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Kaetzel, Lawrence J/A bulletin board sys QC100 U56 NO.86-3332 V1986 C.1 NBS-PUB- V ^ A Bulletin Board System for Feedback to

the Durcon Expert System: A Description

and Reference

Lawrence J. Kaetzel

James R. Clifton

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

National Engineering Laboratory

Center for Building Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

March 1986

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

100

• U56

86-3332

1986

i

NBSIR 86-3332

* v > A BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM FOR FEEDBACK TO

THE DURCON EXPERT SYSTEM: A DESCRIPTION

AND REFERENCE

SESEARCK INFORJiATION CENTER

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Lawrence J. Kaetzel

James R. Clifton

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

National Engineering Laboratory

Center for Building Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

March 1986

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

A BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM FOR FEEDBACK TO THE

DURCON EXPERT SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY

Lawrence J. Kaetzel

James R. Clifton

ABSTRACT

The electronic communication of information among building research

experts through the use of a computer speeds up the feedback

process for projects requiring the exchange of ideas. The

DURCON expert system requires such feedback in the form of

evaluation, suggested changes and the communication of expert

knowledge related to the project. This report describes a

bulletin board system that has been established to aid the

researchers in communicating effectively.

Key words: Bulletin board; message transfer; file transfer;

expert system; feedback; communication.

iii
I

DISCLAIMER

Reference to computer hardware and software vendors in this

report does not constitute an endorsement by the National Bureau

of Standards.

iv
CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. BULLETIN BOARD CAPABILITIES

2 . 1 Communicating Messages 2

2.2 Transferring Computer Stored Files 2

2.3 Teleconferencing 2

2.4 Software Testing 2

3. BULLETIN BOARD OPERATION 4

4. BULLETIN BOARD USER INTERFACES

4 . 1 Communication Protocol and Hardware 5

4 . 2 Communication Software 5

5. ESTABLISHING USER NAMES AND LOGGING ON 6

6. SENDING AND RECEIVING MESSAGES 7

7 . FILE TRANSFERS

7.1 Sending Files (Uploading) 8

7.2 Receiving Files (Downloading) 8

8. RUNNING APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS (DOORS) 10

9. REFERENCES 11

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1. COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS 12

TABLE 2. LOGON PARAMETERS 13

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. BULLETIN BOARD CONFIGURATION 14

LIST OF APPENDIX

APPENDIX A. EXAMPLE OF BULLETIN BOARD LOGON SESSION . . A-l

APPENDIX B. MESSAGE SYSTEM MENU B-l

APPENDIX C. UTILITY SYSTEM MENU C-l

APPENDIX D. FILE SYSTEM MENU D-l

APPENDIX E. MINITEL COMMUNICATION GUIDE E-l

APPENDIX F. DOORS SYSTEM DISPLAY F-l

v

1. INTRODUCTION

An electronic bulletin board system named "Concrete Expert Sys"

has been installed at the Center for Building Technology (CBT)

research facility, National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg,

MD. The bulletin board provides an efficient, timely and convenient

method for providing feedback to the DURCON [1] Expert System

project. The bulletin board is also effective in communicating

information between participating groups involved in related

activities of the CBT Materials Division. This report has been

written to describe the bulletin board system and to serve as an

operator reference for its users.

1
2. BULLETIN BOARD CAPABILITIES

Capabilities provided by the system include the communication of

messages, transfer of computer stored files, teleconferencing, and

testing of prototype software. Each of these capabilities is

described in the remainder of this section.

2 . 1 Communicating Messages

Text messages may be written on the bulletin board and "mailed"

to a designated user or to the entire bulletin board community.

By this process, reviewers of DURCON can readily transmit

recommended modifications and comments. In addition, bulletins

and notices concerning further efforts from expert system

developers can be communicated to the bulletin board community.

2.2 Transferring Computer Stored Files

Transferring files involves the use of a file utility available on

the bulletin board system. Information (disk files) can be sent

to the bulletin board (uploaded) or retrieved (downloaded) from

the bulletin board. This capability provides an effective way to

communicate larger bodies of text. It can also provide for the

transfer of computer executable programs. There are two protocols

available to transfer computer files. First, there is the ASCII

protocol used to transfer text documents. Secondly, there is the

XMODEM1 protocol used to transfer the computer executable program

files. An example of the ASCII or text document would be a proposal developed by the sender to be "mailed" to a user. An

example of a computer executable program file would be a program

capable of running on a user's computer, such as the DURCON

program.

2 . 3 Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is a process which allows a group of users to

conduct a conference via the bulletin board system. A facility

provided by the system called "joining" allows the linking of

users as participants or observers for this purpose.

2 . 4 Software Testing

The current procedure for distributing prototype software systems

for DURCON is to provide the evaluator with a IBM PC DOS formatted

floppy diskette containing the necessary files. A procedure also

exists to allow the evaluator to execute the prototype software

on the bulletin board system through a process named "DOORS"

described in Section 8. The DOORS facility will enhance the

1 XMODEM protocol requires that a user logon to the bulletin

board with 8 data bit communications mode.

2
process, provide faster feedback to the developers, and allow a

more efficient method for the testing of new or revised systems.

The capability will also allow users who do not have compatible

equipment to participate in the evaluation process.

3
3. BULLETIN BOARD OPERATION

The Concrete Expert Sys bulletin board operates on a Compaq

Desk Pro, Model 4 microcomputer using a software system named

"Remote Bulletin Board System" (RBBS) [2]. RBBS is a system which

is widely used in the Washington, DC area. The bulletin board is

operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Problems concerning

the operation or use of the bulletin board should be directed to

the System Operator (SYSOP) at the address or telephone below.

Lawrence Kaetzel

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Building Technology

Bldg 226, B206

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Telephone: (301) 921-2650

Technical questions concerning the DURCON project should be

directed to the project leader at the address or telephone below

or the SYSOP.

Dr. James Clifton

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Building Technology

Bldg 226, B348

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Telephone: (301) 921-3458

In addition, messages may be left for the above individuals via

the bulletin board "message" function.

4
I

4. BULLETIN BOARD USER INTERFACES

4.1 Communication Protocol and Hardware

Virtually anyone able to communicate with the telephone system

and with access to a terminal or computer can use the bulletin

board system. However, to use the file transfer feature, computer

facilities such as disk drives are necessary. Examples of

equipment that have been used to communicate with the system thus

far, are listed below.

Texas Instruments, Model 745 Terminal

IBM PC Microcomputers and compatibles

Apple Microcomputers

Osborne Microcomputers

The requirements for communicating with the system are listed in

Table 1.

4.2 Communication Software

To communicate with the bulletin board using a computer, a

communications program is necessary. It is possible to use many

different communications programs to communicate with the

bulletin board system. For example, to communicate as a terminal,

one needs a program that sends characters entered through the

keyboard to the bulletin board system and displays the information

returned from the system. To utilize the file transfer facility,

a more powerful and flexible program is required. Such programs

as SmartTerm [3], PC-Talk [4], Minitel [5], and Kermit [6] are

available for this purpose. A description of the Minitel

communications program usage is found in this document. Minitel

is a public domain program which is available free of charge for

non-commerical use. Minitel runs on the IBM PC and compatible

computers. Users interested in obtaining a copy of the program

should contact the bulletin board system operator. Appendix E

contains a guide for using Minitel on the IBM PC and compatible

computers

.

5
5. ESTABLISHING USER NAMES AND LOGGING ON

Using any facility on the bulletin board is simple because the system

is for the most part self-documenting. At any point in the

operating session, a '’Help" facility is available to the user.

Connection to the bulletin board system is made by dialing

telephone number (301) 869-2065. To become a user of the bulletin

board system, you must answer the questions displayed when you

logon on for the first time. Obtaining a user name on the

bulletin board is achieved using a few very simple commands.

Table 2 lists the logon options and their meanings. An example

of this procedure is found in Appendix A.

After you have established a user name for the first time, you

will be required to logon and enter your password in subsequent

sessions. It is important that you retain your user name

identity so that you will receive messages directed to you. If

you should incorrectly enter your user name in a later session,

be sure to use the "D(isconnect) " command during the logon procedure.

This will prohibit the faulty user name from entering the system.

6
6. SENDING AND RECEIVING MESSAGES

The message facilities of the bulletin board allow for creating,

viewing, killing, and responding to messages. These commands are

activated through the bulletin board's Message System Menu.

The following are some of the most commonly used message commands

and their purpose:

R)ead Msg - Displays message created by other users

E)nter Msg - Creates a message to be send to a

specific user or all users

K) ill Message - Deletes a message

Appendix B contains a listing of the message system functions.

7
7. FILE TRANSFERS

7.1 Sending Files (Uploading)

The bulletin board File Transfer Upload facility allows users

to send computer stored files to the bulletin board. To activate

the file transfer facility, follow the procedures outlined below.

If you are uploading a computer program file:

o select "U) TILITIES" from the Message System Menu (see

Appendix C for functions)

.

o select "F) ILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL" from the Utilities Menu

(see Appendix D for the file system menu)

.

o select "<X>MODEM" for computer program upload,

o remember: You must be using the 8 data bit communications

setting to transfer in XMODEM mode.

If you are uploading a text document file:

o select "U) TILITIES" from the Message System Menu (see

Appendix C for functions)

.

o select "F) ILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL" from the Utilities Menu

(see Appendix D for the file system menu)

.

o select "<A>SCII" for text document upload.

After performing one of the above upload operating procedures:

o select "F) ILE" for file transfer from the bulletin board

function menu.

o select "U) PLOAD" from the file system function menu,

o enter the name to be given the file for storage on

the bulletin board.

o setup your local communications program to transmit the

file (see Appendix E for an example)

.

When the transfer has completed, return to the Message System Menu:

o select "Q)UIT TO MAIN MENU".

7.2 Receiving Files (Downloading)

The bulletin board File Transfer Download facility allows users

to receive computer stored files from the bulletin board. To activate

the file transfer facility, follow the procedures outlined below.

If you are downloading a computer program file:

o select "U) TILITIES" from the Message System Menu (see

Appendix C for functions)

.

o select "F) ILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL" from the Utilities Menu

(see Appendix D for the file system menu)

.

o select "<X>MODEM" for computer program upload,

o remember: You must be using the 8 data bit communications

setting to transfer in XMODEM mode.

8
If you are downloading a text document file:

o select "U) TILITIES" from the Message System Menu (see

Appendix C for functions)

.

o select "F)ILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL" from the Utilities Menu

(see Appendix D for the file system menu)

.

o select "<A>SCII" for text document upload

After performing one of the above download operating procedures:

o select "F" for file transfer from the bulletin board

function menu.

o select "D) OWNLOAD" from the file system function menu,

o enter the name to be given the file for storage on

your local computer.

o setup your local communications program to receive the

file (see Appendix E for an example)

.

When the transfer has completed, return to the Message System Menu:

o select "Q)UIT TO MAIN MENU".

9
8. RUNNING APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS (DOORS)

The bulletin board DOORS feature allows a remote user to run an

application program while connected to the host computer system.

This capability makes the testing of the expert system software

easier and more accessible, particularly for users who do not

have access to a computer that is compatable with the DURCON

software. When a user calls the DOORS utility from the Message

System Menu, the available applications are displayed on the users

terminal. Entering one of the application program names (called

windows) starts the program running. For example, to run the

DURCON expert system program the user would type DURCON. When the

user stops the application program or it terminates, the bulletin

board program takes over and the Message System Menu is displayed.

Appendix F shows a sample of the DOORS system display.

10
9. REFERENCES

1. Development of Durcon, An Expert System for Durable

Concrete: Part I , James R. Clifton, Bhalchandra C. Oltikar,

Steven K. Johnson, NBSIR 85-3186, (1985)

.

2. Remote Bulletin Board System, Version CPC12.5, D. Thomas

Mack, (Great Falls, VA, 1985)

.

3. Smartcom II User's Guide, Hayes Microcomputer Products,

(Norcross, GA, 1985)

.

4. PC-Talk, Version 2.0, The Headlands Press, Inc., (Tiburon,

CA, 1985)

.

5. Minitel Communications Program Software, Fido Software,

(San Francisco, CA, 1985)

.

6. Columbia University, Center for Computing Activities,

(New York, NY 10027).

11
Table 1. COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

Communication Feature

Type

Speed

Parity

Data Bits

Stop Bits

Communications Method

File Transfer Protocol

Supported Setting/s

Asychronous (ASCII)

300, 1200, and 2400 baud

None, Even, Odd

7 and 8

1

modem or acoustic coupler

ASCII (text documents)

XMODEM-checksum (computer programs)

12
Messages

File Transfer

Teleconferencing

DOORS

Figure 1.

1—4

i

an

w

Telecommunications Line

BULLETIN BOARD

CONFIGURATION

13

APPENDIX A. EXAMPLE OF BULLETIN BOARD LOGON SESSION

WELCOME TO CONCRETE EXPERT SYS

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST NAME? CONCRETE

WHAT IS YOUR LAST NAME? SYSTEM

CHECKING USERS . .

.

TYPE SYSTEM CALLING FROM (C/R IS IBMPC)

?

WHAT IS YOUR CITY AND STATE? GAITHERSBURG, MD

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF RBBS-PC AND THE CONCRETE EXPERT SYSTEM.

<R>EGISTER, <C>HANGE NAME/ADDRESS, <D>ISCONNECT <DON , T REGISTERS R

ENTER PASSWORD YOU'LL USE TO LOGON AGAIN? EXSYS

PASSWORD VERIFICATION <DOTS ECHO?

REMEMBER YOUR PASSWORD

CAN YOUR TERMINAL DISPLAY LOWER CASE? Y

UPPER CASE AND lower

Graphics unavailable

FILE transfer default type <A>scii, <X>modem, <Q>uit? A

PROTOCOL: Ascii

Want Nulls? Y

Nulls On

Logging CONCRETE SYSTEM

A-l

APPENDIX B: MESSAGE SYSTEM MENU

RBBS-PC MESSAGE SYSTEM

COMMUNICATIONS

PERSONAL SYSTEM CONFERENCE

E) NTER MSG B) ULLETINS J)OIN

K) ILL MSG C) OMMENT V) IEW

P) ERSONAL MAIL IJNITIAL WELCOME

Q)

UICK SCAN O) PERATOR PAGE

R) EAD MSGS W)HO ELSE IS ON

S) CAN MSGS

UTILITIES ~—

H) ELP

L) INES PER PAGE

X) PERT ON/OFF

? ) LIST FUNCTIONS

MAIN FUNC <B, C, D, E , F, G, H, I # J # K, L, O, P, Q, R, S , U, V, W, X, ?>? F

- ELSEWHERE •

D) OORS SYSTEM

F) ILES SYSTEM

G) OODBYE

U) TILITIES

B-l

APPENDIX C: UTILITY SYSTEM MENU

RBBS-PC UTILITIES SYSTEM

UTILITIES

USER PROFILE/PREFERENCE

C) ASE CHANGES (UPPER/LOWER)

F) ILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL

G) RAPHICS

L) INE FEEDS (ON/OFF)

M) ESSAGE MARGIN

N) ULLS (ON/OFF)

P) ASSWORD CHANGES

R) EVIEW USER'S PREFERENCES

X ) PERT (ON/OFF)

!) PROMPT BELL (ON/OFF)

_ ELSEWHERE - SYSTEM

B) AUD RATE (300-->450) Q)UIT TO MAIN MENU

H) ELP

P) ASSWORD CHANGES

S) YSTEM STATISTICS

T) IME ON SYSTEM

U) SER LOG

C-l

APPENDIX D. FILE SYSTEM MENU

F I L E

FILE TRANSFER

D) OWNLOAD A FILE

U) PLOAD A FILE

FILE FUNC <D,G,H,

RBBS-PC FILE SYSTEM

TRANSFER — UTILITIES — - FILE INFORMATION

L) 1ST FILES AVAILABLE H) ELP

N) EW FILES LISTED X)PERT ON/OFF

S ) EARCH FILE DIRECTORIES

? ) FILE TRANSFER TUTORIAL

.N,Q,S,U,X,?>?

ELSEWHERE -

G) OODBYE

Q) UIT AND RETURN

TO MAIN MENU

D-l

APPENDIX E. MINITEL COMMUNICATION GUIDE

GUIDE FOR USING MINITEL COMMUNICATION

WITH THE RBBS BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM

1. Load the Minitel diskette in drive A.

2. Type the command MINITEL (enter)... to start the program

3. Set the communications parameters as follows:

Minitel Command Setting

B 1200

N XMODEM - CHECKSUM

4. Dial the bulletin board 869-2065

5. Logon to the bulletin board system

6. Converse as needed:

a. to send a file:

select the bulletin board file utility .. .type "F"

select the upload function. . .type "U"

enter name of file you are storing on the bulletin

board

depress the "ESC" key on your PC

select the file send. . .type "T"

type the name of the file you are sending.

b. to receive a file:

select the bulletin board file utility. . .type "F"

select the download function. . .type "D"

enter name of file you are retrieving from the bulletin

board

depress the "ESC" key on your PC

select file retrieve ... type "R"

E-l
APPENDIX E: MINITEL COMMUNICATION GUIDE

Minitel Menu Display

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Command:

R ... Receive file(s)

T ... Transmit file(s)

N ... Select file transfer

mode

SYSTEM

Q ... Quit to DOS

? ... List MINITEL Status

C ... Save Conversation

S ... Stop Save Convers.

FILES

Y ... List disk files

W ... Type (view) a file

K ... Delete disk file(s)

Minitel - (c) Fido Softw

subset of Ptel (c) Phoenix Software Associates Ltd (800) 344-7200 : MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM i Display of MINITEL Communication Configuration (XMODEM)

Type any key to continue: : Full Duplex : Linefeeds Off : Cursor is at line 25, column 1 : Not collecting text : 1200 baud : Terminal Type is VT102 : No Parity : Command Key is A

[ , ESC

File Transfer Method: XMODEM - CHKSUM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

F ... Full duplex

M ... Linefeeds off

I ... Terminal Type

H ... Half duplex

L ... Linefeeds on

V ... Set Parity

MODEM

X ... Raise/Lower DTR

B ... Set Baud Rate

- ... Line BREAK

SPECIAL

Z ... Change ESCape key

i ... Clear Screen

are 6 Apr 85 Version 3.2 Minital is a

E-2
APPENDIX F DOORS SYSTEM DISPLAY

**

*

*

**

***********************************************************************

"WINDOWS" CURRENTLY AVAILABLE * *

* * TURBOTST - PASCAL TEST PROG * * DURCON - EXPERT SYSTEM * * - * * ***********************************************************************

F-l

NBS-114A (REV. 2-80) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions

)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NBSIR-86/3332

2. Performing Organ. Report No, 3. Publication Date

FEBRUARY 1986

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

" r_

A BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM FOR FEEDBACK TO THE DURCON EXPERT SYSTEM: A DESCRIPTION

AND REFERENCE

5. AUTHOR(S)

Lawrence J. Kaetzel , James R. Clifton

6 . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS, see instructions)

national bureau of standards

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

7. Contract/Grant No.

8 . Type of Report & Period Covered

9.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City. State, ZIP)

10.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

| | Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached.

11.

ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

The electronic communication of information among building research experts

through the use of a computer speeds up the feedback process for projects

requiring the exchange of ideas. The DURCON expert system requires such feedback

in the form of evaluation, suggested changes and the communication of expert

knowledge related to the project. This report describes a bulletin board system

that has been established to aid the researchers in communicating effectively.

12.

KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons)

Bulletin board; message transfer; file transfer; expert system; feedback;

communication.

13. AVAILABILITY

y y y ^ AftUnlimited

| | For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

| | Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

20402.

0£X])Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

26

15. Price

$9.95

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