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The 640 Meg Shareware Studio CD-ROM Volume II (Data Express)(1993).ISO
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FEATURES.NEW
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1992-11-27
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ChatBox (C) Copyright 1991-1992 Yandell Computer Services
Set_F10 (C) Copyright 1991-1992 Yandell Computer Services
This file describes the new features in recent ChatBox releases.
Please refer to CHATBOX.DOC for a basic description of ChatBox
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 2.2 New Features 11/27/92 ] -------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Sysop may now press S to silence ChatBox while a caller is paging. This
turns off the sound on the Sysop's computer, however the paging appears to
continue as normal to the caller. Pressing S is permitted only after the
paging (beeping) has started, and this "silencing" is only good for that one
page attempt in ChatBox.
* Each paging period (per day) may now have its own page tone configured.
Previously in ChatBox there was one Sysop configurable page tone which was
used for all pages. Now a different tone may be configured (if desired) for
any of the three different paging time periods per day. The typical use for
this will be for Sysops who wish to allow callers to page them at off hours,
but would like to use the ChatBox silent flashing screen mode during those
off hours and an audible tone during regular hours.
- If installing Chatbox for the first time, all paging tones will default
to paging tone type #1 (the regular beep-beep).
- If upgrading to ChatBox 2.2 from a previous version, all of the paging
period tones will default to the tone previously configured in ChatBox.
- The paging tones may now be set or changed on the same screen with the
daily paging time periods, using the CBSETUP.EXE installation program.
* A new configuration option on the ChatBox main installation screen in the
CBSETUP.EXE program allows for a separate paging sound for VIP callers. VIP
callers are special callers whose names are installed in CHATBOX.VIP which
allows them to page outside of the set paging hours. This special tone will
only be used when the VIP caller is paging during "off" hours.
* PCBoard /M multi-port software is now supported by ChatBox. ChatBox reads
PCBOARD.DAT on the node where it is running and automatically determines if
PCBoard /M multi-port software is in use on that node. If it is, ChatBox
will automatically use the FOSSIL interface in the PCBoard /M multi-port
communications driver. No special configuration is necessary when using
ChatBox version 2.2 with PCBoard /M multi-port software.
* The (PAB) (Printer, Alarm, Bell) indicators on the status line will also
include M for multi-port if ChatBox is being used with PCBoard /M software.
* Added support for extended IRQ use (above IRQ 7). Previous versions of
ChatBox provided non-standard COM support with IRQ 1 through 7. The IRQ
value may now be 1 through 15. ChatBox reads this information from the
appropriate PCBoard system files. Use of ChatBox with non-standard COM
ports requires no additional installation by the Sysop.
* While earlier versions of ChatBox were DESQview aware and behaved, some
performance degradation was discovered when using "virtualized" screens with
DESQview-386. ChatBox's performance is now improved in these cases.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 2.1 New Features 5/1/92 ] ---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The text position arrow character in each chat "box" is now configurable.
Use CBSETUP to set the character from the default ">" to any ASCII character
between 32 and 255. Control characters (below ASCII 32) cannot be used due
to the inability of some communication programs to display them properly.
* V.I.P. pagers (callers chosen by the Sysop who may page "after hours") are
now reminded that it is "after hours" if they attempt to page during same.
A file named VIP (language extensions allowed) will be displayed and the
caller will be asked if they wish to proceed with the page.
* The language extension edit field in the ALT-P profile has been enhanced.
Support for language extensions less than three characters long has been
added. ChatBox now reads the PCBoard multi-language data file (PCBML.DAT)
and only allows the Sysop to enter a language extension if it is installed
in the data file. Additionally, if multi-lingual files are turned off in
PCBoard, ChatBox will skip over the language parameter completely while the
Sysop is editing the caller profile.
* In ChatBox version 2.0, the paging time period parameters in CBSETUP were
moved to a second screen and were accessed by pressing PgDn while at the
first screen. This was occasionally overlooked during installation despite
the highlighted prompt at the bottom of the screen. CBSETUP now starts with
a menu screen which allows easy selection between the two installation
screens.
* The method used to echo events to the printer (if logging is turned on in
PCBoard) has been made more "generic" in ChatBox.
* Three command line parameters have been added. These are not likely to be
needed by most Sysops, but if you need them, you REALLY need them. Adding
them to CBSETUP is not planned since they should rarely be used.
/NOLPT - ChatBox follows the printer toggle in PCBoard. If you wish only
for PCBoard to echo caller log activity to the printer, add this
to the end of the CHATBOX.EXE command line as outlined below.
/NOBEEP - ChatBox follows the F7 local alarm in PCBoard. If you wish only
for PCBoard to beep locally at caller input errors, etc. add this
to the end of the CHATBOX.EXE command line as outline below. This
does NOT turn off the sound when a caller is paging.
/NOCALLER - ChatBox writes appropriate entries to the current node's caller
file (see CHATBOX.DOC for a complete list of entries). If you
wish only for PCBoard to place entries in caller log files, add
this to the end of the CHATBOX.EXE command line (outlined below).
To add any of these toggles, edit the ChatBox door batch file (i.e. PAGE) as
shown below:
D:\CHATBOX\CHATBOX.EXE CHATBOX.CNF D:\PCB\ /NOLPT /NOBEEP /NOCALLER
All three are shown in the example above for illustration purposes only. You
may enter one, two, or all three of them, in any order desired. Again, it is
recommended to use these toggles only if they are REALLY needed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 2.0 New Features 3/27/92 ] --------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* It is mandatory to run the new CBSETUP.EXE on ANY and ALL existing ChatBox
configuration (.CNF) files. ChatBox will terminate with a message to do so
if version 2.0 is attempted to run with pre-version 2.0 configuration files.
New parameters which need to be set will be marked with a blinking "*" on
the very left of the screen.
* During a chat, the Sysop may press ALT-P for a profile screen containing
many of the caller's statistics and settings. In Split-Screen chat, this
appears over the "box" the Sysop would normally type in, and the caller is
unaware of its presence. In fact, the caller may keep typing while the Sysop
is reviewing the profile! After the Sysop has reviewed the profile, the
contents of the Sysop's "chatbox" will be restored. In regular non-split
screen chat mode, the caller will not be able to continue typing while the
profile information is popped up on the Sysop's screen.
* While the above ALT-P information is on the screen, the Sysop may edit any
of the caller's parameters displayed by pressing ALT-E for edit. The Sysop
may then cursor through the parameters making changes as needed. Caller
input is not accepted while the Sysop is actually Editing the Profile. The
Sysop may press ALT-S to save and record any changes or ALT-A to abort any
changes. After pressing ALT-S or ALT-A while editing, chatting will resume
as normal.
* The page length time (the number of seconds ChatBox beeps, etc.) may now be
configured with CBSETUP.EXE. Valid lengths are 15 to 90 seconds. There is
no need to change record #97 in PCBTEXT files, ChatBox will automatically
change the '30' in "ends in 30 seconds" to whatever you place here. This
allows you to leave '30' in PCBTEXT record #97 if PCBoard (O) page is used
in conjunction with ChatBox.
* Added a new toggle is CBSETUP to always start ChatBox with chat logging on
(ALT-L). Keep an eye on those CHATLOG.### (###=node) files if you use this!
* Added a new toggle in CBSETUP to follow (or not) the PCBoard F4 toggle. This
is not recommended for general use. Some Sysops expressed the desire to
disable PCBoard (O) with F4 and have ChatBox rely solely on time periods for
Sysop page availability.
* Added a generic console BEEP BEEP for compatibility with older, less than
100% compatibles. The is type #12 in the CBSETUP sound type parameter. The
generic BEEP BEEP is not as crisp as the other noises generated by ChatBox,
and should only be used if problems are encountered using the other sounds.
* Due to the inability of some communications programs to accurately handle
the "position arrow" (ASCII 16) that ChatBox used in split-screen chat, the
position arrow has been changed to the ">" character. Everyone should
upgrade to ChatBox 2.0, since it is impossible to know if your callers are
using one of these communications programs.
* The flashing box which appears on the local screen if the "silent" paging
mode has been selected is now slightly larger for added visibility.
* CBSETUP.EXE now contains two screens of installation options. The parameters
for the paging time periods are accessed by pressing PGDN while at the first
screen. To return to the first screen, press PGUP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 1.3 New Features 12/20/91 ] -------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* ChatBox will now keep a log file (session capture) of the contents of a
Sysop\caller chat session. If chatting in a split-screen mode, the log
files will indicate "who" typed each line of text (very similar to PCBoard's
node chat files). If chatting in non-split-screen mode, the capture file
will be an exact duplication of the chat appearing on the screen.
* ChatBox will now read a Sysop created file called CHATBOX.NOT which is a
list of "chronic pagers". Any caller placed in this list will ALWAYS be
told the Sysop is NOT available for chat, regardless of other "availability"
settings in ChatBox and/or PCBoard (hour settings, F4 toggle, etc.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 1.2 New Features 11/8/91 ] --------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Text in each ChatBox window (box) now starts at the top of a window and
moves down the screen, rather than starting at the bottom of each window.
* If the caller is at or below a Sysop specified connect speed, when the text
reaches the bottom of the window it will now wrap back up to the top of
that window. This is much better than scrolling at low connect speeds, and
allows split screen use with callers at all speeds. (ChatBox still scrolls
the same way it used to if a caller is above the Sysop specified "wrap
instead of scroll" setting)
* The Sysop and Caller may clear their incoming windows (the window the other
person is typing in) for easier readability (horizontal split screen only).
This feature can be disabled if the Sysop wishes.
* A text "arrow" (pointer) follows each line of text down the left-hand side
of each box to help indicate where the text is... this is most helpful when
chatting with a caller who is at or below the specified "wrap instead of
scroll" speed. The pointer's color can be configured separately along with
other ChatBox colors (when registered).
* Parallel printer bells may be used as a "paging sound" if desired.
* If the Sysop is unavailable (F4 key or hours) or does not answer a page, the
caller will be asked if they would like to leave a comment (just like
PCBoard would). If the caller responds Yes, ChatBox will take the proper
actions so that a C <ENTER> are entered at the PCBoard prompt when PCBoard
re-loads. This feature can be disabled if the Sysop wishes.
* Pressing F10 while a caller is at the "Reason for chat" or "Leave a comment
instead?" prompts will immediately begin a chat session.
----------------- [ Set_F10 1.2 New Features 11/8/91 ] ---------------------
* A command line switch, /S can be used to suppress Set_F10's installation and
de-installation messages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ChatBox 1.1 New Features 8/10/91 ] --------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Three separate paging periods may be specified for each day of the week.
Previously, ChatBox provided one paging period for each day. While this is
sufficient for most Sysops, a few requests for an additional paging period
(during each day) were received. We decided to add two additional paging
periods. This provides more than adequate coverage for REALISTIC paging time
needs.
* Added configurable colors in Split-Screen chat. The Sysop may choose the
colors for three different items: (1) the chat text, (2) the box (line)
colors, and (3) the Sysop and caller names. Using CBSETUP, you may see color
selections by pressing F1 at the color selection prompts. The color
selection may also be viewed (tested) in CBSETUP by pressing F2 at the color
selection prompts which provides a sample Split-Screen chat display. ChatBox
must be registered in order for the Sysop color selections to be used in the
ChatBox door.
* The blinking "Press ESC to exit chat" message at the bottom of the screen
(during Split-Screen chat) has been replaced with the node number, modem
connect speed, caller name, and caller location (city and state).
* ChatBox will use the color defaults set in PCBOARD.DAT for the host screen
(only) if the caller or local Sysop is in non-color mode, and the host is a
color display.
* When it is determined the caller's com program is not ansi capable, ChatBox
now places a message on the local display informing the Sysop as to why
ChatBox began in non-split screen mode (regular chat).
* It was brought to our attention that when a caller exceeds what would have
been their time limit while chatting in PCBoard, PCBoard would display the
negative minutes left. ChatBox 1.1 now does this also. The previous version
of ChatBox stopped the minutes left display at 0.
----------------- [ Set_F10 1.1 New Features 8/10/91 ] ---------------------
* Set_F10 now works without an additional keypress! Pop it up using F10,
press (Enter) for ChatBox, and ChatBox will begin immediately in Sysop chat
mode.
* Set_F10 window is now colorized (on color displays) for easier viewing.