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Text File | 1993-01-02 | 66.4 KB | 1,345 lines

----------------------------------------------------------------------- /\ ----------/ \--------------------------------------------------------- ---------/ \--------- 12 June 1992 - --------/ \-------- By C&R Systems - -------/ BBS \------- P.O. Box J - ------/ \------ Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 - -----< EXPRESS! >----- BBS: 717-765-8623 - ------\ /------ - -------\ ST /------- Copyright (c) 1987, 91, 92 - --------\ /-------- - ---------\ /--------- - ----------\ /--------------------------------------------------------- \/ B B S E X P R E S S ! S T UPDATES.DOC Revised: 24 October 1992 For Versions: 1.34 to 1.76a ----------------------------------------------------------------------- +-----------------------------------------------+ | C&R BBS, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania | | 717-765-8623 Main Development BBS | | 300-14400 bps | |-----------------------------------------------| | Official BBS Support Boards: | |-----------------------------------------------| | ST Synchronicity, El Cerrito, California | | 510-526-6471 PCP "CAOAK" 9600 BPS | |-----------------------------------------------| | The Psychlo Empire, Dallas, Texas | | 214-251-1175 9600 BPS | |-----------------------------------------------| | Terrapin Station BBS, Darien, Connecticut | | 203-656-0134 9600 BPS | |-----------------------------------------------| | Assassins' Grove ST, Oshawa, Ontario Canada | | 416-571-6965 14.4 BPS | +-----------------------------------------------+ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------=[ Version 1.76a Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 12 June 1992 ]=--------------------- 1. A Script File named MUSTER.SCR will be executed every hour on the hour from the Call Waiting Screen, if it exists in the menus_80 folder. A. MUSTER.SCR will run from the call waiting screen every hour, on the hour. It runs only from the call waiting screen, NOT while a user is online. If you must run MUSTER and expect users to be using the BBS during an important time, then limit their time limit when they log on. There are various scripts to do this. If you should come up with something handy, please submit it C&R BBS so we can pass it around. B. The file must be named MUSTER.SCR, but it may be a compiled Script file, just rename it from MUSTER.COM to MUSTER.SCR. C. The use of system variables such as users attributes are discouraged, and worthless, ie, the Users name and handle while running muster will be that of the previous caller. D. We have successfully run other programs from MUSTER, to include a bunch of games just for test purposes. E. When MUSTER runs, the phone is taken off hook to prevent incoming calls. F. The status box (top four inverse lines) are zeroed out, left blank, and the time muster last ran is in the upper left corner. This will be overwritten when you get a new call. G. If you are a sector whiz, you can change the minute of the hour which Muster runs by changing the 00:00 to the desired minute in the form mm:00, where mm is the minutes. The 00:00 appears in about sector 144 of BBS.PRG. WARNING: THERE ARE TWO "00:00" WHICH APPEAR. YOU WANT THE ONE AT SECTOR 144, NOT THE ONE AT SECTOR 50. F. The status box (top four inverse lines) MUST BE TURNED ON if you want MUSTER.XES to run. If the status box is turned off, then MUSTER.XES WILL NOT RUN. 2. Users logging on to Express at 12,000 bps are now treated as 9600 bps callers. A. Previous versions of Express treated 12000 bps callers as if they were 1200 bps callers for purposes of determining their time remaining while in the File SIGS. Allthough they could download at 12000 bps, their time limit was effectively cut to one tenth of their actual time. At least now, their time will be closer to what they deserve for download time limits. B. The complete implementation of all the new bps rates has not been completed in Express yet. We plan to incorporate them in the future to include the Script variables. -------------------------=[ Version 1.75d Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 30 April 1992 ]=--------------------- 1. Four minor modifications have been made to BBS.PRG which are described in more detail later in this file. The modifications were pertaining to: A. Modem handling routine has been added. B. Invalid Logon Attempts are logged to the Call Log. C. The New Users "Can Your Terminal Display 80 Columns?" input has been modified. D. User "Handle" routine was modified. 2. The modem handling was slightly changed. The modem command "ATA" is now sent just after the "RING: Looking for a carrier..." A. This modification will help prevent the modem collisions or the incoming calls while the BBS is resetting or possibly running an external program. While the modem is set to the "force-to-answer" state, an incoming call will not be answered by the modem, but a Ring Detected is still sent from the modem to the BBS. This will prevent the BBS from answering the incoming call until it is ready to. The phone will continue to ring until answered by the BBS. B. In order to use this feature it requires that all occurances of register S0=xx be changed to S0=0 in your .MDM files. This turns your "Auto Answer" OFF. Please note that some modems may have a dip switch that also affects the Auto Answer. C. If you do not wish to use this feature, then the ATA command is overridden by the use of the normal ATS0 command which places the modem in the Auto Answer mode. D. This also enables other applications such as directly connecting two computers with modems without going through the telphone system. You may connect the two modems together with a telephone cable and execute a force-to-answer "ATA" command on one modem (The BBS) and a force-to-dial "ATD" command to the other. 3. Invalid Names/Handle/User Number and password combinations are now logged to the callers log. This should be interesting at times. No more free shots at trying to guess other users password's. The output looks like this: >>> Invalid Logon Attempt <<< 4/30/92 12:22:10 pm Name/Handle Used: PIRATE PETE Password Used: SYSOP >>> Invalid Logon Attempt <<< 4/30/92 12:27:42 pm Name/Handle Used: SYSOP Password Used: PASSWORD 4. The New Users question "Can Your Terminal Display 80 Columns?" question at logon has been modified. The user may enter Y, N or a RETURN. If they enter a RETURN, they will be defaulted to 80 columns. A. If you do not support 40 columns you can then change the prompt: #047 '|Can Your Terminal Display 80 Columns? ' to something like: #047 '|Please Press Return to Continue...' or whatever prompt would suit you. B. If you do support 40 columns, then you may want to change it to: #047 '|Can Your Terminal Display 80 Columns? (Y/n) ' C. Do not forget to compile the PROMPT.S file after making any changes. Also, remember that compiling the PROMPT.S file should NOT be done from the BBS as it has not read in the new PROMPT.DAT file. 5. The User "Handle" routine was modified. Previous versions had a way that users could in fact have a Handle which was different than their Real Name when the use of Handle's was not allowed. This has been fixed. A. If you allow handles, then you will not notice the difference in this modification. B. If you do not allow Handles on your BBS then you may want to change standard Prompt #052 of the PROMPT.S file which was: '|| Sorry...That Handle Is In Use!|| Please Enter Another Handle: ' To something like: '|| We have somebody by that name!|| Enter Another Name: ' Hum.... I don't know what to tell them... if there really are two people with the same real names... Tell them to use a middle initial? 6. Versions 1.75, 1.75b. and 1.75c were beta test versions and not for general use. -------------------------=[ Version 1.74 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 12 January 1992 ]=--------------------- 1. This Version of BBS Express! ST has three new features added or modified. F-Mail may be turned on or off, the Item Selector from the SysOp Command Shell has been modified and Users entering the File SIG now choose the SIG number they want to start at. 2. F-Mail may now be turned on or off. This action is controlled by the presence or absense of a dummy file named FMAIL.DAT in the same path as the BBS.PRG. A. The presence of a file named FMAIL.DAT will allow a user to send F-Mail. B. The absence of the FMAIL.DAT file will not allow a user to send F-Mail. C. This action could be controlled by Script, if desired, by creating or deleting the FMAIL.DAT file based on the criteria and ingenuity of the SysOp. (Some samples will be made available. If you are not adept at programming in Script, a request at C&R BBS or F-Mail to Rich at any of the Support BBS's will be entertained. Please be specific on what you would like done). D. You may wish to change Prompt Number 010: Send E/Fmail: #010 '|Send Email (or Fmail) To: ' to a prompt of your choosing to reflect any changes you may have incorporated. 3. The Item Selector (or File Selector) is now available from the SysOp Command Shell even if a user is on line. Previous versions of Express would not allow the SysOp to call the Item Selector if a user was on line. The command is still the same: $ and it still is not available from the remote mode. 4. In Version 1.73 of Express we began isolation of the File SIG area. The previous Xpress Scan was made available also from the File area as the: F command and when entering the File SIG a user was automatically placed in the first available File SIG they had access to. We thought this made a certain amount of sense, but we received complaints about it. Now when a user enters the File SIG area, they are given the opportunity to choose a File SIG number or see a list of available File SIG's. A. If the user just presses return at the menu, they will be taken back to the Main area. -------------------------=[ Version 1.73 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 11 November 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. This Version of BBS Express! ST has several new features added pertaining to the File SIG areas. 2. The File SIG area is now treated more like a seperate area. A. When a user enters the File SIG area from the Main Command prompt a file named 'SIG_IN' (.HLP, .SCR, or .COM) will be executed. This file must exist or you will receive a Script error. The file may be treated as any other Script .HLP, .SCR, or .COM file. It may be used to execute other Scripts, write data to a file, etc. The ingenuity of the SysOp will no doubt come up with some unique uses. B. Once the user has passed through the SIG_IN file, they will be presented with the normal File Command prompt. They will already be in the lowest numbered File SIG which they have access to. C. Once in the File SIG Area, they may now do a New scan of all Marked File SIGS to which they have access to and have been marked for scan. This new Command is the 'F' command ( [F]ile Scan All Marked SIG's ). Change your FILEMENU.HLP file accordingly or use the one we have provided. This is the same command which is available from the Main Command 'Xpress File Scan'. D. When a user leaves the File SIG area with the 'X' Command a file named 'SIG_OUT' (.HLP, .SCR, or .COM) will be executed. This file must exist or you will receive a Script error. Again, this file may be treated as any other Script .HLP, .SCR, or .COM file. 2. Please note that if you continue to use the Xpress File Scan from the main area, users will not be passed through the 'SIG_IN' and 'SIG_OUT' files. For applications where you want users who enter the File SIG area to pass through the 'SIG_IN' and 'SIG_OUT' files, you may wish to delete the entry from your MAINMENU file and raise the access level for the 'X' command to 32. (The SysOp may still want to be able to do an Xpress File Scan without having to pass through the FILES.) -------------------------=[ Version 1.72b Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 15 September 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. The major change in this version is that single uploads via [X]modem, Xmodem-[C]RC and Xmodem-1[K] will no longer overwrite existing files. We found under certain circumstances, a user could upload a file which would overwrite an existing file in a File SIG if the filenames were the same. -------------------------=[ Version 1.72a Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 9 August 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. You may now 'PRINT TO DISK' a message you are reading. Select [P]rint as you normally would while reading a message or E-Mail. You will be given the option of sending the output to a [P]rinter like always, or to a [D]isk file. The ASCII text of the message will be appended to the file 'MSG.TXT'. (The messages will be attached to the end of the previous one). You may want to watch the size of this file as it does take up disk space. 2. The other changes are not apparent as they are some routines to try and manage file opening and memory. Some SysOp's have reported that their CALLERS.LOG is set to '0' bytes. This problem can occur when the system reaches an "Out Of Memory State". The most common causes of this is the execution of external programs which do not return allocated memory properly or insufficient folders allocated for the system. To help alleviate improper system default file paths a test routine writes a 46 byte file named 'LOGFILE.XXX' which should not alarm you. If you find this file at locations other than in the path to your "BBS.PRG" then something is changing your BBS default file path. This is usually an externally run program or a Script file which is changing the path. The date and time of the file may help you in tracking down the culprit. -------------------------=[ Version 1.71 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 15 June 1991 ]=--------------------- A couple of major points being a fully implemented data file for most every BBS prompt and a more potent and easy-to-use online user editor with unlimited user validation masks! You may also call the message editor from your own Scripts and toggle the Sysop's status box ON/OFF. The built-in chat mode has been dressed up. There's word wrap and paragraph separators. 1. A PROMPT.DAT file has been added which allows you to customize 259 of the Text Prompts shown to the user. The PROMPT.S file is the commented file which you can make changes to and PC.TTP is used to compile/tokenize the PROMPT.S into PROMPT.DAT. The BBS program reads in PROMPT.DAT file when first starting. There are notes within PROMPT.S which fully explain the prompts and what restrictions apply, etc. Or you can use the already existing PROMPT.DAT. 2. You may now call a GEM File Selector Box from the SysOp Command Shell by entering '$' within the SysOp Mode. This is especially useful for those who use a third-party selector (such as UIS III or LGSELECT), as you can use the advanced file utility features to do file maintenance rather than using the command line. You must be logged on from the console (be in local) for this feature to work. 3. The Online User Editor (UE from the SysOp Command Shell) now includes a hot-keyed menu. And the actual field designators are also hotkeyed, so you can get in and out quickly. 4. While editing user flags while using the Online User Editor you do not have to type all the Y's and N's to the end of the line. By pressing return you may terminate early and the remaining Y's and N's will be retained. 5. User Masks for faster user validation have been implimented. You may create blank user records use records of already existing users as masks. To apply a mask to a user, while in the UE (User Editor), select the user's record you wish to change, then select User Mask from the menu. You will be asked for a number, this will be the number of the user record who's levels and flags you wish to copy from. So as you can see, you may apply the mask of a current user, or you can apply the mask of a blank record you have defined for this purpose. After you enter the record number, the whole process is completed. 6. Chat Mode Renovation: The Chat Mode now has word wrap and auto-paragraphing. While in the word wrap mode, anytime either party presses a carriage return, the BBS will output a color paragraph separator (dashed line) to both parties. Either person can toggle word wrap by pressing CTRL-W. When toggled off, word wrap and the separator are no longer present. This "off" mode may be used so that the remote user may upload text, etc. A second CTRL-W re-enables the word wrap/separator chat mode. 7. Status_Box (ON/OFF): This new Script command allows you to toggle the status box to on or off. The status box is the first four lines of inverse video which appear on the local monitor. When on, the SysOp can not see everything that the user sees. The best implementation of this command would be a Script that runs from your wait screen so that you could toggle the status bar on and off with a single function key. In order to know which state your status box is currently in, the variable &70 is used. &70 Variable: This allows your Script to know whether your status box is currently on or off. Here's a sample Script: SCRIPT DEFINE Switch SET Switch = &70 IF Switch = 'ON' THEN STATUS_BOX (OFF) ELSE STATUS_BOX (ON) ENDIF 8. One_Liners (ON/OFF): In the PROMPT.DAT file, there are 20 slots (#240-259) which can be used to Express! yourself. These text strings are presented at random just prior to the Main Command prompt being displayed. You can disable these prompts by using the Script command "ONE_LINERS (OFF)". By default, the one liners are on each time a user logs on, so if you don't want them at all, then include the above Script line command in one of your logon files. 9. Message Editor From Script: If your Script needs an editor, like the one built into Express, you now have it available to you. When the user saves his message, it will be saved to a file you specify in the Script call. Optional parameters allow you to give a working title to the message and specify the maximum bytes of the message. The legal range of maximum bytes is 100 to 3995. Any number outside of this range will set maximum bytes to 3995. Here is a sample Script: Script Edit ('c:\bbs\my_msgs\msg1.dat','Message Title' 2000) ***** CAUTION ***** THE EDIT COMMAND WILL OVERWRITE A FILE WITH THE SAME FILENAME (ie, msg1.dat in the example above) 10. Default_Path Command: This is now a simple way of getting the BBS back to its default path. Some Scripts and external programs can improperly change the default directory, causing problems. By placing this command in strategic places, you can instantly reset back to your proper BBS path and drive. Example: SCRIPT DEFAULT_PATH 11. Updated File Transfer Module: The handlers have been renovated to give much more reliable transfers. All the transfers are handled in ZEPHYR.EXE now, including the Xmodem varieties. If you had occasional complaints about Xmodem-1K switching to 128-byte blocks before the end of a transfer, you'll be happy to know that that is now history. The display is much better now also, thanks to code from Alan Hamilton of XYZ 2.01 fame (thanks Alan!). It is also possible to abort a Zmodem transfer during a download now, just press a CTRL-X a few times. Sporadic problems with detecting carrier loss have been fixed. Aborted batch transfers are more accuratly accounted for now; we did have some problems with charging on aborted batches for awhile. 12. Batch List Integrity: If a user tries to exit the Files Area with files marked for download, they will be warned that if they leave now, their batch list will be erased. They will have the option of returning to the file area to download the files marked for download. 13. If you have files marked for batch download now, any place you select [D]ownload will initiate the batch send automatically, rather than process a single file download. Thus, in browse mode, you can mark until you are satisfied, then the first time you press [D] the BBS assumes a batch download instead of single file. This applies also to Catalog mode and to the main file area level mode [D]ownload command. 14. An alternate key is available for paging forward in Catalog mode; the standard keys are '+' or RETURN for next page, but now a '=' will work also, since it is the same key as '+' (less the SHIFT). 15. Local Fmail has undergone additional debugging and works smoothly now. Fmail messages that are deleted will automatically delete the attached file. 16. The "Error 0 - Can't Delete Partial File:" error has been fixed. 17. A long standing bug since v1.30, caused a crash if you were in SysOp mode and typed "FREE MEMORY". MEMORY is the command to see the available memory, whereas FREE X tells the free space on the drive indicated. The peculiar combination caused problems. The BBS took it to mean that you wished to know the free space on Drive M, which was bad news if you didn't have a drive M! This has been fixed. 18. There was a bug in the &33 variable which would show incorrect values for the time remaining; this was activated when the time online and time remaining matched. This is fixed. -------------------------=[ Version 1.60 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 19 April 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. The Sysdata.Dat and Userlog.Dat files have updated formats. Their version numbers now match this release. IMPORTANT: Before running this version of the BBS, be sure to update your data files with the CONVERT.PRG GEM program provided. It will automatically back up your originals and create an updated data file for you. 2. New Configurable Paths: In the last version, we established an UPLOADS folder for batch protocol uploads. You may now define your own path for it with this version. Just use the new SYSEDIT.TOS 1.60 program AFTER YOU UPDATE YOUR DATA FILES with the conversion program provided. Be especially careful that you establish a unique directory for your uploads, as the BBS DELETES ANY FILES IN THIS FOLDER after the user indicates the destination SIGs for his uploads. **************************************************************** DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHARE THIS DIRECTORY WITH ANOTHER DIRECTORY!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! **************************************************************** 3. Fmail: Fmail has been added with this version. It does not take up another key slot in your command key table. It is integrated into the [S]end Email command, thus saving you a main menu command key. It is suggested that you revise your main menu so that it shows the availability of Fmail (i.e. '[S]end Email or Fmail'). Users receiving Fmail will be notified when reading Email that there is a file (x bytes long) attached to that message (except when the F-Mail is from the SysOp), and will be prompted to download right there. The Email message serves as the description for the file, and special prompting guides the user through downloading. 4. The updated SYSEDIT.TOS allows an FMAIL path to be configured. 5. Local Fmail: The SysOp can send Fmail from the console. Just move the target file into the Fmail folder, then select [S]end Email from the main menu. If you logged on locally (via the F1 key only) the program knows to skip the transfer itself. It prompts you for a title, which MUST BE THE CORRECT FILENAME you wish the user to receive. Then type your message and save it. If you wish to send that same file to multiple users, you can send several Emails all with the same title (filename). Just instruct each receiver NOT to delete the file when prompted "Delete This File [Y,n]?" This method of course requires sending a seperate message to each desired user... 6. Configured Xpress! Scan: Everyone likes the [X]press! Scan ability to scan all SIGs for new files, but there was a shortcoming. You could not mark just the SIGs you wished to scan...until now! By using the [P]arameters editor online, you may mark/unmark file SIGs -- this is saved into the USERLOG.DAT now. As an alternative, a SIG may be marked or unmarked within that SIG itself from the File Area command prompt. Encourage your users to configure their SIGs just as they have done with their message bases for [Q]uickScan! 7. Configured Posting Limit: Have you ever worried that a new user (or one that you are unfamiliar with) might vandalize your message bases? It was possible from the first version of Express (and many other BBS programs). Anyone who has the ability to post on a message base could simply post a one-line message over and over until he has "rolled over" the message base with Posts. Then the user could systematically delete all those posts, since they were author. You would then have a totally empty base! Now there's a solution. Each user has a new field which is saved in his data record called "Posts per Call." You can adjust this to safe limits. You can also adjust your NEW USER mask so that all new users get to post just a couple messages per call, if you wish. 8. New File Area Additions: See the revised menus that have been made available and add the new features into your menus. Here are the new additions to FILEMENU.HLP... [@] Mark or Unmark current SIG from Xpress! Scan list. This one allows the user to designate which File Sigs they want to be searched during a New file scan or to scan for files from a particular date. [H] Help with Commands. When the user presses this key, the BBS looks for a file named 'FILESUB.HLP' in your menus path. A text file is included with the revised menus which you can use if you wish. It explains in detail how to use the commands of the file area. You can, of course, make FILESUB.HLP a little Script which loads the text file to be viewed; the advantage being that you can utilize the automatic page breaks available. Here's how it would look: Script clear screen view ('c:\bbs\menus_80\filesub.txt', showall pagebrk) So then when FILESUB.HLP loaded, it would clear the screen, load in FILESUB.TXT, and without filtering for variables (showall) it would display your text file a page at a time (pagebrk). For more information on the VIEW command, read the previous version notes which follow all the information about this release. [P] Profile. This key brings up USESTAT.HLP, so that the user can see what their current profile is (uploads, downloads, etc.) [T] Translation. Let's a user switch to VT52 or ANSI, etc. Since the [B]rowse and [C]atalog modes support color now, it seemed like a good idea to allow the user to switch it on from here. File Area Revisions: [L] List Batch. (This was in v1.50, but has been updated to include the number of bytes per file, and the total number of bytes for the entire batch.) [U] Upload. A new protocol menu which is intelligent -- if a user selects a batch protocol (regardless of whether he is sending a single file or a batch), the upload is handled through the batch process, thus insuring that filenames never have to be typed in when using Ymodem/Zmodem. 9. Improvements To [B]rowse Mode: A lot of little details have been cleaned up in browse mode, here's the main items: Previous File. Step backwards if you wish to the previously viewed file description when browsing. Redisplay same file description after [A]borting file transfer. File header no longer tells user what the high SIG number is. This is to support the hidden SIGs feature of the last release. A bug which caused a random number to be inserted in the download count field of the file description header has been fixed. This was only on files that didn't have a description. Esthetic improvements to browse mode. 10. Improvements to [C]atalog Mode: Batch download within [C]atalog listing. When you select [D]ownload if you have files marked for batch download, it initiates a batch download, otherwise it prompts for the file ID to download. [-] Previous Page. Pressing '-' will take you backwards to the previously viewed page until you reach the first page. [+] Next Page. The '+' sign has been added to [RETURN] and 'N'ext as a legal symbol to advance to the next page. Batch Mark Bug Fix. There was a bug that sometimes cropped up when marking files; it wouldn't let you mark a file if it's ID was higher than the previously marked file. That problem has been fixed. Esthetics. The [M]ark query is cleaner now, and it takes up less space when asking for additional marks so that you can continue to see the list. 11. A bug (or loophole, if you will) allowed users to mark a bunch of files, then spend time elsewhere on the BBS, then return to the file area and download the files even if they didn't have enough time. This has been fixed. When a user marks a file, their time limit, ratio, etc., is checked for that individual file, plus the files already marked. This is the way it was in the last release. Now, in addition, when the user presses the key to begin the download, the BBS makes a new calculation based on the current time. Thus if a user has gone elsewhere on the board and returned, if their time limit doesn't allow him to take the whole batch now, they will have to remove a file from the batch, etc., before starting. (This has been changed version 1.71. 12. Aborted Description Authors Foiled! Now when a user uploads, but then '\A'borts the description, the BBS will save their name, plus "Unknown" for the rating. A message is logged in the call log that the description was aborted. The user is also advised of the report. 13. Name Conflicts: Any Zmodem or Ymodem upload which has the same name as a file in the SIG which it is being sent to will not overwrite the original file. The upload is not accepted or credited, so it is the uploader's responsibility to check the SIGs before sending a file. 14. 0 Byte Uploads: If Express! sees that Zephyr! allowed a 0 byte upload into the UPLOADS folder, it will delete it and the user will not get credit for an upload. 15. Auto-Logoff May Now Be Cancelled. After processing a download, if the user selected Auto-Logoff the BBS will prompt them that they can cancel the logoff by pressing their [ESC] key within 15 seconds to abort the Aut0-Logoof. This way if something went wrong, the user has a chance to stay online and rectify things. 16. A New User Variable &69 has been added. This variable, which can be used from a Script file (.SCR, .HLP, .COM). It holds the number of posts made during the current call. Thus you can commend a user who has posted, and kindly remind others to join in. 17. New .HLP Files: POSTSCAN.HLP. This help file is displayed at the end of a [Q]uickScan, so it is a perfect place to utilize the new &69 variable described above. Also, FidoNet SysOps can chain a FidoScan on here by using some simple Script commands. READMAIL.HLP. Since the commands available in Email are somewhat more limited than those in the message bases, a separate help file was created. You can tailor this to you board, or use the file included with the new help files. 18. Help For Hayes Ultra Modem users. The connect time for two Hayes Ultra 9600 modems is quite a bit longer than most. The amount of time the BBS will wait for a carrier tone has been expanded to allow for this. -------------------------=[ Version 1.50 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 9 March 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. It's "Batchtime" finally! Y-Modem and Z-Modem batch downloading has been added. A file called ZEPHYR.EXE replaces XYZ.TTP. ZEPHYR.EXE enables the batch downloading accross SIGs and paths, watches the carrier detect, and is made to work specifically with Express. ZEPHYR.EXE is only available to upgraded owners of Express, and is not a program designed to be used as a freestanding transfer program or with any file area replacement program. It is copyrighted, please respect that copyright by using the program as it is intended to be used. To set up, do the following: [] Delete XYZ.TTP from your default BBS path. [] Copy ZEPHYR.EXE into it's place. [] Create a folder in that same path called "UPLOADS". (This folder may now be defined at any path since Version 1.60) [] Copy BBS.PRG into your default BBS path. [] If you are using a RESET.MDM file, check it and make sure that it has an ATZ command in it (you'll see why later). 2. You can also mark files while in an Xpress Scan, and at the end of the scan you will be advised of how many files you have marked, and your scan will end in the last scanned SIG, rather than at the main command prompt. 3. You may list all your batch files marked, or erase some or all of them if you like. Batch listing (option [L] from the filemenu) will show you a list of your marked files with an identifier, the filename, and how many minutes to download at your baud rate. Beneath your list there will be a tally showing the total number of files marked, and the total time to download the whole list. 4. When marking files, Express looks at what the users ratio is, how many files they already have marked, and whether they can mark the file in question or not. The same goes for their time limit. Express checks to see if the combined files in the batch plus the file they wish to mark will be transferred in more than their time limit or not. They aren't allowed to mark files when that file would cause the total batch to exceed their time limit or download ratio. 5. Batch uploads all go to the new UPLOAD folder, and the user gets to pick the SIGs that the files be dispersed to, thus saving you the trouble. All you need to do is an occasional Xpress Scan (or "new files" from SysOp Mode) to validate the new uploads. All batched uploads are also reflected in your call log. 6. The partial description in [C]atalog mode is a lot nicer now. Special codes and leading spaces and tabs have been parsed out, so the look is cleaner. [C]atalog mode is now using an alphabetical interface, so you can choose files by letter designator, then browse, download or mark from there without having to type in filenames. The cosmetics of [C]atalog have been improved also, and color added. 7. Hidden SIGs: When your users look at the list of SIGs, they will only see the File SIGs they can access. No longer will they see "Private". The SIG numbers, however, are not dynamically renumbered, so if it your intent to hide SIGs from users who cannot access them, you should make those SIGs the higher numbered SIGs. That way there won't be any tell-tale skipped numbers in the SIG listing. 8. New '&' variable: The variable &68 now contains the amount of files the user has marked for batch download. 9. "UE" Enhanced: Heidi suggested that there be a way to search for either handle or real name in the online UE, so that is now available. This is self explanatory, just go into SysOp mode and type "UE" and select option 3. 10. Fido Stuff: A. If you are going to run BinkleyTerm ST to enable Fido networking, Express no longer does an automatic drop of the DTR on bootup. If you wish to be sure that the phone goes on hook after, say, exiting to the desktop, just be sure to have an "ATZ" command in your RESET.MDM file. B. You can have Express bypass the waitcall screen entirely by having a file called "BINKLEY.MDM" created; the only contents of the file would be a number which tells Express what baud the user online is. Here are the numbers: 0 = 300 baud 1 = 1200 baud 2 = 2400 baud 3 = 9600 baud 4 = 14400 baud So if you wanted Express to go right to the name/password prompt at logon, and say the user was on at 2400 baud, you would use your mini-language to create a file called "BINKLEY.MDM" and that file would consist of a "2" (without the quotes). If you wish to bring the waitcall screen up (to go online yourself or whatever), just have your system delete the special file. If the file does not exist, Express brings up the waitcall screen. 11. Bug fixes: A. The "New Years hangover bug" has been fixed. That was the bug that listed files from the last week of the year on a 'N'ew Scan done during the first week of the following year. The problem was there since version 1.30. B. Another fix was in the [F]ile Utilities available while browsing files. There was a bug when you did an 'S' command within the [F]ile Utils menu. If you tried to get the space left on an invalid drive, you probably found the desktop real quick. This has been fixed. -------------------------=[ Version 1.42 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 19 January 1991 ]=--------------------- 1. ANSI emulation is here! Allows PC users to see what colors we see in VT52 mode. This also means that IBM users can enter the Express ctrl codes in the message editor to add color to their messages. The new Script commands allow you to ask for Translation type at logon, if you wish. 2. High speed has arrived! If your modem allows connections faster than 9600 baud, BBS Express! ST now supports the higher speed directly. An updated SYSEDIT.TOS allows you to configure for it. Just toggle each baud setting (low baud, high baud, answer baud) to 19200 bps. Set your modem to automatically switch baud rates to match the callers rate (refer to your modem manual). Be sure to obtain TURBOCTS and run it from your auto folder if you go high speed. Set your CONTROL.ACC to a high baud of 19200 on the RS232 settings (also disable XON/XOF and RTS/CTS) and SAVE your desktop. 3. ZIP files contents may now be listed in [B]rowse mode (as well as SysOp mode)! The 'U' key works for UnARC, UnLZH _and_ UnZIP now, whereas in SysOp mode you can type "UNZIP n:\path\filename.ext". 4. HotNumbers! If you like the way WWIV allows you to jump from one SIG (or message base) to another just by entering it's number, then you can enjoy the same feature now in Express. When in a SIG, just type the number of the SIG you want to go to, and you're there. The BBS will add the carriage return on numbers above 3. (Since 1-3 could be single _or_ double digit numbers). Same applies to message bases. 5. A [P]arameters option to suppress ALL clear screens has been added. This applies anywhere on the BBS (including Script) that a clear screen code is sent, except when in external programs. One reason for this addition is that STalker 2.0 (by Strata Software) will erase it's "Lookback" buffer when a user is in VT52 mode and a clear screen code is sent. 6. File_Chgdrive (drive): Change drives in Script, then set your path with File_Chdir, and bingo, you are running from another partition. Be sure to do the opposite after you accomplish what you need from switching drives! alias: File_Chdrive ('d') Example: Script Define Dummy Dummy = File_Chgdrive ('d') 7. FILE_DATE: This function will return the datestamp of the file you specify. You would DEFINE a variable (you may call it what you wish, we called it 'Date'), and then compare that date to the callers last call date (&12) to see whether he should be shown the file in question. var = File_Date ('c:\path\textfile.txt') 8. VIDEO TRANSLATION: By inserting a value (1-5) into the parenthesis, you can change the online callers translation mode. The actual modes match the numbers used in the [P]arameters section of the BBS, so you can come up with your own menu to enable a user to switch modes. Translation (3) ; Would set the user's translation to VT52 Color. A new ampersand variable (&66) holds the current value of the users translation. You could use this in menus and such to show the user what their current translation is, etc. The value will be a number from 1-5, which corresponds with the number in his user [P]aramters. SET var = &66 9. SysOp availability can be turned on or off in Script now. This is equivalent to pressing your F5 key on the waitcall screen. Chat (on) Chat (off) 10. Have you ever wanted to toggle on the <<Paged>> flag on your SysOp status screen? Now you can. This is useful when you run a third party chat module (like ChatPerfect) and want to see that a user has paged you. The syntax is: Paged ; That's all there is to it. 11. A new parameter has been added to the VIEW command, "PageBrk". This will allow you to view a file with automatic paging (aka "- M o r e -" prompt) turned on. Thus you can add files to your [L]ibrary, and not worry about editing page breaks in, or using a 3rd party program to view them. Example: View ('c:\bbs\filename.ext', PageBrk ShowAll NoAbort) 12. Cont_Scroll (on/off) will enable you, via Script, to set the online users continuous scroll setting. The uses for this will become more apparent in future releases, but I wanted you to know it was available now. Example: Cont_Scroll (off) 13. Ampersand variable &67 tells you whether the caller online is set for continuous scroll "ON" or "OFF". Example: Script String C_Scroll Set C_Scroll = &67 Printe 'Your Continuous Scroll Setting is [C_Scroll]' 14. The BBS now touches the datestamp of a file upon upload. The reason is that XYZ.TTP will accept the date of a file being uploaded, and although this is updated as soon as the file is validated, it seemed cleaner to do it this way. 15. SC.TTP has been updated so that it compiles all new commands; you must use it to compile Scripts that contain the new command words. 16. When you logon locally using keys F1-F3, the data is not written to the call log. Most SysOps like to check on their boards often, but few like sifting through a ton of local entries. The F4 option will log the call (and write it to SysData.Dat for [W]ho's called), however. Thanks to George Bowman for noticing this wasn't documented. >>>-----------------------------------------------------------------<<< -------------------------=[ Version 1.41 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 24 December 1990 ]=--------------------- 1. Six new '&' variables have been added! Five of these are prompting variables (which you can use to control paging of files, etc.) and the sixth displays whether the SysOp is in or out, depending on the status of your F5 key. Here's a rundown: Var Text Description --- -------------------------- ---------------------------------- &60 - M o r e - Identical to paging prompt in msgs, waits for a key, then clears prompt. &61 Press [Return] To Continue Waits for c/r before proceeding (doesn't backspace over prompt). &62 Press Any Key... Waits for any key before proceeding (Good prompt for EOF/hold screen). &63 Just waits for a key (you roll your own prompt first with this one!). &64 Continue [Y,n]? Explicit 'Y' or 'N', and 'N' allows user to quit (unless NOABORT used). &65 IN or OUT Depends on your chat key (F5), will output "IN" if chat is ON, etc. 2. Color in the message bases! If you or your users are in VT52 Color mode, you may now enter control commands to bring color and inverse into your messages. VT52 Mono users will be able to enter and see inverse text. ASCII users will see the messages normally. See the MSGEDIT.HLP file included for control key combos, and also note that the control combo for the 'real name' macro has been changed. 3. Another setting has been added to the [P]arameters menu. A user may now set his high message number, and it can be saved or used on that session only. This can enable users who haven't been online in a long time to instantly bring their message pointers up to date so that they don't have to go through a lot of messages on a QuickScan. Or if a user has a need to restore an old setting, now he can do so. 4. During a message read function, you can now (ta da) [M]ove messages! Simply press 'M' when you see a message that you would like to move and the BBS will prompt you <M>ove Or <C>opy? Select the desired action and the BBS does the rest. You can move/copy messages from Email or any base to any other _valid_ message base. A lengthy message will be truncated to fit into a base which is predefined as having a shorter length than that of the message being moved. 5. You can now move files from the [B]rowse mode. [M]ove files is part of a sub-menu called... 6. [F]ile Utilities! During browse mode in the file areas, a Sysop may press 'F' and bring up a sub-menu which looks like this: [C]opy File And Description [M]ove File And Description [S]pace Left On Drive 'x' [T]ouch Time/Datestamp Command (Or [Return]): So while browsing you can automate your maintenance duties instead of going into SysOp mode and typing MS-DOS style commands. The first two commands allow you to enter a SIG number for destination or view your list of file areas. Note that the time/datestamp is updated when moving/copying files, as in the SysOp Shell. [S]pace simply shows you free space on a drive (which you will be prompted for), and touch just updates the files time/datestamp, which makes the file appear as new to your callers. 7. The READSUB.HLP menu has a new entry: 'O'ptions. This will allow a user to set his parameters (such as translation, continuous scroll and clear screen ON/OFF) during a message scan function. Think about the advantage of being able to turn on continuous scroll mode while in a QuickScan on a busy long distance board... 8. The main command prompt now displays the actual time remaining for the user online. This takes into account the users time on previously for that day, and shows the actual logical time allowed for that call. The status lines on the SysOp screen also display the same way now. 9. Along the same lines as above, the '&' variable &33 now properly returns the logical time left per call as it should. For the last three years it has been returning the same value as &13, so was fairly useless. Now it may come in handy! 10. The call log will now show you what protocol was used for each ul/dl a user made. Zmodem 'result' codes are shown as such instead of 'errors', since not all result codes are errors, and not all errors mean a bad transfer. 11. The upload description editor is entered _after_ a file is uploaded, as before 1.40 was. Some users complained that if an upload was aborted that the user had to type the description all over again. Point taken. By the way, your UPLOAD.HLP might need revising to match this change; a sample UPLOAD.HLP is included. 12. A couple of minor things: The Idle Timeout has been cleaned up some, and the ability to search for a string when selecting someone to send mail to has been made optional. 13. Two more minor things: When changing SIGs, the BBS hotkeys any two-digit number (ie, it isn't necessary to press [Return] if entering file area 10 and above, but it is when entering a 0-9.) The pad last block option is gone (and has been for a while now) since it is outdated and confusing to most. Just forgot to mention it before. 14. [P]arameter updates: A user may no longer change his real name via the parameter menu. It is not needed, since when logging on as new, they have the option to change any information then. After that, why should anyone need to change their real name? Also the menu option that allows the user to change his protocol has been updated so that the current protocol is displayed when listing parms (so you don't have to select it to view your current setting). 15. Well, fixes actually. When you do a SysOp UL, the BBS prompt now correctly says "Filename To Upload". A glitch in the search routine forced certain users to logon using their id number (only if their handle was part of another users handle, and they were before the other user in the userlog). This has been fixed. During Browse mode in the file areas, if a file's upload time displays a leading zero before the minutes field now. It used to say "1:4" instead of "1:04". Since this is True Confessions time, I'll admit to a bug in the Xpress Scan 'D' option (Date Search): If a file was downloaded DURING the search, the date criteria was initialized. This is fixed now. -------------------------=[ Version 1.40 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 2 December 1990 ]=--------------------- 1. If you are running v1.33 or less, it is necessary to update the format of the DESCRIPTION files in your file areas. To make this a bit easier, a utility called CNVTDESC.PRG has been included with the updated version of BBS.PRG. It is recommended that you direct the program to write out your descriptions to a temporary folder, so as not to write over your existing descriptions should a problem occur. The program is very simple to use, just follow the prompts. For those of you who like to edit the File Descriptions with an ASCII Text editor, the following is a description of what the file description contains: LINE 1: The name of the user who uploaded the file. LINE 2: The number of times the file has been uploaded. LINE 3: The "Rating" of the uploaded file. LINE 4: This is the first line of the text describing the file. The the remaining file description follows it. 2. Zmodem is a reality for Express! The BBS now has hooks to the terrific shareware program 'XYZ.TTP' written by Alan Hamilton. To make Zmodem uploads and downloads work on YOUR board, simply put the 2.0 version of XYZ.TTP in the same directory as BBS.PRG. The BBS will do the rest! The two programs communicate with each other and XYZ will report any errors back to Express. We've tested this configuration for a month and the results are great. We are doing single-file transfers at this time, but expect to do batching shortly. 3. View the contents of LZH files just as you would ARC files! During a browse files function, just press [U]nLZH and voila! 4. The '*' Command (list message bases) has a new twist. After the BASELIST.HLP has been displayed, the BBS will automatically prompt the user for a base # to go to. Thank Rich Sanchez for putting the idea in the online suggestion box! IMPORTANT-> To make this feature work, you must do the following: Load SYSEDIT.TOS. Choose option #4, Main Command Definitions. Find the keypress that is currently matched with BASELIST.HLP. Wipe out all the fields for that key. Now, re-do it like this: Give that selection the key definition that it had before. On the 'BBS KEY' field, put '*'. Fill in the data for user level and text string. That's it! make _sure_ there is no longer a file linked with this key (that is why we blanked it out first). The BBS will still know to pull BASELIST.HLP from your 40 or 80 column folder, don't fret. 5. When sending Email, you may enter a partial string and the BBS will search for all possible matches. The same thing applies in the online user editor when searching via option 3 (handle), and when logging on LOCAL via Function Key F3. 6. A new Script Keyword 'SHUTDOWN' has been added. This is mostly for SysOps who run BinklyTerm and need a way for Script to close down Express and give control back to the calling program. It is enabled by a line in your Script that says: SHUTDOWN (secondary_password) Where 'secondary_password' is the SysOp password for YOUR system, for security purposes. If a match is found, Script will shut the board down completely. This command will _not_ compile. (Later versions of Express will now compile this) FidoMan himself, Kevin Bell, suggested this one. 7. SysOp mode uploads may be done by keying in 'UPLOAD' or simply 'UL' from the SysOp command shell. Be sure you are in the directory you want to send your file to, then type 'UL' and the BBS will prompt you for filename, etc. The BBS handles the log better when doing transfers from SysOp mode. 8. The BBS handles those first three lines of your new description format better now. A user with less than SysOp access cannot alter those lines in anyway during his upload description edit session. The program also adds the three lines automatically for you if you [E]dit a description that doesn't exist (like after moving a file into the SIG). 9. Descriptions are written PRIOR to uploading now. This enables us to use the Auto-LogOff feature on uploads as well as downloads, and assures you of getting descriptions. (This feature has been changed in a newer version). 10. The main command prompt shows the users time limit as well as minutes on now. The numbers are in VT52 color, if enabled. This one was Terry May's idea. 11. If a user doesn't have access to a main command, the BBS will now tell him so, rather than using the prompt that comes up when an invalid key is pressed. This helps new users understand that they aren't validated yet, and your board works fine. 12. In the message editor, the default when doing a /D Delete is for line #0 now, rather than line 1. If a user inadvertantly hits return on it, nothing is erased by mistake anymore. 13. The information shown in the message editor when a user presses '?' alone on the first position of a line is improved; now it tells them they must press '/?' for the HELP screen; the normal bytes and lines info is still displayed. 14. More HELP files are being added to Express for extra flexibility. You will now have READSUB.HLP (shown when '?' is pressed during a read function in any message base), BROWSE.HLP (shown when the user presses '?' during a browse function in the file areas), and UPLOAD.HLP (shown before each upload). These files not only enable you to add more life to your board, but they also keep the program trim. 15. The browse file header has been added to some more, just some nice little changes that I'll let you discover. 16. The prompt when browsing files can be set to either BRIEF or VERBOSE via the [P]arameters menu, or directly from the Subcommand prompt itself. The information is stored in the userlog so that the users preferrence is maintained. 17. Automatic LogOff after an upload OR download, when desired. 18. Remember the SHOWALL parameter for VIEW in Script? It can now also take a NOABORT tagged onto it if you desire to have both features of VIEW active at once. It must be typed all in one word 'SHOWALLNOABORT' for the BBS to recognize it. These parms can still be used alone, obviously. This mod was suggested by Andy Okun. 19. Some message miscellany: There is a ruler on the top of the screen when posting now (by default). The prompting for /E Edit is better, as it gives more info to the neophyte. The query about posting before going to the next base no longer gets erased, unless the answer is affirmative. This allows for faster scanning. Suggestion courtesy of James Scofield. 20. Some more colors here and there, a bug fix here and there, and most likely something I've forgotten here and there. -------------------------=[ Version 1.34 Notes ]=--------------------- -------------------------=[ 1 Nov 90 ]=--------------------- 1. Format of the DESCRIPTION files in file areas was changed to incorporate new features. Use the utility called CNVTDESC.PRG to convert the descriptions. 2. The 'Idle Timeout Logoff' has been improved so that users are warned 30 seconds prior to the BBS hanging up on them for inactivity. Three bells ring, and a message is printed, then unless a keypress is received in 30 seconds, the BBS will print another message and log the user off. 3. Messages read by the addressee shows *Received* in header. 4. BBS asks user if they want to post before proceeding to next Message Base on a QuickScan (unless Continuous Scroll is ON). 5. You can now change the title of a Message when making a [R]eply. 6. Auto-Paging in the message bases (when not in Continuous Scroll Mode.) 7. Added Message Bases commands include: Jump to Msg, Goto Last, Gosub Number x, BackUp One Msg '-'. 8. More key substitutes in the Message Bases (ie SPACE key or RETURN key advances to next msg, 'X' or 'Q' key to Quit...). 9. When a user (or SysOp) presses 'D' to delete a message, the BBS now confirms their action with a prompt before deleting the message. 10. Extra Help screen in QuickScan (and other 'read modes') is built-in and the options are flagged when available to the user. 11. New "Slash Command": /T for title change in the Message editor. Update your MSGEDIT.HLP file(s) to reflect this option. 12. The user (or SysOp) is prompted to delete old mail after a reply is is made. 13. The 'C'atalog file command now shows the user a short description of each file in the listing. 14. The 'B'rowse file w/description now has a larger and nicer file header. New information such as number of accesses and user rating is included. Use CNVTDESC.PRG to update old description files to the new format. 15. The screen is cleared between each file when 'B'rowse w/descriptions is chosen. 16. The SysOp may now make a remote download while in SysOp mode. This means that is you want to download a file that isn't in a SIG, you can just get into the path where the file exists and do a download there, rather than going through the rigors of copying the file to a SIG and later deleting it. To do it, just get into the same folder as the file you desire to d/l, then type "DOWNLOAD" or simply "DL". The BBS will prompt you the rest of the way. 17. An all-new "X-Press FileScan" has been added the the Main Command. This is, in effect, a QuickScan of all the file SIGs that the user can access. They may select a scan of all new files, or input a date. To enable this feature, you must define a key in your SYSDATA.DAT file. Use the SYSDATA.TOS program on your original ICD disks to edit in a new keypress. The important thing is that the "BBS Key" field contain the letter 'X'. You may use whatever key you like as a User Key though. 18. The Script commands "GEM" and "TOS" have been added. The difference from the "TTP" command is that it will only pass the parameters that you tell it to. The "TOS" command appends 5 others (as mentioned in the original docs), and with some programs, this can be a problem. The syntax is the same as for "TOS": TTP ('c:\bbs\filename.ext', 'Parm1 Parm2') Basically you only need use this form where you have been using the 3rd party program CHAINER.TTP to do the work. 19. - A new parameter has been made available for the Script VIEW function. You can call a file with ampersand variable processing (as the old version did), or you can opt to view a file raw; that is, no filtering of variables. This is useful for viewing files you may have downloaded, and which may contain the '&' symbol, or to enable viewing files at a faster speed, or for showing ANSI graphics, this command parameter works great. To invoke this in your script, use the parameter "SHOWALL". The call would look like this: VIEW ('c:\bbs\filename.ext',SHOWALL) 20. A new way of detecting whether a user is a >>Quick Entry<< or remote caller has been added. Simply use the &29 variable -- if it shows a baud rate of 19200 baud, then the user online is a Quick Entry. 21. A previously undocumented feature was discovered: You can make a string all uppercase with the following syntax: Script Define Handle Set Handle = &1 Handle = Uppercase (Handle) Be sure to use the Set command (as shown) when transforming an '&' variable with this command. ============================[ End of File ]==========================