hi-BBS 1.5 is the first major release of our world-class online information system, offering 30+ advanced features. More than ever, you can rely on the best and most innovative information server in the industry.
Major New Features
hi-BBS Manager
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• Connection Tools Renaming.
You can now change the name of the connection tools you install. Instead of showing Apple Modem Tools, the connection list can now be made more explicit when you change the name of the tools. You could rename one Apple Modem Tool to display the type of modem installed and on which port it is connected.
• Connection Tools Online Modification.
You can modify your Connection tool settings on-line, without quitting the server to reconfigure the modified tool or add a new tool.
• Easier Registration.
You don't have to quit the server when you register the first time with your hi-BBS serial number.
• User Disconnection.
You can now disconnect a user by selecting the name from the Monitoring window's user list.
• User List Export Function.
You can now export the user list to a tab or comma-delimited TEXT file.
• User List Enhanced Import Function.
You can import into your user's list from a tab or comma-delimited TEXT file. A window lets you view the TEXT file records before importing them and gives you the opportunity to select which of your user list's fields will match with the TEXT file fields (much like the import feature in FileMaker Pro™).
• Auto-Registration Option.
You can now enable users to auto-register, using privileges that you set-up. This includes their maximum session time, date of registration end, access level and default organization. The BBS Folder will contain a TAB delimited text file that will show the list of registered users, along with their record (date of registration, real name, address, phone number, ...)
hi-BBS Server
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• Informative Server Window.
To provide compatibility with Mac Plus and SE models, the server is no longer a faceless application. It now displays a small information window that can be moved at the bottom or top of the screen. You can now see in real-time who's connected, how much space is left on your hard disk, how much memory is free, ...
• Automatic Garbage Collection.
Includes an auto-delete function (previously known as a separate utility called ShredIt) that will erase messages that have been deleted by users from their mailbox and also delete messages older than a preset period of time.
• Faster forwarding.
The server now takes care of the forwarding of e-mail, including enclosures, in a much faster and efficient way.
• Networked hi-BBS Servers.
You can now distribute the processing power of hi-BBS servers to multiple networked computers. This powerful feature lets you add much more lines than permitted by a single computer and also distributes the connection process across multiple computers for a better performance, even with dozens of telecom and network lines. Your hi-BBS server can now be expanded to offer performances on a par with mainframe-based systems.
hi-BBS Client
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• Multi-files download capability.
To select a file for later downloading (file tagging), you simply press a button in the Info window which adds the file to a Download List. When you are ready to download the file(s), you can view the Dowload List and select all or some of the files to transfer to your computer. You have the option of disconnecting automatically at the end of the transfer.
• New Files identification.
New files and folders are now displayed as Bold text in the Infos Window. This is based on your last connection date.
• Uploaded File Comments.
Users can now attach comments to files they upload to the server. This can be a real time-saver for the hi-BBS Administrator, who can directly place those files in the appropriate section of their BBS, without having to manually enter comments. The comments are directly entered from the enclosures window, using a new Comments button.
• Deleting Forums.
You can now delete your own forum messages and the Manager can delete any forum message or complete forum threads.
• Dated Information Window Elements.
Every element seen in the Information windows is now displayed with the date and hour of the last modification. This permits an easier sorting of new files and folders since your last connection.
• New files display
New files (and folders) are displayed in Bold in the Info and Forums windows. This feature is based on the date and hour of your last connection.
• Use of Helvetica font in E-mail destination name fields.
This provides a better compatibility with upper case accented characters (french, italian, ...).
• Enhanced Printing.
Much better printing output, with headers, page numbering and preservation of text formatting.
• Auto-Registration.
Users will now be able to auto-register on the hi-BBS server if the Administrator enables the feature.
• Changing Password.
Users are now abilited to change their password online.
• Fully compatible with Apple's XTND document translation technology.
Using third party translators from Claris, Dataviz, ... your hi-BBS Client can directly open and save in different formats (Microsoft's Word PC & Mac, MacWrite II, Word Perfect PC & Mac, ...). With the proper translator, you can open a Word Perfect document as an hi-BBS Mail message with complete formatting.
• Formatted News Flash messages.
Using hi-BBS text formatting features, including color, you can now compose a News Flash message, save it to the Flash folder and your users will be granted with this fully formatted News Flash message the next time they connect.
• Talking messages.
You can now record/playback voice messages in Forum and Mail memos.
• Enhanced Teleconfering System.
Users can send invitations to selected online users and then create private conferences. Broadcasting has also been enhanced so that messages can be sent to one or multiple users.
• Uploads
Folders (or aliases of...) can now be set in each organization to receive files directly uploaded by users. This way a connected user could send a file directly to a special folder set-up on any computer on the network. Upload folders can really become indispensable to distribute files directly to special departments over the network, or directly to aliases of folders placed into the Info sections.
• hi-BBS Files
A new hi-BBS Files folder is now created besides the hi-BBS Client application when you launch it the first time. This folder will contain all Mail, Address Book, and Connection List files related to the hi-BBS Client. It is therefore much easier to move the application to your PowerBook, along with its files, retaining your settings as you go traveling.
General
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• Easier Installation.
Now much easier to install. Comes with the standard Apple Installer application.
• Automatic notification of incoming mail.
hi-BBS Mailman provides auto-notification of incoming mail to online users (network and telecom). Network users only need to install the CDEV and type in their user name to be published, ready to receive notifications from the server.
• Better integration.
The User List file has been moved to the Mail folder to permit the networking of hi-BBS servers.
• More color
The hi-BBS Client interface as been improved with more color in the display windows. You will surely SEE the difference.
• WorldScript compatible
The hi-BBS Client can display multiple languages, using native fonts, in the same window, as well as 2 bytes characters (ex. Japanese, ...).
