Draft3 29AUG99
TG and IREX or 'How to FTP simple style'

Ok, as time goes on we all move on.  Now it is time to show how to FTP in your
mail via a standard ISP dialup.  This starting point doesnt cover TransX or
email attachment feeds. It covers only the most basic setups.  DOS and IREX
are used with Telegard as the example software for the BBS.

It presumes you have a standard dialup ISP connection available already.

To start, unpack the DOS version of IREX.  Note that many softwares have a
'universal' version but those normally require running under Windows 3.1 at
the least.  IREXD119.ZIP is the most current version.

Read the docs for IREX and match the settings up to your mailer directories.
Ignore all accessory setups for email and things you will not be using right
away.  You can setup just those parts needed for FTP and be functional.  The
site you want to draw from, will provide you with your account name, password,
and directories to use with them.

There are 2 text files you will have to edit.  The first one shown is the
'DIAL.BAT' file, used to dial your ISP.

---DIAL.BAT----

{at}echo off
rexdial.exe rex.scr
if errorlevel 1 goto NO_CONNECT

del ip-up.bat
pppd.exe
if not exist ip-up.bat goto NO_IP
call ip-up.bat
rex.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
goto TERMIN

:NO_IP
echo Couldn't establish PPP session.

:TERMIN
termin.com 0x60
goto END

:NO_CONNECT
echo Couldn't connect with provider.
:END

----END DIAL.BAT-----

Now to fit that in, using the standard TG FAQ set, you edit your 'FRODO.BAT'
file to insert the DIAL.BAT routine.

An edited version from TG FAQ 1:

---- begin FRODO.BAT-----

{at}Echo off
c:
cd \fd
:Start

   
   Cd\fd
fd
   If ERRORLEVEL 253 Goto Mail_Out
   If ERRORLEVEL 209 Goto Mail_Test  ;Function Key activated
   If ERRORLEVEL 201 Goto FB100
   If ERRORLEVEL 200 Goto Connect

Goto end

:Mail_Out     ;Gecho 1.11+ specific, adapt as needed!
c:
cd c:\fd
AT H1 1
DEL c:\tg\tgmscan.now
GEcho toss -NOMGR
GEcho scan
GEcho MGR
MBUTIL pack -renumber -link -purge
Goto Start

:FB100        ;external event in FD to do 'stuff' as needed
CD \tg\FFS    ;for online games etc
FISHMANT
CD \FD
mbutil pack -renumber -link -purge
DIAL.BAT      ;activate FTP dial to ISP
Goto Start

:Connect       ;here begins the connection sequence
call dobbs0.bat        ;note FD2.25 makes dobbs0.bat
                       ;FD2.12 and below makes DOBBS.BAT

:Mail_Test
IF EXIST C:\TG\ECHOMAIL.TG? GOTO Mail_Out
Goto Start

:End          
-----end FRODO.BAT-------

Linked in the above is your FTP event whenever you activate an 'External'
event or 'X' event as FrontDoor users call it.  You can ave this happen as
often per day as you desire.  Hourly is common.

The second file to edit is the one that DIAL.BAT called in for the REX
settings.  This is REX.SCR and it contains the information on your account to
your ISP.  The blank lines are required so don't delete them.

----Start REX.SCR-----


# Warning: the following lines will be rewritten
# every time you reconfigure your connection in rexcfg
set interrupt 4
set baud 38400
set port 0x3F8
set init ATZ&F1|
set redials 20
# Warning: the above lines will be rewritten
# Don't remove or alter this line or you'll lose your script!


set timeout 30

init
dial 123-4567
waitfor ogin
send JoeSysop
waitfor ssword
send JoesPassword
getip
-----End REX.SCR-----


Edit in your account name, password, and the phone number for your ISP and
the above should work fine.

But what do you do with it?  Well, this is used to to either pickup or deliver
mail/files from an FTP site.  To use it, you need an FTP site available.  Many
echomail providers operate their own serverswith 24/7 connections to the
Internet.  That means you use their site and need not provide your own.

If you need FTP server space of your own though, I know of a few who lease
space.  The one I use is currently 5$ per month for 5 megs a day traffic and
I automate all the accounts/passwords for my downlinks myself with script
files.  I find it far more economical than running a 24/7 hookup in my home!

www.cwe.cx for more information on the FTP site I use.

Now if you need some extra scripting help, from the IREX author (with
permission) the following:

From: Charles Cruden 
To: cshenk{at}nfx.net 
Subject: FTP scripts
Date: Wednesday, June 09, 1999  5:41 AM

Some quick FTP scripts....

Simple download:
  cd 
  get *

Simple upload:
  cd 
  put

Download with lock checking, waits for lock to clear:
  cd 
  if exist 
    wait 
  endif
  cd 
  get *
Notes:
  wait waits for x seconds, where x is the timeout value you specified
in the FTP setup menu.  If, after that time, the lock file(s) is/are
still there, the script aborts.
  cd's should be tested ahead of time.  eg. if, when you login, you have
an upload and download directory and locks are put in the root, you 
eliminate the first cd command, since you're already where you need to be.
  To have the script abort immediately if the lock file is already in
place, change the wait  command to quit.

Upload with lock checking (script aborts if locks are found), locks
are created by the script as well:
  cd 
  if exist 
    quit
  endif
  create 
  cd 
  put
  cd 
  del 

Questions on this FAQ should be sent to 1:275/100.
                                     RMC(SW) Carol Shenkenberger
                                     TG Beta, Norfolk VA
(new address is 3:800/201)
                                       xxcarol

--- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4