New as of version 3.55: This is the first release of an OS/2 version of Czar Wars. For changes to previous versions, please consult the HISTORY.TXT file included with the DOS version of Czar Wars. Please read LICENSE.TXT for more information on obtaining the DOS version. New as of version 3.58: Starbases now inform the owner of the number of fighters it will take to destroy them. For example, a type 4 starbase will look like this: [Type 4 Starbase! Strength: 1000] The mail file size was changed to 100 messages. This should cause no problem when upgrading an on-going game but when you get a chance you should delete the mail file and reinitialize it with CZAR_UTL for a 50K space savings and reduced backup requirements. If you would like to avoid reinitializing your mail file, you can convert version 3.55 mail files to the new, smaller format by using COPYMAIL. It is available on "The Parkway BBS" in the Czarwars file area. See LICENSE.TXT for for dialing information. The /D, /PCB, and /PCB14 modes have been removed. These modes were primarily a holdover from the DOS version of Czarwars and have little use in the OS/2 environment. The command line mode using the "!" has been enhanced significantly so that Czar Wars can now be run as an OS/2 door by accepting a port handle from the parent BBS. In addition, the command line now accepts the user's time limit. A number of additional events are now captureed in the news file and some others are reported more precisely now. Also, the news file size has been expanded to 512 events instead of the old 256. Run CZAR_UTL to re-initialize the news file. This will cause the news up to that point to be lost but will cause no other ill effects in an on-going game. The antimatter bonus that has historically been given to players who missed 1 or 2 days has been changed. The bonus is now smaller for 1 and 2 days missed, but continues to rise with ever smaller increments for additional missed days. The ranks have changed slightly and the promotion scheme has also changed. It now takes longer to make the ranks of Warlord and Czar. The government has expanded to fill sectors 1-50. If you're upgrading an existing game, check for fighters and starbases deployed in sectors 41-50. Any player with fighters there won't be able to retrieve them nor will they be able to upgrade starbases in that area. Best recommendation is to move any fighters to a nearby non-govt sector and alert the player as to your action. With starbases, it is probably best to simply delete it and give them a refund for the cost of it. Otherwise, you might ask them where they would like a new one of the same size. The commerce report command [C] now defaults to the current sector if no sector number is entered. There have been a number of small changes to the CZAR_UTL program in an attempt to make it easier to generate and modify maps. In stand-alone BBS mode CZAR_PGM now displays the time and moves the waiting-for-a-call display every 6 seconds to prevent screen burn-in. Also, when waiting for a call in stand-alone BBS mode, the dialog that CZAR_PGM has with the modem is no longer displayed. The 'summon-the-sysop' alarm sound has been changed from beeps to more audible series of alternating tones.