DP Tool Club 15/CD_ASCQ_15_070894.iso/vrac/msys117.zip/WHATSNEW.117

Text File | 1994-03-24 | 21KB | 603 lines

                                WHAT'S NEW in MSYS 1.17

           TO PROPERLY INSTALL MSYS 1.17 UPGRADE, you MUST have MSYS 1.16
           fully installed.  That will require the 3 disk set of MSYS 1.16
           which includes the full documentation.  The three disk set is
           available from the sources listed on Page 9 of this document.

           1.  RLI compatible compression has been fixed.
               Use the XO and NETXO options to implement.  Also, set XB and
               NETXB parameters.

           2.  Automatic merge operation has been implemented.
               When MSYS first starts, it will automatically merge the
               MSYSFWD.DEF files with the  <bbs>.FWD/REV files to create the
               MSYS.FWD file.  Merge can not be done while forwarding is in
               progress, but MSYS will automatically perform the function at
               the start of the next forward cycle if the MERGE command has
               been given.

           3.  The IPADDR now can take the following forms:
               44.70.4.6
               [44.70.4.6]

           4.  A sysop may respond with a   K (without message number) as a
               response to the Reply to this message? question, causing the
               message to be deleted.  It is a useful addition in system
               maintenance, especially if autoreply is turned on.

           5.  A new line has been added to the Sysop command "#" response
               giving the numbers of various types of messages.

           6.  MSYS now supports higher IRQ's.  Of interest will be IRQ's
               3,4,5,7,10,11,12, & 15.

           7.  MUTIL 20 now creates a NEW bbslist.dat.  No further need to
               delete the old and rename the new one!

           8.  MSYS now uses close to 500K of EMS.

           9.  Many of the messages formerly stored within the program are
               now in  MSYSMSGS.DAT

               MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE NEW MSYSMSGS.DAT file in your
               MSYS\HELP\ directory!



           10. MSYS.OPT has a new parameter:
               netnode #neighbors #dests #circuits

               If used, the netnode number must contain all three numbers.
               For example: netnode 25 100 10
               would give 25 neighbor nodes, 100 destinations and 10
               circuits (default).  This command has been added to permit
               additional free memory for those systems that do not have a
               large NetRom switching requirement while making provision for
               those that do.  Obviously, the larger this list size, the
               less room in MSYS for additional connects.


                  MUTIL 9 MUST BE RUN AFTER CHANGING THIS PARAMETER!

           11. Also, because of the above change, MUTIL 9 must be run
               immediately before running MUTIL 18 (to check node integrity)
               so that the variable number of neighbors and dests can be
               determined.

           12. A new USER bit has been added ($4000) to prevent the 'You
               have new mail' message from being sent to a connecting
               station.  This would have application in the case where you
               did not wish to mark a connecting station as a bbs, when it
               may be, and the lack of a '>' response may stall proper
               forwarding.

           13. Automatic Sysop password reply is now implemented for
               multiple MSYS systems.  The passwords are stored in the
               \MSYS\FWD directory in the form: <call>.RMT   See the section
               on passwords in this document for further details.

           14. The reply to sysop messages problem has been resolved.

           15. A change in the processing of R+ and \Why commands done
               remotely has been made so that if the word values that caused
               the hold will not be sent over the air if their values exceed
               99. For example, if the word "darn" has a value of 1, the
               remote read will send the word.  If the word "#$%^&" has the
               value of 100 (or higher), MSYS will report instead, the type
               of item (title, text, etc) and the line number in the hold
               word list (BADWORDS.DAT) containing the given word.  This
               will prevent the "bad" words from being retransmitted over
               the air.  Processing from the local console is not changed.














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           16. Forwarding in export format to a file is now supported. To do
               so, put X0 <callsign> in the MSYSFWD.DEF file  with desired
               @bbs entries.  There MUST be a digit after the  "X" - any
               digit.  There must NOT be an SSID on the callsign!   A file,
               <callsign>.FWD, will be created in the \MSYS directory  for
               external batch forwarding.  For example:
               -----------------
               X1 WA8BXN
               allus
               ARRL
               ------------------
               To import messages into MSYS, use the sysop IMport command.
               Messages imported this way will be checked for non-duplicate
               BID numbers.

           17. A change has been made in Window 5 on the F1 screen to show
               the actual station being forwarded to.

           18. A new command SYsop [ON/off] has been added.  If on, messages
               to SYSOP are included in the "You have ...messages" count on
               the F1 screen.

           19. Messages for MYCall will also be included in the "You have
               ... messages" count.

           20. Multiple FBB proposals per packet are now implemented (as
               opposed to one proposal per packet in previous versions).


                      OTHER COMMENTS & ADDITIONS to DOCUMENTATION


           1.  Limited bbs user.  The EditUser command includes a limited
               bbs command.  Users marked with that command can do the
               following:  a,b,cc,h,i,k,kt,lt,m,n,p,rm,r #,s(all forms),
               t,u,v,x,?  Basically they can't do anything that produces
               lots of output other than reading messages to them.

           2.  MAKE SURE there are NO BLANK LINES at end of Connect Script.
               (P. 43 of MSYS 1.16 docs)

           3.  A forward connect in the MSYSFWD.DEF script that uses a
               @<node> is a level 2 AX.25 connect Vs a level 3 connect
               %<node>.  It WILL make a difference in the xb Vs netxb
               options  (among others).

           4.  When changing the Message of the day (MSYS.OTD), you must do
               a GETM from the sysop prompt or restart MSYS.  The command is
               described on page 52 of the MSYS 1.16 documentation.

           5.  When changing the MSYS.REP file, you must do a REP from the
               sysop prompt or restart MSYS.




                                                                     Page  3

           6.  MSYS bbs systems can beacon their geographic position for
               Automatic Position Reporting Systems (APRS) usage by setting
               the BT [port#] !DDMM.mmN/DDDMM.mmW$[optional info] parameter,
               where DDMM.mm represents the degrees, minutes, tenths and
               hundredths of minutes of their Latitude and Longitude.
               The !,N/,W$ are critical symbols! For example:
                     BT 0 !4108.58N/08130.16W$WB8BII BBS


           7.  AD8I has announced that he will no longer be serving as the
               MASter White Pages Server.  You may wish to enter the new
               WP server station using the MAS command in your MSYS.DO file


                              SAM database users:

           The SAM version dated November of 1993 and called the 1994 issue
           has a SAMAPI.EXE file that is 28598 bytes.  The one dated
           11/23/92, is 22414 bytes.  The old one works fine with the new
           database with MSYS, and will save approximately 6,000 bytes of
           memory for use by MSYS.  It is possible that in a future edition,
           the new version may be required to provide the add-on options.
           The County option is supported by the 1992 version of SAMAPI in
           MSYS.

                                       KAM RESET

           If you have problems with running MSYS PACTOR with a KAM after
           using the Kamhost program, you should execute the "factory
           defaults" command prior to loading MSYS.  Apparently there is
           some parameter that causes premature disconnect unless the
           factory defaults are used.  Also, the MSYS internal file to
           initialize Kantronics tncs is called MSYSTNC.0.  There should be
           no need to create a MSYSTNC.# file to initialize the present KPC-
           series of tnc's.


                                  USER BITS FOR V1SIT

           You should set the user BITS for V1SIT to $100 (at a minimum) to
           prevent erroneous WP messages from being generated.  You should
           also add FROM=V1SIT to your MSYSHOLD.DAT file to prevent any
           unauthorized messages from being forwarded by unlicensed modem
           users.














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                             Forwarding to AA4RE systems:

           Make sure you add the:
           +to
           etc. lines in your forward connect script when connecting to the
           co-located BPQ node so that the [SID] will be properly received
           from 4RE type systems. For example:
           P0 WB2WXQ
           %KPARK
           +to
           ?Sorry
           ?with
           .c bbs
           $fwd/WB2WXQ.REV
           ------------------------------------------


                         Forwarding Through a PACKETEN Switch

           Here is one example of a forwarding script that allows forwarding
           through a Gracilis Packet Switch.  This may not apply in all
           cases, but is the script suggested by Mel, K0PFX

           R2 KD9SG
           !07-23
           @stl      (stl is the Gracilis switch alias)
            (Carriage return sent to connect switch to port)
           +Connected
           ?errno
           ?busy
           .escape disable    (disables any "escape" characater such as
           +Disabled           Ctrl X to allow compressed forwarding)
           ?errno
           ?busy
           .C [port] [call or alias]   (Connect via Gracilis port)
           +Connected
           ?errno
           ?busy
           .C toybbs
           #60
           +Connected
           ?Busy
           ?Failed
           KD9SG
           $fwd\kd9sg.rev
           -------

           IF compressed forwarding is not required, ".escape disable" is
           not required.
           Gracilis switch is model PackeTen.
           Thanks to Mel, K0PFX@K0PFX






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                                  MSYS/MATRIX Adapter


           Here is the latest suggestion for an adapter to interface a MSYS
           serial port to a TheNet matrix.  It is suggested that this be
           built into a "gender-bender" for best (and least confusing)
           results.

                                        ADAPTER
                        TO CPU END               TO MATRIX END
                              1                        1
                              2                        3
                              3                        2
                              5                       20
                              7                        7

           In addition, add a 2.2K Ohm resistor on each end of the adapter
           from pin 4 to pin 5.


           With the above adapter, the matrix can stop MSYS from sending,
           but a loss of power on MSYS will not stop the matrix data flow.
           Crashes on the matrix are still possible, but seem to be
           minimized by this arrangement.  Also, if you suffer from "green
           screen" on the F2 screen because of data errors, make sure that
           your tnc's are properly wired to the matrix.  Certain versions
           use pin 4 instead of pin 20 for the request to send line.  A
           jumper inside the tnc (Especially the MFJ-1270b) between pin 4
           and pin 20 should resolve this problem quite easily.




























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                                       PASSWORDS

           A new automatic password reply system has been added in MSYS for
           those MSYS sysops who need to sysop multiple MSYS bbs systems
           from their MSYS system.  A file with the <BBS_call>.rmt in the
           \FWD directory is needed for each system for MSYS to
           automatically  respond to the "Users.." command.  The
           <callsign>.RMT file should be a copy of the other station's
           MSYS.RMT file.  This new feature  will work with MSYS Version
           1.17.  If you are sysopping an earlier version of MSYS, you will
           still need to install the proper  password.rmt file in the \fwd
           directory.

           Lots of confusion on which password for which application goes
           where, so here's another attempt:

           PASSWORD TYPE       PASSWORD LOCATION and SAMPLE ENTRY

           User passwords      Individual FILE with password in
                               directory:  c:\msys\password\<user_call>
                               where file: <user_call> contains the
                               password.   e.g. File W1AW contains:
                               THIS.IS.MY.PASSword

           Modem passwords     LINE in file MSYSPASS.MOD   e.g.
                               Joe xyzzy W1ABC

           FTP password        LINE in file MSYSPASS.DAT   e.g.
                               guest * 3 c:/msys/public

           Telnet password     LINE in file MSYSPASS.IP   e.g.
                               W1AW arrl W1AW

           Sysop password      FILE called MSYS.RMT in C:\MSYS directory
                               THISisMYsecretPASSword   (CASE SENSITIVE!)

           Automatic           FILE(s) <callsign>.RMT in the c:\MSYS\FWD
           password            directory. For example, in the file:
           reply                  c:\MSYS\FWD\K8EIW.RMT
                               is the password:
           (MSYS will auto-       THIS-is-K8EIW-bbs-Sysop-PASSword
           reply to the        and in the file:
           "users" prompt IF      c:\MSYS\FWD\WA8BXN.RMT
           the proper file     is the password:
           is present!)           WA8BXN-bbs-Sysop-PassWORD
                               ------------------------------
           In the above example, the contents of the MSYS.RMT file in the
           K8EIW system will be:
                THIS-is-K8EIW-bbs-Sysop-PASSword
           and the contents of the MSYS.RMT in the WA8BXN system will be:
                WA8BXN-bbs-Sysop-PassWORD

           ALL password "numbers" start with position number 0 of the
           phrase.  If the password is SeCreTworD, and the system asks for
           a 2, a  C  is the expected response.




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                       HOW TO UPGRADE FROM MSYS1.16 to MSYS 1.17


           The data provided on these disks is for UPGRADE of MSYS 1.16 to
           MSYS 1.17 only.  For a full installation of MSYS 1.17, the three
           disk set of MSYS 1.16 including the documentation is needed.  It
           is available from the sources listed on page 9 of this document.



           1. Rename your existing MSYS.EXE file to OLDMSYS.EXE

           2. Rename your existing MUTIL.EXE file to OLDMUTIL.EXE

           3. Rename your existing \HELP\MSYSMSGS.DAT file to OLDMSGS.DAT

           4. Copy the new MSYSMSGS.DAT file and the *.HLP files to the
              \MSYS\HELP directory.

           5. Copy the new MUTIL.EXE to the \MSYS directory.

           6. Copy the new MSYS.EXE to the \MSYS directory.

           7. Make any desired changes in the MSYS.OPT file (# of Neighbor
              nodes?)and MSYS.DO (XO/NETXO, XB/NETXB, etc.)

           8. Run MUTIL 9.  ***MUST BE DONE!!!***

           9. Run MUTIL 4.  ***MUST BE DONE!!!***

          10. Start MSYS.

          11. When you are confident that things are operating properly,
              feel free to delete the old files.
























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                                     AVAILABILITY

           MSYS is available from the Cleveland Hamnet phone BBS.  The
           number is 216-942-6382.  Speed is 300 to 9600 baud.  This is a
           free BBS (you pay for the call).  MSYS is also available on
           coffman.csuohio.edu by anonymous ftp.  MSYS may also appear on
           other systems, but these are the only ones I put it on directly.

           You may also obtain MSYS from me directly on disk (this may be
           the cheapest way really and the fastest when a new version comes
           out).  For US addresses the price is $5 per disk which includes
           the disk, mailer and postage.  For Canadian and Mexican orders,
           the price is $7.50 per disk.  For other foreign stations, the
           price is $10 (US) per disk which includes Air Mail postage.

           You may order several versions at a time, I will hold your
           request until the versions are released.  This way you get to be
           the first Sysop on the block with the new toy!  When ordering
           from me, please specify which version you already have or which
           one you want.  Distribution is on 5.25 inch disks.  I keep
           records with the following information for people who order MSYS,
           so you may want to give me this info.  Also please indicate if
           you want me to call you (collect) if it would be helpful to
           answer questions you send me about MSYS.

           CALL:          Your callsign.  This is the key I use to record
                          all your information.
           NAME:          Where to send the disk to!
           ADDR1:
           ADDR2:
           CITY:
           STATE:
           ZIP:
           COUNTRY:
           TELEPHONE:     If you want me to call you back (collect)
           VERSION:       The version you have now
           OWED:          How many you have prepaid
           COMPUTER:      Speed, memory, disk space, CPU chip etc.
           TNC:           Model & ROM versions
           DOS:           Which version?
           BBS:           BBS callsign to send you msgs .
           IP:            Your IP address, if you have one

                           PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE
                    (COURTESY OF YOUR U.S. POST OFFICE IN ACTION!)

           Mail requests for MSYS on disk to:
                          Michael Pechura
                          10809 Beechwood Drive
                          Kirtland, OH 44094  (After April 15, 1994.
                                              Until then:
                                              Chesterland, OH 44026)

           You may call me with questions/comments at   216-256-1588.




                                                                     Page  9



           A stripped down version of MSYS that supports only the BBS
           functions is also available.  There is no network NODe, no amtor,
           no tcp/ip in this version.  You can still forward using external
           network nodes, but the bbs is NOT a netrom network node!  The
           KANODe is still there.  All of the BBS functions remain, along
           with modem support.  Expanded memory is also still supported.
           This version is called MSYSB and is available on a separate disk
           or on Cleveland Hamnet.  If want to get this disk from me, it is
           the same price as the others: $5 to US addresses, $7.50 to Canada
           and Mexico, and $10 to other countries.
















































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