Files, Chat, Externals

10.0 File Section

Transferable files are shown to users as a two-level hierarchy:

• Library — group of directories with a common theme (e.g. Main, Adult, DOS CD-ROM)
• Directory — one file area inside a library (Games, Utilities, …)

Configure under SCFG → File Areas. Ins creates libraries; inside a library you add directories. Separating programs vs data, or hard disk vs CD-ROM content, is a common design.

Each directory has paths, access/upload ARS, content settings, and offline storage location. Keep paths DOS-safe if DOS transfer tools or doors touch the same tree.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/config:file_areas

10.10 Adding files (addfiles)

addfiles imports files already on disk into the BBS file database for a directory — used when you drop a batch of files into the storage path and need database/long descriptions updated without uploading through a node.

• Run from exec with the BBS ctrl/data available.
• Point it at the correct file directory / path arguments per its help text.
• Useful after CD-ROM mounts or bulk maintenance.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/util:addfiles

10.11 DelFiles

delfiles removes file database entries (and optionally files) per its command-line options — the offline counterpart to tedious online deletes. Read the short utility page and --help before mass deletes; back up the file database first.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/util:delfiles

10.12 FileList

filelist generates listings from the file database for display files, web export, or maintenance review. Options control format and which directories are included — see the utility reference for switches.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/util:filelist

11.0 Chat Features

SCFG → Chat Features configures real-time Terminal Server chat:

Artificial Gurus

• Multiple gurus allowed; each has a personality data file and/or Module field.
• Default brain file: ctrl/guru.dat (format on the GURU customization page).
• LLM-backed module setup is documented separately on the wiki (howto:llm-guru) when you want modern bot backends.

Tune channels and actions to match your community; disable guru entries you do not want listed.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/config:chat_features · https://wiki.synchro.net/custom:guru

12.0 External Programs

The External Programs (doors) menu for terminal users is provided by the xtrn_sec loadable module (default xtrn_sec.js). Related modules:

• Pre Xtrn Prog (prextrn.js) — fonts, ANSI, clear screen, eval_before_exec
• Post Xtrn Prog (postxtrn.js) — eval_after_exec and cleanup

Install: SCFG → System → Loadable Modules → Xtrn Section should reference xtrn_sec.

You can pass a section internal code to skip the section menu and open one program list (load('xtrn_sec.js','games') / Baja exec_bin xtrn_sec games). Options under [xtrn_sec] in ctrl/modopts.ini control list layout (e.g. centering).

Program definitions (command lines, drop files, execution environments) live in SCFG external program configuration; the module only presents and launches them.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/module:xtrn_sec

12.5 External Editors

Installing message editors is like installing doors. Supported types (Windows supports more varieties than Unix):

• 16-bit DOS FOSSIL I/O (most classic editors)
• 16-bit DOS COM/UART I/O
• 16-bit DOS standard I/O (e.g. WWIV-oriented)
• Native standard I/O (vi, pico, …)
• Native socket I/O (rare)
• JavaScript (preferred for modern boards)

The howto index is intentionally short and points at per-editor child pages via indexmenu. Start from door-install skills, then follow the specific editor page.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:editor:index · https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:door:index

12.6 Doors (Online Programs)

Doors are external interactive programs (often games). Many are 16-bit DOS and need FOSSIL/DOS support (Windows native DOS; Linux often via DOSemu howto).

I/O / drop-file overview

Command lines use command-line specifiers (%* macros) — see section 20 / config:cmdline. Keep start-up directories 8.3-friendly for DOS doors. Test from a non-sysop account after ARS is set.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:door:index · https://wiki.synchro.net/config:cmdline

13.0 Text File Section

The text file section exposes curated text/ANSI content (bulletins, info files, art) distinct from the downloadable file libraries. Directory layout notes live under dir:text; what users see is driven by SCFG text-section configuration plus files in text/.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/dir:text

13.1 Text Files

config:text_files documents the display and menu files Synchronet serves — naming conventions, how menus chain, and where to place custom screens. Combined with Ctrl-A colors and @-codes (customization chapter), this is how you brand logon and section screens.

Also referenced from Customization (17.1) because the same files are the primary skin of the BBS.

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/config:text_files · https://wiki.synchro.net/dir:text

Ops checklist

• [ ] Libraries/directories match real disk paths and ARS policy
• [ ] Bulk adds use addfiles; verify descriptions
• [ ] Doors tested on the OS you actually run (DOS layer included)
• [ ] Editors set as defaults in New User Values / user records
• [ ] Guru/chat channels intentional, not surprise leftovers
• [ ] Text menus use Ctrl-A/@-codes consistently

Wiki: https://wiki.synchro.net/config:file_areas · https://wiki.synchro.net/config:chat_features · https://wiki.synchro.net/module:xtrn_sec · https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:door:index · https://wiki.synchro.net/config:text_files

File area design tips (from common wiki guidance)

• Separate upload directories (user-writable) from polished read-only libraries.
• CD-ROM / read-only media libraries should not invite uploads into non-writable paths.
• After addfiles, spot-check with filelist or an online directory listing before announcing a new collection.
• When a door and a file directory share a tree, watch for accidental deletes from either side’s maintenance tools.

Wiki (doors/editors cross-links): https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:door:index · https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:editor:index · https://wiki.synchro.net/module:xtrn_sec