README for the Indoors BBS Door Programs

                     Copyright 1994 by Mark Morley





What is "Indoors"?
------------------

The Indoors series of BBS doors allow almost any DOS based BBS to offer
TCP/IP clients to its users.  Although Indoors stands for "Internet
Doors", an Internet connection is not strictly neccessary.  A BBS could,
for example, set up a local Unix server and run MUD's or Chat systems on
it, then use an Indoors client to access it.

Any Indoors door program should work with most DOS based BBS packages
available today.  In particular, any BBS that supports these door
protocols should work: DOOR.SYS, CHAIN.TXT, SFDOORS.DAT, CALLINFO.BBS,
DORINFO?.DEF, and EXITINFO.BBS.  This includes, but is not limited to,
PCBoard, RemoteAccess, QuickBBS, Telegard, Maximus, Wildcat!, WWIV,
Opus, GAP, Spitfire, SuperBBS, RBBS-PC, and more!

All Indoors programs require a FOSSIL driver for communicating with the
modem.  FOSSIL drivers are available for most types of serial cards,
including the DigiBoard multiport cards.

To communicate with the network, all Indoors programs require the use of
a packet driver.  A packet driver is a small (hopefully) TSR that
provides a standard method of accessing network cards.  There also exist
programs known as "shims" that will do things like make your serial port
look like a network card (SLIP), or allow you to send TCP/IP packets over
a Novell LAN, etc.



How do I install an Indoors program?
------------------------------------

You should create a directory somewhere on your hard disk where you will
place any Indoors programs.  I would reccomend creating an INDOORS
directory off of your root like this:

   MD C:\INDOORS

Of course, if you've previously installed an Indoors program, this
directory will already exist.

Copy the ZIP file into the Indoors directory and unzip it there.  For
example:

   COPY IDTEL17.ZIP C:\INDOORS
   C:
   CD \INDOORS
   PKUNZIP IDTEL17.ZIP

Note that Indoors ZIP files are created with PKZIP 2.04G.  If you have
problems unzipping, make sure you have an up to date version of PKUNZIP.

This should produce the following files:

   README       Generic README file for all Indoors programs.

   README.???   README file specific to the package you are installing.
                Example: Indoors/TELNET ==> README.TEL

   *.EXE        The actual door program itself.
                Example: Indoors/FINGER ==> IDFINGER.EXE

   *.CFG        A sample config file for this door.

Next you must either create or edit the Indoors configuration file.  The
name of the config file is INDOORS.CFG.  Only one config file is used
for all Indoors programs.

If you have not installed an Indoors program before, you will need to
create a new INDOORS.CFG file.  The easiest way to do this is to copy
the INDOORS.??? file to INDOORS.CFG like this:

   COPY INDOORS.TEL INDOORS.CFG

You will then need to edit the config file to set your network
information (IP address, nameserver, etc.) and preferences (colors,
prompts, etc.)

If you already have an INDOORS.CFG file, simply add those lines from the
INDOORS.??? file that are new.

The config files all contain their own documentation within them, you
will not normally find information about the various settings in the
README files.

NOTE: If your BBS is going to be on the Internet, you will have to apply
for your own IP addresses.  Each node on your BBS that will be running
an Indoors program must have it's own unique IP address.  Please do not
try and use just any old IP address you may pick out of the air.



How do I call an Indoors program from my BBS?
---------------------------------------------

That depends heavily on which BBS package you are using.  I'll have to
assume that you know (or can find out) the BBS sepcific procedures for
calling a door.

Basically, your BBS must generate a door information file (DOOR.SYS,
CHAIN.TXT, etc) somewhere, then execute the .EXE file.  You must tell
the .EXE where it can find the door information file by specifying the
path to it.  Do NOT include the actual file name, just the path to it.
For example, if the door information file is created in your C:\MYBBS
directory, you might call the Telnet door like this:

   C:\INDOORS\IDTELNET C:\MYBBS



What if it won't work?
----------------------

Reread this README file carefully.  Also make sure you read the README
file that is specific to the program you are installing, in case there
are any special actions required.

Be absolutely sure you have the correct IP addresses, network masks,
etc.  I can't help you much here as this is site specific.  If you are
part of a bigger network, contact your network administrator to confirm
your network settings.

If you still have problems, you can send me a note via email or "real"
mail to:

   mark@amtsgi.bc.c           OR  Mark Morley
                                  3889 Mildred Street
                                  Victoria, B.C.
                                  V8Z 7G1   Canada

I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have.  Also feel free to
offer suggestions and/or _constructive_ criticisms.

Mark