What is Winp_ace?
It is a powerful, multi-featured server for and adding to the excellent
Windows Automated Packet Program Winpack by G4IDE.
New features in 2.0+ are in BLUE in the lists
Index of contents
Details on what this server does.
First, you must have Winpack.
As of ver 1.5R, you require Windows 95(or later)
Many hours have been spent writing this documentation in order make it easier for you to get Winp_ace running properly. PLEASE do not let our efforts be wasted. READ THE DOC'S! It is hoped that we have covered everything required for a successful installation.
Contents of ace_xxR.ZIP
Why two servers Winp_ace and Winp_cor ?
Winp_ace handles private messages to your station with the 7+ - ACK / QSL andReqfil parts.
Winp_cor handles Bull's and 7+ / cor messages.
Actions performed by these servers:
1. Sends ACKnowledgements when messages with /ACK or /QSL are received.
2. Sends *.COR files upon reception of *.ERR messages.
(If the original file is still in the specified directory, in dirc.txt)
3. Notifies you if files cannot be found or if they are not in the right place.
4. Sends *.ERR messages when received 7+ messages are not decoded successfully.
5. Sends a re-formatted version DIRC.TXT upon reception of a /REQDIR message,
this allows the user to SEE what is being requested rather than just a directory listing.
6. Sends file(s) in 7+/ascii upon reception of /REQFIL message(s) auto detect of binary/text.
Multiple /req* commands are acepted.
7. Auto 7plus decoding/deleting and time delayed 7plus sending.
8. Sends a message to you when the 7+ file has been decoded ok.
9. Creates a log of all user requests and the return from Winp_ace (stored in request.log in Winpack directory).
10. When a Private 7plus file has been fully received, it will send a 7+Ack message to the sender.
(it does not send to Auto7p/7pserver's and those listed under DontAck).
11. Upon receipt of a zip file it will decode the contents and display them in the message it sends you.
12. If a reqfil message is received, and the file is not in the dirc.txt.
The server will automatically check for its presence in the \Winpack\htmlib directory.
Thereby allowing for requests for files in .HTM format, without having to have them catalogued.
(From ver 2.1R it will check any directory starting with HTML in the winpack direcory)
13. Unregistered versions will have 'Unregistered version' appended to any messages generated by the server,
and mail sent by it will be delayed by 24 hours. Everything else is FULLY functional.
14. The server allows for the setting up of "Local BBS's" that by pass the delayed sending function,
and 7+ mail is sent to the recipient immediately (or delayed by 24 hours in non registered version).
15. The registered version can choose the length of the message that is appended to files generated by Winp_ace.
This is currently 2 lines in unregistered and 1 or 2 in registered.
16. Downloaded 7+ parts have the callsign and BBs of the sender append to the end of the message,
this allows you to request a part that is missing after a delay, even if the message has been deleted.
17. The server has a detailed debug mode for checking problems during setting up.
Installation of the Winp_ace server:
The installation is very straightforward.
Put Winp_ace.exe + Winp_ace.ini + English.lng in your WINPACK\SERVERS\RECEIVE directory.
(If English is not your language then copy the specific .lng file for your language,
if it does not yet exist then look at the english.lng file for details on how to create one for your language.
If you do create one please 7+ or email me a copy and modify the winp_ace.ini file to your new language file)
Put Winp_cor.exe + Winp_cor.ini in your WINPACK\SERVERS\BULLS directory.
Put DircEd.exe + Zipck.exe in your WINPACK directory
Put all *.vbx and *.dll files in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory
Failure to put the files in the correct directory will cause that element of the server
to fail or not produce the correct result.
Change the settings in Winp_ace.ini and Winp_cor.ini to customise YOUR preferences.
(see here)
Disable Winpack's built in 7+ decoding and the reqfil + reqdir servers.
This is because Winp_ace decodes all the incoming 7+ and handles the error and corrections automatically. It also handles /reqdir and /reqfil requests and is compatible with the standard servers /reqfil command (PROVIDING YOU SET UP THE DIRC.TXT PROPERLY (see dirced.txt file).
To disable the standard Winpack servers do the following: -
1. Make a subdirectory/folder off Winpack called OLD
2. Move the reqfil.exe reqdir.exe and ack.exe/ini files into this directory.
Upgrading
If you are already using the Winp_ace server, copy all the winp*. * files to the newly created OLD subdirectory/folder as well. Thereby allowing you to revert to the old version should you have problems with the new server.
Winp_ace/cor is fully functional with Winpack 6.2's + feature of automated viewing,
and will allow you to view downloaded files automatically.
Detailed Winp_ace Commands
/REQINFO - sends the user a message informing them of how to use the server.
/REQDIR - sends the user a reformatted DIRC.TXT file split up into parts, if necessary. Part sizes are set with Dir in Winp_ace.ini.
/REQFIL - When a /REQFIL is received the program looks in the DIRC.TXT to see if the file is in the
list. If it finds the file name, it then looks to see if the file exists in its indicated directory. If the file
is located, it is sent in parts as set by Part Size and are added to the outgoing stack to send later, UNLESS they
are PART requests then they are sent immediately.
If the file isn't found in the DIRC.TXT file then a check is made for it in the HTMLLIB direcory. This allows for
inline images and sounds to be sent using HTML without having to add all the gifs to the Directory list.
(Now also checks any directory starting in HTML in the winpack home directory)
(Version 2.0 adds to this by delaying at a user specified rate per hour as well.)
If the requester asks for a file that is not in the DIRC.TXT then they will be sent a message requesting them to check the spelling and re-request. If the requester asks for a file that is in the DIRC.TXT, but not in the location specified in DIRC.TXT, they will be sent a message telling them of the problem and that you have been advised. You will be sent a message advising of the problem.
Winp_ace also allows a PART to be requested.
This is also performed by the /REQFIL command used the following way:
/REQFIL <filename.ext> <Pnnn>
E.g. /REQFIL Winp_ace.ZIP P1
This would send ONLY part 1 of the Winp_ace.ZIP file to the sender.
(This only works on 7+ files not text files).
Multiple requests are allowed so that the requester can ask for several files or parts at once.
NB. /REQFIL *. * does NOTHING other than sending the user a message asking them to check the spelling.
Multiple requests are on separate lines:
I.e.
/reqfil file1
/reqfil file2
Etc
7+ Reception
If you receive a 7+ file in its entirety then Winp_ace/cor will send you a private message informing you of the reception of the whole file, and move it to the 7DECODE directory. If the file exists and the OVERWRITE is enabled it will overwrite the previous file. If it is disabled, the file is left in the 7EXTRACT directory and you are told that it is there. If you receive a private 7+ message Winp_ace will send back an ACK to the sender to inform them that the file has been received ok. If you download a 7+ file that needs further action, Winp_ace/cor will send an .ERR message to the sender of the file requesting a .COR file. All parts are logged with the sender's callsign at the end; this is to enable you to request missing parts.
.ERR reception:
If you receive a .ERR message from a user then the .COR will be automatically generated and sent to the requester if the file is found in the dirc.txt file.
. COR reception:
If you receive a .COR file. Winp_ace/cor will try to correct the file in the 7EXTRACT directory. If no file is found the .COR file will be deleted, else if the correction is successful you will be sent a message, and the file moved to the 7DECODE directory (dependant on the status of OVERWRITE see 7+ Reception above).
Debug File:
This file called Winp_ace. LOG and is located in the servers\receive directory. (or in the case of Winp_cor, it is Winp_cor.dbg in the .\bulls Dir) It allows you to see in detail what Winp_ace is doing. E.g. If a /REQFIL is received, the debug file will contain a search of the DIRC.TXT file to look for the file specified, if found the command line passed to 7Plus and the return from 7Plus. The file is appended to each time Winp_ace is run. (runs are separated by ***** start of main debug and ***** end of main debug.) Only use debug mode for setting up and testing! This file can grow VERY large, so remember to delete it from time to time! (or to disable debug mode)
Set-up of the DIRC.TXT file:
The /REQDIR server uses the DIRC.TXT file to send a list of files to the requester. The directory info is not sent only the filenames and their descriptions as you have them set-up in your DIRC.TXT file. This is a text file that you can modify using the DIRCED program from G0NUP (supplied).
You can make various changes to customise this file listing as long as you have the directory and file name in the proper location.
For the /REQFIL part to work you MUST set up a DIRC.TXT file.
If you have been using the standard reqfil server, you need to set up the dirc.txt file to contain the following information:
&\Winpack\Pub\[YOUR DIRECTORY] filename.ext - size - date description
Setting up the Winp_ace.INI file
NB: Any line beginning with a # is ignored.
DO NOT CHANGE any names within [ ] as these are used to differentiate between sections.
Explanations of the settings:
Ver=
DO NOT CHANGE THIS NUMBER it is used to support new versions of the server.
ACK=
If ACK=0 then ack/qsl lines will be ignored. If ACK=1 ack/qsl requests will be answered with your Ack message. They will also be advised of the time and date that their message was received.
DEBUG=
If DEBUG=1 then a file Winp_ace.DBG is created where you will see what the server did every time it was called. This enables you to pinpoint an error if something goes wrong (doesn't it always?).
OverWrite=
If OVERWRITE = 1 then any existing files in the 7DECODE directory will be overwritten if a new file is received.
Archive=1
If Archive=1 then incoming 7+ will be stored in a directory called 7PLUS under the WINPACK\ARCHIVE directory otherwise they are deleted.
Brag=1
If brag=1 then it will act like all previous versions and add 3 lines to outgoing messages saying that they were generated by this server, contact details and a un/registered line. IF Brag=0 then ONLY 1 line is added containing "This file was generated automatically by WINP_ACE Ver " [version number].
Delay=1
If delay=1 then the sent files will be delayed at a rate of ONE per hour.
[ignore]
Under this section, you put CALLSIGNS that you do not want to send ack/qsl's to, ONE callsign per line please.
[sizes]
dir=nnnn
This is the size of directory listings split, if your dirc.txt file is over nnnn bytes it is split into a number of nnnn byte messages change to suit your BBS set-up. 5000 seems ok for UK.
7plus=nnnn
This is the number of bytes to split 7+ messages into. Again, change to suit your country. 5000 seems ok again
no_day=n
This is the Number of 7+ messages to send per day, this applies to ALL /reqfil requests EXCLUDING part requests, subsequent requests are added to the send stack and Winp_ace checks the stack every time it is run. If you have, a BBS.TXT set up then if the requester's BBS is in it then the file is sent automatically and not added to the stack.
Maxsize=n
This allows you to set up a maximum file size for files to be sent by 7+. Set to what ever you like, 60000 or thereabout seems a reasonable maximum. (NB Size must be nnnn with NO or K i.e. NOT 60K or 60,000 BUT 60000 please). If a user requests a file over this size then they are sent a message saying that it is over the limit specified and if they still want it to send YOU a message saying WHY they want it.
[reg]
key=0
This is your registration key. See Under REGISTRATION for more details
[lang]
lang=English.lng
This is the language file used to fill in the messages sent by Winp_ace.
See English.lng for details on how to create your own language versions of this file.
IF you do modify it l would recomend keeping English.lng as a template.
That's all there is to setting up the Winp_ace.INI file!
Winp_cor.ini file
A sample Winp_cor.ini file
Debug=0
Keep=0
Overwrite=0
Details :
Debug=
Set to 1 to enable a Winp_cor.dbg file to be generated
Keep=
Set to 1 to keep 7+ BULLS otherwise they are killed.
Overwrite=
Set to 1 to allow overwriting of files in the 7DECODE dir.
Send.BIN -
Data for delayed sending of 7+, stores the date, number of 7+ parts sent on that date and number left to send.
7pluslog.txt -
This contains details of decoded 7+ files and who sent them and when they were received. (As with the Winpack txt file)
Request.log -
This contains a list of who has been requesting files from you and whether they were sent ok or failed for some reason.
Optional files
ACK.TXT
This file contains a message that you want send along with ack/qsl messages (MUST be in same directory as Winp_ace)
e.g. 73 from GM1JLP
BBS.TXT
This file (in the same Dir as winp_ace.exe please) specifies the BBS that are counted as 'Local' and mail sent to them is not delayed.
See sample file for details.
WIINP_ACE.LOG
debug file only exists if DEBUG=1 in INI file
WINP-COR.LOG
a/a
Winp_ace/cor Copyright ¸ 1997/8/9 TraqSoft.
Contact Details:
Written by: Ken GM1JLP
E-mail: Winpack@traqsoft.freeserve.co.uk
Postal:
Ken Robson
13 Woodstock Avenue
Galashiels
SCOTLAND
TD1 2EE
All copyright's acknowledged!
HISTORY
Ver 1.0R First Official Public Release with Viewers enabled.
Ver 1.01R 16 bit bug fix.
Ver 1.1R Added fixes for .jpg/.arj and other files that had a text start but were really binary files. Added max file size check and sped up the code slightly.
1.3R Added a filter for ~.htm files in qsl/ack's
Fixed the text in a message if a large files was requested
1.31R Fixes the 16bit problems with dates
Adds a title to the wrong Ini file message box.
1.32R Adds all the functionality of 1.31 for all users (used to be registered only)
*But Non registered adds 24 hours to mail generated by it. *
1.4R Adds a delay by hour and option on remove brag lines (see Brag= above)
1.5R Adds Local BBS Zip file decoding and HTMLIB support
2.0R Adds International language support, fixes a number of small bugs.
2.1R Adds all HTML directories to htmllib
REGISTRATION
From version 2.2R Winp_ace is now FREEWARE My thanks to those people
who registered it.
On a final note
A HUGE thank you to all of the beta testers, l shan't name you but you know who you are. Thanks for the feedback, suggestions (GROAN!!!) and bug reports.
A very big thanks to Kevin (G0NUP) for the DIRCED and ZIPCK programs.
73's Ken GM1JLP
Solutions to common Problems:
Q. A reqfil has been received but no file sent.
A. Does the file exist as spelt or is the spelling different. Winp_ace cannot correct wrong spelling (yet!)
Q. l sent out a bull and l am getting .err's back BUT Winp_ace isn't responding to them.
A. The most common fault here is that you used winpack's built in zipping function. i.e. when you sent the message it was uncompressed and winpack compressed it for you. So winp_ace will be looking for a .zip when the origional file is actually a .txt or .gif or a .something_else.
Q. l have a lot of files and dont want to type in details for all of them, can l just send a dir listing
A. Sorry NO. Use the origional server supplied by winpack.
Q. It sends files ok for reqfiles in ^txt mode but ^htm files are ignored
A. The reqfil server ONLY looks for /reqfil at the start of a line! If your HTML converter adds someting to the start of the line before it then it will be ignored.
Q. l am getting 2 sets of directories sent when l receive a /reqdir
A. You still have the winpack /reqdir server running. (look in winpack\servers)
Q. How do l create a DIRC.TXT file
A. Use the DircED.exe file (see dirced.txt for more details)
Q. l like your server and want to register
A. See above for registration details
Q. l want to register but am unable to get £ or $ how do l register ?
A. Send me an email or contact me by packet and l will give you details.
Q. l don't like your server how do l remove it?
A. Just delete the files from the directories that they were placed in when you installed it and re-install/copy the origional server back. Winp_ace does not make any changes to your Windows system.
Q. l have a problem/suggestion how do l contact you ?
A. See above under contact details.
Q. Several members of my club/local group want to register (5 or more), is there a discount.
A. Contact me and we will discuss it.