-------------------------------------------------------------------- USBBSDOR Revision History -------------------------------------------------------------------- This file describes the new features in recent USBBSDOR releases. Please refer to USBBSDOR.DOC for a basic description of USBBSDOR. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 5.2 New Features 4/9/93 ] ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- This version of USBBSDOR is a minor maintenance release. The enclosed MODEM text file (displayed when scanning for high speed modem types) has been updated. It now includes all of the new modem designations recently added to the USBBS list. Added PKZIP 2.04+ support to the "(V)erify contents" function which appears in the protocol selections when downloading the USBBS list. A "minimum connect speed to download" parameter has been added. Many BBS packages now include this capability, and this parameter allows USBBSDOR to use this same "protection" for downloading the USBBS list. This parameter may be set on the USBBSDOR installation screen. All of the display text files (menus, helps, etc.) in USBDOR52.ZIP have undergone some very minor cosmetic changes for a slightly more modern appearance. These are files in USBDOR52.ZIP which do not have extensions on the file names. QSUSBBS.EXE, the enclosed off-line USBBS list search utility, should now run properly when used in OS/2 DOS sessions. The colors used for displaying the list in QSUSBBS.EXE have been changed, greatly improving both appearance and readability. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 5.1 New Features 11/14/92 ] ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW COMMAND: (R)ead USBBS news. Periodically, a "news" file will be distributed with the USBBS list called USBBSxxx.NWS (the xxx matches the version number of the list). If a USBBSxxx.NWS file is located with a corresponding USBBSxxx.LST, the (R)ead command will display this file. The "news" file will be inserted periodically in the USBBS list distribution file by the USBBS editor to highlight timely information about the USBBS list. NEW COMMAND: (W)here to update\add to the list. Each release of the USBBS list contains a file called USBBSxxx.TXT where xxx matches the version number of the list. This file lists the places where updates can be made to the USBBS list, as well as USBBS distribution points. If a USBBSxxx.TXT is located with the corresponding USBBSxxx.LST, the (W)here command will display this file. NOTE on the above commands: If using USBBSDOR's auto-new-extraction feature (registration required), when a new USBBS distribution file is detected USBBSxxx.NWS and USBBSxxx.TXT will be extracted also. FOSSIL driver support added. If your BBS uses a FOSSIL driver you may now have USBBSDOR use the FOSSIL driver also. You may also take advantage of this feature if your BBS software supports Multi-port serial cards and permits FOSSIL redirection to these cards through the same driver used for the BBS software. There is a new toggle on the USBBSDOR local configuration screen to turn FOSSIL support on. Please see USBBSDOR.DOC for additional information. ARJ is now supported for downloading the USBBS list from USBBSDOR. Due to the growing popularity of this compression utility, USBBSDOR will now use USBBSxxx.ARJ files (if downloading is allowed). For the purpose of downloading and "new list auto extraction" (registered feature), USBBSDOR always looks for ZIP files first, then ARJ if no USBBSxxx.ZIP files are found. The off-line QSUSBBS search utility may now also be downloaded from the door in ARJ format (same as USBBSxxx, the door looks for QSUSBBS.ZIP first). Please see USBBSDOR.DOC for additional information. The MENU file reflects the new (R)ead and (W)here commands, and also compensates for the change in length of USBBS list file names when the version went from USBBS99 to USBBS100. The HELP3 file reflects the new (R)ead and (W)here commands. The AREA file reflects the new 909 area code in California. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 5.0 New Features 7/6/92 ] ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- As of this release, USBBSDOR has been updated and continuously supported for five years! (7/6/87 - 7/6/92) Added support for a change in the USBBS list which affects the (N)ew command. The USBBS list uses an asterisk * in column 58 to indicate a new or changed entry since the last list. Effective 07-01-1992 an ampersand (@) will be used to indicate the new/changed status AND that the system was called and verified by the USBBS list editor. USBBSDOR now looks for either character for the (N)ew command. Added support for extended IRQ use (above IRQ 7). Previous versions of USBBSDOR provided non-standard COM support with IRQ 1 through 7. The IRQ value may now be 1 through 15 and may be set in the non- standard COM setup parameter located on the USBBSDOR installation screen. Added a new "listing separator line" choice. USBBSDOR now allows the Sysop to choose a double line (ASCII 205) to be used as a separator for each listing as it is displayed. This adds to the previous choices of dashes (ASCII 45), a solid line (ASCII 196), or none. Added support for the very high security levels (65000+) used by some BBS packages. Previous versions of USBBSDOR did not allow these Sysops to set the (D)ownload security to these levels. Added support to calculate USBBS list download times for newer (yet lesser used) connect rates such as 12000 (twelve-thousand). Earlier versions of USBBSDOR expected standard connect rates (300,1200,2400, 4800,9600,14400,19200) for calculating download times, and an error would occur if a download was attempted under other circumstances. The AREA, AREA2, and AREA3 area code help files have been updated with changes since the last USBBSDOR release. The new Georgia 706 area code is now included as well as the pending (as of this writing) Texas 210 area code. While earlier versions of USBBSDOR were DESQview aware and behaved, some performance degradation was discovered when using "virtualized" screens with DESQview-386. USBBSDOR's performance is now improved under these conditions. If using PCBoard BBS software and logging to a printer, USBBSDOR's printer routines have been made more generic. Three command line parameters have been added. These are not likely to be needed by most Sysops, but if you need them, you REALLY need them. Adding them to configuration file is not planned since they should rarely be used: /NOBEEP - USBBSDOR follows the local alarm (beep) setting found in any door information files which provide it. If you have your BBS software set to beep LOCALLY at caller input errors, etc. but you do not want USBBSDOR to beep at similar events, add this to the command command line as shown below. /NOCALLER - USBBSDOR writes appropriate entries to the current node's caller file or activity log (PCBoard and Wildcat modes only). Please see USBBSDOR.DOC for a complete list of entries. If you do not want USBBSDOR to echo these events to the log files, add this to the the USBBSDOR.EXE command line as shown below. /NOLPT - USBBSDOR follows the printer toggle in PCBoard. If you do not want USBBSDOR to also echo caller log activity to the printer, add this to the USBBSDOR.EXE command line as shown below. To add any of these toggles, edit the USBBSDOR door batch file as shown: USBBSDOR.EXE USBBSDOR.CNF D:\PCB\ /NOLPT /NOBEEP /NOCALLER All three are shown in the example above for illustration purposes only. You may enter one, two, or all three of them, in any order desired. Again, it is recommended to use these toggles only if they are REALLY needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.5 New Features 1/24/92 ] ------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. A 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.x 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.x. 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.x 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 USBDOR50.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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.4 New Features 11/1/91 ] ------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 file enclosed reflects these. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.3 New Features 9/1/91 ] ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.2 New Features 7/6/91 ] ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.1 New Features 4/26/91 ] ------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ USBBSDOR 4.0 New Features 11/9/90 ] ------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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". -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Very early versions are listed below with their version numbers and release dates only. The detail has been omitted to keep the size of this file down. Contact the author if this detail is needed. Version 3.0 - 03-18-89 Version 2.1 - 12-19-88 Version 2.0 - 08-20-88 Version 1.5 - 01-03-88 Version 1.4 - 12-06-87 Version 1.3 - 11-28-87 Version 1.2 - 11-07-87 Version 1.1 - 07-28-87 Version 1.0 - 07-06-87