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Text File | 1987-09-29 | 29.2 KB | 586 lines

****************************************************************************** GT POWER Notes Paul Meiners ****************************************************************************** GT POWER 13.00 is a full feature release. Virtually now area of the program has remained untouched. It has been over 3 months since the last release and we have been busy. I cannot list every single change, there are simply too many. For example, the user options for custom colors have been expanded. A minor thing, but it gives you an idea of how every facet has been examined. The major new item in this release is the new netmail function. Of course, we have received a fair amount of criticism that the netmail feature is just for the GT host users. Nothing could be further from the point. The point is that the netmail feature will allow GT POWER users to easily communicate with the P&M support people in Houston, and of course with other GT POWER users! So netmail is a powerful new feature for ALL GT POWER users. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a current user of GT POWER 12.21, backup all your GT 12.21 files before running GT POWER 13.00. As the usage counter in GT POWER 13.00 will alter the format of the GT files and not allow you to go back to GT 12.21 unless you restore all the files used with GT 12.21. Here is a list of other new features: 1. This version has a changed approach to the "time measurement" function. Due to the large number of users complaining about the invalid time measurement obtained from DOS time services, I have implemented a new approach. The "Time Base" has been removed from the config, to be replaced with a number referred to as the "Millisec Loop Count". A rather cryptic name, but I have included a program to calculate it, with source code for everyone to examine. The standard IBM PC value is 50 & everything should work its way up from that. PLEASE RUN THE timer PROGRAM AND INSTALL THE "Millisec Loop Count" BEFORE RUNNING THE PROGRAM. 2. This version includes a bug fix to prevent the SEAlink protocol -- or any other protocol -- from generating the INTEGER overflow error that has been experienced. 3. This version includes a (NO KILL) option for message entry. So now there will be three options for message security: Private, No Kill and None. 4. A extra sysop command has been added: Ctrl-T, which will cause GT to terminate host mode after the current caller exits, and ring the alarm to notify the sysop. The alarm will continue until someone taps a key. 5. Sysop mail will now be placed into a message base instead of the log file. The format calls for the message to go into the then current message base with the addressee listed as Sysop and marked as private. 6. The upload description procedure has changed. The description will now be appended description to the FILES.BBS in the upload area. So don't put a Ctrl-Z at the end of this file! The format of the description line calls for the following: 7. The CALL command has been reinstated. This may be a surprise to some, but I never willingly gave it up. It was removed, because it became apparent that I had no way to assure myself that it would not be miss used, causing subsequent system crashes. Now, thanks to Chris Smith, I have a new technique to prevent accidental overflow of the handle table. Thus I am once again confident that CALL is safe to use again. 8. The memory allocation scheme has been changed. When GT is initially loaded into memory, it will now allocate all free memory to itself, for use with capture buffers, etc. You can specify three command line options to control this usage: /S Small memory model, GT releases all but 50k of free memory for its use. /M Medium memory model, GT release all but 100k of free memory for its use. /L Large memory model, GT releases all but 150k of free memory for its use. The default state, where GT uses all available memory for itself, is not suitable for running the external programs (no memory left free for them), but is very good for sorting large phone directories or running the capture buffer. 9. A new Sysop command, Ctrl-N, is being introduced. It allows Sysops to raise the access level of a caller while online. 10. A new feature at logon to the host mode, the ability to read and respond to all personal mail stored on the system. 11. A new feature called the Scheduler has been added to the Host Mode. The Scheduler allows events to be scheduled for later execution. 12. The MegaLink protocol now encompasses a new version. It has been brought about thru the kind suggestions of Mr. Chuck Forsberg. And will be known as CRC-32f, or the "Forsberg Variation". This variation improves the ability of MegaLink to detect overrun situations, and thus dropped data. Complete downward compatability has been maintained. 13. Two new authorizations: MS and FR are being added to the host mode. The MS authorization is needed to read messages. The FR authorization is needed to use the .FR and .FA netmail commands. Please adjust your GTPASSWD.BBS files accordingly, otherwise users will not be able to read the mail. 14. A new command line option is now available for those who wish to let GT answer the modem in Host Mode, i.e. set S0=0. This is the /R option which specifies the ring upon which to answer the phone. For example, /R1 would cause GT to answer on the first ring, /R5 would cause it to answer on the 5th ring. 15. A new command line option is now available for those who wish to have GT answer the modem after a "ring back". The option /RB allows this. To completely enable this option, the host mode modem init string MUST have the S0=0 and the /R2 command line option MUST be used. Once properly installed this option causes GT to answer the phone on the second ring after a gap of between 9 and 30 seconds between rings. If the gap is less than 9 seconds or greater than 30 seconds, GT will not answer the phone, in which case you could use the phone for voice or a phone answering machine, which would be programmed to answer on a later ring. 16. A new option for message bases. A message base may now be declared to be for Public message only. 17. The EXIST command is being added to the script language to allow for the testing of a files existence. 18. Also, a much asked for command, the ASCII XMIT command has been added to the script language. 19. The Ctrl-D sysop command is being added. When pressed the current schedule will be displayed for you to examine. 20. Support for Ymodem-G is being added. 21. Support for CIS "B" is being added. 22. A daily time limit is being added to the host mode time controls. This allows greater flexibility in controlling users on a busy BBS. 23. A character may now be added to display screens in the GT host mode to diable the ^C/^K user break. 24. Of course, the new netmail system. 25. Many, many minor changes. Like the expanded custom user defined colors. 26. The system now also sports a usage counter. The count will allow 150 uses. Hopefully this counter will encourgage registrations. The user will get a "key" to allow unlimited uses when he registers. The concept is to encourage the shareware ideal, the software is provided for an evaluation, at the end of the evaluation, the user should make either buy the product or discontinue use of it. Enjoy! ****************************************************************************** GT POWER 12.21 is a bug fix release. It is surprising to me how many bugs have accumulated from the release of 12.20. There are very few feature changes in this release: the SYSOP.BBS file has been added to the Host Mode so that the welcome to Chat Mode can be customized, the E)nter command has been added to the Read Messages sub-menu. This release is being made with a do-it-yourself serial number. This will allow registered users of 12.20 to install their serial number in 12.21 without charge. The upgrade will not be mailed, unless you send in a mailer and some diskettes, but you can download it and install your own serial number. We feel this version should be provided at no charge to registered holders of 12.20. The serial number is an string of 7 ASCII characters starting at address 2DA0 of the main .COM file. Here is the usual way to install it: debug gt1221.com -e 2da0 "0000235" -w -q Note: the "-" character in the example is the prompt from DEBUG and not to be entered by the user. DEBUG is a program supplied with your copy of DOS. The "0000235" should be your serial number within the "...". This same procedure should be used to install your number on the GTO version of the program also. This note only applies to version of the program downloaded from BBS systems, all version of the program sent out in response to orders will have the number pre-installed by P&M Software Co. ****************************************************************************** GT POWER 12.20, a feature release is now ready. There was enough work done on this release to justify a jump to 13.xx, but on general principles, I have resisted this. I will probably choose to rename the product before going to this extreme, 12 is a big enough version number, isn't it? Here are the new features: 1. Addition of the SEAlink protocol. Very nice for use with the OPUS system. 2. Addition of the Ymodem Batch protocol. On some systems, this is the only batch protocol that is supported. 3. Introduction of another GT exclusive protocol - MegaLink. This is a full streaming protocol, ideal for use on 'packet switched' networks, such as PC Pursuit. Also ideal for use with MNP and high speed modems, 9600+ baud. 4. Full support for the new breed of 9600 baud modems, including the introduction of a new top baud rate: 19200! It is simply amazing how fast a file can be transfered at 9600 using MegaLink. We have done tests indicating that 440+ blocks per minute is the crusing speed of MegaLink at 9600 baud. Which is roughly 950 cps!! 150k files can be transferred in about 3 minutes flat! 5. When using the non-batch protocols, Xmodem, Ymodem, WXmodem, GT now scans the screen looking for the filename previously typed by the user to the host. GT will look for words that begin with a ";" or ":", ignoring blanks, and meet the normal DOS definition for a filename. Saves keystrokes! To use this feature, set the default transfer protocol in the phone directory to one of the protocols listed above. 6. The Capture Mode has been completely redone. Special attention has been given to the Alt-8, View Capture Buffer Command. This command has been redone so that it will scroll the screen exactly 1 line or 1 screen, and a locate command has been added so that you can scan the buffer for that piece of text you need. A Capture PATH has been added to the configuration, so that your captures will be organized in 1 location, and an Append option has been included so that multiple captures can be made to the same file without fear of losing the previous captures. 7. The Host Mode now supports separate WELCOME and BULLET files for each message base on the system. 8. The Whereis command has been added to the main menu of the Host Mode. This will enable users to quickly find the files they are searching for across all file areas they are authorized to access. 9. A Non-Stop option has been added to the Read Messages sub-menu. This allows callers to continuously read message, beginning with the last message read, pausing only if the user hits [Ctrl-K]. 10. A Questionaire has been added to the Host Mode. This will allow Sysops to obtain information about their callers. Up to 40 different questions may be included in the questionaire, which is totally flexible in its design. 11. DOORS have been added to the Host Mode. Any system may now have up to 99 different DOORS. The ARC View door is becoming one of the most popular, however many are putting adventure games in doors as well. 12. The Host Mode now offers optional ANSI graphics to callers. This allows Sysops to design two sets of menus and screens, one for regular text type displays and one for color graphics. Some very spectacular color screens have already been designed! 13. The Sysop may perform a local shell while the Host Mode is in operation, by pressing Alt-1 while the Host Mode is at the main menu. Very handy to be able to move files about while the caller is still waiting online. 14. DoubleDOS awareness has been added, so that GT will automatically give up time, while in wait loops, when DoubleDOS is active. Helps the other partition run more efficiently. 15. The log may now be printed, as well as recorded on disk. The command line option "/p" will enable this, so that everything logged will also be sent to the system printer. 16. Support for DSZ has been altered, so that it is now activated via batch files: ZMTX.BAT to transmit and ZMRX.BAT to receive. This was done to offset the effect of DSZ's rapidly changing syntax and to make a hook available so that other protocol drivers could be used by modification of these batch files. 17. The CALL command of the script language has been removed. To be replaced with the CHAIN command. This has become necessary due to the problems surrounding the recursion used with CALL. CHAIN will cause a branch to be made, like CALL, but the return is no longer automatic. 18. The LOG command has been added to the script language. It will enable users to make manual entries in the log file from a script. 19. A new command line option, "/k", will turn on capture mode from the very start of the program. 20. Multiple keyboard macro files are now supported. They can be exchanged as easy as phone directories! 21. The base address for each serial port is now configurable via a command line switch. This allows use of GT with many non-standard serial port cards and internal modems. An example: GT1220 /3 $458 Would change the base address of COM3 to hex 458. The address must be given in hex with a leading $ sign. 22. A new command has been added to the terminal mode, Alt-5, which will allow the user to force GT to use Xmodem Checksum when performing downloads. This is very useful when trying to download from non- standard systems that have the regular Xmodem protocol available, but do not support an IBM version of CRC. 23. The Split Screen mode has been cleaned up and a command key is now used to invoke it, instead of the old configuration parameter (which has been removed). The Alt-7 command key will now invoke Split Screen mode. 24. The security system used in Host Mode has been completely upgraded. All access levels are now user configurable. This allows almost unlimited flexibility. ****************************************************************************** GT POWER stability release 12.10 is now ready. Well, there were a few errors that the beta testers didn't catch. Such as the script WAIT command which wouldn't timeout anymore! Release 12.10 addresses these problems and provides some requested features: 1. The long standing "modem init freeze" bug has been fixed. 2. The script commands: WAIT, WHEN and CASE, are now case insensitive. Several script users have asked for this one! 3. Multiple message base areas are now provided for, including private areas and message base areas accessible by application. 4. The GTMAIL.CTL file has undergone a series of changes and additions. The most important of these are: 1. personalized passwords, 2. storage of phone numbers, 3. daily call count. 5. When logging locally onto the Host Mode, GT will now ignore the serial port. This will keep the Sysop from being interrupted while using the system. 6. In the phone directory, the spacebar may now be used to "mark" entries for the circular dialer. 7. The Alt-X bug, wouldn't let you exit the program sometimes, when using scripts, has been fixed. 8. An 8th bit stripping option has been added. Some folks using protocol converters wanted this one. 9. The result code fields in the GT setup have been widened for a 3rd time to allow non-Hayes modems to work with GT. Currently the fields are 30 characters in width. 10. Ymodem Batch support has reluctantly been dropped. I know this will disappoint a few of you, but it was necessary. This function was performed by DSZ and it was very flaky. 11. Numerous other minor fixes are included in this release. Too many to enumerate. 12. For floppy and laptop users we introduce a 'terminal only' version of GT. It will be called 'GTerminal Only' or just GTO for short. It is about 40k smaller than the full version of GT, of course both programs will be distributed in 1 package - these are NOT DEMO versions. ****************************************************************************** Here is the long awaited 12.00. It's most notable new feature is the expanded host mode. The home BBS for GT POWER now uses the host mode of GT instead of Fido, which was used prior to 12.00. The new capabilities of the GT host will require all users of this mode to make a careful review of the GTHOST.DOC file. Here are some high-lights: 1. A message base has been added to the host mode. This will allow a full message service to be performed by GT. 2. Corrections to several items in the VT-100 emulation have been made. 3. Several bugs, such as the lack of filename validation in the "save capture buffer" routine, have been fixed. 4. In host mode, the caller's name is continuously displayed on the status line. 5. The program GTCTL.EXE has been added to the support programs for GT. It will aid GT sysop's to maintain the control files related to host mode operations. 6. Comment capabilities have been added to the script language. Just place a ";" in column 1 of a script line and the line will be ignored. 7. The PCKERMIT.EXE, DSZ.EXE and GTDOOR.BAT files will now be searched for in GT's home directory, regardless of how the DOS PATH variable is set. This should simplify installation of the program. Note: the DSZ.EXE file is the one used to perform the new protocols: Zmodem and Batch YAM (also known as Ymodem Batch!). 8. Ctrl characters may now be placed into macro keys via the %nnn mechanism. For example, if you wished to place a Ctrl-Z into a macro key, put %26. Where 26 is the decimal value of the ASCII character Ctrl-Z. 9. There is a new config parameter: max baud rate. The idea is that you can move your phone directory around from home to office, from high speed modem to slow speed, and all you'll have to do is adjust the maximum baud rate. This will cause GT to automatically use no rate higher than specified. 11. Scripts will now be given the extension of .SCR if none if specified. For example: FOO will become FOO.SCR automatically, but FOO. will remain FOO. and FOO.BAR will likewise remain FOO.BAR Several people have requested this one! 12. The Alt-S command has a new option, switch the COM port. To go along with this, the script command SET has been expanded to allow a COM port change. The old syntax will continue to work. Here is a sample of the new SET command: SET COM2 2400 E 7 1 This would set COM2 as the current port and adjust it to 2400 E 7 1. 13. A new script command, SWAP KEYS, enables the user to swap the normal position of the Backspace and Del keys. The syntax is: SWAP KEYS TRUE or SWAP KEYS FALSE Swaps done in this way are temporary, i.e. they are not recorded in the .CNF file. Use the Alt-I command to make permanent the swap of these two keys (look under the miscellaneous options sub-menu). 14. The script "parser" has been rewritten and optimized. In other words, scripts should execute "a whole lot faster"! The old "parser" was a real dog. 15. Variable assignments had a small flaw, which is now fixed. The following will now work (it didn't before). V1 = "Now is the time for all good men..." V2 = %1 WRITELN %2 Now some may ask, "Why not just write %1 instead of %2"? Good question. Some folks are passing variables to sub-scripts and they needed to perform these types of assignments, only problem was that they were only getting the 1st word, "Now" in this example. It is now fixed so it works properly. However, the restrictions placed on variable substitution are now more severe. If you use this feature please review the GT1200.DOC file for a complete explanation of the new rules. WARNING: One of the things that used to be possible is a command like this: SENDLN "%1" it will not work anymore. It must be changed to: SENDLN %1 which will work as before. It is important that you check your scripts for this syntax and correct it. 16. Two new protocols have been added, thanks to the DSZ program from Omen Technology INC. DSZ brings with it the Ymodem Batch and the Zmodem protocols. In GT, we will refer to Ymodem Batch as Batch YAM, our abbreviation. 18. A new command key, Alt-4, will suspend capture mode. While suspended no data will be added to the capture buffer. Capture may be resumed by hitting Alt-4 a second time. Hitting Alt-C will cause capture mode to terminate. 19. Multiple WHEN statements can now be active in the script language. Up to 6 different strings may be trapped and responded to. You use the WHEN command in the normal way to start a trap, then to turn it off you leave the THEN clause off. Example: WHEN "More?" THEN "N" sets the trap. WHEN "More?" disables the trap. 20. A "point and shoot" interface has been added to the phone directory. You can use the UpArrow and DnArrow keys to highlight the desired BBS and press the Return key to dial the number. Quite nice actually, but I still prefer entering the number, so both ways are supported. For now the "point and shoot" interface is implemented only for the dialing function. 21. A new path has been added to the config. It is called the "Message base PATH", and it is intended for use on PC's with only two floppy. It will provide a way for the operator to specify that the message related files are to be split out onto drive B:. Of course, it can be used on other systems as well. 22. The "[G] Mark" command of the phone directory has been reworked, so that you may now mark ALL entries in the directory with a single command and when marking individual entries you may now mark a range by using the notation m-n. For example: 43 21 10-18 34 would mark 21,34,43 and the range 10-18. 23. A number of people had reported that macro keys often transmitted their content too fast and that some hosts had a habit of dropping characters. Hence, the transmission of macro keys will now be paced using the "ASCII Inter-character delay" from the config. If your macro keys go too fast/slow adjust the value for this delay accordingly. 24. A new parity has been added to the supported list. GT now supports Odd, even, none and mark parities. 25. A new incentive to register. A key to bypass the opening copyright screen will be provided to users who register GT. In the spirit of shareware, we ask that registered users not disclose the key to non- registered users. 26. The registration fee has gone from $35 to $40. Why? First, the requirement for additional support programs, such as GTCTL. To build and support these programs, we have enlisted the aid of James Davis, author of GTLOG, and now GTCTL. For his help, he will receive a percentage of the registration fees. And we have finally gotten the bank to approve our merchant account, so that we now can accept payment by VISA OR MASTERCARD (r). Of course, the bank wants their cut too! This has all meant that the registration fee had to be raised. Users who are already registered may continue to get upgrades for a $10 fee. ****************************************************************************** Well, P & M Software took vacation in December and when we got back there were alot of bug reports and wish lists promptly handed to us. Version 11.20 is our reply. Here are the areas addressed: 1. Numerous fixes to the "color graphics" support code, bowing to the new ANSI Animator program and other advanced color screen generators. 2. Redesign of the status line. All indicators have been redone in a more professional manner and the CONNECT time is now continously displayed. 3. Host Mode refinements. The security levels have been reworked to allow a more flexible structure when used in conjunction with the GTDIR.BBS file. Please consult GTHOST.DOC for further details. 4. For PC-Pursuit users. The Phone Directory can now be "exchanged" while CONNECTed. Be careful though, when you change directories, GT is forced to book all statistics to the old directory before it can be closed. 5. Correct error in the handling of prefix/suffix's when stored in the phone directory. In the older version, the prefix/suffix indicator character could be stripped out of the directory. ****************************************************************************** Version 11.10 is ready! 1. Support for COM3 and COM4. These are non-standard COM ports, so you will not be able to use them with DOS functions, such as the "Remote DOS Door" in the host mode. However, they should work with most terminal functions. For your information: COM Port Port Addr Interrupt -------- --------- --------- 1 3F8H 4 2 2F8H 3 3 3E8H 4 4 2E8H 3 Note: support for COM3 and COM4 was actually introduced in 11.00, but never worked. It now works with the Everex Internal modems, or others that adhere to the addressing scheme shown in the table. 2. Bios video option. This should allow GT to run in a multi-tasking environment and not bleed-thru on the screen. But let me tell you, the Bios video routines really slow down the window routines. 3. Improved directory control in host mode. The operator can now specify a list of directories available and the security for each directory. This is very flexible compared to the old method. ****************************************************************************** Good Luck Paul Meiners