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SpudGunMan
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@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ Enable/disable games in `[games]` section of `config.ini`.
Enable in `[bbs]` section of `config.ini`.
more at [meshBBS: How-To & API Documentation](bbstools.md)
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## Checklist
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# 📡 meshBBS: How-To & API Documentation
This document covers the Bulliten Board System or BBS componment of the meshing-around project.
## Table of Contents
1. [BBS Core Functions](#1-bbs-core-functions)
2. [BBS Database Sync: File-Based (Out-of-Band)](#1-bbs-database-sync-file-based-out-of-band)
3. [BBS Over-the-Air (OTA) Sync: Linking](#2-bbs-over-the-air-ota-sync-linking)
4. [Scheduling BBS Sync](#3-scheduling-bbs-sync)
5. [Best Practices](#4-best-practices)
6. [Example: Full Sync Workflow](#5-example-full-sync-workflow)
7. [Troubleshooting](#6-troubleshooting)
8. [API Reference: BBS Sync](#7-api-reference-bbs-sync)
## 1. **BBS Core Functions**
### **Message Storage**
The .. database is
- Messages are stored in `data/bbsdb.pkl` (public posts) and `data/bbsdm.pkl` (direct messages).
- Format: Each message is a list, e.g. `[id, subject, body, fromNode, timestamp, threadID, replytoID]`.
| Command | Description |
|--------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| `bbshelp` | Show BBS help |
| `bbslist` | List messages |
| `bbsread` | Read a message by ID |
| `bbspost` | Post a message or DM |
| `bbsdelete` | Delete a message |
| `bbsinfo` | BBS stats (sysop) |
| `bbslink` | Link messages between BBS systems |
---
Enable in `[bbs]` section of `config.ini`.
## 1. **BBS Database Sync: File-Based (Out-of-Band)**
### **Manual/Automated File Sync (e.g., SSH/SCP)**
- **Purpose:** Sync BBS data between nodes by copying `bbsdb.pkl` and `bbsdm.pkl` files.
- **How-To:**
1. **Locate Files:**
- `data/bbsdb.pkl` (public posts)
- `data/bbsdm.pkl` (direct messages)
2. **Copy Files:**
Use `scp` or `rsync` to copy files between nodes:
```sh
scp user@remote:/path/to/meshing-around/data/bbsdb.pkl ./data/bbsdb.pkl
scp user@remote:/path/to/meshing-around/data/bbsdm.pkl ./data/bbsdm.pkl
```
3. **Reload Database:**
After copying, when the "API" is enabled the watchdog will look for changes and injest.
- **Automating with Cron/Scheduler:**
- Set up a cron job or use the bots scheduler to periodically pull/push files.
---
## 2. **BBS Over-the-Air (OTA) Sync: Linking**
### **How OTA Sync Works**
- Nodes can exchange BBS messages using special commands over the mesh network.
- Uses `bbslink` and `bbsack` commands for message exchange.
- Future supports compression for bandwidth efficiency.
### **Enabling BBS Linking**
- Set `bbs_link_enabled = True` in your config.
- Optionally, set `bbs_link_whitelist` to restrict which nodes can sync.
### **Manual Sync Command**
- To troubleshoot request sync from another node, send:
```
bbslink <messageID> $<subject> #<body>
```
- The receiving node will respond with `bbsack <messageID>`.
### **Out-of-Band Channel**
- For high-reliability sync, configure a dedicated channel (not used for chat).
---
## 3. **Scheduling BBS Sync**
### **Using the Bots Scheduler**
- You can schedule periodic sync requests to a peer node.
- Example: Every hour, send a `bbslink` request to a peer.
see more at [Module Readme](README.md#scheduler)
---
## 4. **Best Practices**
- **Backup:** Regularly back up `bbsdb.pkl` and `bbsdm.pkl`.
- **Security:** Use SSH keys for file transfer; restrict OTA sync to trusted nodes.
- **Reliability:** Use a dedicated channel for BBS sync to avoid chat congestion.
- **Automation:** Use the scheduler for regular syncs, both file-based and OTA.
---
## 5. **Example: Full Sync Workflow**
1. **Set up a dedicated sync channel** (e.g., channel bot-admin).
2. **Configure both nodes** with `bbs_link_enabled = True` and add each other to `bbs_link_whitelist`.
3. **Schedule sync** every hour:
- Node A sends `bbslink 0` to Node B on channel 99.
- Node B responds with messages and `bbsack`.
4. **Optionally, use SSH/scp** to copy `bbsdb.pkl` for full out-of-band backup.
---
## 6. **Troubleshooting**
- **Messages not syncing?**
- Check `bbs_link_enabled` and whitelist settings.
- Ensure both nodes are on the same sync channel.
- Check logs for errors.
- **File sync issues?**
- Verify file permissions and paths.
- Ensure the bot reloads the database after file copy.
## 7. **API Reference: BBS Sync**
### **Key Functions in Python**
| Function | Purpose | Usage Example |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| `bbs_post_message()` | Post a new public message | `bbs_post_message(subject, body, fromNode)` |
| `bbs_read_message()` | Read a message by ID | `bbs_read_message(messageID)` |
| `bbs_delete_message()` | Delete a message (admin/owner only) | `bbs_delete_message(messageID, fromNode)` |
| `bbs_list_messages()` | List all message subjects | `bbs_list_messages()` |
| `bbs_post_dm()` | Post a direct message | `bbs_post_dm(toNode, message, fromNode)` |
| `bbs_check_dm()` | Check for DMs for a node | `bbs_check_dm(toNode)` |
| `bbs_delete_dm()` | Delete a DM after reading | `bbs_delete_dm(toNode, message)` |
| `get_bbs_stats()` | Get stats on BBS and DMs | `get_bbs_stats()` |
| Function | Purpose |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| `bbs_sync_posts()` | Handles incoming/outgoing sync requests |
| `bbs_receive_compressed()`| Handles compressed sync data |
| `compress_data()` | Compresses data for OTA transfer |
| `decompress_data()` | Decompresses received data |
### **Handle Incoming Sync**
- The bot automatically processes incoming `bbslink` and `bbsack` commands via `bbs_sync_posts()`.
### **Compressed Sync**
Future Use
- If `useSynchCompression` is enabled, use:
```python
compressed = compress_data(msg)
send_raw_bytes(peerNode, compressed)
```
- Receiving node uses `bbs_receive_compressed()`.
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