• Mystic theme building

    From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to All on Fri Jan 15 19:24:30 2021
    Hi y'all,
    I had a question about building themes for mystic.
    does anyone have any or know of any tutorials for how to build out
    and awesome menu and theme setup on a bbs? like what are the standard
    "best practices", what are some of the "gotcha's", and how to implament it?

    I wish there was something like a "Mystic BBS for dummies", or
    "Mystic BBS cookbook for SysOps" or something like that...
    that would help out a lot.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From paulie420@21:2/150 to gcubebuddy on Fri Jan 15 17:42:03 2021
    Hi y'all,
    I had a question about building themes for mystic.
    does anyone have any or know of any tutorials for how to build out
    and awesome menu and theme setup on a bbs? like what are the standard "best practices", what are some of the "gotcha's", and how to implament it?

    So... great question, as I know I've spent countless hours UNDOING things that I had setup and thought were 'fine'... trying to make my board better and work nicer. For example, I use the GLOBAL menu to add all my "/x" commands and then I set all the menus to allow global commands... one of those commands ["/?"] actually displays an ANSI menu SHOWING the global commands... and I have a 'ZiP Menu' section with '/1' thru '/6'... you can 'ZiP around my BBS menu's [6 of them...] using those /2 or /5 commands...

    Anyway, as opposed to trying to explain EXACTLY how to setup yer board I'll offer you some good tips that will stand no matter what you do:

    Think about WHAT you want the BBS to do/look like or HOW you want a thing to function... and THEN go build that part. Try to have a plan in your head.. then, its easier to go execute and make that happen.

    fsxNet is probably the best resource I can suggest to you. Some time, when yer trying to get Mystic to do some thing, you're gonna get stuck. You can ALWAYS come over to fsxNet and post in one of the Mystic areas or BBS areas, to ask for help... We're always happy to help!!! But...

    Get familiar with the Mystic Wiki, and even the Mystic Documentation... the file 'whatsnew.txt' is really important, as it has TONS of information that ISN'T in the Wiki yet - if you're ever like 'dude, theres NOTHING about this anywhere online...' check the whatsnew.txt... the Wiki will really walk you thru most issues or questions you have; you'll learn to zip over there and check what menu command does what, or how to display an ANSI file thru a prompt [|DFfilename|] or... whatever. fsxNet is always happy to help, but it does get old when 8 new sysOps ask the same 'How do I turn on a matrix menu' [or whatever...] in a month. :P Just check the Wiki first, then post here. We got you.

    Find a BBS that you really like, and get ideas from SEVERAL... there are some AWESOMELY modified Mystic boards out there; I pulled one or two ideas from MANY... you might like menus with a status bar at the bottom, while another sysOp does it another way. Are you gonna use header.ans files and let Mystic display all the commands, or will you keep FULL .ans files up to date yourself? Etc etc... find Mystic BBSes you think rock and then try to make yours better. :P

    Mystic has an MPL/MPY programming language where you can modify the software to do exactly what you want it to. Furthermore, theres a bunch of modding groups that put out releases already made for you. One great one is MRC Chat... Multi-Relay Chat [like iRC], but for BBSes. IMO - MRC is a MUST HAVE. I'm a member of the RCS mod crew. Our releases are in the fsxNet file areas, Castle Rock BBS, The Underground BBS and [mine] 2o foR beeRS BBS. My address is in the tag line below, and my board carries MANY other mods by other groups, too. --Make sure you know what mods are compatible with your version of Mystic. This is BBSing... some of them are really old and not for the current a46 [or even a47 pre-alpha] versions of Mystic.

    Get some mods! If you email me, I can tell you/show you some of the coolest.

    Learn MPL - Most groups release the actual code, and while its daunting and a lot for a new sysOp to learn... you could - so long as you dump hundreds of hours.... omg. Stop; what am I doing?

    Get good ANSI art. You can hire [one of] the BEST guy, Luciano... but you'll spend $300 for a FULLLLLLLL theme. Ouch. Other artists are on boards, FB or other spots... you can find em. Start simple, ANSI can be added later. But, at some point you'll wanna find an artist! You can view MOST ANSI art packs from 1990 - 2021 at 16colo.rs website... while you shouldn't rip current groups/artists art, I'd be fibbing if I said I didn't get an idea, or snippet of ANSI, from 16colo.rs... If its from 1992, does anyone hurt if you find a menu border that way?

    Ask.

    And finally, yer already DOING IT - *this*... the asking, learning, finding mods/ANSI/adding FTNs... this is the BBS scene man. Yer here... keep going. I can't wait to see what you build. I'm always available @ 2o fOr beeRS and I'm happy to help, as so many did for me.

    Cya round, daddio!



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/05 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to paulie420 on Tue Jan 19 22:10:57 2021
    Wow awesome, thanks for the advice. so far, i have my prod BBS (that i am writing from now, and a test BBS on a VM on my laptop. i am in the process of testing ANSI art that i am making (although not the greatest yet lol). i am also going to test the menu system with it in a bit. that way if something
    goes wrong o nthe theme / menu / or something else - i can roll it back to
    the way it was, and the production BBS doesnt get hurt.
    Thanks for all the notes. i am going to save it and go over the
    recomendations you mentioned.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to paulie420 on Wed Jan 20 03:06:41 2021
    Hi again,
    i was wondering if you could direct me to where to get the MRC Chat mod? i tried looking on google and found what looks like one from back in 2016, but
    i have a feeling that might be an out of date one. i am using the 112a46 ver. of mystic bbs... im not sure if that makes a difference or not...

    i am still going over the doc you posted. great info on it.
    thanks once again!

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From paulie420@21:2/150 to gcubebuddy on Wed Jan 20 03:02:45 2021
    On 19 Jan 2021, gcubebuddy said the following...

    Wow awesome, thanks for the advice. so far, i have my prod BBS (that i am writing from now, and a test BBS on a VM on my laptop. i am in the
    process of testing ANSI art that i am making (although not the greatest yet lol). i am also going to test the menu system with it in a bit. that way if something goes wrong o nthe theme / menu / or something else - i can roll it back to the way it was, and the production BBS doesnt get hurt. Thanks for all the notes. i am going to save it and go over the recomendations you mentioned.


    Yer welcome - sounds great, you having two systems.. so long as yer getting into BBSes v2021. :P

    Let us know if we can help at all.



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/16 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)
  • From paulie420@21:2/150 to gcubebuddy on Wed Jan 20 03:03:45 2021
    Hi again,
    i was wondering if you could direct me to where to get the MRC Chat
    mod? i tried looking on google and found what looks like one from back
    in 2016, but i have a feeling that might be an out of date one. i am
    using the 112a46 ver. of mystic bbs... im not sure if that makes a difference or not...

    i am still going over the doc you posted. great info on it.
    thanks once again!


    Come on over to 2o fOr beeRS... its in the PHENOM file directory.. make sure you grab the newest version. Email me for any other help.

    20ForBeers.com:1337



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/16 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)
  • From Warpslide@21:3/110 to gcubebuddy on Thu Jan 21 02:54:56 2021
    On 19 Jan 2021, gcubebuddy said the following...

    i was wondering if you could direct me to where to get the MRC Chat
    mod?

    You can get it from The Bottomless Abyss @ telnet://bbs.bottomlessabyss.net:2023

    Latest version seems to be 1.2.9a, filename is pn-mrc129a.zip


    Jay

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/16 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: Northern Realms (21:3/110)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to paulie420 on Thu Jan 21 18:19:34 2021
    Awesome thanks! is there any trick to getting MRC running?

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to Warpslide on Thu Jan 21 18:23:29 2021
    awesome thanks, i will check it out.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From hyjinx@21:1/158 to gcubebuddy on Fri Jan 22 03:34:51 2021
    Hey! have you seen the Mystic Guy (Avon) videos on YouTube? They are pretty good for getting set up.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2020/12/04 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: thE qUAntUm wOrmhOlE, rAmsgAtE, uK. bbs.erb.pw (21:1/158)
  • From paulie420@21:2/150 to gcubebuddy on Thu Jan 21 22:06:27 2021
    Awesome thanks! is there any trick to getting MRC running?

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    Its pretty straight forward. Install the MPL/MPY and call it in your menu somewhere... make sure the mrc client is running on the BBS computer.

    The only tricky parts are... if you want to put MRC status info on one of your menus, theres another MPL to setup and run. You can have it look one of two ways with the stock MRC code; or you can modify it if you choose....

    And, you might want to setup the MRC client to load automatically on your BBS computer. I use linux, and doso with a mrc.service... if you want to do that, and use Linux, I do know of a how-to for setting up services for both Mystic and MRC - if so, I can post a link.



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/16 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to hyjinx on Sat Jan 23 02:16:14 2021
    yes lol, i am going through the one on menu editing, i am trying to figure
    out how to put a scrolling ANSI file in the prelogon area, that scrolls a
    long ansi file downwards before a person gets to the login area. i also want
    to include in this ansi file, a menu selection for enter or leaving....
    I am hoping to find some kind of working examples... one thing i am trying to wrap my head around, is it appears that there are script commands inbedded in the ANSI files for mystic that appear to tell it where to place the prompts, commands, and functions... i am trying to figure out, if there is a special
    way that you need to put the command texts in with the ANSI editor, or if its done in the menu editor instead... i am also trying to figure out what the commands such as " |PO|16|CL " means... ( it took it from the logoff.ans file that comes with mystic...)

    i was hoping to modify it so it scrolls down instead of up. also i used the menu editor in my test system to add a file to be displayed in the prelogin area, but i am not sure where or how to type in the URL / file name...

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to paulie420 on Sat Jan 23 02:19:50 2021
    ya that would be awesome! thanks :-)
    I was trying to figure out, if the MRC plugin needs to go inside of the
    mystic directory - like in the plugins folder, or if it is a free standing program unto itself that needs to be installed in some place like /usr/local/share ...

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From paulie420@21:2/150 to gcubebuddy on Fri Jan 22 21:55:53 2021
    ya that would be awesome! thanks :-)
    I was trying to figure out, if the MRC plugin needs to go inside of the mystic directory - like in the plugins folder, or if it is a free
    standing program unto itself that needs to be installed in some place
    like /usr/local/share ...

    Plugins (or MPL, MPY, PY) scripts usually go in /mystic/themes/default/scripts...

    also, whenever replying make sure to quote the original text - because dummies like me FORGET what you were asking me to post and then... this happens.

    :P



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/16 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)
  • From Olrik@21:2/144 to gcubebuddy on Sun Apr 25 08:42:07 2021
    Hey gcubebuddy

    Did you figure out how to do a scrolling ansi file? I'm looking for help on this too.


    Olrik │ Outremer

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/64)
    * Origin: Outremer BBS (21:2/144)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to Olrik on Mon Apr 26 12:31:12 2021
    Did you figure out how to do a scrolling ansi file? I'm looking for help on this too.

    yes this is is the code i fianlly used:
    (the ! = a pipe key- on the \ button)

    !PO!DI49


    the DI command is used to scroll the ansi down the screen and a specific baud rate. i have mine set to 9600 baud. this is the info that Paulie420 gave me:

    00 = no baud
    01 - 09 300 baud
    10 - 19 = 1200 baud
    20 - 29 = 2400
    30 - 39 = 4800
    40 - 49 = 9600
    50 - 59 = 19200
    60 - 69 = 28800
    70 - 79 = 38260
    80 - 89 = 57600
    90 - 99 = 115200

    i put the code at the top of my logoff.ans file so when you leave my BBS it will scroll down smoothly and allow people to actually see the ANSI artwork.
    I used mobius art program to edit the file, as i am using Linux and that
    seems to be the only ANSI art program available for Linux.

    I am compiling notes for all of this, and once i get my theme \ menus done
    for my BBS and have it put into production, i am going to be writing up a
    blog on how to modify / edit / create a new theme for mystic. there seems to
    be kind of a learning curve to this. I am also thinking of creating some
    video tutorials after i get the tutorial writen up.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From Olrik@21:2/144 to gcubebuddy on Mon Apr 26 09:14:12 2021
    Thank you! That's exactly it. :)

    Making notes for a 'fresh' Mystic BBS developer is a good idea. I've been making some, mostly setup steps, ansi coding, prompts and menu ideas.

    Let me know when you post your notes.

    Thanks again!


    Olrik │ Outremer

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/64)
    * Origin: Outremer BBS (21:2/144)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to Olrik on Tue Apr 27 12:00:00 2021
    On 26 Apr 2021, Olrik said the following...

    Thank you! That's exactly it. :)

    Making notes for a 'fresh' Mystic BBS developer is a good idea. I've been making some, mostly setup steps, ansi coding, prompts and menu ideas.

    Let me know when you post your notes.

    Thanks again!


    Olrik │ Outremer

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/64)
    * Origin: Outremer BBS (21:2/144)

    ya sure thing! right now i would say that i am about 75% done creating my custom theme and menus for my site. i am waiting till i work out all of the bugs in the menus before i copy it over into my production system.
    After i copy it to the production side, then i will start working on the tutorial for a more simple type theme / menus. I was going to try and record
    a step by step video of building the theme as well. i was thinking it would
    be helpful to everyone out there.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From Sparky@21:1/192 to gcubebuddy on Tue Apr 27 17:53:59 2021
    ya sure thing! right now i would say that i am about 75% done creating my custom theme and menus for my site. i am waiting till i work out all of the bugs in the menus before i copy it over into my production system. After i copy it to the production side, then i will start working on the tutorial for a more simple type theme / menus. I was going to try and record a step by step video of building the theme as well. i was
    thinking it would be helpful to everyone out there.

    Thanks in advance for doing this, like you I have started the path to creating a custom theme for my board but have had life kinda slow things to a crawl. Having something that others can look to for help in creating a theme in mystic will be a big benefit to the community.
    Jeff

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/02/12 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Communication Connection (21:1/192)
  • From gcubebuddy@21:4/129 to Sparky on Wed Apr 28 13:02:28 2021
    Thanks in advance for doing this, like you I have started the path to creating a custom theme for my board but have had life kinda slow things to a crawl. Having something that others can look to for help in
    creating a theme in mystic

    sure thing! i am trying to figure out how to do copy and paste from an
    external doc into syncterm or mystic. that way i could post my menu layout and commands for mystic.

    Thanks
    - Gamecube Buddy

    telnet --<{bbs.hive32.com:23333}>--

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Hive32 (21:4/129)
  • From Sparky@21:1/192 to gcubebuddy on Wed Apr 28 18:12:21 2021
    sure thing! i am trying to figure out how to do copy and paste from an external doc into syncterm or mystic. that way i could post my menu
    layout and commands for mystic.

    Right click for paste? You may want to think about using screen capture for grabbing pictures of a menu (or menu config).
    Jeff

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/02/12 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Communication Connection (21:1/192)
  • From cr1mson@21:1/154 to Olrik on Sun Apr 25 18:02:31 2021
    On 25 Apr 2021, Olrik said the following...

    Hey gcubebuddy

    Did you figure out how to do a scrolling ansi file? I'm looking for help on this too.

    Use a pipe code to slow down the speed of displaying the scrolling ansi.

    -cr1mson

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2020/09/12 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Raiders Inc BBS -- vintagebbsing.com:1337 (21:1/154)