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H172.ZIP
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SAPPHC.ZIP
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HISTORY.DOC
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═══════════════════════
S A P P H I R E B B S
═══════════════════════
UPGRADES HISTORY FILE
═══════════════════════
This file provides a detailed history of Sapphire's product development. If you
are switching from an old version to the current version, it helps to understand
the precise differences in the intervening versions.
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4.07A-C (MAR-APR 93)
No special action required to upgrade from 4.04 or later
Notable Fixes
Width report in PROBE shows user's width (it was showing PROBEr's width)
"Permanent SET" was renamed to "Hard SET"
Corrected error 100 on addition of file when file list is full
Corrected inability to quit from [L]ong FILES listing
Fixed incorrect messages
During GIVE, saying there isn't enough disk space
During start-up, saying DSZPORT wasn't set, even if it was
Packaging
Shareware evaluation period increased from 45 to 99 days
New CHKFILES program, run by SYSOP.BAT, verifies your package is complete
New SYSOP:INFO:SEARCH provides hypertext access to operation information
Notable enhancements
Full extended ASCII character translation for international characters
Changed [N]otepad to [J]ot (many users hit "N for No")
Full ANSI support (.ANS stock files)
New stock control words: EXP LEV NSK SKI FIL TLN TXT QLN QUE QNM QPH etc.
LIBRARY files now recognize stock file control words
Many new configuration items
4.06A (FEB 93)
The file UPGRADES.TXT was renamed to HISTORY.DOC
Adjustment for consistent COM3 and COM4 support on file transfer
Cured Error 201 on long modem control strings
Configurable option to generate an accounting log (for user billing)
Minor usability enhancements to configuration program
Sapphire day number adjusted for leap years (important for accounting!)
Several instances of the word DATE were replaced with "DAY#", for clarity
Extra file set (usually SAPPHC.ZIP) implemented for optional files
4.05A (JULY 92)
Free disk space correctly detected if file area is on another drive
Guest user's file date is now set back 2 years (was 90 days)
4.04A (JUNE 92)
Auto-maintenance now actually deletes old files at upload time (as documented)
4.03C (MAY 92)
Slight text changes affecting unregistered copies only
4.03B (MAY 92)
Slight text changes
4.03A (APR 92)
Upgrade Notes
To retain your existing configuration data:
Contact Pinnacle to get a serial number BEFORE you install the upgrade
The serial number will unlock all subsequent v4.0x versions
This means you can get upgrades locally from another Sapphire sysop
Apart from getting a serial number, no other action is needed
New Files
CONFIGA.MNU For CONFIG: reconfigurable menu (Advanced options)
CONFIGB.MNU For CONFIG: reconfigurable menu (Basic options)
CFGHELP.SBT For CONFIG: help (data)
CFGHELP.SBI For CONFIG: help (index)
SUSER.INC Turbo Pascal source code showing format of user file
Updated Programs
SRUN.EXE Updated to v4.03
SEE.EXE Updated to v1.33
GO-MENU.EXE Updated to v1.10 (BAT and MNU files modified accordingly)
MODEM.EXE Updated to v2.10
New Programs
SOUND.EXE Demonstrates the sounds used by Sapphire
CONFIG.EXE The configuration program has been completely rewritten
Packaging
Shareware distribution now uses Pinnacle's "Extendware" method
Sign-up
Annunciator feature: unique arrival sound for each user
Configurable
Duration (0 = no sound),
Trigger (people who don't achieve minimum sign-ons get default tune)
(Enter = <name>) for Real Name if there is a space in the sign-on name
Null phone number pattern (e.g. (999) 999-9999) is now handled gracefully
This is necessary in countries that use more than one phone format
Pattern for to detect long-distance phone numbers (to sound audible alarm)
Configurable name of GUEST account
File Transfer
In GIVE, configurable value for what "Everyone" means? (1+ or 2+)
Modem
Sapphire now supports for 8 user-configurable baud rates
4.02A (MAR 92)
Upgrade notes
Files in upgrade packet:
Upgraded programs: SRUN.EXE CONFIG.EXE SEE.EXE MODEM.EXE
Upgraded batch files: TERM.BAT INFO.BAT INFO.MNU
New stock files: UPFFXX.STD AREAXX.STD SYFLXX.STD
Changed stock files: GIMMXX.STD
Updated documentation: SAPPHTS.DOC FNAMES.FIV UPGRADES.TXT
Before installing the new files
Back up your entire Sapphire directory
Do "print screens" on CONFIG screens --
You will have to be re-enter your configuration data
Trouble-shooting guide (SAPPHTS.DOC)
Added new items
Improved organization and enhanced searching method
Upgraded SEE program (SEE.EXE)
Serial Enhancements
Time-out on input lengthened to 5 minutes (was 1 minute)
File Transfer Enhancements
File areas are now defineable (see AREAXX.STD)
The "Keep Forever" option of FILES was removed to make room for this
As a result, all files are now subject to deletion by auto-maintenance
This is not really a problem, as only very inactive files get deleted
FILES listing
Now only scans file list file up to configured max# of files
This reduces the delay at the end of the listing
Vastly improved flow of sysop functions (see SYFLXX.STD)
GET command now ignores abbreviations
e.g. Won't confuse S for SAPPHIRE
When existing file is GIVEd at console...
Offers to simply change date & docu
More informative error mesage when file list is full (UPFFXX.STD)
Configuration
Changed menu structure of CONFIG somewhat
New options
Show/hide private/exclusive message headers
Full-screen editor for sysop
Last message read is placed in file Q (stands for Quote)
For enhanced clean-up mode via USERS command (documented below)
Maximum # of posts and minimum time since last call, for display
Note: clean-up mode is now enabled only if you are in UltraMode
Messaging Enhancements
Originator of a private or exclusive message can always read it
Upgrade note: removed the "after all, why should it?" comment in GIMMXX
We now offer EMail users an opportunity to cancel letter at SEND TO:
This is the default if he hangs up
You can now Quit on MOVE or SEND when asked for a message base
In the case of SEND, the text is retained in the notepad
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EARLIER VERSIONS...
VERSION DATE DESCRIPTION
─────── ────── ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4.01C FEB 92 Highest release of 4.01
4.01A FEB 92 Production copy for February 92
4.00L JAN 92 Highest release of 4.00
4.00F JAN 92 Widely distributed shareware version
4.00A DEC 91 Released to all beta sites as SAPPHUPG
3.20 AUG 91 Custom development -- not widely released
3.10 JAN 91 Custom development -- not widely released
3.00 SEP 90 Custom development -- not released to public
2.00 AUG 90 Experimental version -- not released to public
1.XX DEC 86 Widely distributed shareware version