Many SysOps have a master file list containing all the files available on their BBS for users to download, or perhaps some virus detection software that they would like to make available to their users without affecting their users download ratio. Other SysOps may run a support BBS and have certain files they want to make available to callers without regards to how long it takes to download. ProBoard's powerful “Free File” option(s) can easily accommodate both of these things.

It is possible (in addition to marking entire file areas) to specify a list of files that users can download without ProBoard deducting the kilobyte amount of the download from their daily limit. This would allow you to make one or two (or several) files in a file area as “Free” without making the entire area “Free” to your users. To accomplish this, create a file called FREEFILE.CTL in the ProBoard system directory (usually C:\PB). Create this file with an ascii editor such as QEDIT or DOS editor. Each line in the file should contain the name (do not include the drive and path to the file) and extension of any files you want to make available for FREE. Wildcards are allowed.

An example follows:

   PB_220.ZIP
   FILELIST.ZIP
   *.TXT
   SCANV86.ZIP
   PB_STRUC.*
   LIST.LZH

It is also possible to specify individual files that you want to make available to your callers with no regard for the time it takes a user to download them. This means that if you have a file that is 1024k, and the user has 1 minute left, the user would still be able to download the file. This is a valuable feature for SysOps who run a support BBS and want to make individual files available to users without getting hate mail from those users who call long distance and then don't have enough time left or a high enough security level to download support files. Refer to Menu Function 32 for more details.