FMNEW.TXT
Chess FileMate for Windows, 4.0
Copyright (c) 1994-1996 William H. Dyche


Contents:

1: Upgrading to 4.0
2: New in release 4.0 
3: Future
4: History


1: Upgrading to 4.0

Filemate.ini necessarily changes somewhat each release.  Trying to use an old
copy (attempting to retain parameter settings) might result in problems.  The
safest upgrade procedure is to use the program to re-set your prefered
settings... window sizes and locations, etc.  Use F8 to enter your old
registration name and key codes.  There is no charge for FileMate updates.


2: New in release 4.0  ( 07/27/96 )

MISC...
 - shareware constraint changed.  The entire data file will be read and listed
   now, but (as before) only the first 200 games can be viewed.
 - a splash screen is displayed during program loading
 - documentation has been updated, and is now contained in .txt files
 - main window toolbar - top, side, or bottom,  exit button added

FONTS...
 - font selection added to File and Board Data windows. The selected font will
   be remembered in the .INI file.

FILES...
 - reads text files much quicker
 - limit for games per (text) file increased to 14,000
 - This release introduces some support for .cbf files.  Open either the .cbi
   or .cbf file.  Variations and partial-games are supported.
   Limitations:  
    - read-only
    - comments and annotations not supported (maybe in a future release).
    - some heaviliy annotated games provided by ChessBase are too big (too
      many moves) for the program to handle.

BOARD...
 - position setup dialog and FEN support added.  Refer to fmguide.txt.
 - games added to DEMO1.TXT to demonstrate FEN notation for partial games
 - play-forward button function works faster
 - buttons added to board: smaller board, larger board, rotate, and setup
 - "show move" in the mouse-click-options dialog has changed.  When the dialog is
   opened, the ply setting will be taken from the current board.
 - Delete and BackSpace keys can be used to delete moves
 - square colors touched-up
 - smallest board size elliminated... hope no one misses it
 - hide/show pieces menu option added

BOARD DATA...
 - go-to-arbitrary-position (i.e. click on play) function works faster
 - print-gametext function and button added
 - a comment may immediately precede the first move
 - enable/disable logic added for Save- and Add-to-file buttons, and the Post
   and Print buttons
 - MAXGAMESIZE increased to 24K characters

TEXT EDITOR...
 - buttons added to text editor for text searching and font selection
 - menu item insert Time/Date added
 - printing is done in the selected font

PROBLEMS FIXED:
 - last-position vcr button dimensions were specified incorrectly
 - graphical mate indication (toppled king) works better
 - parameters are now saved to .INI before shutdown-abort tests


3: Future

 - The program will need to handle much larger games than the current limit of 400
   plys allows.  

 - EPD support for efficient recording of positions.

 - Automatic ECO classification.

 - Support for special chess fonts.

 - Searching for (or sorting on) game header information


4: History

04/22/96   3.1c  editor and text display enhancements, toolbar for main window

03/15/96   3.1   support for variations completed

01/19/96   3.0   MDI interface, advanced game data display and editing

08/13/95   2.3   faster file reading, MS common dialogs, more data movement capabilities

07/01/95   2.2   text editor enhancements, alternate piece set

05/11/95   2.1   piece bitmap animation, selectable board colors, faster file input

02/21/95   2.0   file maintenance functions

12/24/94   1.1   appearance - svga layout, MRU file list

11/12/94   1.0   first release