Jason Aller Floppy Collection

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Jason Aller Floppy Collection / 189.img / PCB1459.ZIP / OTHERS.ZIP / FEATURES.NEW < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1990-05-08 | 29.1 KB | 662 lines

(note: items changed since the last posting of this information will be marked with a vertical bar "|" to the left) B)ulletin added: A = All, display all bulletins added: N = New, display all new bulletins added: S = Scan, allows AND/OR searches and then displays the entire bulletin if the text was found anywhere in it added: D = Download, queues up all requested bulletins for downloading (whether explicitly requested or requested via the All, New or Scan subfunctions) D)ownload enhanced: Batch downloads now accept wildcards added: Ymodem and Ymodem/G as internal BATCH protocols enhanced: During shelled protocols the top 3 lines are frozen enhanced: Prior to initiating the file transfer you can edit the list of files batched up for file transfer - adding or removing files from the list. E)nter Message added: Full Screen Editor added: F = return to Full Screen Editor added: Q = quote mode added: U = upload mode (non-echo mode) enhanced: Saves the message "as is" if carrier is lost prior to the user saving the message (the message can later be re-edited using the new EDIT command described below) E)dit Header (subfunction of read command) added: N = Refer Number added: R = Read Status added: P = Protection (including Sender and Group Password) EDIT) Msg (subfunction of read command) new cmd: Allows the originator of a message to re-edit his message after having posted it. F)iles enhanced: Optionally will colorize DIR files on the fly (applies to the "L", "N" and "Z" commands as well) enhanced: V)iew now passes the comm port number to the batch file added: G = Goodbye FLAG) File main prompt, subfunction of Files prompt or more prompt new cmd: Allows the caller to "flag" a file for later download. Any number of files may be flagged up to the batch file limit set by the sysop. J)oin enhanced: Now accepts either a conference number or a name L)ocate enhanced: Displays all secondary lines after the matched filename enhanced: If an invalid file is requested it will automatically switch to a Z)ippy search command enhanced: If the filename is less than 8 characters long and no wildcards have been used it automatically appends "*.*" to the name (ie searching for BETA turns into BETA*.*). enhanced: Changes a request of "FILE*" to "FILE*.*" added: D = Download, download files that are found added: N = New, locate files using filespec and date N)ew enhanced: displays all secondary lines after the file is found added: D = Download, download files that are found O)p Page enhanced: When done the caller's screen is restored and the session continues from where he left off OPEN a DOOR enhanced: Now accepts either a door number or a door name Q)uick Scan enhanced: TS (see TS enhancements in the Read command) R)ead command enhanced: TS = now scans the message text as well as the header enhanced: TS = if in graphics mode it highlights the text enhanced: TS = allows AND/OR searches to be performed enhanced: TS = allows stacking of search text and msg number added: COPY = COPY a message (similar to MOVE a message) added: RR = read the reference message added: L = read in reverse order from the last message back added: Z = zip (compress) capture file before downloading added: SET = set last message read pointer added: G = Goodbye added: J = Join a conference added: USER = Read mail either to or from a specific user added: O = Read Only - it doesn't set Last Msg Read pointer it doesn't mark a message as being read. It can be restricted by security level. SELECT new cmd: Can be used to select or deselect conferences the user wants to scan and also to reset the last message read. TEST new cmd: Can be used to test a file for CRC errors or viruses prior to downloading (if the sysop provides the test). U)pload added: Ymodem and Ymodem/G as internal BATCH protocols enhanced: Allows external batch uploads using DSZ-log compatible protocols enhanced: Allows user supplied multi-line descriptions with word wrapping while typing in the descriptions enhanced: Records the name of the uploader in the description WHO command new cmd: Allows a caller to view the list of callers currently online - WITHOUT giving them access to the node chat functions (can be useful if you want the caller to know who is there but don't want them tieing up the system chatting with other callers while online). Y)our Mail Scan added: Q = Quick Scan for your mail. It displays only the number of messages found and the number that are for you using 1 line per conference instead of the normal 3 line display. Z)ippy Search enhanced: Displays all secondary lines as well as filename enhanced: If in graphics mode it highlights the "found" text enhanced: Allows AND/OR searches to be performed and will even find matches if keywords are on SEPARATE lines in the DIR file added: D = Download, download files that are found added: N = New, locate files using filespec and date USERS command new cmd: Allows caller to see the names of users in a conference and to search the user names/cities for any text 1) View Log added: S = Scan, allows AND/OR searches of the caller's log 5) Scan Header enhanced: TS (see TS enhancements in the Read command) 7) User maint enhanced: Combines both user maintenance menus into one menu 7) Scan Users enhanced: Allows AND/OR searches to be performed 13) View Node added: S = Scan, allows AND/OR searches of the caller's log added: A = All, allows all node logs to be displayed/searched 14) Drop to DOS enhanced: Now allows a node to be dropped to DOS when waiting for a call to come in F5 - shell enhanced: Adds "(PCBoard Shell)" to the front of the DOS prompt enhanced: When done the caller's screen is restored and the session continues from where he left off F9 - scrn off enhanced: Turning the screen OFF sends output to a 'virtual screen' so that pressing F9 will restore the screen contents as if the screen had never been toggled off ALT-F1 or CTRL-F1 added: Decrease caller's time by 5 minutes (was DN arrow) ALT-F2 or CTRL-F2 added: Increase caller's time by 5 minutes (was UP arrow) ALT-F9 or CTRL-F9 added: Decrease caller's security level (was LEFT arrow) enhanced: Code now checks the PWRD file to find the next "real" security level - when found it properly adjusts the time limit as well as download byte limit ALT-F10 or CTRL-F10 added: Increase caller's security level (was RIGHT arrow) enhanced: Code now checks the PWRD file to find the next "real" security level - when found it properly adjusts the time limit as well as download byte limit ALT-D added: Shell to PCBFiler ALT-H added: Toggles thru Help/Name/Conf/Comment/Modem status lines ALT-S added: Shell to PCBSM Shift F-Keys enhanced: Now uses a "^M" character sequence for carriage returns so that multiple lines of information can be placed in the function key definition. enhanced: Allows the use of "%" followed by a filename which will automatically import the file. Comm Routines enhanced: Utilizes the 16550A FIFO Buffer enhanced: Uses dual input and output ring buffers enhanced: Allows up to 115,200 baud operation (tested & reliable at that speed on an AT-class machine with a 16550A chip installed - with speeds in excess of 11,000 CPS) enhanced: Now allows non-standard comm ports to be installed in the system (comm ports beyond COM1 and COM2) by specifying the IRQ and BASE address for the comm port. New @-variables: @byteratio@ Gives a '#:#' formatted string for Dn:Up Byte Ratio @cls@ Clears the screen @event@ Gives the time specified for the event @expdays@ Gives the number of days until subscription expires @fileratio@ Gives a '#:#' formatted string for Dn:Up File Ratio @more@ Forces a "more?" prompt @node@ Displays the node number of the current node @numblt@ Displays the number of BLT's in the current conference @numdir@ Displays the number of DIR's in the current conference @poff@ Turns the prompt off (disables the 'more prompt') @pon@ Turns the prompt on @qoff@ Turns Ctrl-X/Ctrl-K checking off @qon@ Turns Ctrl-X/Ctrl-K checking on @wait@ Forces a "press enter to continue" prompt @x.. The X followed by two hex digits will set the color | @##@ Addresses a message to all users of a specific security | @##-##@ Addresses a message to all users in a range of security Removed: HOME - help/status line (see ALT-H) PGUP - help/status line (see ALT-H) PGDN - help/status line (see ALT-H) END - help/status line (see ALT-H) DN - decrease time (see ALT-F1) UP - increase time (see ALT-F2) LEFT - increase security (see ALT-F9) RIGHT - decrease security (see ALT-F10) Enhanced: * At logon it now displays the bulletin numbers of updated bulletins. * The callers log now includes "attempted to logon as" records to indicate when a caller changes his name and re-attempts the logon. This includes all attempts - including new users, existing users and users who decide not to register. * PCBoard now uses an "auto ansi detection" routine so that if a user chooses not to use color graphics but his comm program has ansi capabilities PCBoard will take advantage of them (for faster cursor movement, defaulting to the full screen editor, etc). * PCBoard now displays an asterisk "*" to the right of the FILE DATE when displaying file listings to indicate that the file is new to you i.e. the file is more recent than your "Date of Last DIR Scan". * PCBoard now removes the vertical bar "|" from the display when secondary file descriptions are found. * PCBoard now only updates the user's "Last Date DIR Scanned" to match the date of the most recent file posted rather than using the date on which he performed the scan. * PCBoard now passes a 4th parameter to external protocol batch files signifying the actual "connect speed" of the caller to provide for proper calculation of file transfer times by the external protocol. * PCBoard now allows an alternate method of logging into the system (as sysop or local user) without taking the phone off the hook. If the phone rings while you are logged on you will be informed and can then exit back to the call waiting screen to let PCBoard answer the phone. This option allows you to snoop around the system without giving callers a busy signal and then let the system answer the call if the phone does ring. * PCBoard now sports a new Call Waiting screen with a new look and new capabilities - including system wide as well as node-specific statistics for the activity of your system. In addition, a module is provided so that third party software can update the statistics without having to write directly to the file. * Added support for security specific NEWS, CNFN, DOORS, CLOSED, EXPIRED and WARNING files. * Added the ability to have a PCBTEXT entry display a complete file rather than just the limited text found in PCBTEXT. For instance instead of displaying the line "your time has been adjusted for an upcoming event" you could display a complete file explaining to the caller when the event will be run and why their time was adjusted. * All multi-letter commands (COPY, MOVE, LANG, OPEN, NODE, etc) can now be called by typing just the first two letters. * For a "R A c/d/z" command (capture,download,zip) you can now set the maximum number of messages by area and total for the scan so that the caller does not overrun your hard disk on a capture. * When a users time limit falls below 10 minutes you can now decrement his remaining time 1 minute at a time instead of 5 minutes. * External protocols can be specified as requiring MNP. They also can be set to keep the comm port open and to freeze or not freeze the status lines on the screen depending on the external protocol's needs. * Added the ability to set the number of "rings" before answering. * The status lines include not only the logon time and current time but also the current minutes online and minutes remaining. * Searching for files (for downloading) now begins with the default filename extension if no extension was provided by the caller - in other words if the caller asks for TEST it will first search for a file called TEST.ZIP and not finding one will then search for TEST. * When you answer YES to the question "Display NEWS only when changed" it will now display the news file if it is at least one minute newer than the last time the caller was on - previous versions required the NEWS file to be created at least a day earlier. * The default subscription period may now be defined by the sysop. Also, the default 'expired security level' can be set to a value other than the new user security level. * The "guard time" prior to an event during which uploads are not allowed is now configurable by the sysop. * The maximum files in a batch can now be configured according to security level. * The Maximum Download Bytes can now operate in two modes: 1) as in previous versions it can be an "absolute" limit or 2) it can now be adjusted according to the baud rate of the caller so that a caller at higher speed can download more bytes. * A "Maximum Download Bytes" setting of "32767" results in unlimited download bytes (i.e. the caller is displayed "Unlimited" and when a transfer is performed his maximum download bytes are not adjusted by the number of bytes downloaded). * Adjustments can now be made to a user record (such as security or conference registration changes) from another node or from PCBSM *while* the user is online without losing the updated information. * When reading messages the caller can have the screen cleared prior to displaying a message - this can be set with W)rite User Info. * Input fields which are surrounded by parenthesis (i.e. having the "(" and ")" characters around the field) can be edited using the cursor keys or the CTRL-Key substitutes that are used by the Full Screen Editor. * The LOGOFF Script Questionnaire now allows for graphics or non-graphics, multilingual and security specific versions of the file. In addition, if the name of the LOGOFF ANSWER file is blank then you can dispense with the leading semicolon since the code will assume that none of the lines in the file are questions. This will make it easier to use a program such as THEDRAW to create logoff files. * Prior to dropping to a DOOR the code can now create a DOOR.SYS file for those who want to read DOOR.SYS instead of PCBOARD.SYS. * Files can be chained together for display (such as NEWS files or bulletins, etc). * If a caller is online and the screen is logically toggled off - then any keypress on the LOCAL keyboard will toggle the screen back on to help avoid accidentally typing into a caller's session. * The default behaviour of the "do you want to scan for mail" prompt can now be set to scan ALL conferences so that the user does not have to know to type "A" in response to the question. * The default behaviour of the "R S" command can now be set to read new mail in ALL conferences so that the user does not have to use the "R A" command. * PCBSetup now differentiates between "editing your own message" and "editing any message" for security purposes. * PCBoard can now be set to ask the built-in questions of a new user AND to also ask the questions in the NEWASK file so that you can conveniently get new users onto the system while at the same time gathering extra information about them. * The "Allow Only Password Changes" has been changed to "Disallow complete update" so that if you answer YES the caller will still be able to change his password, his conference scans and his "clear screen between message" settings. * PCBoard now supports more than 40 conference areas. It does this by way of an external users file which has been designed to be dynamic in nature and provides for a maximum of over 65,000 total conference areas in the system. The BBS software as well as each of the utilities have been redesigned to provide the capability of going way beyond the previous 40 conference area limit. * The external users file (called USERS.INF or Users Info file) provides for the capability of installing Third Party Software into the file - allowing PCBoard software to manage the data for Third Party Authors (i.e. adding new records when a new caller calls in or removing records when you pack the users file). * In conjunction with the USERS.INF file a new file called USERS.SYS is created by PCBoard prior to dropping to DOS for a door application. The USERS.SYS file contains everything there is to know about the user - including the information from the USERS file as well as from the USERS.INF file (both PCBoard and Third Party Application records). This makes USERS.SYS a "one stop shopping spot" for everything you need to know about the user. The file format (like USERS.INF) is dynamic allowing for more conferences or larger Third Party Application records. * The USERS.SYS file is a READ/WRITE file - meaning that if an application modifies it while the caller is out to DOS then PCBoard will read USERS.SYS back in and update the USERS and USERS.INF files based on the information found in the file. * Door applications can now be executed without having to type OPEN or DOOR and a number. Plus they can now be given command line parameters at the time of opening. * PCBoard now supports Conference Sysops - where you can define via conference flags (similar to conference registration or conference scan flags) whether or not a caller's security level should be increased to that of "sysop" while logged into that conference. * PCBoard now keeps track of the number of messages read or written by the caller while online in PCBoard and displays that information either in PCBSM or on the PCBoard status line together with the total bytes uploaded or downloaded (which was previously being recorded but not shown on the status line). * PCBoard now records (in the user's record) when a message is left for him via PCBoard so that when he logs on he will be informed of the fact that there is mail waiting for him AND which conferences have mail waiting without having to scan for new mail. * PCBoard now provides both the normal 'registration' method for allowing a user into a conference as well as a security level based method for conferences that are non-public. * PCBoard will continue to pre-register NEW callers into public conferences and set their default 'scan' and 'expired' conference registration flags UNLESS the public conference has a security level requirement for joining it. * Currently both a regular and an OVERLAY version of PCBoard v14.5 are being tested with the OVERLAY version requiring 200K of memory or less to operate. * A 'debug mode' has been added with varying levels of reporting so that a more complete report of what the system is doing at a given time can be made available. * Versions 14.0 to 14.2 required that user names start with a letter from A to Z while the new code removes that restriction. Also, it can now be set to allow one name users to log onto the system and more fully supports users with more than two names. * A path can be defined for each individual DOOR batch file so that batch files can be consolidated in a single area if desired. | * Replying to a message that is FROM yourself will now result in the | TO field being copied over to the TO field of the reply rather than | copying the FROM field across. | * Replying to a NON-echo message will now default to NO when asked if | the message should be echoed. | * Added support for FREE files - where files can be downloaded and not | be charged in the files or bytes downloaded record as well as not | charging against the time online if desired. | * Messages addressed to users via the @##@ or @##-##@ substitution | variables are automatically protected against being deleted. In | addition, the messages are treated as PRIVATE in that users without | the proper security level will not even see the message. | * Messages addressed to users vai @user@, @##@ or @##-##@ are now | automatically protected against deletion by anyone who is not a | sysop. | * The sysop can now set in PCBSetup the hours when he is 'in' for | answering the page bell. | * When the sysop is not in, the page bell is off or when the sysop | fails to answer his page the user will now be prompted as to whether | or not he would like to leave a comment to the sysop instead. The | message indicating the sysop is not in could be modified in PCBTEXT | to display a file indicating the hours of the day when the sysop is | available for chat. | * PCBoard's NODE list will now show when a caller is paging the sysop | and PCBMONI will show the same but will ring a page bell at the | same time allowing the sysop to monitor all nodes for pages from | one screen. | * The node status, when set to unavailable, previously stayed in that | state at all times until the caller hung up or changed it back to | available thus masking what he was doing while online. The node | status will now reflect whatever he is doing (such as entering a | message or transfering a file) but then go back to unavailable when | he finishes. | * Uploads can now be tested for CRC errors or viruses after the file | is finished being uploaded. Additionally, a new command TEST can | be used by the caller to test any file he suspects of having errors. | * The name of the message CAPTURE file can now be set in PCBSetup or | when not specified it defaults back to the caller number. | * The CAPTURE file when downloaded can now be set to not charge the | download time against his session time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (example usage of some of the new commands): * TS A 1+ <enter> PCBoard & LANtastic <enter> The above commands will search thru every available message in ALL conferences areas you are set to scan for any message that has both the word "PCBoard" AND the word "LANtastic" in it. * TS A 1+ <enter> PCBoard & (LANtastic | DESQview) <enter> The above commands will search thru every available message in ALL conferences areas you are set to scan for any message that has both the word "PCBoard" AND either the word "LANtastic" OR the word "DESQview" in it. The parenthesis tell PCBoard how you want to group your criteria if you have a complex search request such as the one above. It will allow for nearly any number of parens and any combination of AND's (using the "&" character) and OR's (using the "|" character). * TS A 1+ USER JOHN DOE <enter> PCBoard & Help <enter> The above command (similar to examples above) adds the keyword USER to the command line specifying that only messages that are either TO or FROM John Doe should be displayed if they are found to have both the words PCBoard and Help in them. * Z A <enter> PCBoard & DESQview <enter> The above commands will search all of the file directories for any file that has both the word "PCBoard" and the word "DESQview" in the description (anywhere - including secondary description lines). * L PCB*.* A N <enter> 120189 <enter> The above command combines a Locate Search of the file directories with a "new files search" for files that begin with "PCB" and were posted on or after 12/01/89. * Z DESQview A S D <enter> The above command combines the Zippy Search of the file directories with a "new files since" search and then tags all files found for later downloading (i.e. files with "DESQview" in the description that are new since the last time you were on) * USERS <enter> Utah <enter> The above command searches for the names of users that participate in the current conference who have the word "Utah" in their user record (USERS does a text search on the name and address fields). * 7 S <enter> John & (Smith | Doe) <enter> The above command (sysop function 7) will search the entire user record (name,address,phone,comments,etc) for the any user record that has both the word "JOHN" and either the word "SMITH" or the word "DOE" in it. * OPEN QMAIL <enter> The above command will search and find the QMAIL door and open it (rather than having to know the number of the door). * J SUPPORT <enter> The above command will search and join the SUPPORT conference (rather than having to know the number of the conference). * B A <enter> The above command will display all bulletins. * B N D <enter> The above command will download all new bulletins. * B A S D <enter> DESQview & LANtastic The above command will download all bulletins that have both the word "DESQview" and the word "LANtastic" somewhere in the file. * R A Z <enter> The above command will capture all messages in all conferences since the last message read, compress the capture file and the begin the download procedure. * 13 A S <enter> JOHN DOE | JOHN SMITH <enter> Searches all caller logs and displays entries where either John Doe or John Smith were logged on. * R SET 100 <enter> Sets the last message read for that conference to 100. * Y A S Q <enter> The "Q" which is a new parameters gives a new display showing each conference on a single line and shows only the number of messages for you and the number found. It looks something like this: Messages Messages Num Conference To You Found --- ---------- -------- -------- 0 Main Board 0 18 1 Support 12 1628 2 DOOR 5 370 3 Utility 0 431 4 Net_Mail 1 895 5 LANtasti 2 642 * SELECT D 1-3 6 <enter> The select command is used to select or deselect conferences. The above command starts out by deselecting all conferences after which it reselect conferences 1 thru 3 followed by 6. It will then prompt the caller for any last message read changes in each of the newly selected conferences. * OPEN 1 * OPEN MYDOOR * OPEN 1 PARAMETERS TO MYDOOR * OPEN MYDOOR PARAMETERS TO MYDOOR * MYDOOR * MYDOOR PARAMETERS TO MYDOOR All of the above are now valid ways of opening a door. In these examples the door name is "MYDOOR" and it can be opened either with or without the words OPEN or DOOR. Additionally, parameters may be typed in on the command line which will then be sent to the door application on the assumption that it can use the parameters.