Operator and Owner Commands

The following section describes the syntax and function of all special commands available in operator mode: * Operator commands * Owner commands * The 'page command revisited

• NOTE: This list covers the Palace server version 4.4.1 commands. Some of these commands are not available on other versions. For the list of which commands are available on the specific server you are connected to, use the 'help command.

You type these commands directly into the Input Box, as though you were speaking. However, commands are prefaced with a single quote (' ) or backward quote (`).

Many commands may be "targeted," meaning that they will take effect only upon a particular user. You can activate these commands on a user by clicking directly on the person's avatar. That user's name or user ID will be passed as an argument to any target command subsequently typed into the Input Box. For example, to gag someone named Darth, you could simply select Darth (as if selecting them for private chat), then type 'gag and press the Enter key. All targeted commands are noted.

Operator commands

The following listings describe the syntax, alternate uses, and effects of all operator commands.

'autoannounce message

This command changes the autoannounce message (seen by all users upon logging in).

'banip [minutes] ip

This command permanently bans all guest users coming from the IP address specified (ip). Until the ban is removed by an 'unban command, no one from the IP address specified will be unable to connect to your Palace. This command only accepts numeric IP addresses (not domain names), although wildcards may be used (for example: 102.57.34.*). The default duration of the ban is set with the 'death command. If you specify an IP address with no wildcard, this command also bans Palace member users coming in from this address.

'banlist

'banlist -a address

'banlist -t

This command displays the Banlist, which is a list of all users who have been tracked, killed or banned from your Palace, as well as the names and comments of the operators or owners who banned them. The -a option is used to display a list of banned users coming from the specified address. The -t option is used to display a list of tracked users (see the command 'track [minutes] name). The Banlist is displayed in the Log window.

'banuser [minutes] name

This command bans user name and keeps them from reconnecting to your site for a period of time equal to minutes. If the duration is not specified, the default duration is used. The default duration is set with the 'death command.

'bots on

'bots off

This command allows or prohibits CYBORG.IPT scripts on the server. Default = on.

'comment ipaddress text

This command allows you to insert a comment into a ban or track record.

'death number

This command sets the Death Penalty on the server to number minutes.

'delete [roomID]

This command deletes the specified room from the script file on the server. If no Room ID is specified, the current room will be deleted.

'duplicate

This command creates a duplicate of the current room, and places you in it.

'er

"Emergency Response." This command instantly transports you to the room from where the last non-operator 'page command was issued.

'extend name minutes

'extend ip minutes

This command (in either of its forms) extends the existing death penalty on the ban record associated with a user (name) or IP address (ip). Note that using short names or partial IP addresses might have undesirable effects.

'flood number

This command sets the number of messages from the client (flood events) that will be tolerated (per second) by the server. Default = 300.

'gag name

This command "gags" an obnoxious user, causing the server to ignore everything they say (type). A gagged user also may not draw, move props, introduce new props, or delete loose props. The target will remain gagged -- even if they disconnect and connect again -- until ungagged by a operator or owner.

You can target this command.

'glist [-k | -o | -p | -w ] [username]

This command lists the status and IP addresses of all users on the server; otherwise the same as 'list.

• The -k option is used to display the unique numeric Keys assigned to each user by the server.

• The -o option displays the users' software version and machine type.

• The -p option shows the users' PUID hash.

• The -w option lists only operators.

'kill [minutes] name

This command is used to "kill" (disconnect) a user. Despite what it sounds like, a 'kill is not as bad as a 'ban. The name argument is optional; you can do the same thing by specifying the target with a mouse-click (as if selecting them for private chat), and then typing 'kill. The minutes argument is also optional, allowing you to specify the duration of the kill period in minutes (the default duration is set by the 'death command). Of course, a user who has been "killed" can always reconnect eventually, which leads to the 'ban command (see Owner commands).

You can target this command.

'list [-k | -o | -p | -w ] [ ip | name ]

This command creates a list of the Status, Usernames and IP addresses of all users in the current room, or all users specified by argument, which appears in the Log window.

• The -k option is used to display the unique numeric Keys assigned to each user by the server.

• The -o option displays the users' software origination code and machine type.

• The -p option shows the users' PUID hash.

• The -w option lists only operators.

The ip version of the command displays all users matching the IP address (or block) specified. The name version of the command displays the status, username, IP address and current room of user (name).

'opcount

This command tells how many operators and owners are currently logged on. You can target this command.

'paint on

'paint off

This command allows or prohibits using the Painting Tools anywhere on the server except for operators.

'pin name

This command "pins" an obnoxious user, causing their avatar to be sent to corner of the room. By default, these users will wear a chain and padlock, but an owner can specify this prop with the 'pinprop command (see 'pinprop on). The pinned user cannot move or leave the room (except by disconnecting) until he or she is unpinned by a operator or owner (see the command 'unpin name). You can target this command.

'propgag name

This command puts a propgag on user (name), removing any props he/she is wearing. The subject will remain in this state -- even if they disconnect and connect again -- until unpropgagged by a operator or owner (see'unpropgag name).

You can target this command.

'purgebanlist

This command purges expired ban records from the server.

'purgeprops number

This command purges all props on the server older than (number) days. A negative number indicates hours instead of days. The default value is set by the 'purgelimit command (see Owner commands). Note that this command does not compress the server prop file.

'repage message

This command sends your message to the last non-operator who issued a 'page command.

'roommaxguests number

This command allows you to set (or change) the maximum number of guests who will be allowed in the current room at one time.

'roommaxocc number

This command allows you to set (or change) the maximum number of visitors who will be allowed in the current room at one time.

'track [minutes] name

This command sends a message to all operators whenever user (name) signs on. The tracking period lasts for the duration specified by the 'death command, unless a timeout period in minutes is provided with the minutes argument.

NOTE: This command works only if the tracked user is online at the time it is issued. Tracked users are listed when you do a 'banlist command.

You can target this command.

'trackip [minutes] ip

This command tracks all users logging in from the specified IP address until the track is removed by an 'untrack command. This command only accepts numeric IP addresses (not domain names), although wildcards may be used (e.g.: 102.57.34.*). The tracking period lasts for the same amount of time as specified by the 'death command, unless a timeout period in minutes is provided with the minutes argument.

'unban name | ip

This command removes a 'ban on user (name) or IP address (ip). You can target this command.

'ungag name

This command removes a 'gag on user (name). You can target this command.

'unpin name

This command removes a 'pin on user (name). You can target this command.

'unpropgag name

This command removes a 'propgag on user (name). You can target this command.

'untrack name

This command closes the track record on user (name), and stops tracking that person. You can target this command.

Owner commands

The ultimate power in a Palace site rests in the hands of its owner(s). Generally, there is one owner who is also the creator of the Palace, but not always. The owner of the site ultimately must take responsibility for the look, feel, mood, pace, and ongoing activities associated with the site in the minds of others. Owners can run all of the operator commands described in the section Operator commands, plus the following special set of owner commands. These commands let Palace owners control access, distribute powers and change server preferences remotely.

'allowedurls on

'allowedurls off

'allowedurls "URL"

This command lets you control how Palace Viewer clients connect to your site by creating a list of authorized URLs for web-based user access. It lets you specify that only certain web sites are authorized to contain pages with a Palace Viewer pointing to your Palace site.

First, set the URL string or strings, separated by a pipe symbol (|). You then enable and disable this allowed URLs string with allowedurls on.

'author on

'author off

'authoring on

'authoring off

This command (in either of its forms) determines whether or not operators can enter authoring mode, allowing them to change room settings, create new rooms and doors, etc. Default = on.

'avatarurl on

'avatarurl off

'avatarurl "URL"

The avatarurl command points to the location of your server defined avatars. The server defined avatar feature is available in Version 4.0 and later of the Palace server. With the use of this command, visitors to your Palace server will be able to use your server defined avatars.

First, set the desired URL location with avatarurl "URL". Then, you enable and disable this custom URL setting.

'ban name

'ban PUID

'ban registrationcodehash

This command (in any of its forms) is used to permanently banish a particularly obnoxious user. The banned person won't be able to connect to your server again until you decide they've been rehabilitated. The maximum possible duration for a 'ban is 32,767 minutes. If you use the name parameter, that user will not be able to log on under another name. They must, however be connected to the server to be banned by name.

'botkill on

'botkill off

This command determines whether or not the KILLUSER command can be used by Bots (Cyborg Scripts) on the server. Default = off.

'chatlog on|off [filename]

This command toggles the server's Chatlog on and off. The Chatlog file contains all chat generated by all users on the server. The filename argument is optional.

'custom on|off

This command determines whether or not members may use custom props on the server. The default is on. Set this command off if you want visitors to your site to only use default avatars.

'defaultroomocc number

This command allows you to set (or change) the default number of users who will be allowed in any given room at one time. This is a server-wide setting; it does not change the occupancy of rooms in which the maximum occupancy has been set individually.

'downlist [number]

This command moves the current room down in the room list (i.e., toward the end of the script file) by the number of rooms specified.

'dropzone on|off

This command enables or disables the current room's ability to serve as a dropzone. A dropzone is an alternate entrance; a room where incoming users may appear if the actual Entrance room is too full to admit them. In such a case, the server looks through the script file for alternate entrances, placing the user in the first dropzone it finds (with vacancy).

'entrypage ["URL"]

This command sets your Palace's default entrypage URL for the Palace Directory. If keyword FORCETPVWEBPAGE is set with the allowedurls on command, this page is also the entry page for web clients coming in from a non-authorized URL (the TPVALLOWEDURLS keyword, set with the allowedurls "URL" command).

'fileserver ["URL"] /

All artwork and sounds for your Palace reside on your Palace web server. When users access your Palace, this web server provides the artwork and sounds for them. In addition, if a user with the stand-alone Palace User Software accesses your Palace, the sounds and artwork for that room are downloaded to their machine from this web server.

Your Palace installation has a built-in web server to serve this media. You can keep your media here, or move it to a different web server (for example, to reduce the load on your machine) using this fileserver command.

Note that the trailing slash (/) is required.

'flushprops numberofdays

This command flushes props older than numberofdays from the prop file (a negative number means the time is in hours, not days). This should be part of your periodic Palace server maintenance.

~gmsg message

This shortcut sends your message (whatever you type after "~gmsg") to everybody on the server; regardless of their user class. You can use an exclamation point to create a "shouting" message.

NOTE: This command uses a tilde (~) instead of a quote (').

'guests on|off

This command determines whether or not guests (unregistered users) will be allowed to sign on to the server. Default = on.

'killprop

This command enables prop terms of service by removing the prop you are wearing from the server prop file. To remove a prop, first put it on, then run this command. After you type this command, any user who was wearing that prop can still wear it, but they can't distribute it. They can't even drag off a piece. You can then propgag those left wearing the prop.

Use this command in conjunction with the 'propcontrol command for prop security.

'maxocc number

'maxserverocc number

This command (in either of its forms) allows you to set the maximum number of users who will be allowed on the server at one time. Note that the maximum value of number is automatically limited by your license capacity; this command may be used to set it anywhere up and including to this licensed maximum.

'memberrooms on|off

This command, when on, allows members to create their own rooms. Default = off.

'nowhisper on|off

This command toggles all users' ability to whisper (i.e., private chat) on the server.

'operators on|off

This command determines whether or not operators are permitted on the server (owners remain unaffected). Default = on.

'operatorkill on|off

This command determines whether or not the 'kill command can be used by operators on the server. Default = on.

'operatorsonly on|off

This command sets the current room so that only operators and owners may enter.

'operatorpass password

This command allows you to change the operator password.

'ownerpass password

This command allows you to change the owner password.

'passwordsecurity

This command toggles the state of the server's password protection function. If on, the server will automatically kill any user who enters an incorrect password (operator or owner) three times in a row.

'picdir relativePath

This command allows you to set the location of the pictures directory (folder) on the server, which the server uses to find any images requested by the clients (note that the clients first use the URL specified by the command 'fileserver ["URL"] /). If the picdir is set to an incorrect path, new users do not receive any downloaded files, even though users who have visited the site before see everything perfectly. The pictures directory stores not only all of your graphic images, but all other files intended for automatic download (such as your MIDI or WAV files). For operators of Windows- or Mac-based Palace sites, the effect of this command is the same as opening the Server Preferences window and setting the Server Directory. On UNIX-based sites, it is the only means of changing this setting without taking the script offline for editing.

NOTE: SYNTAX is Platform-Specific. The 'picdir command sets the contents of the PICFOLDER line in the server script. The format of this line (and therefore the format of the relativePath variable) differs depending on the operating system used by the Palace server. Windows and UNIX servers expect to see forward-slashes ( / ) used as delimiters, as shown here.

Operator Command:
'picdir pictures/

Server Script (pserver.prefs):
PICFOLDER "pictures/"

Macintosh servers, on the other hand, use colons ( : ) as delimiters. In addition, a colon delimiter must be placed at the beginning of the path, as shown here:

Operator Command:
'picdir :pictures:

Server Script:
PICFOLDER ":pictures:"

A final delimiter is always required, regardless of server platform.

NOTE: PATH MUST BE RELATIVE. It is important to note that the picfolder must be specified in terms of a relative path; that is, starting from the location of the main "Palace" directory. For instance, if your Palace server resides in a directory called
/local/thepalace and your pictures are located in /local/thepalace/media/pictures, the correct operator command to set the picfolder would be:

Windows/UNIX Servers:
`picdir media/pictures/

Macintosh Servers:
`picdir :media:pictures:

installationdirectory/palace is the default reference for Palace servers version 4.4 and later.

'pinprop on

'pinprop off

'pinprop propID

This command lets you set a customized pin prop. A pin prop is the prop worn by a pinned user.

If you do not supply any arguments, the command takes the first prop that the issuer of the command is wearing and sets it to be the pin prop. You must be wearing a prop to do this.

The default pin prop worn is the one with prop ID 1280 (the chains prop).

'playerkill on|off

This command determines whether or not members can use the 'kill command on the server. When 'playerkill is on, any member (or any member's Cyborg Script) can boot any other user off the system. Default = off.

'poundcheckinterval number

This command sets the pound check interval to number seconds.

'poundprotect on

'poundprotect off

This command enables/disables pound protection. This logs the IP address of a user who repeatedly makes new connections in a short time interval.

'propcontrol on

'propcontrol off

'propcontrol userlevel

This command restricts who can introduce new props into your Palace. Use this command if you need to control custom props without having to 1) completely turn them off, or 2) enforce prop-wearing rules using live moderators.

NOTE: While prop control can enhance prop security in your site, be aware that restricting your Palace in this manner can deter users from visiting your site. Only those sites that really need to control what appears in their Palace (for example, children's sites) should use this command.

Prop control remains on until you turn it off again, even if you shut down and restart your Palace server.

To use propcontrol, do the following steps:

1. Start with an empty server prop file.

2. Start your Palace server.

3. Start your Palace client and connect to your server as an owner user.

4. Run the propcontrol userlevel command before any user logs on to wear a prop. This specifies which users can introduce new props.

5. Turn prop control on with the propcontrol on command.

The propcontrol command has the following parameters:

• If prop control is on, only owners can introduce new props by wearing them.

• If prop control is off, any user can introduce new props. This is the default.

• Setting a user level allows only certain users to introduce new props (each level includes the users in the previous level):
  • 3 - owner users only (equivalent to 'propcontrol on)

  • 2 - operators

  • 1 - members

Once prop control is enabled, do not turn it off during normal public operations. If you do, every member-supplied prop is automatically treated as approved the next time this command is enabled. Also, be sure to back up your prop files frequently

'purge numberofdays

'purgelimit number

Either of these commands sets the default purge prop limit to number of days. All props on the server older than this number value are automatically purged. The number specified must be greater than 0.

'recycle [number]

This command causes Guest Numbers (the individual numbers appended to the word "guest" in Guests' names) to begin recycling immediately. The number argument causes the guests numbers to recycle after that number. For example,

'recycle 1000

would recycle the guest numbers at 1000.

'reportprefs

This command lists the current Palace server preferences.

'reset

This command recomputes all rooms' occupancy count.

'revision

This command gives the revision number and version of the Palace server.

'roomsfile

'roomsfile .patfilename

This command causes your Palace to use the template associated with the specified .pat configuration file. This changes your Palace template, and thus the look and feel of your Palace. Like the 'picdir command, the .patfilename path is relative. The default is psdata/pserver.pat.

Palace templates, which you can download from the Palace website, are the look and feel of your Palace site; they contain artwork, sounds, scripts and a configuration file (.pat) containing information about your Palace rooms. The Palace website has many different configuration files you can download, such as a beach resort or an office. You can download as many of these templates as you like, and change the look and feel of your Palace whenever you want.

Running this command with no arguments displays your current file settings.

'savesessionkeys on

'savesessionkeys off

This command enables/disables saving sessions keys (that is, logs a user's Palace ID and a hash of a user's registration code to the server log).

'securejavaaccess on

'securejavaaccess off

If this is on, additional authorization is required for web-based users.

'savesessionkeys

This command toggles whether puids and activation codes are stored in the log.

'securelogoff on|off

This command, when on, tracks logoffs from a Palace server with the authentication option.

'securesite on|off

When this command is set on, a user name and password are required to access the Palace server. This requires a special server registration code.

'security host:[port] [retrys] |off

This command tells the Palace server where the authentication daemon is running.

• host is the daemon's URL

• port is the daemon's port

• retrys specifies how many attempts a user can make. The default is 1.

'setrank command setting

This command sets the rank of the specified command to the specified setting.

• 3 - owner

• 2 - operators

• 1 - members

• 0 - guests

For example, the following commands would allow members to pin each other:

'setrank pin 1

'setrank unpin 1

'servername serverName

This command allows you to set (or change) the name of your Palace.

'showranks

This command displays each Palace command and its current rank. Modifications done with the 'setrank command are shown in parenthesis.

'shutdown

This command shuts down the server (as soon as possible, which may take several seconds).

'spoof on|off

This command allows (or disallows) members to spoof (make their words appear from somewhere other than their mouths) by using the @x,y option when talking. The default is on.

~susr ownerpassword

This command grants you owner capabilities on the Palace site you are connected to. This command is useful when you do not have access to the operator interface; for example, when you are using The Palace Viewer web-based client, or you have turned operator support off with the 'allowedoperators off command.

NOTE: This command uses a tilde (~) instead of a quote (').

'uplist [number]

This command moves the current room up in the room list (i.e., toward the beginning of the script file) by the number of rooms specified.

The 'page command revisited

You can use the 'page command to send a message to operators only. In fact, many Palace sites use the 'page command as a kind of "operators' CB channel," and it works well for that. For example:

Page from Wiz1: Keep an eye on Guest 1641 from 206.17.52.4. I had to kill him earlier today.

Replying to pages

There are two ways to reply to a page. The most common method is the 'er (emergency response) command. This command notifies other operators on the site that you are responding to the page, and instantly transports you to the room where it came from.

This only works when the page emanated from a non-operator - e.g. it keeps track of the last non-operator page. For example:

** Page from Joe in Red Room: That nasty hacker dude is back.

'er

But there are times when your direct presence isn't really necessary, such as when a guest pages you to ask "Where's the help function?" To simply send a message back to the person who paged you, use the `repage ("reply to page") command, like so:

** Page from Joe in Red room: operator Help!!

'repage What can I do for you?

Again, the other operators on the site will be notified that you have responded to the page, as shown below:

** Page from System: Wiz1 has responded to Joe's page via 'repage