Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/033a/pcbfv25.zip/FEATURES.NEW

Text File | 1991-12-20 | 16KB | 324 lines

        PCBFV  (C) Copyright 1990-1991  Yandell Computer Services

  -- [ PCBFV 2.5 New Features 12/20/91 ] -------------------------------

* New  FVMM  (File View Maintenance Manager) utility.  Designed for  use  as
  PCBoard's  PCBFiler ALT-V utility.  Uses PCBFV for viewing, reading,  etc.
  Allows installation of a GIF (etc.) picture viewer. Allows installation of
  a test facility (such as those used in PCBTEST). View, add, or delete  ZIP
  file comments.  Quickly scans DOWNLOAD.TXT (or equivalent) and reports the
  uploader's  name, upload date, number of downloads, and the date  of  last
  download. Swaps to EMS or disk for minimal memory consumption during shell
  functions.  Free when PCBFV is registered!

* New (Z)ip-AV display command. PCBFV will display "-AV found" in the "other
  information" column  when  viewing a ZIP with files which  contain an  -AV
  (Authenticity Verification) stamp. NOTE: PCBFV does not check the validity
  of the -AV stamps, it simply displays the files which contain them  when a
  (Z) command is entered. *See PKZIP NOTE below.

* New  FLAG  (or FL) command will cause the entire file being viewed  to  be
  flagged  for download upon return to PCBoard.  (FLAG) is fully  compatible
  between files while selecting other compressed files to view with  PCBFV's
  "(S)elect new file" feature.  If a file is viewed from PCBoard's F V,  and
  four additional compressed files are (S)elected while using PCBFV and FLAG
  is  entered while viewing each of these five files, each will  be  flagged
  for download upon return to PCBoard! If individual (F)lagging is performed
  on  some files, and other files are (FLAG)'ed completely, the  FLAG  files
  plus  the file containing individual files (FLAGGED.ZIP) are  all  flagged
  for download upon return to PCBoard!

* Added  a new Sysop local (only) maintenance command which may be  used  by
  the Sysop in PCBFV's /L local maintenance mode. It is the (D)elete file in
  a ZIP (only) file command.  The (D) command can only be entered when PCBFV
  is in a LOCAL /L mode (such as in PCBFiler, FVMM, or local utility).  This
  command is completely disabled when PCBFV is being used remotely.  The (D)
  cannot be entered at the PCBFV prompt while PCBFV is running with PCBoard.

  When  a filename is entered for (D)elete, PCBFV will prompt the  Sysop  to
  make sure that everything is correct.

  If the Sysop enters a (D) command while viewing a ZIP file which  contains
  ANY  files with an -AV stamp, PCBFV will warn the Sysop that the ZIP  file
  MIGHT be an -AV file and prompt the Sysop if to continue or not.  *See the
  PKZIP NOTE below.

* Local Sysop text reading capability has been enhanced so that the top line
  of  text does not scroll of the screen while being used locally (this  did
  not  happen to on-line callers).  PCBFV will now compensate for the  "two-
  line" status line at the bottom of the screen so that the top line of text
  will not scroll off of the screen while the Sysop is reading text files in
  any of PCBFV's local modes (Sysop on locally, PCBFiler, etc.).

* PCBFV will now accept uncompressed text file names with no extensions when
  a period has been added to the file name at the PCBoard F V prompt.  PCBFV
  will  also allow the caller to (S)elect an uncompressed text file  without
  an extension by adding a period to the filename in PCBFV's (S)elect prompt
  (as in PCBoard's F V prompt).

* PKZIP NOTE (from above):  Support for BETA versions 2.0 of PKZIP & PKUNZIP
  has  not be added to PCBFV.  When the new ZIP 2.0 utilities  are  actually
  released (no longer BETA test versions), support for them will  be  added.
  See PCBFV.DOC for information regarding use of new\unreleased  compression
  utilities with PCBFV.

* Yandell Computer Services now offers Sysops a TOLL FREE voice  order  line
  for obtaining an INSTANT ChatBox registration number with a  major  credit
  card.  See ORDER.FRM for details.


  -- [ PCBFV 2.45 New Features 8/24/91 ] -------------------------------

* Added a Sysop configuration toggle to always display FVMENU, or follow the
  caller's menu (expert) mode as last set in the USERS file.  In PCBFV  2.3,
  PCBFV  was  changed so that it followed the caller's men  on/off  (expert)
  toggle from PCBoard. Many Sysops then said they wanted the menu to display
  all  of the time.  So, in 2.4 it was changed it back.  Now it seems a  few
  Sysops want it to follow the caller's mode. PCBFV 2.45 allows the Sysop to
  choose between the two types of behavior.

* Callers  will  now be warned when viewing compressed files  which  contain
  paths in them.  These files will now have "Contains a path!" displayed  in
  the "Other Information" column to alert caller's to this situation.



  -- [ PCBFV 2.4 New Features 7/19/91 ] -------------------------------

* ARJ support added.  Both .ARJ and ARJ self extracting (SFX) .EXE files are
  supported.

* The Sysop may configure a default answer for the (R)ead command if needed.
   This is configurable in FVSETUP.  For instance, *.DOC

   File within PCBFV.ZIP to read, (L)ist, (wildcards are OK)? (*.DOC       )

   If  a default answer is used, hitting any key other than  backspace  will
   completely  erase  the default answer so a new answer  may  be  instantly
   entered (such as entering L for List at this prompt).

* Multi-language FVHELP and FVMENU files are now supported.  If a caller  is
  using  an  alternate  language,   PCBFV  will  look  for  the  appropriate
  FVHELP.??? and FVMENU.??? files and use them if they exist.

* PCBFV now supports /X# versions of PCBoard (node numbers over 99).

* Files  created with the PAK compression method with an extension  of  .SDN
  (Shareware Distribution Network) are now supported.

* PCBFV's  SWAP capability can now be turned off in FVSETUP.   This  "might"
  clear up some incompatibilities experienced with PCBFV 2.3 in  unsupported
  environments (multi-taskers other than DESQview, etc.).

* PCBFV  will always display FVMENU (if it exists) as it did prior to  PCBFV
  version 2.3.  In 2.3, the caller's eXpert mode was followed.  Many  Sysops
  stated they would prefer that FVMENU was always displayed by default.

* PCBFV  will  no  longer label a TEXT file as BINARY if  it  contains  null
  characters.  It  seems some (older) text editors use that character  as  a
  space.

* PCBFV.HLP  will need to be renamed to FVHELP, or use the FVHELP  contained
  in PCBFV24.ZIP.

* If using PCBFV as a door, PCBFV no longer uses the SET PCBFV=DOOR  setting
  in the door file. Simply add /DOOR to the end of the PCBFV command line in
  the door (batch) file to use PCBFV as a door.

* PCBFV  no longer uses the SET NODE= environment setting for local use.  If
  you  are  using  PCBFV in PCBFiler or as a local  utility,  and  PCBFV.CNF
  contains @NODE@ in certain parameters for multi-node use, you will need to
  create  a  new  .CNF file (FILER.CNF for instance)  for  these  uses.  The
  parameters  which  contained the @NODE@ macros will now need to  be  fully
  specified  in  the special FILER.CNF file, and PCBFV.CNF will need  to  be
  replaced by FILER.CNF in PCBFiler and any local utility batch files.



  -- [ PCBFV 2.3 New Features 4/26/91 ] -------------------------------

* PCBFV now features a (F)ind Text command while reading text files! This is
  a  full featured search mechanism. The whole page surrounding the text  is
  displayed with the found text highlighted in the center of the screen.

* The  (F)ind command is complimented by a (R)epeat Find, which repeats  the
  last Find command that was performed in the current text file.

* The  text reading and searching process is further enhanced by a (T)op  of
  file command which allows the caller to quickly return to the beginning of
  the file for additional Find commands, etc.

* All three of the new commands above appear in the "More" prompt at the end
  of  a full page of text. The (R)epeat command only appears after a  (F)ind
  has been executed. Both (F)ind and (R)epeat obey any limitations the Sysop
  has set with regard to how far into a text file a caller may read.

* PCBFV  will now SWAP itself to EMS or disk (disk if EMS is not  available)
  if  there  is insufficient memory for external  compression  utilities  to
  function.  This drastically reduces PCBFV's overall memory requirements.

* A new "Embedded" (L)ist command is located in the following prompts:
  File within PCBFV23.ZIP to read, (L)ist, (wildcards are OK)? (            )
                          - AND -   ^
  File within PCBFV23.ZIP to flag, (L)ist? (            )
                                    ^
  Entering JUST an L at these two locations will cause a quick, compact list
  of file names inside the compressed file to be displayed. For example:

  PCBFV23.ZIP contains these files:

  QUICK.DOC    PCBFV.CNF    PCBFV.EXE     PCBFV.DOC      PCBFV.HLP
  ORDER.FRM    PCBVIEW.BAT  FVSETUP.EXE   FEATURES.NEW

  File within PCBFV23.ZIP to read, (L)ist, (wildcards are OK)? (            )

  This  should be very helpful if a filename is forgotten, and the  original
  list  has scrolled off the screen. The caller will not have to  return  to
  the main PCBFV prompt, do a long List again, then for an R or F again....

* PCBFV 2.3 no longer uses the original method of manually sending the Auto-
  Flag  request  through the host's hardware (AS PCBFV 2.1 &  2.2  did  with
  PCBoard 14.5). Instead, PCBFV now uses  PCboard 14.5a's internal mechanism
  (PCBSTUFF.KBD).   This means Auto-Flag will no longer function if  running
  PCBFV 2.3 with PCBoard 14.5(no "a").  However, Auto-Flag will now function
  on systems running under DESQview and where the screen display is  toggled
  off, neither of which was possible with PCBFV's ORIGINAL "Auto-Flag".

* PCBFV  will now follow the screen color and intensity as set  in  PCBoard.
  This further adds to PCBFV's "seamless, looks like PCBoard" claims.

* If using the MENU, it will need to be renamed to FVMENU.

* Use  of  a small FVMENU is now recommended, but is still  optional.  PCBFV
  will  follow  the caller's menu mode as last set in USERS with  regard  to
  displaying FVMENU (if used).

* An (X)pert toggle has been added to turn the menu on or off.

* PCBFV  will now read non-DOS text files in text mode.  Non-DOS text  files
  are  files which contain only line-feeds, as opposed  to  carriage-return\
  line-feeds (Unix text files, for example).

* There are now exemptions to the "Number of lines to display per text file"
  and "maximum size to extract" settings.  These exemptions are:
  A) If the remote caller is Record #1 in the USERS file (Sysop).
  B) If PCBFV  is being  accessed in any form of local mode, whether  it  is
     through the board, PCBFiler mode, or local utility mode.
  This allows Sysops full access of all files on their systems.

* If  you  have LZH files on-line, PCBFV now looks for  LHA.EXE  instead  of
  LHARC.EXE.

* FVSETUP has been greatly enhanced with the addition of F1-Help at each  of
  the FVSETUP parameters.



  -- [ PCBFV 2.2 New Features 2/22/91 ] -------------------------------

* Callers  may  now view GIF files to determine the GIF's  resolution.  This
  applies  applies to straight GIF files AND GIF files which are  STORED  in
  ZIP files.

* New  (C)-CRC  command allows callers to view the CRC value of  all  member
  files contained in a compressed file.

* The  "(S)elect another file" feature will handle PCBoard's  file  indexing
  introduced in PCBoard 14.5a.

* New  HEX display mode for viewing Non-Text files within compressed  files.
  Sysop  configurable.  Sysop may allow any Non-Text files in  a  compressed
  file  to be viewed, or exclude executable and compressed files  inside  of
  compressed files, or disable the HEX display of Non-Text files completely.

* New (T)runcate command allows callers to truncate long lines in text files
  at 79 columns while reading. Some text files with long lines are easier to
  view, even though text past 79 columns is truncated in this mode.

* PCBFV  now  follows the caller's screen length from PCBoard,  rather  than
  defaulting to the 23 line standard.

* The  two  macros used in PCBFV.HLP and the optional MENU  (@flagfile@  and
  @filename@),  are now complemented by @flagfilepd@ and @filenamepd@  which
  pad to 12 spaces. Use in PCBFV.HLP and MENU if using borders or boxes.



  -- [ PCBFV 2.1 New Features 11/21/90 ] -------------------------------

* AutoFlag!  If enabled, PCBFV will make PCBoard think the caller has  typed
  instructions to "FLAG" the caller created "FLAG.ZIP" as part of  PCBoard's
  own "FLAG Batch List". PCBoard will include the file in the caller's batch
  download list, remind the caller if it hasn't been downloaded and they say
  (G)oodbye, etc. This feature is explained in detail in PCBFV.DOC.

* PCBFV  is now fully functional with non-standard COM ports, IRQ  settings,
  and addresses.

* An  optional  command menu may be used. This optional menu is  not  really
  needed  if  the  main PCBFV prompt has been modified  to  contain  command
  examples,  however the ability to add a menu is available for  Sysops  who
  desire it.

* For  multi-node systems already running PCBFV, the SET  NODE=  environment
  setting is no longer needed.

* The  PCBFiler/Local mode has been greatly enhanced.  PCBFV now  features a
  true local mode which does not need any PCBoard system files to operate.

* PCBFV  now follows the F3 printer toggle and if 'on' PCBFV will  send  any
  output which normally goes to the caller log to the printer also.



  -- [ PCBFV 2.0 New Features 10/19/90 ] -------------------------------

* Now supports all activities on .LZH files, LHarc SFX .EXE and .COM  files,
  and  PKSFX .EXE files, as well as the previously supported .ZIP  .ARC  and
  .PAK formats.

* New  (S)elect command allows callers to select other compressed files  for
  viewing  without having to pop back and forth between PCBoard and the F  V
  shell (completely CONFERENCE DLPATH.LST and FSEC aware!).

* PCBFV  is now completely Desqview aware and "behaved". PCBFV  detects  the
  presence of Desqview, writes only to the appropriate video buffer for  the
  appropriate window, and gives it's time slice to other applications  while
  idling at an input prompt.

* A  couple  of prompts in PCBFV can be customized by  the  Sysop,  allowing
  PCBFV  to continue to live up to it's "looks like PCBoard"  claims.  (i.e.
  looks like *YOUR* PCBoard if you change many of PCBTEXT defaults).

* Ability to limit types of files for (F)lagging based on file names.

* Now  allows "flagging across files". If the Sysop wishes, the  caller  may
  view from one file to another while adding individually selected files  to
  one  "caller created file", without having to download the caller  created
  file between each File View.

* The Sysop may specify the number of individual files which can be added at
  one time to a caller created file (helps prevent abuse).

* New (I)nventory command allows callers to review the contents and size  of
  their  caller created file (especially helpful if "flagging across  files"
  is enabled).

* An  "information"  file is automatically included in each  caller  created
  file, stating the name of the individual files and the compressed  file(s)
  they came from.

* Writes  pertinent information to the caller log. This gives the Sysop  the
  ability to monitor the files callers are flagging for individual download.

* Can now be installed as a door, for those systems where memory limitations
  prohibit shelling.

* (F)lag  and (R)ead commands can each have their own security  attached  to
  them. For example, a Sysop may want to limit non-subscribing callers  from
  the  "higher end" features, using "text reading" and "flagging" as a  perk
  for subscribing.