

                                UNIBANK

                             Version 2.00

                                  by 

                            Jason Peterson




email: mcphisto@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
(http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu/~mcphisto)

You can file-request the latest version (keyword: "unibank") and reach
me (via the sysop) on these bulletin boards:

Message Center BBS - Sysop: Jim Tinlin
(805) 489-1966 / 481-0368 / 481-5884
Fidonet 1:212/1002

The Shop BBS - Sysop: Doug Nelson
(805) 473-1259
Fidonet 1:212/2014






















WHAT IS UNIBANK?
================

UniBank is a time bank door for your users to store time and kilobytes in
an account.   It includes the standard "bank" functions to deposit, withdraw,
and transfer.  UniBank is completely customizable by the SysOp via an easy-
to-use configuration program.  UB includes a smart "Loan Office" for the
users to take out (and later pay off!) a loan of time or kilobytes.  The
Loan Office will keep track of how old the loan is, and optionally add
interest to it.  When the user enters the bank, you can have it set so that
they will automatically pay-off the loan with what they have onhand.  The
newest feature of UniBank is the pick-5 lotto.   You can choose to allow
the user to purchase a lottery ticket when they exit the bank (the winning
number is drawn during maintenance and the user is automatically awarded
their price by the number of correct digits they picked).  The SysOp can
also choose to add interest to accounts, and even tax rich accounts!  For
a further description of specific menu commands in UniBank, see the
UBHELP.ASC file!

UniBank supports QuickBBS 2.80 (and 2.75/2.76) and any other BBS system
that uses the DorInfo/Exitinfo standard set by this software, as well as
any bulletin board that can create and read back in the door.sys file.
Other BBS systems were supported in the last release (vr 1.50) so if you
run software that wasn't mentioned, you may wish to look for that version
("ubank150.zip" - it works fine and has many of the features listed here!)

UniBank is distributed with two main executable files ("UniBank.exe" and
"UBConfig.exe"), the first is the door and maintenance program (started
by the "/M" switch, see below) and the later is the installation and
configuration program.

UniBank supports and prefers color ANSI graphics.  It will work fine in ASCII
text mode, however.  The users preference is determined from your BBS drop-
file.


SETTING UP UNIBANK
==================

The configuration file for version 1.70 has been changed drastically (for
the better I hope!).  It is no longer a plain text file and you do not need
to be concerned with editing it -- everything will be saved to it by the
included "UBConfig" program.  All you need to know is the name of it, or
precisely, what you name it!

The first thing you need to do to setup UniBank is to run "UBConfig.exe".
It will ask you to enter the name of a configuration file.  You can either
load up the "Sample.cfg" file included with the zipfile, or you can go right
into creating your own (it's easy!) by typing in a name - I suggest
"Unibank.cfg".

After you have entered the name of the configuration file to use/create,
you will be presented with a menu.  You simply use the arrow keys to
highlight what you want to select, and the press enter.  From this menu
you can tell UniBank what BBS you have, where to find its files, and you
can define the specifics of how you want the bank to operate (it is very
flexible).  You can also create a batch file to load UniBank, and enter
your registration code!  The entire configuration program was designed
to be easy to use, and (hopefully) self-explanatory, so just dive in!


RUNNING UNIBANK
===============

You can create your own batch file to load up UniBank, or you can use the
UBConfig program to create one for you.  There is also a sample batch file
include ("sample.bat") if you need it.  In any case you may wish to know
the specifics of the command-line, so here they are.

        UniBank.exe <full path> ConfigFile BBSType <switches>

The carrots <>'s are optional.  The configuration file needs to be specified,
and if it is not in the same directory as the UniBank program files, you will
need to specify the full path to it.  The BBSType is also a switch but is
required.  The switches for the BBS type as well as the other options to
startup UniBank with are listed below.

                        COMMAND-LINE SWITCHES

Admit it, you love command-line switches, and installing software would be
boring without them!  :)

/7   For QuickBBS version 2.75 or 2.76
/8   For QuickBBS version 2.80 (or gamma versions)
/9   For bulletin boards that use the "door.sys" drop-file.
/L   Starts up UniBank in local mode.
/M   Runs the UniBank daily Maintenance program (if it already hasn't been).
     This only needs to be run once per day, but if for some reason you find
     the need to do otherwise, just delete the file "maint.dat" and run it
     again.
/B   This switch creates an "INUSE.FLG" busy-file for multi-node systems 
     that  choose to have only one user access the bank at a time.  UniBank 
     looks for this file at startup and returns the user to the BBS if it is
     found.


SYSOP STUFF
===========

Okay, of most importance here is running maintenance.  It needs to be done
once a day, so stick it in your midnight event or something.  All you need
to do is call UniBank with the "/M" switch.  UniBank will update all the
account records (delete old accounts, figure any interest on time and
kilobytes stored or loaned, tax people, draw the lottery number, etc.)
by using the settings that you specified in the configuration program.
It shouldn't take very long to get through.

There are a few online keys that only the Sysop can use, you can press F1
while in the bank to get help with these.  These two keys might also come
in handy:

        UP ARROW = Increase user's time on-hand by one minute.
        DOWN ARROW = Decrease user's time on-hand by one minute.

Also, when the SysOp is logged into the bank, there is another key shown
to call the "SysOp Menu" which will allow you do various things on-line;
like edit user's accounts <g> check and delete mail, etc.  All other
SysOp functions are only found in the "UBConfig" program.

Multinode operation should work just fine.  Thanks to Jim Tinlin, this
has been tested on his system.  I believe you need to have the DOS program
"share" loaded.  Also note that you can have multiple configuration files
for different nodes if you wish (or use the same one).  Alternatively,
you can force one-node usage with the "/B" switch described above.


REGISTRATION
============

You knew this was coming!  UniBank is shareware, and after you've tried it
out for about 20 days, I think you can decide whether it is worth keeping
or not.  If you like it, then please register it with me, by filling out
the form below (also included separately in the zipfile) with a check for
only TEN dollars!  I'm a college student, and your money will go to buy
me my next computer science class... <g>  In return for your registration,
I will send you a registration key that you can enter in the config.
program.  This will tell all the users what a great person you are, and
as further encouragement, your bank's Lottery will open up! (Other than
this little "bonus", the program functions 100% like the registered
version - WYSIWYG).  I'm especially interested to see how far this thing
gets distributed.  Fortunately I have the internet for help on this release,
and I am curious to see how many people will try this out.  Registration
of all shareware also encourages the author to continue working on it, and
any other nifty ideas they (or you!) think of.  Most door programs cost
much more to register, and I feel this is a direct result of many people
NOT registering the doors that they use.  If everyone who honestly used
it would register, I feel the cost to register programs would not be as
much.  Wishful thinking?  Maybe, but I'll try and set an example.  Okay,
enough already, if you'd like to register, please see the form included
with this zipfile called "register.txt".  Thanks.

And, I'll save the best for last!  :^)


DISCLAIMER
==========

Although this program has been thoroughly tested, and scanned for virii,
this program and other files associated with it are not guaranteed to be
bug free or virus free.  I am not responsible for any damages of any kind,
including profit loses and data loss, that relate directly or indirectly
to these programs and files.  You may distribute this program, as long as
it is in unmodified form with all the files originally included and intact,
and no more than a $3 shipping fee is charged.
    UniBank is SHAREWARE and what I like to call CHEAPWARE!  (the inexpensive
kind - <g>)  This is a very quality program, at a very competitive price.
Because this is a Shareware version, you have a period of 20 days to run
and try out  UniBank.  If, after that time, you decide you like the program
and wish to continue running it, you must register with the author, or
discontinue use of it.   Please see the Registration section above this,
and the form included with the package.

Special thanks to Mel Kogan, Terry Montgomery, Doug Nelson, John Schnake,
Jim Tinlin, and the users of  COTU.
