From: Jeff Blaine <jblaine@shore.net>
Subject: PyGCS 1.1 (small, db-less, MUD-like chat server)
Date: Tue, 01 Dec 98 11:00:29 GMT

Announcing the release of PyGCS 1.1 (README with intro attached).

  ftp://ftp.shore.net/members2/j/jblaine/Source/pygcs-1.1.tar.gz  ...or...
  ftp://ftp.shore.net/members2/j/jblaine/Source/pygcs11.zip

The PyGCS homepage is http://www.shore.net/~jblaine/code-GCS.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            PyGCS README
                            Jeff Blaine
                          jblaine@shore.net

Introduction
Supported Platforms
Installation
Client Programs
Support
Pointers
Contributors
Copyright

Introduction
============

    Welcome to PyGCS (Generic Chat Server).  PyGCS is designed to
    be a VERY stripped down MUD-like chat-server that runs in a
    small amount of memory.  It differs from common MUDs in several
    ways:

        1.  PyGCS has a single "room" and no large database to keep
            in memory and on disk.

        2.  PyGCS has no embedded programming language

    PyGCS is ideally meant to be a small multi-user real-time chat
    system for people who have a need to talk to more than one person
    at a time online.  It fits somewhere in between the setup IRC
    uses and the MUCK/MUSH/MOO style of server.

    It can be used for such things as:

        - A central location for system administrators and other
          administrative people to discuss immediate pproblems
          with local networks, etc

        - A personal place to talk with friends without loading
          down the machine it's run on.

        - A continuous backup for social type MUDs

    Historical Note: PyGCS is the Next Generation of "GCS", the 
    chat server I wrote in C around 1992.  PyGCS is written entirely
    in Python.

Supported Platforms
===================

    PyGCS runs inside of a Python interpreter.  Let me know if you get
    it working under anything other than the following:

    1.  UNIX -- Should run fine under any flavor or version.

    2.  Windows 98 -- Has been minimally tested.  Seems OK.  I will NOT
                      actively be able to help people get PyGCS up and
                      running under Windows 9x/NT.  If you can't figure
                      how to get it working from reading Windows.txt
                      in the 'docs' directory, I cannot help you.  This
                      means that PyGCS under Windows 9x/NT HAPPENS to
                      work and that is simply an added but unsupported
                      coincidence.

Installation
============

    READ ALL OF THIS CAREFULLY please

    1.  Get and install the Python Programming Language from
        http://www.python.org/download/ if you don't already
        have it.

    2.  If you are planning to run PyGCS under a version of UNIX
        Edit the FIRST line of the following files to reflect where
        you installed your Python interpreter in step 1:

            bin/GCS.py
            bin/CreateUser.py
            bin/DeleteUser.py

        For example, if you installed Python in /home/tom/bin, you
        would make the first line of those files read:

            #!/home/tom/bin/python

    3.  Edit the appropriate lines in bin/defines.py and pay close
        attention to the comments in that file.

    4.  Edit the file lib/text/opening and put your email address
        in the appropriate spot.

    5.  Read 'Admin.txt' and learn how to create users.  Create
        the privileged account that you defined in step 3 and also
        an account for you to use on a daily basis.

Client Programs
===============

    Once you get the server installed and up-and-running, you'll
    need a way to connect to the server.  More specifically,
    you'll need a client program to connect to the server.  This
    topic isn't my problem :), but basically you have two options:

        1.  Raw telnet. (Already installed on almost any OS, but it
            is poor for this use because it doesn't seperate the
            server's output lines from your input (typed) lines.)

        2.  MUD Client. (You MAY have to compile it, but it gives you
            the benefit of seperating input and output as well as some
            sort of macro language possibly, etc).

    See the MUD FAQ (pointer below) for more information.

Support
=======

    If you would like to be notified of new releases, please send
    email to jblaine@shore.net and let me know.  I will add you to
    my hand-edited list of people to notify.  Your email address
    will never be given out to anyone deliberately.

    To report bugs, send email to jblaine@shore.net with AT LEAST
    the following information please:

        1.  Operating system name and version

        2.  Version of Python

        3.  A summary of the problem

        4.  A detailed description of the problem with any and all
            possible error messages related to the issue.

Pointers
========

    The PyGCS Homepage (somewhere off of the following URL)

        http://www.shore.net/~jblaine/

    The Python Programming Language

        http://www.python.org/

    The MUD FAQs

        http://www.faqs.org/faqs/games/mud-faq/part1/index.html

    The MUD FAQs (Master site)

        http://www.c2-tech.com/~jds/mudfaqs.html

Contributors
============

    Beta testing team: Derek Holden, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, Chris Cote,
    Jeremy Smith

Copyright
=========

Copyright (c) 1998, Charles J. Blaine
All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
are met:

  o  Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
     this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

  o  Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
     this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

  o  Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
     this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
     and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

  o  All advertising materials mentioning features or use of this software
     must display the following acknowledgement:

        This product includes software developed by Charles J. Blaine
        and contributors.

  o  Neither the name 'Charles J. Blaine' nor the names of contributors
     may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
     without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY CHARLES J. BLAINE AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS''
AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL CHARLES J. BLAINE OR CONTRIBUTORS
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

-- 
----------- comp.lang.python.announce (moderated) ----------
Article Submission Address:  python-announce@python.org
Python Language Home Page:   http://www.python.org/
Python Quick Help Index:     http://www.python.org/Help.html
------------------------------------------------------------