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1994-03-12
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BFE - The World's Premier Telecommunications Front End System
Release Notes: o=New *=Change !=Fix +=BFEPLUS only!
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 3.10.0p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o There are now two very specific versions of BFE.
1) BFE - The standard shareware edition of BFE
2) BFE+ - BFEPLUS - The Enhanced Version of BFE
The enhanced version includes the full client/server UNIX gateway,
along with all the features included with the standard release.
The standard release of BFE is as functional as ever, though, and
will continue to be developed in parallel with the enhanced
release.
o BFE/Gateway is now client/server! Now, interactive BFE menus can
be designed which interact directly with UNIX servers to provide
an easy hotkeyed approach to UNIX access for your BBS callers!
This is a phenomenal first in BBS'ing history! (Thanks to all you
UNIX-daemons out there!). (+).
o BFE now has the ability to properly handle messages destined for
UUCP/Internet mail gateways (Thanks to Sal Lizard, among others).
o BFE now supports external message editors in the message subsystem.
o Networking semaphores! The following semaphore files are generated
in the IPC directory while a user is online with the BFE system
(nnn = node number):
ACTIVE.nnn - User active in BFE menus
EXTERN.nnn - User running an external process
ERRLVL.nnn - User exiting on an errorlevel
SCRIPT.nnn - User executing a BFE script file
GATEWAY.nnn - User active in a BFE/Gateway session (+)
Each semaphore contains one field, the user's name.
o NEW MENU ITEM TYPES (pertaining to BFE's unique UNIX gateway):
Passive Transmit to Gateway - Transmits command string to a UNIX
gateway and immediately returns to
BFE. (+)
Active Transmit to Gateway - Transmits command string to a UNIX
gateway and leaves the user in the
UNIX shell until a manual return is
initiated. (+)
Errorlevel DTR High/NO LU - Same as the standard DTR High exit,
but does not create the LASTUSER.nnn
IPC semaphore file.
o NEW SCRIPT COMMANDS:
IsGateway() - Returns TRUE if user has an active gateway
session opened, FALSE otherwise. (+)
Transmit2Gateway() - Transmits remote strings to a UNIX
server through a serial gateway. (+)
EstablishGateway() - Function which establishes "automatic"
gateway sessions. Great for automating
logins and tasks. (+)
ErrorlevelHiNoLU() - Same as the ErrorlevelHi() function, but
does not generate the LASTUSER.nnn IPC
semaphore file.
GetScrBuf() - Loads the generic script input buffer with
user input. The value of this buffer may
be substituted in some script functions
by using a special "%B" macro.
o New utility! SF2BFE.EXE - Converts Spitfire userfiles into
BFE format (similar to the MAX2BFE program). (Thanks to Russell
Mikami).
o The path and filename of the GLOBALS.CFG file can now be specified
on the command lines of both BFE and BFE/Setup. You can now have
multiple global configurations stored and utilized. You will find
this to be quite handy if you are running BFE as both a door and
a front end, and wish to have different global settings for each.
o A "re-entry" script field has been provided in BFE/Setup under
GLOBAL OPTIONS | STARTUP OPTIONS. This script, if specified,
will be executed in lieu of the normal startup script when
BFE is started in "re-entry" mode (-r switch). (Thanks to
Dave Joyce).
o Auto Scripting Feature: BFE now has the ability to start up
normally, execute a script, and then exit. This is handy for
writing little doors, and automated tasks through BFE/Script.
The name of this script is passed using the new "-a" command line
switch.
o New command line switch (-d) overrides the dropfile path in
BFE/Setup. This will force BFE to look for a dropfile, overriding
whatever has been configured in BFE/Setup. Great for running BFE
as a front end, and also as a normal door.
* The sample scripts have been updated with a few UNIX access scripts
to illustrate the new gateway capabilities of BFE's UNIX gateway.
* Cairo Research Labs is now a defunct entity. We are now known as
simply "Southeastern DataLINK".
* The initial BFE connect message does not re-appear when BFE is
started up in re-entry mode (registered versions only!)
* More changes in re-entry mode: Now, most settings are preserved,
including the user's menu stack, current menu, and graphics
settings (ANSI, ASCII, RIP). By doing this, re-entrant mode is
now painless, as the user will return to the exact menu at which
he/she left BFE initially. (Thanks to Dave Joyce).
* Our Internet domain has finally been processed. I can now be
reached directly through Internet E-mail at scottb@sedl.com, or
root@sedl.com. Bob Kruger may be reached at bkruger@sedl.com.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 3.00.0p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Serial gateways are now in place! Now, BFE has the ability to
"shuttle" your callers to other serial lines. This will no
doubt be primarily used as a UNIX gateway for most BFE sites who
will be using it.
o The long-awaited WFC (Wait for caller) module is now in place.
Now it is not necessary to run BFE underneath a fidonet mailer.
The WFC module will be contained in a separate archive. It also
features a small event system, to provide for daily maintenance
events.
o Dynamic Menu Item Scheduling is now in place. Each individual
menu item can be automatically enabled or disabled via the
internal scheduler, based on days of the week, and time of the
day. For instance, a secondary BBS or file area can be enabled
for access only on Saturdays, or weekday evenings, etc. Note that
this is *in addition* to the existing Private Entry system.
o Added new command line switch: -x
This will run BFE in "debug" mode, logging additional information
into the log file. This is particularly handy when trying to
debug calls to external processes, file transfer protocols, etc.
o Initial support for IPC (InterProcess Communications) is in place.
Eventually, this will be used to allow BFE nodes to work more
closely with one another. At this point, the only time it is being
used is when BFE is executed with the "-r" (re-entry) switch. BFE
will create a file called LASTUSER.nnn (nnn = node number) when
exiting on an errorlevel. This file will essentially contain the
user record for the user who was online at the time of the exit.
If BFE is subsequently enabled with the "-r" switch, BFE will
attempt to read in the LASTUSER file for that node, in order to
re-obtain user information. Thanks to Russell Mikami for getting
our gears turning on this one!
o MACRO UPDATE: The "%N" macro (node number) can now be used in
more fields, including custom menus, welcome screens, logon files,
new user screens, custom prompts, startup/exit scripts, etc. It is
also now globally accepted in the secondary data field. Thanks to
Russell Mikami and R. Guevarra).
o NEW SCRIPT COMMANDS: (Thanks to Keith Ross/BBS Ohio)
CheckAccess() - Returns current user's security level
CheckNode() - Returns current node number
CheckBaud() - Returns current baud rate
o New command line switch: -h = Will hide status line on startup,
providing the sysop with the same full screen view as the remote
user would see. (Thanks to Tommy Harvey)
o New menu item types:
Show Slash Commands - Shows all SlashCommands available to user
based on security settings.
Dummy Line Separator - This option does nothing, and appears as
a separator line in BFE default menus.
(Thanks to Shawn Maschino)
* Apparently a rather large number of sysops are running BFE with
registration keys that do not belong to them. To cover their
tracks, they simply changed the color of the registration message
to "black on black", essentially, making it invisible to callers.
Now, BFE will flash a brief connection message with each connect,
letting your users know who the copy is registered to.
* A new subdirectory entitled UTILS has been provided in the
distribution archive. Included in this release are the following
utilities:
CONVCTL.EXE - Convert 2.00.2p .CTL files to 3.0 format
CMDLINE.EXE - Utility to test command lines under BFE
Additional utilities will be placed in this installation directory
as they become available.
* The "hotkey" field for each menu item is no longer required when
editing fields in BFE/Setup. This makes it easier to clean up
your .CTL files. This field is also ignored completely now when
using SlashCommands.
! Many cosmetic changes in the BFE logging structure. The logfiles
should be a bit easier to read and follow now.
! Tons of fixes/changes with internal RIP routines. Things should
work much better now when running BFE in RIP mode.
! When downloading via a BFE-style FILES.BBS listing, BFE would
sometimes inadvertently leave the FILES.BBS file open. Squashed!
(Thanks to R. Guevarra).
! Fixed a minor bug in the security system, which would allow
users to "sneak" by certain options when run in script mode.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 2.00.2? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o NEW SCRIPT COMMANDS:
ChangeExitScript() - Changes the exit script name
o Internal support for automatic Tel-FX (for RoboBOARD/FX) detection
is now in place. Now, if we can find a way to fire FX up in
Tel-FX mode automatically, we're in business! Also, look for
FX specific portions of BFE in the next major release. Until
then, you FX sysops can sleep at night knowing that BFE will be
capable of fully supporting the Tel-FX protocol.
o NEW MACRO: The dropfile path for each menu item can now contain
a "%n". BFE will replace this with the node number at runtime.
o We've moved! Our new address and numbers are:
7088 Stoneybrook Drive
Columbus, GA 31909
(706) 561-8184 (BBS Support - Southeastern DataLINK)
(706) 561-9175 (Voice support)
! Fixed a few bugs with the internal dropfile generation routines.
Let's face it, there is no COM256 on *any* PC :-) Thanks to
Russell Mikami for showing me the rather obvious.
! Fixed a small problem with BFE/Setup not properly displaying
certain menu types (Thanks to Jim Mitchell!).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 2.00.1? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o BFE now features a "re-entry" mode. By using the "-r" switch when
calling BFE, all startup options will be skipped. This is useful
for providing "round-trip" BBS selections, where the user will be
returned to BFE after leaving the BBS.
o Each menu can now have a custom selection prompt, configured in
the MENU OPTIONS portion of BFE/SETUP. This overrides the default
prompt configured in the BFE language file.
o Documentation has been *completely* revamped. (Again!)
* The internal RIP routines have been significantly improved.
* Several minor changes to the internal menu scheme:
- The internal menus now sport a divider line between local and
global commands (Thanks to PJ Hellyer!)
- Internal menus are a bit smarter now when it comes to handling
the type 'X' commands (Return from a menu jump). Simply place
a type 'X' command in your global .CTL file, and it will appear
on each menu, with the exception of the initial menu.
! Fixed small problem with default menu colors overriding custom
menu colors in BFE/Setup.
! The PROMPT FOR FILE option in the protocols section is really
only needed for UPLOADS, not DOWNLOADS, and has been removed
from the DOWNLOAD menu types.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 2.00.0? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Orders for BFE via Mastercard, Visa, and American Express!
o Tremendous overhaul and code cleanup in this release.
o The first version of the BFE User System is now in place! BFE
now has the ability to support its own userfile, with its own
login procedure. Three modes are available (Full, Partial, and
None). See the BFE documentation for more information.
o The first version of the full screen chat module is now in place!
o RIP graphics support! See documentation for more information.
o BFE Developer's Kit now included with distribution archive
o Private Entry system is now complete. Now, BFE can be configured
with a global password during certain hours of certain days, to
provide a sure-fire method of making sure *no* one is online when
*you* need to dial in for remote maintenance (C. Harrington).
o BFE/Edit now supports Squish compatible message bases via a new
function and menu type called LeaveMsgSq().
o BFE now has an internal ANSI music subsystem, available from
menus and BFE/Script.
o New additions to the BFE Language File:
ROCKHEADTXT - Logged when user botches a BFE login procedure
BADPASSWORD - Logged when a user fails at a BFE menu password
TWITLOGON - Logged when a "twitted" user tries to log in
LOGINPROMPT - Default "login" prompt
o New additions to BFE/Script:
ADDTIME() - Function to increase user's online time
CHECKRIP() - Returns TRUE if user is RIP capable
GETRANDOM() - Function to return a random number
PLAYMUSIC() - Function to play an ANSI music string
SUBTIME() - Function to decrease user's online time
TOGGLERIP() - Function to toggle user's RIP setting
TOGGLEMORE() - Function to toggle MORE prompting
FLASHFILE() - Displays file with no page pausing
o New menu item types:
LeaveMsgSq - Leaves message in a Squish compatible area
PlayMusic - Plays an ANSI music string
ToggleRIP - Toggles RIP graphics on and off
ToggleMORE - Toggles MORE prompting on and off
FlashFile - Displays file with no page pausing
o Auto ANSI/RIP detection schemes are now both configurable items.
o BFE now supports STARTUP and EXIT scripts, in addition to normal
scripting.
o In addition to the standard DORINFO?.DEF dropfiles, BFE can now
generate the following dropfiles on the fly when running an
external process:
- SFDOORS.DAT (Spitfire BBS)
- DOOR.SYS (WildCat! flavor)
- DOOR.SYS (GAP/PCB flavor)
o The Destination address in netmail messages can now be entered
by the user, if left blank in BFE/Setup. (John Riley among others)
o The BFE user manual (BFE.DOC) is now printer ready.
* New macro: Underscores (_) in the language file will be converted
to spaces. Great for things such as (Login:_)
* Placing a tilde (~) in the default "From" field of a message base
will force BFE to use the user's login name in the from field of
the message, instead of prompting for the name.
* BFE will now properly display the internal version of a menu if
it is unable to locate the plain ASCII version of a custom menu.
! Fixed a bug of biblical proportions in the BFE/Edit message
subsystem. Messages were getting crosslinked with garbage, and
sometimes disappearing into the bit bucket. (Thanks to Chris
Koziol for finally nailing this one).
! When using custom menus on the *first* menu only, BFE would get
incredibly confused. Squashed thanks to John Riley!
! Fixed a minor problem with the page pausing in custom menus
(Thanks to Chris Koziol who is working overtime on BFE!)
! Fixed problem with the download menu type not returning to the list
properly. Squashed! (Thanks to Mike Labellarte/Arte` Graphics).
! Fixed problem with the "-l" switch locking up the system under
certain situations.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.41.0p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o BFE's internal logging routines have been enhanced significantly.
o New menu type: "N" - Page Now!! This type will effectively
ignore the pager configuration from BFE/Setup, and initiate a
paging session immediately.
o SlashCommand(tm) technology! In addition to the standard hotkey
menu operation, BFE now supports SlashCommands. (i.e. /BBS,
/FILES, etc).
o New additions to BFE/Script:
IFEXIST() - Returns true if passed filename exists.
PAGENOW() - Pages sysop, ignoring any time restrictions
PASSWORD() - Used to obtain password information from user
MENULINE() - Displays text and hotkey, like BFE internal menus
CHECKANSI() - Returns TRUE is user has ANSI, or FALSE if ASCII
WAIT() - Provides a delay measured in milliseconds
o New additions to the BFE Language File:
SLASHCMDTXT - Default slash command prompt
HANGONMSG - Brief message which appears before errorlevel exits
o A new command line switch "-l" has been added. This switch acts
as a runtime override to the Lockedspeed setting in BFE/Setup.
This should make implementing BFE on multinode sites a bit easier
than before. (Thanks to Chris Duke/Duke Graphics).
o It is now possible to re-arrange your menu items in BFE/Setup.
(Thanks to Chris Duke/Duke Graphics)
o The number of bad password attempts allowed by BFE is now part
of the configuration in BFE/Setup. Also configurable is the
option to hang up on the user if the password attempt limit is
reached.
o Sanity check now implemented to check validity of configuration.
* BFE no longer uses the "semaphore" file method of file sharing
in multinode setups. DOS SHARE.EXE is required, however, for
multinode operation. This was primarily implemented for
compatibility and efficiency reasons.
* Support is now in place for multinode logging, with each node
having its own logfile.
* The length of the description field in BFE/Setup has been extended
to 79 characters for each menu item (Chris Duke/Duke Graphics).
* BFE can now generate dropfiles in a user-defined path. In previous
releases, dropfiles were generated in the BFE directory only.
This is now configurable for *each* menu item.
* In respect to the above change in dropfile generation, the script
function MAKEDORINFO() has been modified to allow the passing of
the path (i.e. MAKEDORINFO("C:\BBS\MYDOOR").
* As extra fields have been added to the structure of the menu .CTL
files, a special conversion program called CONVCTL.EXE has been
provided. This will convert from the base 1.40 .CTL file to the
1.41 version.
* Several minor cosmetic changes (Screen clears, spacing, etc).
! No default was being provided for the ENTERMSGTXT keyword in the
language file. Squashed! (Greg Shaffer)
! Fixed a few minor problems with some internal string manipulation
functions which were causing lockups on certain systems.
! In certain situations, BFE would "auto-save" messages instead of
prompting. Squashed! (Tommy Harvey).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.40.5p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
! In certain situations, BFE failed to show custom user menus.
Squashed! (Tommy Harvey).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.40.4p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
! BFE was inadvertently reporting all downloads as failed. Squashed!
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.40.3p? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o The first generation of the BFE/Setup program has been completed!
No more text based .CTL files to meddle with! BFE/Setup is an
intuitive menu-driven setup and customization facility.
o The first generation of the BFE/Script system has been completed.
Scripts can be be configured to run from any BFE menu option via
a new menu type "S". Access to most of the internal BFE commands
are available, as well as a few other goodies. This will be
expanded further in the future.
o The first generation of the BFE/Edit system has been completed.
Through the use of BFE/Edit, users can now make use of Fidonet
style message areas, before they ever reach your BBS.
o The documentation has been totally rewritten, and now covers the
new BFE/Setup and BFE/Script systems as well.
o GlobalAccess(tm) :-) Commands! Global commands available from
any menu in BFE! (yawn...)
o All passwords are now hidden from the display when being entered.
o BFE can now generate a DORINFO?.DEF dropfile after any menu item
selected. More dropfile types will be added in the future.
(Thanks to Chris Koziol).
o New additions to the language file:
PROMPT - Configure a custom BFE selection prompt
DEFUSERNAME - Default User Name if unknown to BFE
DEFUSERLOC - Default User Location if unknown to BFE
o The type "E" (Errorlevel exit) has been split into two types, one
which maintains DTR, and one which lowers DTR and hangs up on the
user. (Thanks to Ted Molavi).
* The PROCESS, PROMPT, and SECONDARY fields have had an attitude
adjustment! New features include macros and a better implementation
of passing user input to external processes.
* After a user downloads a file from a list of files, BFE now
returns him to the list of files, as opposed to returning him to
the calling menu.
* BFE now makes the determination between the TimeLimit setting, and
the time to next event setting to determine the user's remaining
total time online (if no dropfile is specified).
* BFE is now Microsoft Windows aware!
* BFE's internal communication routines have been optimized and now
function with greater efficiency.
* No more text-based registration keys. This process is now handled
by BFE/Setup.
* For multinode sites running BFE with DORINFO?.DEF dropfiles,
BFE now recognized DORINFO(A-Z).DEF for nodes 11-35.
! The USERMENU keyword was disfunctional at times under certain
situations. Squashed! (Thanks to Tommy Harvey).
! More problems with 38.4 callers. This has been fixed once and
for all. Sheesh... :-)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.30.4α? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
! Locked serial rates of 38.4 were not being passed properly to
external tasks. Squashed! (Thanks to Brandon Lilly).
! A few minor fixes in the logging routines
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.30.3α? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o The rough draft of the Language system is now in place! Now you
can configure the internal messages and prompts that BFE utilizes.
o TYPE "A" Added - Allows online user to toggle ANSI/ASCII settings
! If the HOTKEYs were given as lowercase letters in the .CTL file,
they didn't work! Bug Squashed!
! SHOWAFTER now works with the type "C" (Chat command). This was
inadvertently not working in previous releases. Squashed!
(Thanks to Blake Barr).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.30.2α? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o *Major* code cleanup and internal re-documenting and optimizing.
This will be done every periodically in order for the product to
continue to grow.
o New beta naming convention: MAJOR.MINOR.REV (Staging Level)
(i.e. this is 1.30.2α, v1.30, rev. 2, in alpha staging)
o Custom user input using the new PROMPT keyword! Now, you can
utilize custom input as the value for SECONDARY data fields for
*any* menu type in BFE!
o New keywords: NOPASSPARMS and PROCESS. These are used to directly
manipulate the way that BFE performs calls to external processes.
When used with the PROMPT keyword above, just about anything can
be called, in any order, with any arguments!
o The COLOVERRIDE option has been added, to allow each individual
menu option to use its own unique color. This overrides the global
DESCRIPCOL keyword in each .CTL file. (Thanks to R. Ferguson)
o Upload capability now in place! This involved changes to the
PROTOCOL.BFE file, and adding a new type "U" option.
! If BFE cannot locate ASCII/ANSI/AVATAR screens at display time,
it will log an error entry into the logfile, and will no longer
wait for a remote keystroke to continue. (Thanks to R. Guevarra)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.30α? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Generic File Transfer System now in place! The new system allows
the use of configurable external protocols (no more hardcoded DSZ!)
o WELCOMESCREEN option added, to provide a global intro screen to be
displayed upon entering the BFE system (shown once only). As with
all of the file display capabilities of BFE, the file can be in
ASCII, ANSI, or in AVATAR formats. BFE will display the one which
best fits the user's terminal settings.
o The "time to next event" option has been put back into the system,
and is now passed via a new "-t" switch. (i.e. -t60, -t%3, etc).
This value is passed to external procedures (Type "R").
* The "O" type (Remote OS Shell) now utilizes the COMSPEC environment
variable to locate the command processor. The command processor
was formerly specified in the SECONDARY field. Previously, if
this value was keyed in wrong, it resulted in BFE locking up
the system. Using COMSPEC should make this a bit cleaner.
o Still more documentation changes!
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.22ß? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Registered users can now use their own ANSI/ASCII/AVT screens
in lieu of the built-in default menus!
* Revamped the color configuration system for each .CTL file (The
old method of calculating color values has been scratched, and is
now configured in the same method as the global color options in
the global configuration file).
o Added the REGCOL keyword, to provide a custom color hook for the
menu titles (Yellow on black was hardcoded previously).
o Multiple personalities are now in place! BFE can now directly
emulate the status lines and sysop hotkeys of RemoteAccess 2.0x,
WildCat!, and our own default set (used in previous releases of
BFE). This is configurable in the global control file.
* Revamped the command line parameters completely. No confusion!
In addition, the global configuration file is now assumed to be
BFE.GBL and is no longer required on the command line at all.
!o Major fix with systems running with locked serial ports. Each of
your menu shells can now be configured for either the TRUE baud
rate, or the locked rate. In previous releases, the TRUE port
speed was being passed to DSZ (for example) causing problems on
systems with locked ports. (Thanks to Chris Koziol).
o Added the SHOWAFTER option for menu choices. This will allow you
to display an ASCII/ANSI/AVATAR screen *after* a user makes his
selection.
o An abundance of documentation changes and additions.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.21ß? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Completely revamped the menu definition format, adding several
new features in the process:
- Menu options can now be hidden!
- Security level field added to each option
- New CHOICE format is much easier to read and maintain
o Time can now be optionally "frozen" while a user is in a shell of
any type (i.e. file transfer, remote OS shell, etc).
o Added new global configuration file, to provide additional
flexibility and compatibility with more BBS systems. The new
features include:
- Customizable paging hours
- Color configuration for FILES.BBS listings (Type M)
- Additional path and logging options
- Customizable swapping to EMS or disk
- Support for custom dropfiles!
* BFE now automatically "hunts" for the proper dropfile, no need
to specify anymore!
* As mentioned above, the logging option has been moved from the
individual .CTL files to the global configuration file. In fact,
several options which were global in scope have been moved over.
* .CTL files (menus) can now be nested up to 10 levels!
o New type "T" to return to the top .CTL file, and changed the type
"X" to return to previous .CTL file (menu).
o Support for Avatar users added!
! Corrected major bug in remote OS Shell Type (Type 'O') (It never
worked from remote! :-( It does now! :-)
! Fixed minor bug in multiuser compatibility routines which caused
some nodes to lock up.
* The "Time to Next Event" switch has been removed from the BFE
command line, as it really never served any useful existence.
* Significant documentation revisions (including the previously
undocumented sysop keys).
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
■ What's New in Release 1.20? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o Due to a conflict with an existing software package named MBBS,
this package has been renamed to BFE (BBS Front End System).
o BFE now has the option of making use of any of several popular
BBS dropfile formats. Now BFE can be run as a normal door, in
addition to being able to run from a call by your front-end mailer!
Supported dropfiles in this release:
DORINFO = DORINFO?.DEF (Standard DORINFOx.DEF)
EXITINFO = EXITINFO.BBS (Normal)
RA1EXITINFO = EXITINFO.BBS (Extended)
CHAIN = CHAIN.TXT (WWIV)
SFDOORS = SFDOORS.DAT (SpitFire BBS)
CALLINFO = CALLINFO.BBS (WildCat!)
DOORSYS = DOOR.SYS (GAP/PC-Board)
QBBS275 = EXITINFO.BBS (QBBS 2.75 or greater)
o BFE now supports custom color configurations! Each of your .CTL
file menus may have different colors! Thanks to Tommy Harvey of
Weatherford, Texas!
o Registered users may replace the "Registered To: <Your Name>"
message at the top of each menu with a message of your own.
This provides a nifty way of placing menu titles above your menus!
Once again, each of your menus can have a separate title!
o A new "Chat" type has been added, providing a handy way of allowing
your users to page you, without logging onto the BBS!
o Swapping has been added to calls to DSZ.COM, to provide a little
more oomph: XMS/EMS/Disk...
o A default timelimit option has been added (unless running with a
dropfile, of course!).
! All downloads were reported as being successful, even if they were
aborted or outright failed. Fixed!
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■ What's New in Release 1.10? ■
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
o First public release.
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■ What's New in Release 1.00? ■
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o Only used internally, never released to the public