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- This file contains a summary of changes made to Back & Forth. They are listed
- in reverse order, the most recent additions and modifications listed first.
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.71 January 7, 1991
-
- A) Bug fixes:
-
- * Blinking/intensity attribute was not saved/restored in UV partitions.
- This could cause blinking where high intensity colors use to be or
- the opposite.
-
- * Removed the mouse interrupt handler that was added in version 1.7; the
- handler was for tracking mouse calls and resetting the screen blanker.
- This caused compatibility problems with stupid mouse addon programs that
- check the interrupt handler directly for specific mouse information
- rather than some other sensible means!
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.70 January 1, 1991
-
- A) Bug fixes:
-
- * Back & Forth is now completely compatibile with DR DOS 5.0
-
- * The keyboard flags were not always scanned correctly (Example: if two
- programs were defined with hotkeys ALT-1 and Ctrl-Alt-1 respectively,
- Ctrl-Alt-1 would never get activated).
-
- * Paste didn't work from cut menu (hot key did though).
-
- * Autoloading programs that stay at DOS are now handled correctly
- (previous versions would task switch before the program or batch file
- got started sometimes).
-
- * B&F now disables keystrokes during pasting or autoloading (this
- prevents keystrokes from being placed into type ahead keyboard
- buffer and thus causing some confusion for programs that B&F is
- autoloading).
-
- * Back & Forth did not work with Novell XMSNETx.EXE and EMSNETx.EXE.
-
- * Fixed a keyboard problem that occurred on systems that had a BIOS that
- supported extended keyboard but user was using an old style keyboard.
-
- * Clock was only displayed on row 0.
-
- * B&F would not work with EMS systems that had a page frame with a length
- of 0.
-
- * BNFLOAD would not load BNFHIGH correctly on machines that had upper
- memory blocks over 64k.
-
- B) Enhancements/New Features:
-
- * Changed way B&F did filename/path validation to better accomodate Novell.
-
- * Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del when Boot watch off now does a warm boot rather
- than a cold boot.
-
- * Added a new tsr to the B&F family to handle EGA screen problems. The
- file is called BNFEGA.EXE. It must be loaded before any of the B&F
- kernels if you have an EGA video card. It can be loaded high with one
- of the various load high programs.
-
- * Added "Compress video screen" option to program definition editor. Some
- people will prefer speed over disk space. Compressing graphic screens
- can take 2 to 3 times longer on the save but can takes 90% less disk
- space on average. We have decided to leave this option up to the user
- on a program basis.
-
- * Back & Forth now supports all known extended text modes of various
- EGA/VGA boards. The cut/paste also supports them.
-
- * Added another option to the program editor:
-
- Disable hotkeys? Yes/No
-
- This field will allow the user to specify whether or not B&F should
- act upon other program hot keys while in the specific program. This
- option would is for programs that shouldn't be interrupted no matter
- what.
-
- ** Note ** Back & Print hot keys and the screen blanker hot key will
- still respond.
-
- C) New Features:
-
- * Added "Back & Print(tm)" module.
-
- BackPrint's features include:
-
- a) Print buffer to EMS/XMS up to 32mb
- b) Redirect printer output to disk file
- c) Redirect printer output to bit bucket.
-
- * Added paste speed control under Options of cut menu.
-
- * Added an extended keyboard buffer (128 characters!).
-
- * Added support for all known graphic/text modes for the following
- VGA chipsets/boards (exceptions are noted):
-
- Ahead V5000A/V5000B - All modes up to 512k.
-
- ATI 18800 - ATI VGA Wonder/ATI VGA Wonder Plus
- Cirrus 510/520/610/620 - Maxlogic MAXVGA, Several lap tops
- All known video modes.
-
- Chip & Technologies - All known modes up to 512k.
- 82c451/82c452
-
- EVEREX VGA Cards - All modes up to 512k
- Genoa 6400 Chip Set - All modes up to 512k.
- Trident 8800CS - All modes up to 512k.
- TSENG 3000/4000 - Boca SuperVGA (1024x768x256 not supported yet),
- Orchid Prodesigner
- Video Seven - VGA 1024i,VRAM VGA all modes.
- Western Digital WD90C00 - Paradise VGA 1024,MaxVGA 1024
-
- * Added two new versions of the kernel:
-
- BNFLITE.EXE and BFHILITE.EXE. These are "Lite" versions of the kernel.
- If you run one of these versions, you will gain about 5 to 7k more
- memory; you will give up the following though:
-
- 1) Back & Print
- 2) Keyboard functions (extended keyboard buffer, FastKey, Keyclick)
- 3) Boot watch
- 4) Clock
- 5) Screen blanker.
-
- * Finally added cut/paste editor; that is, you can edit what you cut,
- add keyboard keystrokes,etc. B&F will let each user maintain up to
- 100 "keystroke" files.
-
- * Added to environment variables to help people optimize B&F swap
- times a litte better. They are:
-
- 1) set BNF_CACHE=xxx
-
- where xxx is either EMS or a DOS path (XMS will be added in the next
- version). The DOS path may be a ram disk for people who do not have
- EMS. If a BNF_CACHE environment variable is not set, B&F will create
- a 256k swap file in the B&F default directory.
-
- ** Note ** The B&F overlay cache is 256k in size.
-
- 2) set BNF_OVERLAY=path[;path;....]
-
- This should be set like a normal DOS path. This allows the user to
- copy the most used B&F overlays to a RAM disk(s) for faster access.
- The overlays which are accessed while B&F is running are:
-
- 1) B&F002.OVL -- B&F main program
- 2) B&F004.OVL -- Video saving overlay
- 3) B&F005.OVL -- Cut/paste overlay
-
- If BNF_OVERLAY is not set, B&F will look for its overlays in the B&F
- path.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.62 September 13, 1990
-
- A) Bug Fixes:
-
- * Restoration of graphic screens on EGA/VGA had blinking added to them.
-
- * Disabled global support for STACKKEY
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.61 September 13, 1990
-
- A) Bug Fixes:
-
- * BNF.EXE version of B&F was not very stable with DOS 4.0x or other DOSes
- when STACKS=0,0 was used.
-
- * Paste didn't paste all the time.
-
- * Mouse state was not restored when the mouse driver was loaded locally.
-
- * Keyboard flags weren't returned to WP correctly within its macro
- language (problem exists in Software Carousel too!)
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.60 September 1, 1990
-
- A) Changes/Bug Fixes:
-
- * B&F now saves a few more areas within DOS for better compatibility with
- some programs...
-
- * BASICA or run-time programs using BASRUN could not be run in more than
- 1 partition (only one basic environment was allowed).
-
- * Fixed Ctrl-Alt-Del problem when B&F is loaded high with QEMM and
- STACKS=0,0.
-
- * Hercules support had been disabled since version 1.38 (bug with TC++)
-
- * Mouse cursor did not show up consistently for all color configurations in
- B&F modules.
-
- * Not all temporary files were deleted from swap drives when B&F was
- terminated.
-
- * Mouse support wasn't saved/restored correctly when the mouse driver
- was loaded locally.
-
- * Fixes problem that caused B&F to hang at DOS prompt sometimes. This will
- also fix pasting problem several users had with cut/paste.
-
- * B&F would sometimes give the video swap double beep error in supported
- text modes.
-
- B) Enhancements/New Features:
-
- * Added an auto dialer to cut module. You can configure the auto dialer
- from Cut menu. See the cut help screen for more details.
-
- The modem must be a Hayes compatible.
-
- * Added broader support for ATI VGA card and Video V7 card.
-
- * Added global support for the most popular shareware command line
- editor ANARKEY; it may be loaded high or low before B&F and B&F will do
- all the house keeping for each partition.
-
- * Added new partition type: PROGRAM (not via COMSPEC)
-
- This type of partition will execute a program directly without loading
- a secondary copy of the command processor. This will increase partition
- size by 4 to 5k for programs. Batch files cannot be loaded this way.
-
- This type is also advantageous for users of 4DOS who don't want 4DOS to
- allocate more EMS or high memory for each partition.
-
- ** Note ** Some programs cannot be executed without the secondary copy
- of the command processor. If you run a program that used to
- work and it starts hanging, popback and delete the partition
- and then change its partition type back.
-
- * We have added our own loader program called BNFLOAD.COM which will load
- BNFHIGH.EXE into high memory in such away as it can be recovered. If you
- wish to use QRAM/QEMM/386^MAX/MOVE'EM's loadhi program, may modify the
- B&FHI.BAT to use one of the other loadhigh programs.
-
- * B&F now supports UV loaded locally into selected partitions rather than
- just globally.
-
- * User can now set SUPER B&F hot key (available under Hot key item of setup
- menu).
-
- * Added SORT, COPY, and MOVE functions to program setup editor.
-
- * The two letter keystroking of a program id will now carry over to
- the program list from the active task list.
-
- * B&F now allows entire path names to be specified to swap paths. This
- will allow better network compatibility.
-
- * Changed B&F interrupt from 11h to 12h for better compatibility.
-
- * Added support to correct BUG in novell as far as closing files when
- a task switch takes place.
-
- * Added "Mark/release task EMS" option on initial swap drive screen. This
- option is for better compatibility on some systems. The next couple of
- guidelines should be followed:
-
- Set to NO if:
-
- 1) You have programs that manipulate EMS in a nonstandard way (FOXPRO
- is an example of this).
- 2) You experience exception 12/13 problems consistently or the machine
- just locks up when a task switch is initiated.
-
- If you use SUPERPCK, you may be forced to run with this option in
- the NO position. Most users running with the option set to YES have no
- problems, but some experience a consistent hang when set to YES.
-
- * Previous/Next task hot keys are now user selectable. This was added to
- eliminate the key conflict (some programs like Brief use the Ctrl-Up and
- Ctrl-Down keys).
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.47 July 24, 1990
-
- A) Bug fixes:
-
- * B&F can now be loaded HIGH into B000 and shouldn't cause any conflicts
- with programs loaded into B000. If you are loading high into B000 on
- a 286, please see SAVE FONTS item below.
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Expanded some internal stacks for better compatibility for users using
- STACKS=0,0.
-
- * Added video support to be compatible with Ventura.
-
- C) New features:
-
- * Added "Save Fonts (EGA/VGA)" option on initial swap drive. This option
- is for better compatibility on some systems. The next couple of
- guidelines should be followed:
-
- Set to YES if:
-
- 1) You run programs the load their own character fonts in text mode,
- 2) You use programs that use non-standard line modes; standard line
- modes are 25 and 43 for EGA systems and 25,28, and 50 on VGAs.
-
- Set to NO if:
-
- 1) You have a 286 and are mapping B000 as HIGH memory.
- 2) You have a portable computer and using this option toggled to
- YES causes the screen to be put back blurred or not at all.
-
- !! NOTE !! This option is not USED if UltraVision is loaded globally.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.42 July 16, 1990
-
- A) Bug fixes:
-
- * SWITCH command now works properly again (disabled in version 1.38).
-
- * Setting of clock row/col was disabled (from version 1.38)
-
- * Setting of screen blanker time was disabled (from version 1.38)
-
- * A backup copy of BFVARS file is now maintained during updating of the
- file (always).
-
- * Available disk space is checked before swap files are created and an
- error message is displayed without exiting B&F (always).
-
- * Cutting text to a disk file or to the printer was saved in binary rather
- than ASCII format (from 1.30).
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Programs with defined hot keys can now have the defined hot cleared
- and not replaced.
-
- * B&F now displays active tasks in a separate window. This allows the
- user to execute multiple copies of the same program without having
- to define it more than once.
-
- * Changed EGA save routine again for better compatibility (hopefully).
-
- C) New features:
-
- * Added a partition type of TSR. This is the equivalent of a PROGRAM
- partition with a return action of STAY AT DOS. The difference is
- that B&F executes a little 240 byte program that does not return to
- the DOS prompt; this is necessary because some TSRs will not relinquish
- control of the system when at the DOS prompt. They require that a
- program be running. Examples of TSRs include SideKick, HotLine, and
- READY!
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.38 June 30, 1990
-
- A) Bug fixes:
-
- * Swapping to extended memory was disabled and caused machine to hang.
-
- * The screen was cleared if popback was aborted because of unsupported
- video mode.
-
- * Word Perfect fonts (italics,etc) carried over to new partitions.
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Combined B&F MENU and SETUP modules into 1 overlay. This increases speed
- in going between menu/setup modules and reduces B&F's need for disk
- space.
-
- * Changed VGA support.
-
- * Made some changes to better compatibility with various networks.
-
- C) New features:
-
- * Back & Forth now supports networks! Please read NETWORK.DOC for complete
- details/limitations.
-
- * Back & Forth now supports PCED Version 2.00+ and VSTACK loaded globally.
- Just load them (can be loaded high) before B&F and B&F will take care
- of the rest.
-
- * Back & Forth now supports multiple configuration files! If you wish to
- have B&F startup differently, you may setup alternate configuaration
- files (default is BFVARS). To setup a different configuration file,
- add the following option to the command line:
-
- FILE=FILENAME
-
- The filename can be a complete path.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.33 June 9, 1990
-
- A) New features:
-
- * Hercules graphics support! Back & Forth now saves/restores Hercules
- graphics. Please read HERCULES.DOC for details.
-
- * Added hot key to toggle clock display off/on. The default hot key
- is Alt-LShift-\. It may be changed in the setup module, Hot key item.
-
- * Added more user control over on-screen clock. User can set the row,
- column, and color of the clock.
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Keyboard accelerator now does NOT reset itself if the keyboard buffer
- is full. This means increased SPEED!
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.32 June 7, 1990
-
- * This version is just an intermediate version that expanded a few internal
- references for use with the INSTALL program that now comes with registered
- copies.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.31 June 5, 1990
-
- A) Notes:
-
- * Added a program called BNFCNVT.COM which will convert the B&F variables
- file (BFVARS) to new format. If you try and run BNF or BNFHIGH, and you
- haven't run the convert program, you will be informed to do so. If you
- try and use the BFVARS file with an earlier version of B&F after it has
- been converted, B&F will report the B&F variable file has been corrupted
- and it will be reset (therefore, do NOT run an earlier version of B&F
- with a converted BFVARS file)!
-
- B) Bug fixes first:
-
- * SWITCH program restarted a partiiton if it was already active.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.30 June 1, 1990
-
- A) Bug fixes first:
-
- * Screen blanker didn't work when screen enhancer programs like UltraVision
- were loaded.
- * Cut/paste default hot keys weren't initialized correctly and required the
- user to set them through setup.
- * Fixed "Not enough file handles" error message gotten when Word Perfect
- was run when 4DOS was used as the command interpreter!
- * Fixed a bug which caused several different types of errors on various
- systems (speeded up clock, the left shift stayed on, etc).
- * Back & Forth didn't work with FILES loaded high or DOS 4.x SHARE command.
- * Video save files were not deleted all the times.
- * Back & Forth now restores EGA/VGA graphic screens more precisely.
- * Mouse cursor left a bald spot on graphic screens.
- * Fixed delay caused when MOUSE driver is loaded globally. The delay on
- PS/2s was unbearable!
- * Clock and swapping message were incorrectly shown when swapping a
- partition that didn't have the active page set to 0!
- * Back & Forth NEVER worked satisfactorily if you loaded PC-PAINT
- Brush 4.0+ and then swapped to another partition.
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Changed initial screen delay from 30 seconds to just requiring user to
- press a ramdomly generated key.
- * Increased maximum swap size allowed on individual drives to 16MB. Please
- note though that B&F won't allow more the 20 x largest task size to be
- allocated. The 20 represents the current maximum # of tasks.
- * The cut mode now allows mixing of format attributes: each time you do a
- cut, Back & Forth stores the cut text with the current cut format.
- * Added two new toggles to Cut/Options menu: stripping of leading and
- trailing blanks.
- * Cut mode can now cut any size text screen as long as it is 80 columns or
- wider.
- * Added shadowing to most windows in various B&F modules.
- * Added 2 letter/number id byte to each program definition. This will be
- used for future compatibility with other programs such as StacKey. This
- also allows quick Desqview(tm) like program execution on the main menu!
- * Added a map of already defined hotkeys in the hotkey editor.
- * Enhanced mouse support to allow users to load mouse driver locally in
- individual partitions. Prior versions of B&F would only save/restore
- mouse condititions if the mouse was loaded globally. We recommend the
- user to load the MOUSE.COM control program high if possible otherwise
- to run it individually in partitions where a mouse is needed
- (thus allowing partitions that don't need the mouse to have 5 or so
- more k of memory)!
- * Changed way hot keys are assigned to give a wider range of keys. Please
- note though the following keys/key combinations will NOT be allowed:
-
- 1) Ctrl-Alt-Delete
- 2) Ctrl-Up
- 3) Ctrl-Down
- 4) Any key combination using one of the extended keyboard cursor keys.
-
- C) New features:
-
- * Added AUTOLOADing of programs! Back & Forth has two types of automatic
- switching:
-
- 1) Waiting for keyboard request - This option will switch to the next
- task as soon as the loaded program requests any keyboard input. This
- option should be used for most programs as it will be the most sure
- and most likely the fastest (a program has to be fully loaded to be
- requesting keyboard input!).
-
- 2) Timed delay in seconds - This option will count down a specifed
- number of seconds and then switch to the next task. This option
- should be used for programs that don't request any keyboard activity
- after being loaded (I can't think of an example)!
-
- * The # of screen lines can now be toggled between 25/43/50 lines on
- systems with EGA/VGA video cards. This is done under the Options menu
- in the setup module.
- * Added a small program called SWITCH.COM that allows the user to switch
- partitions from the command line of a partition.
- * Added EMS memory cleanup module - Back & Forth now performs a
- mark/release like action on all EMS handles associated with a task
- after it is closed. So, if a TSR or other program using EMS locks up or
- does not relinquish EMS memory, you can pop back to B&F and close the
- task. This routine will then remove all vestiges without trouble. This
- is also used to remove 4DOS without using EXIT to close the partition.
- * Back & Forth can now be loaded high and thus use less than 1k of memory!
- * Added swapping to extended memory if the HIMEM.SYS driver is loaded.
- * Added user initiated screen blanker. Pressing the '5' key on the numeric
- pad will automatically blank the screen.
- * Added two new B&F task movement hotkeys:
-
- <Ctrl-UP> will goto to the preceeding open task. If the current task
- is the first opened, then the last task will be come the
- foreground task.
- <Ctrl-DOWN> will goto to the next open task. If the current task is the
- last opened, then the first task will be come the foreground
- task.
-
- * Keyboard click. It can be toggled on/off under keyboard item in setup
- module.
- * FASTKEY! (keyboard accelerator). Set delay and rate under keyboard item
- in setup module.
- * Changed way B&F works with UltraVision as discuessed with one of its
- authors, John Jurewicz, to assure better compatibility with some of UV's
- advanced features.
- * Added UV mode support for B&F and individual programs! This requires UV
- to be loaded globally!
- * B&F now allows the user to specify an environment size for each task. This
- is done in the program setup editor.
-
- * And much, much, more!!!!
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.12 March 28, 1990
-
- -A) Bug fixes first:
-
- * Screen wasn't restored correctly on monochrome systems.
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * B&F is about 1-2k smaller!
-
- C) New Features:
-
- * Added new version of B&F kerenel called B&FEGA.EXE. This version of B&F
- is for people who have EGAs. All other video cards should use B&F.EXE.
- * Added a small TSR called B&FFIRST.COM. If you are using programs like
- UltraVision that enhance the display, you should run B&FFIRST before UV.
- This will allow Ultravision to be loaded HIGH and globally!
- ** Note ** B&FFIRST can be loaded HIGH.
- * Added a new hotkey called "B&F Super Hotkey!". This key should be used
- to call up the B&F menu when all other hotkeys fail. This was added for
- programs that take over the keyboard and don't give control back.
-
- The super hotkey is <LSHIFT>-<Ctrl>-<Alt> simultaneously!
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.11 March 22, 1990
-
- * Minor bug fix: DOS critical error handler wasn't always restored correctly
- when switching directly between tasks.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.10 March 21, 1990
-
- A) Bug fixes first:
-
- * Better restoration EGA/VGA palette,
-
- * Command stack sometimes went flakey after it filled up
-
- B) Enhancements:
-
- * Added better support for running programs on networks.
- * Inactive programs can now be loaded directly be pressing the program's
- defined hot keys,
- * Maximum # of tasks has been increased from 9 to 20.
- * TSR partitions are now easier to setup by defining a program with the
- "STAY AT DOS" option.
- * DOS commands as well as 4DOS aliases can now be executed as programs!
-
- C) New Features:
- * Added direct support for 4DOS.
- * Added support for Ultra Vision (follow the directions in the B&F doc
- file)!
- * Added a cut/paste module.
- * Added a background clock.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.01 February 28, 1990
-
- * Changed way B&F passes environment. In version 1.00 B&F used the DOS master
- environment block but under some versions of DOS it couldn't find it.
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Version 1.00 February 27, 1990
-
- * Official release of Back & Forth into Shareware!
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-