Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- installation [2016/06/09 19:47] – [System Specs] g00r00
+++ installation [2022/09/26 03:06] (current) – edits to download para avon
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 This section of the Wiki details the first basic steps you need to undertake to get Mystic BBS running on your system of choice.
-===== Mystic Software =====
+===== Minimum Requirements =====
-Head to [[http://mysticbbs.com/downloads.html|mysticbbs.com]] to download a copy of the latest Mystic BBS software for your preferred operating system. You will need to choose between the current STABLE version of Mystic or the latest ALPHA version that is on offer.
+Mystic is available on just about every popular platform available today, and requires a very small amount of system resources to run.  This section outlines any known minimum requirements for running different versions of Mystic BBS.
+It's highly likely your hardware will run Mystic :)
+== Windows ==
+    * 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows XP or later.  Please note that Windows XP support may be removed sometime in the future as the operating system continues to show its age.  It is recommended to use Windows 7 32-bit or Windows 10 32-bit if you can.
+== Intel-based Linux ==
+    * No known minimum requirements, but estimated kernel version of 2.6 or later.
+== ARM-based Linux (Raspberry Pi, ODROID, etc) ==
+    * ARMHF V6 processor or compatible (Raspberry Pi Model 1)
-The latest alpha release is for people who want to help test new features or run the a cutting edge version of Mystic BBS. Don't be surprised to see the alpha versions changing quite often during a development phase.
+== Apple macOS (OSX) ==
+    * macOS v10.6 or later using Intel 64-bit CPU.  Older PowerPC processors are not supported and neither are new M1 processors because the developer has no hardware available to develop for and support these platforms.
+===== Downloading Mystic BBS =====
-If you are running a current stable version of Mystic BBS and wish to upgrade to the latest alpha release - this is usually possible. Refer to the UPGRADE.TXT file contained in the Mystic BBS file archive.
+Head to [[http://mysticbbs.com/downloads.html|mysticbbs.com]] to download a copy of the latest Mystic BBS software for your preferred operating system. If you are running an earlier version of Mystic BBS and wish to upgrade to the latest release this is usually possible. Refer to the UPGRADE.TXT file contained in the Mystic BBS file archive for the steps you will need to take.
 ===== YouTube Tutorials =====
-If you learn better by watching someone explain HOW-TO then be sure to check out a growing series of training videos available on the [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPOUHszVXaGNSlK3AdI7kLQ|Mystic Guy]] YouTube channel.
+If you learn better by watching someone explain HOW-TO then be sure to check out a growing series of training videos available on the [[https://www.youtube.com/MysticGuyBBS|Mystic Guy]] YouTube channel.  While these videos are still helpful, some of them have become outdated with recent versions of Mystic greatly simplifying things like setting up echomail networks.
-===== Minimum Requirements =====
+===== Installing Mystic =====
-=== Windows ===
+Before getting started review all of the information on this page. Check out the Mystic Installer Options section for command line options you may prefer to use to run a fresh install and/or update your current Mystic files.
-    * 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows XP or later
-=== Intel-based Linux ===
+==== Installing Mystic (Fresh Install) ====
-    * No known minimum requirements, but estimated kernel version of 2.6 or later.
-=== ARM-based Linux (Raspberry Pi, etc) ===
+  * Decompress the file containing the Mystic installation software for the operating system of your choice. There is a useful walk-through on [[http://www.howtogeek.com/73904/beginner-how-to-extract-.rar-files-on-windows-7-and-mac-os-x/|howtogeek.com]] that uses 7-zip as an extraction tool.
-    * ARMHF V6 processor or compatible (Raspberry Pi Model 1)
-=== MAC OSX ===
+  * Run the install file contained within the archive to start up the full Mystic BBS Installation Utility.
-    * OSX v10.6 or later using Intel CPU
+  * If interested take a look at the **//Read Whats New//** option from the Installation Utility menu or find WHATSNEW.TXT in the installation archive you decompressed. Note that the latest additions to this file are at the end of it.
+  * Select **//Install Mystic BBS//** from the Mystic BBS Installation Utility menu.
-It's highly likely your hardware will run Mystic :)
+  * Update the paths (if you want to) for the Mystic system, data, text etc. files to reside in. Do this if you need to otherwise we suggest run with the stock install options. **Hint:** If you change the system directory all sub directory paths will be updated also.
-===== Installing Mystic =====
+  * Press F2 to begin the install sequence.
+  * When installation is complete press the ESC key to close the installer.
+  * Now jump down to the [[#Creating Sysop Account|Creating Sysop Account]] section later in this page.
+==== Installing Mystic (Upgrading Versions) ====
 ** Backup your current Mystic BBS system before you get started! **
@@ Line 37: / Line 56: @@
   * Decompress the file containing the Mystic installation software for the operating system of your choice. There is a useful walk-through on [[http://www.howtogeek.com/73904/beginner-how-to-extract-.rar-files-on-windows-7-and-mac-os-x/|howtogeek.com]] that uses 7-zip as an extraction tool.
-  * Run the install file contained within the archive to start up the Mystic BBS Installation Utility.
+  * Review the **//Upgrade Information//** from the Installation Utility menu or look for UPGRADE.TXT in the installation archive you decompressed. This file will tell you which files need to be copied to your current Mystic installation. There are options to extract or replace older files with newer ones.
-  * Review the **//Upgrade Information//** and read **//Whats New//** from the Installation Utility menu or find them as WHATSNEW.TXT and UPGRADE.TXT in the installation archive you decompressed.
-  * Select **//Install Mystic BBS//** from the Mystic BBS Installation Utility menu
-  * Update the paths (if you want to) for the Mystic system, data, text etc. files to reside in.
+===== Mystic Installer Options =====
-**Hint 1:** If you change the system directory the rest of the of directories will be updated also.
+The installer that ships with Mystic can be run in several modes. Typing **Install ?** reveals the following help screen:
-**Hint 2:** The the Installation Utility will not allow you to install over the top of an existing Mystic BBS installation.
+      Syntax:
+        install                         Begin full installation
+        install auto <root> [options]   Automated install to <root>
+        install replace <dir>           Replace system files in <dir> with latest
+        install extract <mask> <dir>    Extract file or mask into <dir>
+      Examples:
+        install replace c:\mystic
+        install extract userchat* c:\mystic\text
+        install auto c:\mystic
+        install auto c:\mystic overwrite
+        install auto c:\mystic theme=c:\mysticthemes data=c:\mysticdata
+        install auto c:\mystic msgs=c:\mysticmsgs overwrite
-If you are updating to a newer version chose a system directory like c:\mystictemp to force the installer to run and create all the system files you will want. Then copy the files from the newly created installation in to your 'live' Mystic BBS system (most likely in c:\mystic).
-At this point you will have either:
-  * A fresh installation of Mystic BBS sitting on your system or
+Let's review what all those options are:
-  * You will be following the upgrade instructions in UPGRADE.TXT contained in the c:\mystic\docs directory.
-If you're setting up a new Mystic BBS system the next step is to create a user account for yourself and grant it system operator (sysop) privileges.
+==== install ====
+Run the full interactive installation menu and select from the available options
+        install
+==== install auto ====
+Run an automated command line install to a directory of your choice
+        install auto c:\mystic
+        Mystic automated installation
+        Base directory: c:\mystic\
+        Extracting: Root files
+        Extracting: Data files
+        Extracting: Display files
+        Extracting: Menu files
+        Extracting: Script files
+        Extracting: Documentation
+        Updating data files...
+        Installation complete
+If you run this process on a directory where Mystic files already reside the installer will fail.
+        Mystic automated installation
+        Install directory already exists: c:\mystic
+The way to override this is to use the **overwrite** switch. Be warned this will overwrite the files you have in your target directory. Perhaps take a backup first!
+        install auto c:\mystic overwrite
+During automated install you can also assign specific directories for data,  theme, and msgs directories.  An example of combining all of those things at once looks like this (less the overwrite keyword):
+  install auto c:\mystic theme=c:\mysticthemes data=c:\mysticdata msgs=c:\mysticmsgs
+==== install replace ====
+Copy new versions of binary files to a nominated directory and overwrite old files. This is good when you are doing some upgrade work. Always follow the guidelines in UPGRADE.TXT
+        install replace c:\mystic
+        Searching "c:\mystic\" for binaries to replace...
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\data\prompts.dat                                    OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\mide.exe                                            OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\mis.exe                                             OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\mplc.exe                                            OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\mutil.exe                                           OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\mystic.exe                                          OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\nodespy.exe                                         OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\qwkpoll.exe                                         OK
+        Replacing: c:\mystic\upgrade.exe                                         OK
+        Operations complete
+==== install extract ====
+Extract file or file mask to a nominated directory
+        install extract userchat* c:\mystic\text
+        Extracting Mask: "userchat* to "c:\mystic\text\"
+        Extracting: c:\mystic\text\userchat.ans                                  OK
+        Extracting: c:\mystic\text\userchat.ini                                  OK
+        Operations complete
 ===== Creating Sysop Account =====
+If you're setting up a new Mystic BBS system the next step is to create a user account for yourself and grant it system operator (sysop) privileges.
 In this section you will create a user account for yourself and then elevate it to have SysOp privileges. The steps to do this are:
-  * Switch to the Mystic BBS directory (c:\mystic\) and then type MYSTIC to run Mystic BBS in local mode
+  * Switch to the Mystic BBS directory you created (e.g. c:\mystic\) and then type **mystic -l** to run Mystic BBS in local mode
+  * Follow the login prompts. Create an account using an alias followed by your real name and other details that the new user sign up process asks you.
+  * Once at the main menu logout of the BBS by using the G or /G default menu commands to return to the command prompt
+  * Type **mystic -cfg**  to enter the [[config_howto|Mystic BBS Configuration System]]
+  * Head to the Editors menu and select User Editor
+  * Press enter on the user name you just created
+  * Press CTRL-U to invoke the Upgrade pop up dialogue
+  * Select level 255 - System Operator and press enter
+  * Press the escape key a couple of time and save the changes to the user before you return to the command prompt
+  * Type **mystic -l** to login as a local user again and this time when you use your alias/name and password the system will prompt you with 'Invisible Login - Yes/No'. This means you enjoy elevated default SysOp privileges.
+  * When you arrive at the BBS main menu you will also see additional menu options only available to a SysOp.
+Note: If you are using a Linux / Raspberry Pi based system the command lines to invoke the above will look like **./mystic -l**  and **./mystic -cfg**
-* Further steps to be added..