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FEATURES.NEW
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1992-03-27
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ChatBox (C) Copyright 1991-1992 Yandell Computer Services
Set_F10 (C) Copyright 1991-1992 Yandell Computer Services
-- [ ChatBox 2.0 New Features 3/27/92 ] -----------------------------------
* It is mandatory to run the new CBSETUP.EXE on ANY and ALL existing ChatBox
configuration (.CNF) files. ChatBox will terminate with a message to do so
if version 2.0 is attempted to run with pre-version 2.0 configuration files.
New parameters which need to be set will be marked with a blinking "*" on
the very left of the screen.
* During a chat, the Sysop may press ALT-P for a profile screen containing
many of the caller's statistics and settings. In Split-Screen chat, this
appears over the "box" the Sysop would normally type in, and the caller is
unaware of its presence. In fact, the caller may keep typing while the Sysop
is reviewing the profile! After the Sysop has reviewed the profile, the
contents of the Sysop's "chatbox" will be restored. In regular non-split
screen chat mode, the caller will not be able to continue typing while the
profile information is popped up on the Sysop's screen.
* While the above ALT-P information is on the screen, the Sysop may edit any
of the caller's parameters displayed by pressing ALT-E for edit. The Sysop
may then cursor through the parameters making changes as needed. Caller
input is not accepted while the Sysop is actually Editing the Profile. The
Sysop may press ALT-S to save and record any changes or ALT-A to abort any
changes. After pressing ALT-S or ALT-A while editing, chatting will resume
as normal.
* The page length time (the number of seconds ChatBox beeps, etc.) may now be
configured with CBSETUP.EXE. Valid lengths are 15 to 90 seconds. There is
no need to change record #97 in PCBTEXT files, ChatBox will automatically
change the '30' in "ends in 30 seconds" to whatever you place here. This
allows you to leave '30' in PCBTEXT record #97 if PCBoard (O) page is used
in conjunction with ChatBox.
* Added a new toggle is CBSETUP to always start ChatBox with chat logging on
(ALT-L). Keep an eye on those CHATLOG.### (###=node) files if you use this!
* Added a new toggle in CBSETUP to follow (or not) the PCBoard F4 toggle. This
is not recommended for general use. Some Sysops expressed the desire to
disable PCBoard (O) with F4 and have ChatBox rely solely on time periods for
Sysop page availability.
* Added a generic console BEEP BEEP for compatibility with older, less than
100% compatibles. The is type #12 in the CBSETUP sound type parameter. The
generic BEEP BEEP is not as crisp as the other noises generated by ChatBox,
and should only be used if problems are encountered using the other sounds.
* Due to the inability of some communications programs to accurately handle
the "position arrow" (ASCII 16) that ChatBox used in split-screen chat, the
position arrow has been changed to the ">" character. Everyone should
upgrade to ChatBox 2.0, since it is impossible to know if your callers are
using one of these communications programs.
* The flashing box which appears on the local screen if the "silent" paging
mode has been selected is now slightly larger for added visibility.
* CBSETUP.EXE now contains two screens of installation options. The parameters
for the paging time periods are accessed by pressing PGDN while at the first
screen. To return to the first screen, press PGUP.
* 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.
-- [ ChatBox 1.3 New Features 12/20/91 ] -----------------------------------
* ChatBox will now keep a log file (session capture) of the contents of a
Sysop\caller chat session. If chatting in a split-screen mode, the log
files will indicate "who" typed each line of text (very similar to PCBoard's
node chat files). If chatting in non-split-screen mode, the capture file
will be an exact duplication of the chat appearing on the screen.
* ChatBox will now read a Sysop created file called CHATBOX.NOT which is a
list of "chronic pagers". Any caller placed in this list will ALWAYS be
told the Sysop is NOT available for chat, regardless of other "availability"
settings in ChatBox and/or PCBoard (hour settings, F4 toggle, etc.).
-- [ ChatBox 1.2 New Features 11/8/91 ] ------------------------------------
* Text in each ChatBox window (box) now starts at the top of a window and
moves down the screen, rather than starting at the bottom of each window.
* If the caller is at or below a Sysop specified connect speed, when the text
reaches the bottom of the window it will now wrap back up to the top of
that window. This is much better than scrolling at low connect speeds, and
allows split screen use with callers at all speeds. (ChatBox still scrolls
the same way it used to if a caller is above the Sysop specified "wrap
instead of scroll" setting)
* The Sysop and Caller may clear their incoming windows (the window the other
person is typing in) for easier readability (horizontal split screen only).
This feature can be disabled if the Sysop wishes.
* A text "arrow" (pointer) follows each line of text down the left-hand side
of each box to help indicate where the text is... this is most helpful when
chatting with a caller who is at or below the specified "wrap instead of
scroll" speed. The pointer's color can be configured separately along with
other ChatBox colors (when registered).
* Parallel printer bells may be used as a "paging sound" if desired.
* If the Sysop is unavailable (F4 key or hours) or does not answer a page, the
caller will be asked if they would like to leave a comment (just like
PCBoard would). If the caller responds Yes, ChatBox will take the proper
actions so that a C <ENTER> are entered at the PCBoard prompt when PCBoard
re-loads. This feature can be disabled if the Sysop wishes.
* Pressing F10 while a caller is at the "Reason for chat" or "Leave a comment
instead?" prompts will immediately begin a chat session.
-- [ Set_F10 1.2 New Features 11/8/91 ] ------------------------------------
* A command line switch, /S can be used to suppress Set_F10's installation and
de-installation messages.
-- [ ChatBox 1.1 New Features 8/10/91 ] ------------------------------------
* Three separate paging periods may be specified for each day of the week.
Previously, ChatBox provided one paging period for each day. While this is
sufficient for most Sysops, a few requests for an additional paging period
(during each day) were received. We decided to add two additional paging
periods. This provides more than adequate coverage for REALISTIC paging time
needs.
* Added configurable colors in Split-Screen chat. The Sysop may choose the
colors for three different items: (1) the chat text, (2) the box (line)
colors, and (3) the Sysop and caller names. Using CBSETUP, you may see color
selections by pressing F1 at the color selection prompts. The color
selection may also be viewed (tested) in CBSETUP by pressing F2 at the color
selection prompts which provides a sample Split-Screen chat display. ChatBox
must be registered in order for the Sysop color selections to be used in the
ChatBox door.
* The blinking "Press ESC to exit chat" message at the bottom of the screen
(during Split-Screen chat) has been replaced with the node number, modem
connect speed, caller name, and caller location (city and state).
* ChatBox will use the color defaults set in PCBOARD.DAT for the host screen
(only) if the caller or local Sysop is in non-color mode, and the host is a
color display.
* When it is determined the caller's com program is not ansi capable, ChatBox
now places a message on the local display informing the Sysop as to why
ChatBox began in non-split screen mode (regular chat).
* It was brought to our attention that when a caller exceeds what would have
been their time limit while chatting in PCBoard, PCBoard would display the
negative minutes left. ChatBox 1.1 now does this also. The previous version
of ChatBox stopped the minutes left display at 0.
-- [ Set_F10 1.1 New Features 8/10/91 ] ------------------------------------
* Set_F10 now works without an additional keypress! Pop it up using F10,
press (Enter) for ChatBox, and ChatBox will begin immediately in Sysop chat
mode.
* Set_F10 window is now colorized (on color displays) for easier viewing.