
                      Telegard (R) Doc Plus (Second Release)
                              For ver 2.50 - 2.5k
                             (c) 1991 Rishi Persad



LEGAL STUFF.
           "Telegard" is a registered trademark of Roy Wilson. The
           author of this document is not affiliated with the Telegard
           Team in any way. This is an unauthorized addenum to the
           original Telegard documentation.

           This text is copyrighted by Rishi Persad and no part of it
           may be modified in any way without the expressed and
           written consent of Rishi Persad. Permission is granted to
           quote any text for review and educational purposes. You may
           distribute this freely provided that it is in the original
           unmodified form and that no fee is charged for such.

ADDENUM.
           This is the second release of the TG Document Plus written for
           sysops that have recently started and need to know more about
           the system.If you have been running Telegard for sometime you
           will probably not need this document.
           I decided to release this last Telegard file in order to help
           those that are now getting familiar with the system. This
           updated version contains information on the exact keystrokes
           needed to abort the supposedly unabortable newuser
           application as well as a complete (I hope) list of ALL the
           commands available in the chat mode. I updated the doors
           section and added some more undocumented features. The
           Telegard Beta site passage was deleted, since commentary is
           not required or neccessary.The Utilities section was also
           removed and the syntax in some sections has been modified.


CONTENTS.

1...........................Telegard's Start
2...........................The Chat System
3...........................PCBOARD Doors on Telegard
4...........................Features that don't work
5...........................Why Modem won't respond
6...........................How to run 3 boards
7...........................Undocumented Features
8...........................What's Ahead for Telegard
9...........................Appendix A









TELEGARD'S START.

   Wayne Bell, could be considered the "Godfather" of Telegard. He
   obtained routines from other authors and created the WWIV BBS
   program. The source code, written in Turbo Pascal was released to
   the public later on.
   Carl Mueller took this code and started improving on it.
   Unfortunately before he could complete his project, he encountered
   some legal problems (busted by the FEDS for trying to break in a
   computer system in OHIO). He was later released due to
   insuffficient evidence.
   Eric Oman (15 yrs old) got hold of the source and made some
   extensive changes and decided to call the new BBS "Telegard". It
   was destined to become the TELEcomm vanGARD of BBS software.
   Unfortunately, although Eric was a wiz, he was inexperienced and
   needed some help with some big bugs in his program. He called on
   his, then buddy, Martin Pollard (24 yrs) for help. Being a veteran
   programmer, Martin helped Eric clean up some of the code.
   Todd Bolitho (32 yrs) joined the TEAM sometime after.
   Greed took over and here's what happened next:

a> Todd left the TEAM due to "creative differences" with Martin.
b> Eric left because it was not "fun anymore".
c> Martin continued to work on Telegard until he was slapped with a
   lawsuit by Eric Oman, which prevented further development of the
   BBS program.









THE CHAT SYSTEM.

   This system was quite an intricate one. It contained editing
   routines and seemed destined to become the first interactive chat
   system, which could be emulated remotely.The idea was abandonded
   but the author forgot to remove the code involved (mostly boolean
   variables).
   Here's what was left on that system while in chat mode:

a> /c or /cc - returns the string "No"
b> /q - aborts the chat mode
c> /bye - terminates call and hangups user
d> /type - type a file onscreen to user
e> /cls - clears screen
f> /page - pages sysop or the user
g> /shell - shell to DOS with user (only for 255 security level)
h> /? - gives a list of all the commands available in chat


   The /c and /cc were the CHANGE line and CLEAR line commands for the
   editing part of the chat system. It was actually supposed to return
   the "Line No." prompt but part of the routine was de-activated and
   the line truncated, resulting in the "No" response.

   The /q is self explanatory. It is the QUIT command and is still
   fully functional.

   The /bye is the internal hangup command and is also fully
   functional.

   Use /type c:\path\filename.ext to type a file to screen. You may use
   this to display a text or ANSI file to a user while in chat. Remember
   that non-ansi users will only see the escape codes, so be careful
   when displaying ANSI files.

   The /page command will send a string of beeps to both the user and
   sysop. This is good to call someones attention. You know those "please
   wait while I get the door...." type of things ? This will call the
   attention of the user or sysop who may have forgotten that he/she was
   in chat.

   The /shell command should be used discreetly. It will perform an
   immediate drop to DOS without disconnecting the user.




PCBOARD DOORS.

   Most PCBOARD doors can be run in Telegard using the standard door
   convertors available from most BBS systems. A "door-convertor" will
   simply change the output format of one door to  to the format of
   another. I personally have found that QKDOOR26 works flawlessly
   with Telegard. It can be downloaded from most good BBSs as
   QKDOOR26.ZIP. Look for it in the BBS or Door Directory if there is
   one.

   Here's how you would use the door convertor. Set the door to run as
   GAP or Wildcat ..."DG" or "DW" for the CMD, then have the door
   convertor run in your batch file before the door is excuted. For
   example:
             @echo off
             cd\bbs
             quikdor GAP PCB14   {converts GAP to PCB format}
             cd\bbs\doors\game
             game.exe
             exit

   If you need help running doors in Telegard just call the beta site
   closest to you. Please not that some PCBOARD doors need other files
   to run well. Like my friend, Carlos use to say ..."read the damn
   docs". If the data files needed to run the door is not there, then
   the door won't run. Remember that what a door does locally is not
   necessarily what it does remotely. A door may run fine locally but
   messed up on the user's side. So always ALWAYS always test the doors
   out first before making them available for all users. Have a user you
   trust, do the testing for you.





FEATURES THAT DON'T WORK.

   Most of the features mentioned in the docs for 2.5i works except
   for the foll:

1> ";RE:" in the MSTRING after the E-Mail command does not give the
   reason for the mail as expected. To overcome this, you can use the
   MACRO commands to insert the reasons in the field. To see this in
   action, call HBN and enter the Mailroom. Then select "N" for Note
   to HOMEBOY. Sit back and watch as everything is done for you. Don't
   know how to enter macros ?? Well if you read the docs and still
   don't understand exactly what to do, then download HBNMNUS.ZIP from
   the Telegard file area. It has all the menu structures configured
   for HBN. You'll be able too take a "back-stage" look at how we
   actually set up this board. Everything which could be configured or
   changed WAS configured and changed.

2> The post/call ratio which was internal and existed in earlier
   versions of Telegard was deactivated and DOES NOT WORK in any 2.5
   or later versions. To get this functional you need to get the
   Post/Call utility and run it externaly. The file which does this is
   called PCALL110.ZIP and can be found on the better TG boards.

3> The command "O" for chat status DOES NOT display the default string
   claimed in the docs. To get this to work just do the foll:

   a) Go into Telegard's Text Editor or drop to mini-dos and type
      EDIT.

   b) Create a SYSOPIN.MSG file and insert the comment you want to
      appear when you are available for chat. Like : "The Sysop
      might be available for chat, just page him if you need help!"

   c) Create a SYSOPOUT.MSG file and insert the comment you want to
      appear when you're NOT available for chat. Like:"The sysop is
      not available to chat right now. Chat hrs are from xx AM to xx
      PM, please try back then."

   d) Make sure these two files are in your AFILES directory. If you
      used the Telegard editor, then it will automatically be placed
      in the AFILES directory.

   e) Please remember that you MUST replace the "-L" in the CMD: field
      of the main menu with "OO" for this to work. If you don't create a
      sysopin or sysopout file, Telegard will use the sysop status
      strings as the default.

4>    //YELL will not work unless you have "helpcry.bat" in the main
      BBS directory. The file SYSOPC11.ZIP has the commands needed for
      use in the Helpcry.bat file. It has sounds from a raygun to a
      buzzer to choose from.










WHY MODEM WON'T ANSWER.

   It may be for one or more of the following reasons:

1> Your modem is NO GOOD ! Don't expect a Radio Shack  external modem
   that you paid a few bucks for, to perform all functions flawlessly
   in the HOST mode. I have noticed that when some sysops switched
   modems they no longer had any problems. I use a "Premier 1000i"
   modem (one of the lowest cost internal modems available) and have
   no problems connecting with callers <knock on wood>.

2> Is your modem a 9600 ? If it is then it is most likely that it is
   having problems interfacing with TG. One sign of an interface
   problem is "garbage characters fill up screen" after a file
   transfer. There are utilites available to combat this problem. Call
   your closest beta site and ask them to get it for you.

3> The default initialization strings is not compatible with your
   particular brand of modem. Read the docs that came with your modem
   and change the strings. By trial and error you'll get it .

4> Have you had your I/O card checked recently ?? A faulty I/O card
   may not show any noticeable signs when you call a board but the
   reverse is not necessarily true.

5> You don't have a fossil driver installed. The x00.sys or BNU.com
   reliable . They will make your computer compatible with others that
   may not be compatible otherwise.

6> Your telephone line may have reverse polarity. A line tester will
   easily tell you if the wired were connected properly. Remember that
   a telephone line works similar to an electical outlet (in fact it
   does have a voltage running through the wires). If red/green/black
   is not connected properly YOU will get problems on your line, not
   to mention excessive noise on occasions.

   If you still have problems with your modem interacting with Telegard
   then, just call your nearest beta site and report it.






HOW TO RUN THREE BOARDS.

   Sorry, but you need a multi-node software to do that properly.
   However you can simulate it by:

   a) Running the other BBS software as a door if possible. It is done
      on HBN.

   b) Get a software that acts as a frontdoor
      (Wildcat,Pyroto,Free Speech,Pinnacle SAssY Software) and have a
      selection at the Main Menu for the TG BBS. Telegard can be forced
      to quit with sysop defined errorlevels. If you're familiar with
      batch language you can use this to your advantage.









UNDOCUMENTED FEATURES.

1> Yes ! The newuser application CAN be aborted ! By using a series of
   keystrokes : <CR> <CR> <CR> /S . The preceeding keystrokes is
   GUARANTEED to abort the newuser application. Remember not to enter
   any data, just three (not ONE) blank lines then save. That will
   result in the "aborted" message. The sysop will not get any mail
   whatsoever. If you have a callback validation door, then you better
   keep a close look at ALL your newusers. They can and will abort the
   message and get validated via callback (believe me...I know from
   personal experience).
   Just a quick note, while in the Newuser application you can use /E to
   get a short list of editing commands. This is available in any
   editing mode and was not documented. Also note the the use of the
   cursor keys while in the editor will degrade the integrity of the
   data being input. In plain English: It will screw up your message and
   the TG prompt when you exit from the editor.


2> The TRASHCAN.TXT is a file which you create to store names/handles
   that you do NOT want used on your system.It must be in the AFILES
   directory. You can use any text editor to create it and it may look
   something like this:

THE
HACKER
CRASHER
SYSOP
INFILTRATOR

    TG will reject any names that appear in that list. This feature
    came from the WWIV software code, but was forgotten when the TG
    docs was written.

3> If you wish to pack the message base at the WFC menu, simply use
   the "K" key. It is not listed in the WFC menu.

4> In mini-dos, you can execute any command in regular DOS just by
   typing "EXT  {command}". For example, if you wanted to use the q
   editor, you would type at the mini-dos prompt :
   ext q
   The system would then swap out of memory, and then execute the q
   command.

5> From the WFC screen, the "ALT" + "-" key will give you the stack
   space being used currently. It can be triggered from anywhere in
   Telegard. What does it mean ? Well, not much for the sysop but to the
   programmer it means the byte space taken up by a collection of data
   that are all of the same type. It's used to store data for future
   retreival within the program. Further explanation is not required.

6> The @S is not supported by Telegard !! Use of that string in prompts
   will lock up your system. Use of it in the Pause string practically
   means, destroying your system. It will lock up everytime pause should
   appear, and guess what ? The pause normally appears in the config
   menu, just before the prompt.







WHAT'S AHEAD FOR TELEGARD?

   Nothing ! Due to legal restrictions, there will never be another
   standard release of TG. Martin Pollard however is releasing his own
   BBS software (written in "C") by the beginning of 1991. It will
   have the same features that you have come to like in TG, but should
   be light years faster than TG. It will be released with a convertor
   program so that you won't have to start all over from scratch.

   Telegard 2.5i was the last standard release. Any other version
   later than that was not released officially to the public.


APPENDIX A

   I no longer run Telegard software but you can contact me at my board
   in New York City :

                 Rishi Persad
                 The Homeboyz Network
                 718-658-1663
                 1200/2400
                 24 hrs
                 Fido 1:107/603.0

   If you need Telegard utilities, you can find 3 megs worth of it on
   the following board:

                 Dawnstar BBS
                 718-389-2892
                 1200/2400
                 24 Hrs Mon-Sat

CREDITS.

   I would like to extend my gratitude to some of the best Telegard
   sysops in the US for their help with the TG and feedback that
   caused me to release this final version of TGDOCPLS.

   Carlos Rodriquez  - Feedback and info on some of the commands.
   Scott Raymond     - Help getting my FIDO node and D'Bridge setup.
   Big J             - Introducing me to Telegard.
   Pat S.            - My Canadian friend whose positive feedback I
                       needed.

   Thanks to all the sysops who called me long distance for Telegard
   Utilities. You showed me the need. Remember that you can still get
   your utilities at the Dawnstar BBS. You can send me mail there. I am
   user #3.

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(c) 1991 RKP
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