The Voters Booth        
                      Copyright 1993 - Randy Rodrock
                     The DarkSTar BBS (801)-269-8780
                         USR Dual Standard 14400

                    FNET 633   FidoNet 1:311/21.0
           AtariNet 51:201/1 TurboNet 100:290/5.0 NestNet 90:300/1013


PART 1: Intro
PART 2: Operation of VB
PART 3: BBS Setup
PART 4: Registration info



PART 1  Intro

        Voters Booth was created since there was not a real Voting program
        for ST BBS's, the lack of something to do over the long winters
        and the desire to program in GFA.  VB has a program that is run in
        the Logon batch that reminds users to Vote.  It has the following 
        list of Sysop definable options, allowing the users to enter 
        questions and answers, and minimum time limits.

        Other features include error control, timeout and loss of carrier,
        complete log of users actions while in the VB, checks disk space 
        to see if disk space is sufficent for VB to write its files, checks
        and cleans memory, built in user graphics, allows up to 300 users
        and has its own program that creates its configuration file and
        resets the Voters Booth when desired.

        I feel that Voters Booth is fairly easy to setup and maintain, 
        All you have to do is run the init program and answer the questions
        it asks you.  Of course you SHOULD read the docs before starting,
        but hey, who reads docs anymore? <GRIN> Please read on for more info
        on setting up The Voters Booth.




PART 2  Operation of Voters Booth



        When VB is ran for the first time it will create 2 data
        files that it uses to keep track of users current answers,
        names and voting info.  For reason I prefer to use a seperate
        folder for VB, it will create a few text files.

        After VB is set up and run for the first time it will create 
        a file called Question.txt, and ANSWERx.txt (x equals the # of 
        the question that the answers belong to.  Also anytime a user 
        enters a question or answer the users name, date and the text 
        entered will be tracked.


        


        Ok, on to setting VB up. all you need to do is to run the 
        voteinit.prg and answer all its questions.  It will ask you 
        for the path to your MAIN bbs program, where TURBO or FOREM.opt
        reside, then on to where you want the VOTExxx.prg to reside,
        then it will ask you if you want it to create the folder for you 
        (See! as lil work as possible!) if not just point the direction to 
        where the VOTExxx.prg will reside.  Then on to the NAME and PATH of 
        the log it creates.  Then the brand of BBS that you run, Turbo or
        Forem. It will ask you if you want to allow users to enter questions
        and answers to those questions.  Last but not least, what the MINIMUM
        amount of time allowed will be for ALL users to have left to enter
        VB. One more item, the init prg will create the CFG file in the 
        proper directory, LEAVE it there. VB will not run unless it finds 
        the CFG file.  It will tell you if it cant find it.
 
        Note on adding or editing Q and A's for the program:
        In order to add or edit the questions and answers you MUST not have
        ANY extra carriage returns AFTER the last line in the text files!
        ie...
        
        Proper text file:
        What kind of Mode do you own?(
)
        What BBS software do you prefer?(
)  <<<< NOTE LAST CR!!!!
        
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        IMPROPER text file:
        What kind of Mode do you own?(
)
        What BBS software do you prefer?(
)  
        (
)                                    <<<<NOTE LAST CR!!!!!
        
____________________________________________________________________________

        If your text files show up with EXTRA lines in them this is why.
        A list of text edtiors that SHOW cr's follow,

        FLASH's text ed
        Freeze Dried Term
        And Tempus (If Setup right!)
        
        PLEASE DOUBLE check this, if you are not sure just edit mine 
        and DO NOT hit return after the last line of input!  The one's in this
        Archive were correct when they were zipped here. The date on the zip
        was 12-31-92 if it has not be changed.
        

        Currently VB only works on Turbo or Forem BBS systems.  If someone 
        has the info I need on other BBS types I will incorperate it into 
        the next version of VB.  


PART 3 BBS Setup

        I will attempt to try and help out the new sysops and show 
        them how to set up this prg on their BBS.  If I am wrong or 
        there is a better or faster way, please contact me with any 
        suggestions.




        For Turbo II BBS: Installed as a main menu choice:
        
        First thing you need to do is load up a text edtior, 
        then your menu.txt file, edit that to show the Letter
        and name of the function. I used: V - Voters Booth
        Then save that. 
        
        Run Tsysgen2.tos, choose V from the main menu and then A to
        add a new command to the main menu, The TYPE will be a "!",
        the KEY will be "V" or whatever you decide. Next is LEVEL,
        decide on the min. access level that a user has to have to enter
        VB. ATTRIBUTES, you need none, just pick EXIT, next it will ask
        you for a FILESPEC, type in the name of the .bat file, ie.. 
        VOTE.BAT. 
        
        Now you need to edit the VOTE.BAT file to suit your BBS's paths
        while you are there, edit the LOGON.BAT file or add to your own.
        And last but not least edit the VOTEMSG.TXT file to suit your 
        needs. Also, if you are doing all this from DOS DONT FORGET to
        RELOAD the Options from the Sysop menu.
        

        For FOREM or Turbo as a DOORS:
        
        Lets see, If I remember right, edit your fdoorsx.bat file 
        to show the path and name of the VOTExxx.prg, edit your 
        doorsent.txt or doormenu.txt. I belive thats all there is to it. 
        If any Forem sysops would care to write a better explanation 
        please do so and I will include it in the next revision.
        
      

        A quick overview of Setup:
        Edit the logon.bat Notice.bat file to run the cmpvote1.prg,
        edit the votemsg.txt file for your use, setup the votexxx.prg
        to your desire (As a doors prg or a main menu function for T2,
        see above), run the initvote.prg (see above) and go! 


PART 4  Registration Info

        Voters Booth is a CrippleWare program, unregistered it will only
        allow 2 questions and 5 answers, no graphics and the users or 
        sysop will not be able to add Questions OR answers from the main 
        menu. 
        
        Ok, back onto how to register, 
        Send 15$ and YOUR printed out Turbo.opt or Forem.opt file
        and the following completed info file.
        I need those to return your key file to you.
        Send above to:        
        
        Randy Rodrock
        4997 South Murray Blvd. #M38
        Salt Lake City, Utah  84123-2628
        USA
        



        Registered users can FREQ updates from The DarkSTar BBS
        (see node # listing at top) with the magic name of Voter
        I will try to mail all keys to any user in a net that I am in
        and send it in the mail. Any updates that come out will be going
        into the AtariNet file echo and (hopefully) the NestNet. 
        or you can ALWAYS call and download it from the DarkSTar.
        I will try to get all Registered users a copy asap! And
        I will have a Xnet Base if the need arises. Let me know if you 
        would like to see one.
        
        When you register Voters Booth:
        Please print out and send your TURBO.OPT or FOREM.OPT. Voters
        Booth Key uses you BBS name from your Turbo.opt or Forem.opt
        and I HAVE to have the EXACT name as specified in you .opt file!
        Any mistake in spelling or you changing your BBS name at a later
        date will make the key file inoperative!  

        Also any Bug reports or suggestions are GLADLY appreciated,
        Please make any suggestion you wish and I will see what I can do 
        to implement it. Also I have Beta tested this and think I have 
        most all of the bugs wiped out, but you never know, please inform
        me of any you find!
        



        Special Thanks to the Following people:
        
        My Wife, for the understanding of the late nites!
        Dick Pederson, Fnet 224 for the I/O code!!
        Lawrence Gold and Steve Cole for all the help with lil' problems
        Dave Marquardt, for his help on the screens.
        And the developers of GFA basic for such a user friendly 
        programming language!
        And to all my users for helping me Beta Test it!
                






                                                    

















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Make sure that you print out your Turbo.opt or Forem.opt file and include
it along with 15$ US and I Will get you the Key file as soon as I get your 
information!