Virtual BBS for DOS 6.12 beta Copyright (c) Roland De Graaf 1990-1993 Welcome to VBBS 6.12 beta! This archive contains executables, default configuration and data files, this README, and a VBBS-DOS registration form. The documentation for this beta release is available separately and should be available where you found this archive. VBBS documentation is now available in both ascii text file, and interactive hypertext formats. VBBS-DOS 6.12 beta Installation Instructions: Having extracted the contents of this archive to a separate directory, run the INSTALL executable. If upgrading from a previous installation, the INSTALL program will merely copy over new EXE files and the DEFAULT.STR string file. If this is a new installation, INSTALL will create needed directories, copy files, etc and provide you with a complete ready to run VBBS-DOS installation. MAIL_REG.TXT VBBS-DOS Registration Form BBS.EXE BBS Start-Up CMD File VBBS.EXE Main BBS Program VBBS-AUX.EXE Externalized BBS Functions VQWK.EXE Standard QWK Mail Door VCONFIG.EXE VBBS Configuration Program VME.EXE Virtual MultiNet Engine VDM.EXE Virtual DIRECTmail Interface VNET.EXE VNET Network Software VXY.EXE Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem Transfer Protocols VCOM.EXE Script Compiler VLIST.EXE Text File Viewer INSTALL.EXE Installation Program DEFAULT.STR External String File (Runtime) *.CFG Default Configuration Files *.TXT Default System Text Files *.PDM Default Pull-Down Menu Definition *.MNU Default System Menu Files BBSLIST.* VirtualNET Network Lists SUBSLIST.* VirtualNET Subs Lists START.V Default Start-Up Script START.FB Default Main Menu Function Block Definition FILES.FB Default Files Menu Function Block Definition AREACODE.NET Area Code Data File NETWORKS.LST MultiNetworks Master List File All of the following improvements apply to both VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2 unless otherwise specified. VBBS 6.12 beta revision history: 1. Fixed bug in VDM Directmail FREQ function, introduced in 6.11. 2. Fixed bug in VNET 6.11 that caused some extraneous information to be written to the NETWORK.LOG (minor annoyance). 3. Fixed bug in VNET 6.11 with regards to sub-hosting and network validation. 4. Implemented Externalized Strings, with multilingual capability. In other words, all of the hard-coded "string text" (ie..stuff like "Please enter name or number or NEW" and "Login: ") has been made totally sysop configurable. Sysops will be able to customize the text displays and prompts. Color may be used freely, and as an advanced option, sysops can substitute text files, or Vscripts for a text string. RIP graphics files can also be substituted and added as needed. (This completes the second phase of RIP implementation. The 3rd phase will entail actually making a set of default RIP screens to go with the stock installation, and finishing up any last minute details.) As of this writing, VBBS, VBBS-AUX, and VQWK total 395 external strings. A handy string editor/compiler has already been developed to make editing a breeze. The default text string source file is DEFAULT.S. The VSTRING editor/compiler can edit this file, and compiles it into a DEFAULT.STR file, which the software reads when it loads and executes. Both DEFAULT.S and DEFAULT.STR reside in the text directory, and must exist. You may add other languages, dialects, board layouts, etc as needed by creating more .S files (ie GERMAN.S, SPANISH.S, SERIOUS.S, FUNNY.S, INSULTS.S). *** DEFAULT.S (External String Source File) and the VSTRING.EXE string editor are licensed for use by registered VBBS Sysops ONLY. 5. Added to VNET the capability to handle email by user handle/name. (ie Roland De Graaf@1) As an added bonus, any addressed-by-handle/name email which is addressed to an unknown user is written/appended to a text file "UNKNOWN.TXT" in the network directory (for that particular VNET-type network). The data is written in a plain text format. Why? Custom applications. A "pre-processor" could analyze the text and do something with it. This opens up whole new possibilities for both commercial and entertainment uses. 6. Files to be downloaded from CDROM devices are now copied to the temp directory on the hard drive for the download. This eliminates multi-user contention on CDROMs and multiple disc/platter media. VBBS 6.11 beta revision history: 1. Changed message reader so that "Origin:" line is not displayed if "Unknown System" (Finally got rid of that annoying "Unknown System" message. :-) 2. Speeded Up VBBS-DOS message text display. (Thanks to advancements made in the development of VBBS-OS2.) 3. Corrected Incoming QWK message To: field for Fido and UUCP type networks. (ie... networks that don't use user numbers.) 4. Adjusted String Memory allocations for better performance in cramped memory spaces. (ie...Desqview and Windows) 5. Corrected VXY-OS2 Zmodem for low speed connections. 6. Corrected a minor bug in the New Upload Scanner. 7. Fixed VCONFIG bugs with regards to deleting text sections and voting questions. 8. VCONFIG now does automatic diagnostics upon start-up, and lets the sysop edit System Paths Configuration if needed. (If you've ever moved your VBBS installation from drive C: to drive D: (for example), you may understand the need for this new feature. :) 9. Fixed VCONFIG for OS/2 so that it doesn't load the system while waiting for sysop input. 10. Increased limitation in VNET software: AutoRequest Subs max 300 per board per network AutoSecured Subs & Secured Subs max 32000 per board per network 11. Added Quick-Validation/Edit feature to user editor. Change users SL, Time Limit, Access Flags using 2 keystrokes. Up to 9 configurable profiles, configurable via VCONFIG. 12. Added to Teleconference, Change Name Command, the ability for the sysop to restrict names by setting up a text file BADNAMES.TXT in the text directory. 13. Initial RIP implentation. Basically, this is in the form of extending the ASC/ANS/MNU sequence to include checking for a .RIP file if the user's default setup indicates RIP. This will allow you to set-up RIP menus for your message areas, file areas, email, etc etc. Simply create them with RIPpaint (or equivalent) and place them in your text directory. The second phase of RIP will come with the advent of externalized strings, to be implemented soon. (ie, A RIP file will be able to be substituted for a plain text prompt string, if desired. Thus, "hooks" to RIPscrip files will be able to put anywhere you want without having to write scripts or modify source code. What I have planned is really quite interesting, and very flexible and powerful.) 14. Added new message read sub-command (Z) that allows a user to read messages non-stop. 15. Speeded up startup initialization for both VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2. (Startup of Main BBS program, and startup of VNET software.) --> Note: In order for this to work properly, you *must* run --> the newest VCONFIG and Recompile Your Network Info before bringing --> this new version online. 16. Added new feature to DIRECTmail: With this new release of VNET and VME, comes the ability for DIRECTmail to be used as an automatic file request (FREQ) mechanism. TO FREQ a file (both ends of connection must be running the latest VME and VNET software): Send your DIRECTmail email normally like you have in the past; when prompted for the Title:, enter in FREQ, a space, then a list of filenames requested, separated by spaces. Examples: FREQ a-1.zip a-2.zip a-3.zip FREQ qinfo42.zip Note that for a file area to be accesible via DIREECTmail FREQ, the database configuration FREQ field must be enabled. 17. Further enhancements to DIRECTmail a. Directmail functions are now handled by its own executable, VDM.EXE. VDM.EXE automatically called as needed by VBBS/VME. VDM.EXE command line syntax: VDM /DIRECTIN Handle Incoming Call in Progress VDM /DIRECTOUT:x Call System x=Mail Slot # b. Up to 99 Mail slots are now available. Slots are automatically assigned as needed. Works like this: Assume there is no pending DIRECTmail on your system. At the WFC screen, you send directmail to 16163994818. It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 1. (DIRECT.1, FREQ.1, DIRFILE.1 in Data Directory.) You then send directmail to 16163999769. It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 2. (DIRECT.2, FREQ.2, DIRFILE.2 in Data Directory.) You then send directmail to 16163994818. It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 1, since slot 1 already has mail pending for 16163994818. 18. Corrected Database Topic/Database Capacitites Capacities now: Up to 222 Database Topics (ascii codes 33-255) Up to 100 Databases per Topic For a total up to 22200 databases. 19. Added to VNET duplicate detection using Via line 20. Released as VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2 ver 6.11 beta