Hello again! As per request, I will discuss how to configure L.O.R.D. v4.02a to run on a multi-node VBBS/VA setup. I will only be writing about how to get the game running; I will not be discussing the registration process, or how to change the game options.. this is up to you.

The information below will be based on an unmodified version of the software, and will be based on configuring doors with VConfig.

If you have not already done so, please read the documentation that came in the ZIP file with LORD. This file should be called LORD.DOC. This will get you familiar with the steps involved.

First, unzip the archive into an empty directory that you want to run the game from. Ex: D:\DOORS\LORD

Next, edit the file START.BAT that is in the LORD directory. You will need to change all of the path statements in this file to match the directory that you unzipped the files above in. Save this file when you are done.

Next, run the program LORDCFG.EXE. Enter the option "Game Options". Make sure that #4 Multinode support is turned ON. Press 'Q' to quit and save to go back to the main menu. Now enter "Setup Nodes with BBS".

You will now be viewing a screen to configure your BBS Node #1. You can press '[' to go back one node (to 0 the local node), or press ']' to go forward a node, to setup your other nodes on the BBS. You will configure the first node now, and then edit the other ones. Once you fill out this form for this node, you will just have to edit a few things for the other nodes (it will automatically enter the previous information in).

I will discuss each option below:

1) Node Number - The BBS node number. For a 4 node system, you will configure nodes 0 through 4.

2) BBS Name - Your BBS Name

3) BBS Software - For VBBS or VA, just select DOORSYS. I recommend that you use this drop file for all door games, unless it isn't supported by that door.

4) Path to Drop File - This is the option you will have to change for each node. VBBS and VA both have a directory that will contain the drop files when a door is executed. These files are kept in separate directories for each user. This is essential for multi-node games. These files are kept in the \VA\TEMP\Nx directory. 'x' is the node number that the door is executed from.

For node 1, my BBS uses the directory: D:\VA\TEMP\N1

5) Fossil/Internal - VBBS and VA run best without a fossil driver. If your BBS is strictly dialup only (no telnet), then use Internal. If you are using a fossil driver for some reason, or if you are using Netmodem 1.x or Com/IP, then select Regular Fossil Driver.

Note: If you are running Netmodem 2.x alpha, then set it to Internal.

Note2: Also please make a note if this node of your BBS is dialup or telnet. If you are running a VA BBS that is both, then you may have certain nodes that use the Internal modem commands, and some nodes that use a fossil driver. If you do run a mixed system with dialup and telnet, then I'd recommend that you would run the dialup nodes with a fossil driver too, such as BNU or X00.

6) Locked Port Speed - I have no idea if this makes a difference with Netmodem or not. I have my BBS locked at 115200, so I lock all of my door games' ports at 115200 too. If the node is a dialup node, then lock the port at your modem's speed.

7) Comport - DOOR.SYS contains this information, so select Read From Drop File.

8) Send Open Comports Command? - Yes!

9) Send Reset Comports Command? - Yes!

A) Use Special ANSI Settings? - No!

B) Use Direct Screen Writes? - Yes!

Note: The last four (8-B) shouldn't be changed from the default, unless you are experiencing problems. See the LORD.DOC file for more information on these selections.

Now you are ready to enter VConfig and enter the needed information that VBBS/VA needs to execute the door.

Run VCONFIG.EXE from the BBS directory. Select Doors Configuration. These options are explained here:

1) Program Name - Enter a name to represent this program. Ex: LORD v4.02a

2) Command Line - This is the line that tells VA what to execute. My BBS would contain the line: D:\DOORS\LORD\START.BAT %1

Change the path above to represent your setup, but make sure that it runs the START.BAT file you edited above, and MAKE SURE there is the '%1' after the filename. This parameter will tell the batch file which node is running the program.

3) Security Lvl - Set this to the SL you want to be able to access the door.

4) Access Flag - Set a flag if you want to limit which users can run the door.

5) Single User - Set it to NO for multi-node.

6) Credit Cost - Specify how many credits it will take to run the door (if you are running a credit based system).

This concludes the node configuration of LORD. You should now be able to enter your BBS, goto the Online Games section, and select the entry you created above. If everything was entered correctly, then the door will load up and you will be playing LORD.

There are some other options you can do to enhance the game to your users. You may want to create an entry in the Text Sections in VConfig that points to the score files that are created by the game. You can specify these score files in LORD's configuration, by loading LORDCFG.EXE, selecting Game Options, then pressing 'X' for .TXT & .ANS Score Paths.

Also, be sure to make an ANSI screen that is displayed to your users at login so they know to play!

I hope that this information is useful for someone. If you have any questions about this topic, or any comments then write me at the email address below.