Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/095/pcb90upd.arc/README.90!

Text File | 1985-12-22 | 12KB | 238 lines

        *****  New Features in version 9.0 Beta - 12/22/85  *****

  Version 9.0 of PCBoard is a major enhancement of previous issues and
  makes it one of the most flexible BBS programs available.  It now
  offers more features and functions than before - including the most
  comprehensive message reading capability of any BBS communications
  program in the industry.  Additionally, it now allows for the importing
  of message files into the code in an interative manner.  We think you
  will enjoy the new features of code!  If you agree with us that this
  version of PCBoard is one of the best BBS programs available - we
  would appreciate your support in our continuing efforts of bringing
  you the best software around by asking for your donation to support
  our programming efforts.  If you would like to donate to the cause,
  you can forward your donation to:

                          Fred Clark
                          P.O. Box 71365
                          Muray, UT  84107

  Remember - all folks who help out with this effort with a donation
  also get access to the Salt Air Board at [phone]!


  1.  Fixes a bug which could cause the message pointers inside a
      conference to get messed up.  This occurred if the sysop pressed
      a function key while the caller was reading a message.  This
      was most likely also a problem in pre v 9.0 code as well.  If
      you are running any version of PCBoard code - it is recommended
      that you DO NOT press any function keys while the caller is inside
      a conference reading messages.  The new code provides for almost
      immediate response to any function key pressed.

  2.  Revised message "Status" to show the word "Sec'ty" for security
      and the following qualifiers:

         Public Message
         Receiver Only
         Group Password   (Old 'Password' status)
         Sender Password  (Old 'Kill' status)

  3.  Included either the words "Main Board" or "xxxxxx Conference"
      in front of "Bulletin # 1 read." message which is written to
      the caller's log to assist call analyzer programs.

  4.  The ability to read [N]ext and [P]revious messages has been
      added to the main Message Base Command Line.  If a caller reads
      one message, and then is returned to the "Msg(s) [1 - xx]"
      command line, they can read the next message in line by just
      entering an [N] for next.  Or they can read the previous on
      by entering a [P] for previous.  If they have not read a message
      and enter the [N] command, reading will start at the first active
      message.  If they enter a [P], the main menu will be redisplayed.

  5.  If the caller now just enters a "+" or "-" at the message read
      "More: " prompt, the code will recognize the request and begin
      processing forward or backwards - without the need of inputting
      a corresponding message number.

  6.  If message read "Help" is requested, the caller will be returned
      to the Message Command Line rather than the Main Menu Command
      line as presently happens.

  7.  The board will now run an automatic date check of the current date
      of the respective BLT file and indicate to the caller whether the
      file has been updated since their last call.  This display will
      be shown them just before the message "Do you want to check your
      mail" when entering the main board, and just before the "View
      other conference members" when joining a conference.  In each
      case, the board will check the date of the BLT file that
      corresponds to the area of the board the caller is in.  This is
      done through an assembly language routine provided by David Terry.
      If the file's DOS date stamp is LATER than the caller's last date
      on the system, they will be shown the message "Bulletins have
      been updated since your last call ..."  If the date is equal to or
      less than the caller's last date on the system, they will not be
      shown the above message.  In other words, to have the message
      appear, you must have physically gone into the BLT file and updated
      it so that it's DOS date stamp is altered.  Please note that only
      the BLT and xBLT files are checked - not the graphics versions -
      irregardless of whether the caller is in graphics mode or not.

  8.  The code no longer places the "[R]" in the subject matter of a
      message if it is a message which is a reply to another message.
      Because of the new message header display - this is no longer
      needed.  Be aware that because of this change, [T]hread reading
      may be off on those messages which are a combination of both
      types of subject display.

  9.  The code uses an intelligent message header format to better
      display message status and received information.

 10.  Provides for better paper handling capability when used with
      the HP Laserjet or equivalent printer engine.

 11.  Fixes a bug where the board did not properly set a flag on
      returning to the system from remote DOS.  This would then cause
      a problem if a function key was pressed at the local terminal.
      The problem was that the board thought it was waiting for a
      call instead of actually inside the code and the function keys
      would respond accordingly.

 12.  The board now uses a highly modified method of mail read/quick
      scan functions.  The heart of the new command procedure is a
      routine which "scans" the user's requests and attempts to
      process those requests - irreguardless of the order in which
      they are entered.  The basic command structure to read or
      scan messages is comprised of three main commands:

        A: [R] for read
        B: [S] for since last message # read (old "*" command)
        C: [Y] for mail addressed to you
        D: [F] for mail from you
        E: [N] for next message
        F: [P] for previous message

      Here are some examples:

      R S    [R]ead all new mail [S]ince you last logged on (just like
             R;* which also still works).

      R Y    [R]ead [Y]our mail, that is, all mail addressed to you.

      R S Y  Read all new mail addressed to you.
      R Y S  Same thing -- the order doesn't count.

    R Y 250  Read all mail addressed to you higher than number 250.
    R 250 Y  Same thing.

      R F    [R]ead all mail [F]rom you to others (you can check to
             see if a message has been received and/or kill it if
             it has become outdated).

    R F 250  Read mail from you to others higher than number 250.
    R 250 F  Same thing.

    R F Y    Read all mail from or to you.

    R F Y 250  Read mail from or to you higher than number 250.

      Other combinations of [R] and its subcommands will work as well.
      PCBoard will intelligently parse any combination, and return an
      appropriate "error" message if it finds nothing to read in response
      to your request.

      You can stack the commands, as shown above, or give them in response
      to the system's prompts.  You can even use the "old" method of
      separating the commands with semi-colons, e.g.  R;S;Y , but I find
      that spaces instead of semi's are easier and PCBoard allows it.

      All the same commands work with Q)uick Msg Scan as well.

      Please note that the [*] command will still function as normal -
      just like the new [S]ince command.  However, the [*] prompt
      will no longer be displayed - since many new callers to most
      BBS systems had no idea what the [*] meant!

 13.  The board uses a slightly modified message display header.
      It now displays the message date, who the message is to, who the
      message is from and the subject on the left side of the screen.
      The message number, reference message number, whether the message
      has been read by the receiver, and the message security level
      on the right side of the screen.  If the reference message number
      is lower than the lowest active message number in that message
      base - the reference number will show "none".  This was done to
      prevent callers from trying to read a message which was no longer
      available.

 14.  The code will now ask you to verify whether or not to actually
      delete the caller's log if you enter a [2] followed by [D].
      Seems there were a few caller's logs accidentally deleted
      because of the confusion between the [D]isplay command used
      to display comments, and the [D]elete command used to delete
      the caller's log.

 15.  The sysop function keys are now activated almost immediately
      at all times. If it is necesary to write the new change to the
      message base header, the status is "saved" until the caller
      logs off or the system exits to DOS.

 16.  The code will now recognize a stacked protocol command at the
      "Enter the full filename to upload/download" - in case the
      user forgot to stack it at the main command line.

 17.  The program now supports messages up to 60 lines long.  This can
      be set by the sysop in the PCBSETUP program.

 18.  The code now provides for screen pauses when listing messages
      greater than the page length specified when entering a message
      and requesting the [L]ist option.

 19.  The code now places a blank line between the last message line and
      the "More: [Y]es, [N]o, [NS]non-stop, [#], [T]hread, [RE]ply"
      command.  It also inserts a blank line between the last file
      directory/bulletin listing and the "Directories (1 - xx)"
      prompt.

 20.  The code now allows for importing a message into the message
      base from local mode when typing in a message as the sysop.
      The file must be an ascii file - properly pre-configured - which
      will be inserted into the message as if it were typed at the
      keyboard.  Several messages or parts thereof can be inserted
      into one message.  Paths and error trapping is provided for
      this function.

 21.  If the sysop's screen display if off and a page is responded to,
      the program now first resets the display back to 'on' before
      continuing with chat mode.

 22.  The sysop can now specify the intensity and color of the caller's
      and keyboard input.  This will allow tailoring of the system to
      better match the system's needs.  Also, the non-graphics colors
      are also handled better than was previously done.

 23.  In order to facilitate a call analyzer program, the code will
      write to a separate file the name, transfer protocol, and
      total errors of all files downloaded.  This information is
      written to a file called DOWNLOAD.TXT which is created in the
      '\MAIN' subdirectory.  Entries in the file will appear as:
      --------------------------------------
      PCBRD82.ARC,C, 0
      NEWS,A, 0
      PCBRD82.ARC,Y, 0
      --------------------------------------
      etc.  By not having to scan the entire caller's log for download
      information, a much simplified file download analyzer program
      should be able to be written by those sysops interested in doing
      so.  Only completed downloads are recorded here.

 24.  The board will now recycle after 60 seconds at the "Do you want
      color graphics" prompt if the caller fails to enter anything
      at that point.

 25.  The sysop - either in local or remote mode can no longer enter
      a TAB.  This has been messing up the files and is no longer a
      valid key to use in the code.