------------------------------------------- SEARCHLIGHT BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM by Frank LaRosa (c) Copyright 1987,88 Searchlight Software PO Box 131, Plainview, NY 11803 BBS Support Line (516) 724-0971 -------------[ Version 1.30 ]-------------- Welcome to Searchlight BBS! The enclosed programs and documentation constitute a ShareWare/Test Drive version of the Searchlight BBS System. THIS IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE, nor is it in the public domain, although we do encourage you to "share" this software by distributing unmodified copies to friends and associates. Two versions of Searchlight BBS are available: this shareware version, and an Extended Version, described below. If you decide to use this copy of Search- light, please register with us; registration costs only $35. The extended version, including all printed manuals plus support, costs only $70 for the single-user version or $95 for the multinode, multiuser version (now includes a full-featutred multinode chat facility). In either case, use the handy order form at the end of this file. Please note that IN NO CASE may you use this software without paying for it! Thank you for your support. What Is SEARCHLIGHT BBS? Searchlight BBS is a full featured bulletin board system containing public message boards, private mail, a full screen text editor, a complete file transfer system, and a powerful DOORS interface. It can be customized with text or ANSI messages, custom menus, color selections, etc. A full menu of SYSOP utilities is included. But most importantly, Searchlight BBS does away with the archaic user interfaces found on most BBS systems, and replaces them with a fast, convenient, user-friendly command system (including 5800 words of online help text). Searchlight is the result of more than three years of programming effort. In short, it is the fastest, easiest to use BBS software you can own. Searchlight BBS Files List The disks or ARChive file(s) in which you recieved SEARCHLIGHT BBS should contain the following files: READ.ME - This File CONFIG.EXE - Configuration/initialization program SLBBS.EXE - Startup program/doors manager LOGIN.EXE - Login/new user program BBS.EXE - Searchlight BBS main program FILES.EXE - Searchlight Files system SYSOP.EXE - Searchlight Sysop program UPDATE.DOC - Describes NEW FEATURES of SLBBS SLBBS.DOC - Searchlight BBS full documentation QUICK.DOC - Quick installation instructions HELP.ARC - Online help files FILEDEF.LIB - Commented file definitions (tech. info for programmers) READ.LIB - Sample message read routine DOOR.PAS - Sample DOOR program showing INT vector access Make sure you have all these files before you begin. SLBBS.DOC contains all the documentation neccesary to setup and run Searchlight BBS; be sure to print and read this file. For experienced BBS and MS-DOS users, the file QUICK.DOC contains abbreviated instructions for getting Searchlight BBS up and running as fast as possible. Please note that due to space constraints, the last six files will sometimes be distributed on a seperate disk or as a seperate ARC file. If these files are missing, you will need to obtain them from the place you received your copy of SLBBS (all files are available on Searchlight Software's BBS). The documentation files are written with the PcWrite(TM) word processing software and can easily be printed using the PcWrite "PR" printing program. Distribution/Ordering Information If you decide to use this ShareWare version of Searchlight BBS, or if you decide to order the Extended Version of Searchlight, please use the order form below. The SHAREWARE VERSION *ONLY* of this program may be copied and distributed to friends, associates, etc. If you charge a fee for distri- bution, it should be no more than $6 (Six Dollars). YOU MAY NOT distribute copies of Searchlight BBS which have been modified in any way, including the removal of any file or files from the package in which you received it. Shareware registration ($35) entitles you to use this version of SLBBS, and any subsequent ShareWare releases UNLESS such subsequent versions state the requirement of an additional fee. Searchlight Software will not ship you a return diskette for shareware registration; you are paying for the software you received as shareware from another source. Your cancelled check or money order is your receipt. We will try to notify all registered users when new versions are ready. Searchlight BBS Extended Versions Why pay the extra money for our "extended" versions? Here's a quick look at some of the features you get. Please contact us if you'd like further details and information (or call our BBS for an online demo). * Expanded Command Interface - includes a new "Lotus 1-2-3" style command interface, expanded online help messages, and a "Novice/Expert" help level switch for each user. * Multitask/Multiuser support - Searchlight Extended will support multiple users in multitasking/network environments. Up to 99 nodes are supported. We include full record-locking routines for data integrity and a powerful buffered multinode Chat command. * Message System Enhancements - includes "Reply-To" fields in messages, original/reply message chaining, search commands, backward read, etc. * New user options including screen size (can be set to zero to disable "more" prompting) and visible subboard/available subboard lists. Plus more sysop preference switches and pathnames. * Enhanced message editor features more commands and more WordStar(TM) compatibility with ^Q and ^K command prefixes. New features let you read messages from within the editor, even load the text of an original message into a reply. Add color and text highlighting to your messages with new built-in color commands. * Extended versions support messages of up to 400 lines in the editor and up to 480 active messages per subboard, instead of 250 lines and 290 messages in the shareware version. * Mail Logging - log incoming and outgoing mail to disk, automatically. A must for those who want to keep a permanent record of their mail. * File Logging - Get a chronological list of all uploads and downloads. * Expanded FILES features - wildcard KILL and MOVE, tagging of offline files, RENAME command. New support for read-only devices such as CD ROM. * Up to five external file transfer protocols - support Zmodem, Kermit, etc. using additional protocol software. Features wildcard download, automatic logoff at completion of transfers. * An Event Timer system allows your BBS to execute programs automatic- ally at specific times of the day- perfect for running network interfaces, backup software, and other daily maintenance procedures. * AutoDoors - Execute custom programs on login, logout, and new user registration. Perfect for integrating your own user questionaires and other unique features right into your system. * Included with all extended versions is our SLMAIL command-line mail utility. This program lets you send and read mail in BATCH files and external programs. Pipe directory listings, error reports, or user questionnaire info directly to your mailbox, archive your message bases into text files, even implement networking! A powerful utility used alone or when combined with our event timer or DOORS systems. * Network Ready - Extended versions can allow a "host" program to answer the phone for network processing. Just add the appropriate host software to build a powerful network compatible BBS. * New utility software - including TOPTEN user program, SLSTAT login statistics generator, SLPACK message base optimizer, more. * Compiled in TURBO PASCAL 5.0 for speed and efficiency. Fully updated data file specifications included. * SEARCHLIGHT EXTENDED is fully compatible with data files created by the ShareWare version. Searchlight Extended costs $95 or $70 for the single-user version. It includes printed manuals, support via our BBS, free upgrades (next two releases), all the above features, plus all the features of the ShareWare version of Searchlight. Shareware Users - Your $35 registration fee is good towards the purchase of Searchlight Extended at any time. Simply send your name and address exactly as it appears on your original order and take $35 off the purchase price. ------------------------------------------- SEARCHLIGHT BBS Order Blank Remit to: SEARCHLIGHT SOFTWARE PO Box 131 Plainview, NY 11803 YES! I want to order Searchlight BBS. Enclosed is ___ x $35 for registration of ShareWare copies $ ____________ of Searchlight BBS ___ x $70 for Searchlight BBS Extended Version, $ ____________ single user support ___ x $95 for Searchlight BBS Extended Version, $ ____________ multinode/multiuser support Subtotal: $ _____________ NY/NJ residents please add $ _____________ applicable sales tax: Non-US shipping please add $10: $ _____________ (Extended Versions Only) Total Enclosed: $ _____________ Name: ______________________________________________________ Co : ______________________________________________________ Addr: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ City: ______________________ State: _______ Zip: ___________ Voice Phone: _______________________________________________ BBS Name: __________________________________________________ BBS Phone: _________________________________________________ Current BBS Software _______________________ Version ______ Payment by: CHECK _____ MO _____ CASH _____ Sorry, no CODs or Credit Cards can be accepted at this time. ORDERS OUTSIDE THE US: Please send check or money order in US funds drawn on US bank. Otherwise add $10 for collection.