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1998-06-16
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
FrontDoor 2.25.SW // FDUPDATE.225 // 16-Jun-98
Copyright 1998 Definite Solutions HB; All rights reserved.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This document attempts to describe important issues when upgrading to
version 2.25.SW from FrontDoor version 2.12.SW.
The contents of this file is not intended to be a replacement for the
documentation; it is possible that some aspects of the upgrade
procedure have (accidentally) been left out.
Most of the functional differences between the MultiLine [ML] version
and the Shareware [SW/SL] version are outlined in the file
FDSNLNOTE.TXT.
>>> DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL THIS VERSION OF FRONTDOOR IF YOU HAVE
>>> NOT RECEIVED UPDATED LICENSING INFORMATION FROM DEFINITE SOLUTIONS
>>> OR ONE OF ITS OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES.
General
=======
(*) All FrontDoor programs (FD, FM, FDNC, and FDSETUP) now require
that a 80286 CPU or above is present. The NEC V20 CPU will also
work for this purpose (the V20 is a drop-in replacement for the
8088 CPU).
(*) All FrontDoor programs now consume/require more memory than in
previous versions. We have attempted to keep the increase in the
required memory to a minimum; we have also added support for
virtual memory (EMS/XMS/Disk) to FD, FM, the Terminal, and FDNC.
With the above in mind, it is important that you check your
configuration to allow for more memory when the various FrontDoor
programs are used; this is particularly important in environments
where "shortcuts" are created to launch the program, i.e. Windows
9x, Windows NT, OS/2, DESQview, etc.
(*) If you were previously running a TSR in an attempt to "tame" the
multi-tasking support in the various FrontDoor programs, we
recommend that you temporarily suspend or remove that TSR. We have
improved the multi-tasking awareness in all FrontDoor programs and
hope that no external "tame" utilities should be required.
(*) All FrontDoor programs will attempt to set the title of the "DOS
box" they are running in, when certain multi-tasking environments
(Windows 9x, Windows NT, and OS/2) are detected. If this is
causing system crashes or lock-ups, it can be disabled by running
the given program with the /NOVDMTITLE command-line parameter.
(*) Another possible cause for lock-ups is a broken Mouse driver. All
FrontDoor programs (with the exception of FDSETUP) attempt to
initialize the mouse driver when starting. If this is causing
problems, it can be disabled by running the given program with the
/NOMOUSE command-line parameter.
(*) All FrontDoor programs now require that the screen mode is set to
have at least 80 columns by 25 rows (80x25); they will not run in
40x25 and other similar screen modes.
License information
===================
(*) If you have previously registered FrontDoor 2.12.SW, you need to
obtain new licensing information ("regcode") before you can use
FrontDoor 2.25.SW in registered mode.
Routing
=======
(*) Mail routing has been greatly improved in this version of FD. The
route command "SEND-TO" should be replaced with the new command
"QUALIFY". FD will still accept "SEND-TO" to remain backwards-
compatible in this regard; it is, however, unlikely that future
versions of FD will support the use of "SEND-TO".
Some other changes have also been made in the way FD interprets
addresses in the route file; please refer to the Administrator
Guide for more information about this.
Nodelists
=========
(*) You must use the new FDNC and re-compile your nodelist database.
After having reviewed various settings and ensuring that every-
thing looks as it should, the easiest way to force a re-compile
of the nodelist is by running FDNC with the /F (/FORCECOMPILE)
command-line parameter.
(*) Please note that this version of FDNC has much improved syntax
checking of FDNODE.CTL and source nodelist files. It is thus
likely that FDNC may complain about the contents of these files
when the nodelist database is re-compiled.
Modem configuration
===================
(*) Many modem configuration options have been changed. These changes
were, in particular, made to accomodate for new CONNECT messages
without having to update the software simply to handle a new modem
standard (like V.90).
There is no "connect messages" manager per se, but up to five
custom messages can be specified in addition to the standard
prefix ("CONNECT") message. As most modems manufactured today
adhere to use of this prefix, we did not see a need to add another
manager simply to manage connect messages.
The custom messages need only be defined for connect messages
returned by the modem that do not start with the text entered in
the Prefix field.
(*) If you are using an ISDN driver that emulates a FOSSIL driver,
such as cFos, it is recommended that you check its configuration.
Previous versions of FD had a number of limits as far as the
CONNECT messages it could handle, CallerID information, etc. All
of these limitations should now have been removed.
Menus and keyboard shortcuts
============================
(*) Many keyboard shortcuts have once again been changed. We apologize
if this causes confusion and some getting-used-to before you have
gotten used to the new menu/shortcut layout. The primary reason
for the change has been the attempt to closer synchronize our
various products as far as keyboard shortcuts and menu access is
concerned.
Generally, the ALT+H shortcut will invoke the menu system in the
various programs.
FDSETUP
=======
(*) As with the modem configuration (see above), many new options and
settings have been added in this version of FrontDoor. Most of
these options have default settings when a new SETUP.FD is created
by FDSETUP; some will also be set automatically the first time
the new FDSETUP is used. It is, however, recommended that all
configuration screens be checked for possible errors.
Filenames
=========
(*) In an attempt to make it easier for developers of third-party
applications and utilities, many semaphores and some other files
that previously had different naming conventions (or did not
exist) in the Shareware [SL] and MultiLine [ML] versions have a
more similar naming convention. It is recommended that you refer
to the Administrator Guide for information about the various
semaphores used by this version of FrontDoor.
BBS interface
=============
(*) The BBS interface in this version of FD has been modified. At a
first glance, it may appear as if it has become limited compared
to that of previous versions.
Only one errorlevel can be configured for a BBS call. This means
that your BBS software either has to read the CALLERnnn.FD file
created by FD, or properly support the various "baudrates" that
FD can write to the DOBBS*.BAT file.
If you were previously using DOBBS*.BAT and EXEBBS.BAT to launch
the BBS software, very few changes needs to be made.
For "Shell-to-Mailer mode" operation, you will need to use an
external "bridge" application such as "FDSMB" (FrontDoor Shell-
to-Mailer Bridge) from Definite Solutions. FDSMB is freely
available from our website and BBS.
File requests
=============
(*) Although specified in the documentation, it should be noted that
the way FD handles the List, SecList, Alias, and SecAlias options
in FDSETUP has changed in this version.
Instead of being exclusive, they are now handled as inclusive.
For a secure session, FD will search SecAlias, Alias, SecList,
and List; in that order.
For an unsecure session, FD will search Alias and List.
Static Queue (STQ), what is it all about?
=========================================
(*) This version of FD introduces a very powerful feature referred to
as the Static Queue, "STQ" hereafter, which allows FD to handle
new tasks as well as handling some of its previous tasks in a more
efficient manner.
The STQ is typically where external applications that use FD to
store and forward mail should add and manipulate entries; instead
of (as previously) the NetMail folder.
Until more programs directly support the STQ, it may seem that
this new and "very powerful" feature is severly limited in its
use. Definite Solutions have, however, released two utilities
called MAIL2DIR and MSG2QUEUE to allow "file-attach based
software" to interact and take advantage of the STQ.
The programs known to support the STQ directly in their current
release versions are:
TransX - Multiboard Communications
----------------------------------
Used to exchange FrontDoor mail via the Internet. Version 1.5
and above of TransX has internal support for the FrontDoor STQ.
O/T-Track - PBS (Peter Hampf)
-----------------------------
Used to manage tasks related to many aspects of NetMail on a
FrontDoor system. Version 2.66 and above of O/T-Track has
internal support for the FrontDoor STQ.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Definite Solutions HB FidoNet: 2:201/329 and 2:201/330
Norra Agnegatan 34, bv og Internet: sales@defsol.se
S-112 29 Stockholm WWW: www.defsol.se
SWEDEN Fax: +46 8 4410010
----------------------------------------------------------------------
// end of file "fdupdate.225"