BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/pc_board/nr306.zip/WHATS_UP.DOC

Text File | 1993-02-16 | 17KB | 307 lines

Documentation for NewsRoom is very very very scarce, but we're working
on it.

NewsRoom Release History Stack:

02-16-93  Version 3.06 -- a few more fixes.
          Well, gosh, it's been almost a month since the last fix,
          so...  There was a problem generating Wildcat! color codes.
          Apparently we'd lost a piece of code in converting to the
          3.xx version.  Also found to be a problem was formatting of
          news items created by an external editor.  Fixed this and
          found a more elegant way of handling the files, so things
          should work a bit better.  Lastly, we were losing the days to
          keep field when using an external editor.  Hopefully this is
          the last bug (with the exception of an elusive one that we're
          still looking for).

01-17-93  Version 3.05 -- more fixes and additions.
          We're not really trying to do a release a week, but...
          The 3.04 code had a nasty problem if using an external
          editor.  We found that the date formatting routines had a few
          minor problems in them that we've fixed in this release.
          With the addition of the external editor option, we've
          unleashed a few problems.  To solve them, we've had to add
          the ability to direct where swapping takes place.

01-03-93  Version 3.04 -- fixes and additions.
          Found a few minor memory allocation errors that probably
          haven't been giving too many people a hard time since no one
          mentioned them.  While doing this, we started playing "what
          if" and wound up with this version that supports both the
          internal editor that has been the source of many complaints
          and also allows use of an external editor.  CAUTIONS:
          (1)  Although we've tried to handle the switchover
          automatically, we haven't been overly successful.  The first
          time you use this version, we STRONGLY suggest checking the
          general options ( [C]onfigure -> [B]BS Common ) and insuring
          that all fields are intact.  If you wish, you may also go to
          the External Editor field at this time and enter the full
          path and name of the editor you wish to use.
          (2) The news files.  Before exporting an existing news file,
          you may wish to view the file to insure that everything is
          still in its right position.
          Another new addition is the ability to use the enter key to
          go to the next field rather than just the tab key.

10-27-92  Version 3.03 -- a little of everything.
          There was an annoying little bug in the modified header
          format that put the date off by a single character.  Fixed. A
          new addition to NewsRoom allows you to put a -1 value in the
          retention field of the individual news item to indicate that
          this item should never be purged.  The purge log will reflect
          that status when the item is processed.

10-10-92  Version 3.02 -- just improvements this time
          Got some good suggestions on improving the event processing
          output.  NREVENT.PRC now has a different look.  The automatic
          purge list produces one line per news item that shows the
          date created, conference number, title, whether the item was
          purged or not, and if not, the scheduled date of purge.  The
          automatic export produces a list of each news item that was
          exported.  Also, during both purge and export, a message will
          be placed on the screen so that it looks like the program is
          actually doing something.

10-02-92  Version 3.01 -- a few fixes Well, nobody's perfekt.
          Here's a short list of the fixes in this verion:  1)  The
          individual news item expiration days is now saved/displayed.
          2)  The suppress registration line feature wasn't working.
          3)  Several small items that could cause lock-ups were found
          and eradicated.
          4)  Pretty big woops:  The news was being exported first in
          first out instead of last in first out.
          This should be a pretty clean version now, but only time will
          tell.

09-20-92  Version 3.00 -- complete rewrite
          First off, we'd like to express our appreciation to Chet
          Wilkinson of TSUNAMI for his help in finding all those nasty
          little things that programmers are wont to leave in brand new
          code.  If it hadn't been for him, we'd have had a real mess
          on our hands.  Thanks, Chet.
          With this beta release, NewsRoom shows a complete face lift
          and rewrite.  For techies, the program has been rewritten,
          with exception of database manager in C++ which necessitated
          a user interface change.
          GOTCHA #1:  The configuration file changed.  When installing
          this version of NewsRoom, you'll have to set up the BBS
          Options from scratch.  Take note:  There are a couple of new
          wrinkles in here for registered users.
          GOTCHA #2:  The news files changed format, so your old files
          are no longer compatible.  There is no conversion to this
          version--it's a startover.
          New differences between registered/unregistered versions:
          The unregistered program will display an "About" box when the
          program is started.  The registered version bypasses this.
          The registered version will allow  the user to configure the
          news export to display:
                (a)  SysOp name
                (b)  BBS name
                (c)  No registration line.

01-25-92  Version 2.06 -- bug hunt
          We had a nasty one in here that a couple of people hit.  In
          event processing of news, if you deleted the last news item
          in the file, or emptied the file with deletes, either the
          purgee or the export would decide that there was no end of
          file and just keep on crankin' for hours.  It's fixeed in
          this version.  We've also started to clean up problems in the
          editor.  Not sure if this version has any real improvement in
          the editor, but it looks to be  just a smidgen  cleaner.
          We've just put a message into our support conference on
          Existentialist with some ideas we've had for future
          directions on the program.  If you have a moment, and would
          care to comment, we'd appreciate your feedback in the
          conference.

01-01-92  Version  2.05 -- enhancements
          We've added a new format to the selection -- it's a
          modification of the current header format and uses the same
          color configuration as the current header.  In addition, the
          BBS options have been modified to add two new fields.  The
          new fields control whether the BBS Name and SysOp /
          Conference Host name are printed or not in the news.  These
          fields will default to 'Y'.

01-03-92  Version  2.04 -- more changes
          Some minor changes to the name fields in the program.
          Before, all names were forced to mixed case.  That has now
          changed so that you may enter anything in the names, and
          capitalization will be up to you.  Next, we're now displaying
          the title and date of the news item you're creating/editing
          in a window above the edit window.  Perhaps the biggest
          change to this version is a disaster repair function in the
          [F]ile selection.  If for some reason the program abnormally
          terminates while you've got a database open (and believe me,
          we've taken pains for that NOT to happen) your files will
          probably be corrupted.  We've put corruption detection into
          the  program, and will try and advise you when it's necessary
          to fix the files.

12-27-91  Version 2.03 -- cosmetic changes
          Not much in the way of fixes in this release.  A small
          problem in the editor and the conference selection routine
          was corrected.  Mostly this version changes the "Simple" and
          "Header" formats.  Both of these now have a new color
          configuration for the various "constants" used in the format.
          If you're using one of these two, you might want to make sure
          you make your color selection prior to exporting your news.

12-17-91  Version 2.02 -- aw shucks
      I left a couple of really stupid errors in, that are
      primarily cosmetic, but errors nonetheless.  And just when I
      was patting myself on the back that I hadn't screwed up as
      much this time as the previous releases.  Oh well.  I didn't
      break my arm doing the patting anyhow.  I also forgot to put
      the conversion utility for pre-version 2.01 into this last
      distribution file.

12-15-91  Version 2.01 -- minor revision The changes in this
      version are requested enhancements.  NewsRoom now has the
      capability of unattended processing.  ****WARNING****  Your
      old text files are no longer compatible with this version.
      To this end, CVFILE.EXE has been included in the version 2.01
      distribution file.  Run this in the same directory as your
      NEWSTEXT.* and NEWSROOM.OPT.  The option record also changed
      to allow a default number of days to keep an item before
      purging.  During the conversion process, the internal
      creation date in the text file (used for calculations) is set
      to the date run, and the number of days to expiration is set
      to 0 (thus using the default in the option record.  The
      option record  default days to expiration will be set to 30.
      Changes (in no particular order):  1)  Screen colors are
      now configurable by selecting "Screen Colors" from the "File"
      menu selection.  2)  The ESC key no longer takes you out of
      the program.  You must use the 'Q' key from the main menu or
      Alt-Q from other places.  3)  Additional field on the BBS
      Option screen to designate default number of days to keep
      news items.  4)  Item-specific days-to-keep field changeable
      at original entry or when an item is edited.  A '0' in this
      field will use the global value.  5)  Command-line parameter
      -p purges the text file based on creation date, and days to
      keep (global or item).  All items in all conferences are
      evaluated.  This may be done as a part of a daily
      event--processing is echoed to the screen, but the program
      will self-terminate (not self-destruct).  6)  Command-line
      parameter -e exports news files for all conferences.   Also
      may be run as part of an event.

11-24-91  Version 2.00 -- major revision
      After receiving a bug report, we hurried up to fix the
      problem and throw in a new enhancement.  Imagine our surprise
      when we found that the conference and news item deletion
      routines could unexpectedly trash the database and give
      "undefined results".  This version represents a complete
      replacement of the former database routines with a tried and
      true set of routines.  This will now allow deletion of
      individual conferences and news items without the problems
      associated with the previous version.  We also corrected a
      minor cosmetic error or two on some of the news formats.
      *******WARNING********** Your former files WILL NOT work with
      this new version of NewsRoom.  To that end, there is a
      conversion  utility, CONVTOSF.EXE, included with this
      release. This utility will convert old databases to new and
      also make a change in your option record. Just put the .exe
      file into the same directory with your NEWSTEXT.??? and
      NEWSROOM.??? files, and type CONVTOSF at the DOS prompt.  The
      program will give you a running commentary on what records
      and files are being converted.  Another word of warning--this
      conversion utility fully expects that your files reflect the
      previous changes in databases(in version 1.08) and that you
      have converted your *.NWS files to xBase memo files.  If
      you're not current, things won't work, and you might want to
      start fresh.
      The option record change reflects a change in the BBS Options
      screen.  You've now got the option of inserting a "clear
      screen" command at the beginning of each news item.  Please
      pay attention to any problems that develop.  We're happy to
      fix problems (well, kind of), but do need to know how to
      duplicate them.

11-19-91  Version 1.09 -- back to bug fixes
      The marvelous upgrade in putting the text into database files
      really horsed things up.  I broke the ability to pass the
      conference number amongst the routines.  Any text files you
      added with version 1.08 are not associated with the proper
      conference.  Our apologies.  This version corrects that
      problem.  To stave off problem reports in one area, the
      editor will now accept extended characters (greater than
      value 127).  The bad news is that the database filters them
      out.  We're working on a fix.

11-14-91  Version 1.08 -- massive changes in this version!
      The biggest change is in the news text files that were
      cluttering disk space before.  As of this release, the news
      text is kept in a database file.  Not to worry, gentle
      reader, there is a program available (and distributed with
      the version 1.08 copy) named NEWSCNVT.  Running that program
      in your NewsRoom directory will create the text database
      file.
      Next change is in the "Send More" option.  Instead of a Y/N
      only field, it will now accept Y, N, or E  A quick
      explanation:  Y indicates that a "more" prompt will be placed
      at the end of every news file.  N indicates that no "more"
      prompts will be used, and "E" tells NewsRoom to put a "more"
      prompt at the very end of the news file only.
      We have also cut down on our "advertising".  The first news
      item only will contain the copyright and registration
      information.
      Should be enough for one release.  One last thing,
      non-program related:  The USR Dual Standard used by The
      Existentialist BBS is now on a new phone number.  First-time
      callers should continue to call the [phone] number and
      leave a [C]omment to the SysOp.  You'll be upgraded within 24
      hours and be  given access to the HST line on [phone].

11-08-91  Version 1.07 -- per request, if  you are generating news
      using the Wildcat! specific color codes, the file name (the
      ASCII file in the conference options) will be forced to have
      a .BBS extension.

11-07-91  Version 1.06 -- changed the format for the Wildcat! specific
      codes.  Apparently I was bumscooped by a Wildcat! SysOp
      concerning the exact format of these marvelous codes.  This
      release won't do anything for non WC SysOps.

11-04-91  Version 1.05 -- changed both the conference DB window and
      the export window to accept the F10 key to signal completion.
      Put corresponding prompt on the bottom of each window.
      Hopefully this will make the process of saving not as
      mysterious as it was before.  Also was informed by another
      SysOp that NewsRoom would not save a news file if the target
      was the root directory (D:\ for instance).  Fixed that puppy.

10-09-91  Version 1.04 -- neglected to allow enough space for long
      conference names.  Pretty dumb mistake, but then I haven't
      made too many smart mistakes with this (or any other)
      program.

10-05-91  Version 1.03 -- well--if things keep up like this we'll be
      on daily bug fix releases.  Version 1.02 wouldn't save the
      news files.  Along with this, we found that the items
      wouldn't be correctly sorted with the original news name
      format.  With this change, if you have any existing news
      items, please rename them to use a 3-digit sequence number.
      As an example, news item 1 for conference 0 would show as
      0-1.NWS under the old format.  Under the new format, the name
      will be 0-001.NWS.

10-03-91  Version 1.02 -- thanks to a fellow SysOp, some of the errors
      in NewsRoom have been  corrected.  Adding a conference to the
      conference database was causing problems, bogus error
      messages, and just general junk.  Also, if more than 2
      conferences were created, things didn't work well in the
      selection routines.  These little goobers have been
      corrected.

09-13-91  Version 1.01 -- this version now includes the ability to
      output files with Wildcat! version 3.0 codes.  In order to
      accomplish this, the BBS option screen now accepts a 'W' for
      wildcat codes, and the field has been switched to using a
      pick list for the codes.  The version number has also been
      added to the top right hand corner of the screen.

09-02-91  NewsRoom version 1.00 released upon an unsuspecting world.