-------------------------------------------------------------------- USBBSDOR Revision History -------------------------------------------------------------------- This file describes the new features in recent USBBSDOR releases. Please refer to USBBSDOR.DOC for a basic description of USBBSDOR. * * * 01-24-92 - Version 4.5 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Faster loading! Door batch files may now call USBBSDOR.EXE with the location in-line, without having to switch drives and cd\ to directories. For example: > echo off > d:\usbbsdor\usbbsdor usbbsdor.cnf d:\pcb > board.bat (if needed) The above results in faster loading (and exit) time since the door batch file does not have to move the default location around in DOS. USBBSDOR will still work fine with the "old" method. Added support for Non-DSZ DSZLOG compatible protocols. USBBSDOR is now more flexible when reading DSZLOG files from non-DSZ and non-GSZ protocol logs for reporting successful and failed download attempts. New parameter in PROTOCOL.DAT allows placement of USBBSDOR status line during transfers. For each protocol choice the Sysop may select whether to place the USBBSDOR status line at the Top or Bottom of the screen, depending on what works best with the protocol selected. For instance, the DSZ protocol works best with the door status line at the top of the screen, where its graphical counterpart GSZ works best with the door status line at the bottom of the screen. New Wildcat 3.0 specific mode will update caller activity logs with downloads, etc. like the PCBoard specific mode. Requires changing the BBS type in USBBSDOR.CNF from #3 generic DOOR.SYS to #4 WC 3.0x. The Wildcat 2.x CALLINFO.BBS file is no longer supported. SEND.BAT now accepts non-standard com port parameters from USBBSDOR for use with DSZ or GSZ: %5 = base address (hex) for com port (use with DSZ portx option). %6 = IRQ for com port (use with DSZ portx option). See USBBSDOR.DOC and SEND.BAT for details. QSUSBBS.EXE will now utilize a "destructive" backspace at its input prompt. The non-destructive backspace utilized in the first release could make input editing difficult. NOTE: The rest of the version 4.5 enhancements below deal with the display text files used by USBBSDOR: MENU, HELLO, HELP, AREA, STATE, MODEM, and BRAND. Added support for Wildcat 3.0 color macros in text files. USBBSDOR will automatically use either PCBoard or Wildcat! color macros when either are found. The display text files released in USBDOR45.ZIP use PCBoard color macros. Run USB-CONV.EXE to convert the enclosed PCBoard color macro files to Wildcat macros (for editing purposes). The ANSI text file handler has been greatly improved. Sysops not familiar with (or not wanting to use) the PCBoard or Wildcat! color macro type files now have more flexibility with the plain Ascii and ANSI "two file" method. Run USB-CONV.EXE to convert the enclosed PCBoard macro files to Ascii\ANSI files (for editing purposes). Previously, some Sysops experienced difficulty when editing the multi-paged text files such as HELP and AREA. USBBSDOR now supports the linking of files together, by specifying the "next" filename in the file currently being displayed. This is done by placing a "%" (percent) in the LEFT-MOST (column #1) position on the last line of the current file. The % must then IMMEDIATELY be followed by the file you wish USBBSDOR to append, such as %HELP2. This allows the Sysop to edit each page easily and separately, especially those wishing to use ANSI files. See USBBSDOR.DOC for instructions. * * * 11-01-91 - Version 4.4 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- New! QSUSBBS off-line USBBS list searcher and viewer. Small and very fast. Can be used to search USBBS lists for area codes, states, or any text. If USBBSDOR is registered, QSUSBBS.EXE can be personalized with your BBS name and phone number. This personalization will appear when QSUSBBS is started, displaying "This copy of QSUSBBS is compliments of:" followed by your BBS name and phone number. This is a great advertisement for YOUR BBS, since QSUSBBS may be distributed separately (as outlined in the enclosed documentation). If QSUSBBS.ZIP (containing QSUSBBS.EXE & QSUSBBS.DOC) is installed, USBBSDOR will allow the caller to choose between downloading the current USBBS list or QSUSBBS. Many brands of BBS software were recently added to that category in the USBBS listings. The BRAND.HLP file enclosed in USBDOR44.ZIP reflects these additions. * * * 09-01-91 - Version 4.3 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Added support for the new area code format (area codes ending with a zero), which the USBBS listings began supporting in the 09-01-91 release. Previous versions of USBBSDOR would report an invalid area code if these new area code formats (510, 310, 410) were entered. Added support to use a solid line separating listings as they are displayed. The Sysop may now choose between no lines, solid lines, or a line of dashes to separate individual BBS listings. Support for extended node /X PCBoard software added. The help file for the area code prompt (AREA.HLP) has been updated to contain the new area codes scheduled to be in operation soon. * * * 07-06-91 - Version 4.2 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- As of this release, USBBSDOR has been updated and continuously supported for four years! (7/6/87 - 7/6/91) (F)ast-search command. The Sysop may configure the (F)ast-search command to immediately display an Area code or State without any additional prompting of the caller. The (F)ast-search configuration parameter is in the local setup screen (USBBSDOR /L). Simply enter a three digit area code, or a two digit state code (Sysop option). Non-standard COM ports (3 - 8) may now be configured in USBBSDOR's configuration file. Previous versions of USBBSDOR read PCBOARD.DAT (PCBoard), CONFIGWC.BBS (Wildcat), or a Sysop specified environment variable for non-standard port base address and IRQ information. Spitfire (SFDOORS.DAT) compatibility. Remote Access (DORINFO1.DEF) compatibility. Previous versions of USBBSDOR only supported the DORINFO1.DEF file created by RBBS. On PCBoard systems, the caller may enter search information from the PCBoard main prompt. For instance, the caller may enter USBBS 813 to immediately search the list for area code 813, then exit USBBSDOR. @F@ = (F)ast-search text file macro. This is replaced in text files with the specified information from the (F)ast-search parameter. The (O)perator page command was removed in this release due to the lack of "page" information in most BBS door information files. * * * 04-26-91 - Version 4.1 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sysop may specify whether to place a horizontal line of dashes between each listing when it is displayed. USBBSDOR becomes FULLY automated! When you place a new USBBSxx.ZIP in the location specified in the USBBSDOR configuration, USBBSDOR will detect the newer USBBSxx.LST *INSIDE* and automatically extract it to the appropriate location!! (Available only when registered). Added non-standard com support. The local maintenance and installation mode is now DESQview aware and "well behaved". Previously, just the 'door mode' was DESQview aware. Pressing ? is now valid and is the same as pressing H for help. Added a MENU command which simply displays the menu. * * * 11-09-90 - Version 4.0 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Version 4.0 was a major re-write of USBBSDOR. USBBSDOR is completely automatic with regard to updating the monthly USBBS list. The Sysop simply places the new list in a specified location, and USBBSDOR uses it! (same for the download ZIP file if downloading is enabled). List conversion is no longer necessary. The information files (still called USBBS.SYM and USBBS.INF) are now created automatically if they don't exist, and are re-created when the Sysop installs a new USBBS list. The list is now colorized on the fly if the caller is in color mode. The list can be searched by 9600 baud modem brand, BBS brand, and New and/or changed listings. Help files containing Area Code and State abbreviation charts are available at the area code and state input prompts. USBBSDOR is now DESQview "aware and well behaved". * * * 03-18-89 - Version 3.0 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Downloading added. Several other features were added in 3.0 which are now obsolete. * * * 12-19-88 - Version 2.1 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Support added for new PCBOARD.SYS file format in PCBoard 14.0. * * * 08-20-88 - Version 2.0 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- PCBoard compatibility added. Built-in installation (maintenance) mode added. External main menu added as a text file. Sysop chat added. Color capabilities added. * * * 01-03-88 - Version 1.5 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Released to be compatible with the 1-1-88 USBBS list which began using hyphens for BBS' that "might" be PC-Pursuitable (obsolete). * * * 12-06-87 - Version 1.4 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Released to be compatible with a new door information file in RBBS. * * * 11-28-87 - Version 1.3 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Added "Searching" message between area codes during state searches. Caller could configure output to include "All" or "PC-Pursuit" BBS' only (now obsolete). * * * 11-07-87 - Version 1.2 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Several small features (now obsolete) were added. * * * 07-28-87 - Version 1.1 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- Multi-node support added. * * * 07-06-87 - Version 1.0 * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------- USBBSDOR first released.