                     | Virtual Reality Data Systems BBS |
                      \--------------------------------/
                        |  1-(703)-323-0236  BBS/FAX |
                        +----------------------------+

What is this?:               
-------------

        After several years of running telegard and then Renegade I have
always disliked the authors defult installed menus.  I don't mean to knock
them - they are hard working folks.  However no programmer can spend the time
to tinker with the finner points of a system when it is as flexable as
renegade.

        So I eventualy sat down over the course of a week and read the
rather archane documentation and designed a menu structure on paper as a
flow chart of functions.  Then I deleted the stock menu data files and
started with the main menu.

        After a time I did a lot of tinkering and made use of the %DF% MCI
to get around the rather short strings provided for menu prompts and headers.
I prefer to use more then one color and many MCI pipes in my menu system, and
the internal editor is rather simple.  Many external editors make use of
better editing functions, however they cannot get around the string lenght
limit.

        This archive containes the menu structure and support files for my
BBS.  These files will only work with Renegade 10-05exp or higher.  They
require the %DF% MCI pipe codes introduced in 10-04.  An archive summery
follows:

README.TXT      This file
MNUPMTS.ZIP     The Menu Prompt text files
VRSMENU.ZIP     The Menu Data files.
FILE_ID.DIZ     Discription file

A note about this structure:
---------------------------

        In this archive I have removed the second and third level security
codes that are in my operational menus.  Renegade allows you to use special
menu commands that will prompt for a password.  I have that on my sysop menu,
since if I am calling in remote it's a rare time I need to use sysop commands.
So I added two more passwords to enter the sysop menu.  I would suggest you
do the same if it fits your sysoping style.

        I have also removed the Archive manipulation commands.  These are in
the stock archive menu that comes with renegade.  They can however become
backdoors to your system.  If you want to keep your archive viewing commands
I sugest you set your filebases to upload to a directory that is set to sysop
clearence only.  That way any uploads go to one directory, were you can scan
them as well as preventing a hacker from uploading them, then viewing them -
with a virus or trojen horse.

        In my system I have a System Announcement Sub as BASE #1, and a
new user introduction sub as BASE #2.  The menu's will auto-scan these two
bases.  If you wish to remove this function, edit the START menu and remove
the commands.  

Installation:
------------

        First make sure you exit Renegade, do not use a command prompt shell
as several menu datafiles are still open when you exit.  

        I suggest you make backups of your entire renegade installation, or
try these menus out on a base install to see if you like them.  Installation
is simple.  Change to your MENU directory were the *.MNU files are located.
Delete all .MNU files (as noted, make backups).  Then unzip the VRSMENU.ZIP
archive into the MENU directory.  Change to the MISC directory.  Unzip the
MNUPMTS.ZIP file into this directory. 

The .PMT files for the menu headers are still from my BBS, however you may
edit the .PMT files and change them to what you would like.  You do however
have to change them from my bbs name.

Legal Appendix:
--------------

        As with any shareware item, I make no warrenties about this product.
All I can promis is it will take up space on your hardrive.  If it works to
your satisfaction great!  If it takes over your computer, grabs a gun and
kills your cat - I suggest you go for a walk and get some fresh air, all the
ozone from the computer is getting to you!

Registration:
------------

        Now I'm not going to be pompus about this.  After all it's just a
dam menu set.  If you like these menu's and find them useful as is, or as
pointers for things you might use in your existing menus, let me know.  My
e-mail addresses are below.

        If you want, I do accept donations.  Running a bbs can be expensive
as you know.  I'll take anything you fell you want to give to my bbs.  Be it
money or hardware.  Heck if you have intersting things you have collected
and want to get rid of - send them our way.  If you have old games or Music
CD's I'll take those as well.  I am quite a pack rat afterall :)

Snail-Mail:            Inet E-mail:        FTS Networks:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Keller           jmkeller@radix.net  James Keller @ 1:109/344  FidoNet
5509 Beaconsfiled Ct                       James Keller @ 88:4202/1  MufoNet
Burke, Va. 22015                           James Keller @ 50:520/604 RGSNet
                                           James Keller # 93:9810/3  PODNet

Make checks payable to James Keller.  Please enclose your name and addresses
so I might send you X-Mass cards or something somtime.  If you mail something
as a gift - put Virtual Reality Data Systems C/O James Keller so I know it is
not a bomb or something :)
