC password	: letmein 

** YOUR FSXNET REGISTRATION DATA WILL REPLACE ALL OF THESE SETTINGS **

Let's get started

1) Run MYSTIC.EXE -cfg

2) Select the 'Configuration' menu, arrow down to 'EchoMail Addresses' and
press ENTER

3) Select the address 21:1/999 (your default address) and press ENTER.
You will see a screen that looks like this:

    Address
       Zone │ 21
        Net │ 1  
       Node │ 999  <--- adjust this to the new number assigned to you
      Point │ 0

     Domain │ fsxnet
Description │ fsxnet
    Primary │ Yes

Select the 'Node' field and update it with the correct address supplied to
you. Once done, press ESC key twice to step backward to the main configuration
screen.

4) Select 'General Settings' and complete 'BBS Name', 'Sysop Name' followed
by the ESC key

5) Select 'Configuration' and choose 'EchoMail Nodes'

6) Press ENTER on the sole entry 'fsxNet HUB)' and then press S to select
the session options. You will have been given a session password to use with
the HUB please enter it here replacing the default 'letmein' password with
the new one you now have. Press the ESC key once.

NOTE: your new password is case sensitive. All fsxNet passwords are supplied
in UPPERCASE - make sure you type them in as such :)

7) Update the 'Allfix PW' and the 'TIC Password' with the password you have
been supplied with by your NC - these will be identical and also in UPPERCASE.
Press the ESC key several times to exit out of and close the configuration
program.

8) ** OPTIONAL STEP ** If you are running your BBS on a PC with a static IP 
address assigned to it (e.g. 192.168.1.100) you can set this in the
'Servers' > 'Internet Servers Options' screen. 

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ Internet Servers ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

        Domain │ mybbs.com <-- a domain name that resolves to the BBS
	 Interface │ 0.0.0.0   <-- static IP address of the PC hosting the BBS
   IP Blocking │ Yes
       Logging │ Yes
  DNSBL Lookup │ No
    DNSBL Host │ xbl.spamhaus.org
  DNSCC Lookup │ No
    DNSCC Host │ zz.countries.nerd.dk
   Auto IP Ban │ 5  connections in 120 seconds

▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

You can assign the static IP address your PC uses on the local area network 
on this screen along with a Domain name (if you have one) that resolves from the
Internet to the PC running this software.

Don't worry if you do not have (or want to ) alter either field - just leave
them set to the default settings and all will be fine :)

Press the ESC key to step backward to the main configuration screen.

=============================================================================
STEP 3: POST ECHOMAIL TO THE FSXNET 'GENERAL CHAT' ECHOAREA AND SAY 'HI'
=============================================================================

Lastly we're going to confirm you can post to the public fsxNet EchoMail area
and get that message out to the wider NET for others to see and respond to.

1) Login to your Mystic BBS

2) Press M to change to the Messages Menu and if need be press J to 
'Join Group' and select 'fsxNet'. Use the next/previous area keys to select
the area called 'FSX: Chat, testing etc.'

3) Press P to 'Post Message' and fill out the following:

	* To	  : All
	* Subject : Hello Word 	<-- you decide!

4) A full screen editor appears. For help use the command sequence /? 
at any time.

Type a message you would like to send out to the Echoarea. It's always a good
idea to introduce yourself, where in the world you are etc. When you are 
finished press ENTER once to create a blank line below your text. The type in
the command sequence /?

A menu will appear that looks like this:

(A)bort Message    (C)ontinue Message     (U)pload Message
(Q)uote Message    (S)ave Message         (H)elp
(T)itle Change

5) Press S to save you post.

At this point you have done enough to send a EchoMail message to the fsxNet
HUB and other BBS systems that are connected to that echoarea via the HUB.
If you're not sure it has been sent keep an eye on the \logs directory and
have a look at the MUTIL and FIDOPOLL logs.

You will also see in the 'Server Status' display window of the Mystic server
'Events' section the BBS recognising a EchoMail.out semaphor being created and
processing your outbound EchoMail.

Remember EchoMail is a public message. You may also address an EchoMail to
someone in particular but anyone connected to the Echoarea your posting to can
read your message freely (and answer you too). All things being equal you will
receive a reply to your post within 24 hours (or less) from another BBS/user
connected to fsxNet!

==============================================================================
SENDING PRIVATE NETMAIL TO ANOTHER NODE ON THE NETWORK - A QUICK TUTORIAL
=============================================================================

Netmail allows you to send private messages to another person that has their
own node number within the network. Let's say you would like to contact me
at Agency BBS using my fsxNet node number / address.

Here's the steps to follow

1) Login to your Mystic BBS

2) Press M to change to the Messages Menu and if need be press J to 
'Join Group' and select 'fsxNet'. Use A key to change area to 'FSX: Netmail'

3) Press P to 'Post Message' and fill out the following

	* To	  : Paul Hayton
	* Address : 21:1/101
	* Subject : Hello There

A full screen editor appears and you can start typing your message.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒ Full Screen Message Editor                                    /? for Help │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
   To -> Paul Hayton
 Subj -> Hello There                                                Mode -> INS
────+────1────+────2────+────3────+────4────+────5────+────6────+────7────+────

Hi Paul, just testing my netmail to you.

Cheers, Chris.

--

For editor help use the command sequence /? at any time you will see the
following prompt appear:

Command [?/Help]: ?                  (END)

(A)bort Message    (C)ontinue Message     (U)pload Message
(Q)uote Message    (S)ave Message         (H)elp
(T)itle Change

Command [?/Help]:

Press S to save the message when ready or C to carry on writing etc.

Once you press S you are at the point where  you have done enough to send 
a NetMail message to me at Agency BBS. If you're not sure it has been sent
by your BBS just keep an eye on the \logs directory and have a look at the
MUTIL and FIDOPOLL logs. 

You will also see in the 'Server Status' display window of the Mystic server
'Events' section the BBS recognising a NetMail.out semaphor being created and
processing your outbound NetMail within 60 seconds of saving your message.

From the 'Message Menu' you will find an option B 'Nodelist Browser' this 
is a great tool to look up people you wish to send private netmail to.
As a starter I often type in a sirname or first name to see what comes up.
I also use the command '21:?/?' to get the system to list everyone that is
listed in fsxNet (Zone 21)

SEARCH BY ADDRESS (? or * = WildCard):    SEARCH BY NAME, LOCATION, SYSOP, ETC:

1:123/?   List all nodes in Net 123       John   List all matching John
1:?/?     List all nodes in Zone 1        PA     List all matching PA
?:?/?     List all nodes in all zones     My BBS List all matching My BBS

    LIST ZONE List all zones      LIST NET [Zone] Show all NETs in [Zone]

Enter nodelist search criteria (?/Help): 21:?/?

You can also use this look up tool at the stage where you are entering a
system address after you pres P to 'Post Message' and have entered a name
you wish to send netmail to. 

=============================================================================
OTHERNETS
=============================================================================

There are a number of networks that you can connect and be part of. Each
offer a variety of Echoareas covering a number of different topics etc. A 
couple of other popular NETS worth looking in to once you are up and running 
with fsxNet are Agoranet (Zone 46) and Fidonet (Zone 1-4)

=============================================================================
FURTHER SUPPORT
=============================================================================

Please feel free to contact me if you would like any further help getting the
software in this archive set up and configured. If you would like further
information and help about how to get connected to the othernets mentioned
above, I am also happy to point you in the right direction / help you.

Cheers, Paul.

=============================================================================
