NetMail Version 4.6 Copyright (c) 1989,90 Mark J. Findlay Home Dba Software Home Dba BBS (206) 789-9302 (WASEA) 01-30-90 - Added configuration options for direct screen writing, beeps and bells toggle, and the automatic creation of COMM, WORK, and FILES directories specified during configuration but which may not yet exist. For those running PCBoard MultiNode versions, CONFIG.EXE also creates all the required WORK directories used by NetDoor. 01-18-90 - Fix to NetDoor to properly update NETWORK.LST records (network-wide nodelist). Also, corresponding fix to NetStat.exe. 01-10-90 - Added displays in import.exe and netdoor.exe indicating the number of messages addressed directly to sysop in messages being imported. 01-06-89 - Fixed write to caller log entries to properly format all entries from import and export processing. 01-03-89 - Fixed import.exe to NOT check the echo flag on any incoming messages. - Added displays to NetDoor to show when a message base is locked during import processing. 01-01-90 - Enhanced NetDoor to now be able to process multiple nodes simultaneously. - Changed Refer To and duplicate message handling to now check additional fields to avoid errors. The fields now checked are: DATE, TIME, WHOTO, WHOFROM, SUBJECT, and the first 128 bytes of the message text. - Added ability for nodes to turn on the PCBoard message echo flag for all outgoing messages. - Removed several displays from the NetDoor program. - Formatted the nodelist created by the CONFIG.EXE program to conform exactly with that created by the NetDoor. 11-05-89 - Added automated network-wide nodelist maintenance to NetDoor. This function will automatically create and maintain a network-wide nodelist (which can be viewed at any time by NetStat users). This nodelist xref will display the participating nodes, their tag lines, their date of last successful mail transfer and a complete hierarchical chart of every node and hub. NOTE: HUBS NEED TO ADD A 5th NETDOOR STARTUP PARAMETER TO THEIR NETDOOR BATCH FILE INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THEIR NODE NETMAIL DIRECTORY! (see sample netdoor batch file!) ^^^^ - Override enhancement for # of messages to recall in export. You can now use the OVERRIDE parameter of EXPORT.EXE to request any number of messages back from the last message received from the hub. In other words, if the last message you had received from the hub was message #1000 and you wished to receive the last 100 messages over again (message #900 - #1000), you would specify the conference name and the value 100. You no longer need to know the message number on the hub system in order to retrieve the last X number of messages in a particular conference. - Ability to recall last mail run from netdoor. Each time you call NetDoor, you will be prompted as to whether or not you wish to receive your last mail run's packet over again. You will be given 5 seconds to respond. If no response is given (in case you're calling via a automated script etc.) then default of "NO" will be assumed. If you respond "Y", NetDoor will retrieve messages for you starting at the same location it had for your last successful mail transfer. This eliminates lost mail packets due to bad protocol programs, power failures, bad clusters etc. This also allows you to re-receive your last mail packet even if all functions went according to plan. - Sending to netdoor of user file (NODE ONLY) to receive private messages only if addressed to users on the Node's system. This function is now automatic. For those defined as NODES ONLY, the private messages found on the hub system which are NOT addressed to users on the NODE system, will not be included in the NODE's incoming mail packet. - Advanced Refer To: and Duplicate Message checking. A more advanced function has been put in place to detect message duplication and messages which refer to other messages in a conference. Prior processing had sometimes thought a message to be a duplicate when it was not and messages were not always referred to the other messages in a conference of which they were replies. - Fixed "garbage" rec in BBS.NET. The problem with the "garbage" record in the BBS Maintenance screen has been resolved. Those with existing garbage recs can either leave them as they are, delete their BBS.NET file and reconfigure, or run BBSFIX.EXE against them. (BBSFIX.EXE can be downloaded from the HOMEDBA conference on HOME DBA BBS. - Removed option within EXPORT.EXE to receive only messages addressed to users on the node's system regardless of whether or not the messages were private. - Check for existence of msg base prior to processing it. All import and export functions now check for the existence of a message base prior to processing it. this differs from the previous versions where the conference's existence was checked only at configuration time due to those renaming the conference without reconfiguring their system. - Added POP UP Help in CONFIG.EXE and NETSTAT.EXE Users can now summon up a detailed pop-up help facility in both CONFIG.EXE and NETSTAT.EXE. Pressing F1 will display an alphabetized help menu with all the help topics available. Help topics cover every field of every screen as well as miscellaneous functions. - Allow editing of LAST MESSAGE NUMBER PROCESSED and CONFERENCE FILENAME from within Conference Configuration of CONFIG.EXE. Users can now alter these two fields through the Conference Configuration edit screen. Please read documtation very carefully prior to altering the LAST MESSAGE NUMBER PROCESSED field!!! - Check now takes place in CONFIG.EXE to insure that a Conference Name or Full Conference Filename specified does not duplicate one already on CONF.NET. An error message is presented to the user. - Added ALT-U function in conference configuration to allow universal update of a field. Users can universally update seclected fields across all conferences from within the Conference Configuration Screen. By placing the desired value in a field and pressing ALT-U, the field will be duplicated in that same field across all conferences immediately. - Added ability to create network-wide nodelist text file to NETSTAT.EXE. Registered users can now print out a detailed structural chart of the network-wide nodelist and other information via NETSTAT.EXE - Added ability to create text file of CONF.NET and GLOBAL.NET to CONFIG.EXE. Basically an informational tool, the ability to print a formatted report of the user's CONF.NET and GLOBAL.NET in a text file. - Check for "slide" event indicator before locking a caller out of NetDoor. If an event is pending within 15 minutes when a Node caller enters NetDoor, NetDoor will first check to see if the even can slide prior to dropping the user back to PCBoard. - Changed time count for lock check from 5 minutes to 1 minute When NetDoor encounters a LOCKED directory due to another node transferring mail simultaneoulsy, NetDoor will count-down for 1 minute prior to returning the calling node back to PCBoard, rather than the 5 minute wait encountered in previous versions. - Created separate SEND program. The SEND function has now been taken out of the CONFIG.EXE program and given its own .EXE status. - Sysop's real name no longer converted to "SYSOP". Imported messages no longer have the sysop's real name converted back to "SYSOP". This change is part of the improved refer-to and duplicate message check processing. - Added sample PROCOMM script file to SCRIPT.ZIP. 05-30-89 Created NETSTAT.EXE, the complete NetMail Statistics and Report Generator, (for registered users only). Maintains history and reports on total and average imports and exports, index file capacities and projected fill dates, all on a conference by conference basis, and for each node as well. See NetStat.bat and NetStat.doc for further information. Added PCB Caller Log entry option to node Export and Import function. Added search for TAG lines option in node import function. Based on entries in TAGS.NET, node import can drop all but the 1st tag of each incoming message, leaving the origin of a message intact. Added ability to specify user names for which incoming messages are to be removed. Converted TCAN search processing to assembler, greatly enhancing processing speed. Removed TCAN editing function from CONFIG.EXE. User now enters trash can words using text editor. Removed "remove entire line" option of TCAN editing of incoming messages. This function was created primarily to remove excessive tag lines which is now handled by import processing. Removed reporting of index file space from import processing. This function is now handled by NetStat, the NetMail Statistics and Report generator. (registered users only). 05-12-89 Doubled scope of tag line search in outgoing message. Now finds existing tags more than a single message block apart from previous tag. Removed TCAN function from Regional HUB on import.exe. This function is dedicated solely to destination nodes. 05-10-89 Fix for tag line problem in NetDoor previously thought to be corrected in 3.3 release. Significantly reduced memory requirements during all import and export processing in all .exe programs. This should enable larger index files to be read during these processes. 05-06-89 Altered private message and "Echo=Yes" message handling to be effective ONLY at the destination node level. All HUBS and regional HUBS will have NO control over private message and "Echo=Yes" messages at import OR export time. Any selection, conversion or deletion of these messages will occur only at the final destination node level. Allow NODES to receive ONLY their users' mail from the HUB system at DOWNLOAD time. Instead of downloading a large mail packet from the HUB, the node can download only those messages belonging to users on the node's system. This can represent a significant savings of time and money. Added Regional HUB indicator to NODELIST and BBS Maintenance screen. This indicates to the HUB system, which nodes are also operating as regional HUBs. Added "Last Called" indicator to BBS Maintenance screen. This allows HUB sysop to monitor "last called date" of all nodes. Fixed multiple tag line problem. Now only 1 NetMail tag is appended to outgoing mail. If a NetMail tag exists on the message already, no further tags are added. (Note: the existing tag must be the last tag on the message at time of check). Expanded BBS.NET file to handle additional features. Please see CONVBBS.EXE and CONVBBS.DOC if you are operating as a HUB. 04-30-89 Added detailed logging of all import and export activity on a conference by conference basis to NetDoor. PCB Caller Log will contain number of messages exported and imported by a calling node for each conference. Removed necessity for NetDoor batch file designation of DSZPORT. HUBs should remove: SET DSZPORT=x from their NETDOOR batch file(s). Fixed HUB's receiving of node's SEND files. 04-29-89 Added ability for Node to set "Last Message Exported" field on the HUB system. This is done through an override during the node's export. Node can start receiving messages from any message number in any conference on any call to the HUB. Even first time node callers can begin receiving messages from any message number. (See NetMail Documentation for instructions). Added Global configuration field to indicate whether a system is operating as BOTH a node AND a HUB. This is necessary to allow private messages to pass through several "regional hubs". Enter GLOBAL configuration screen through config.exe to specify if you are acting as both a node AND a hub. Added check to CONVERT.EXE to abort if attempt is made to convert global or conference file which has already been converted to 3.0 format. Added personalized greeting to NetDoor. 04-26-89 New format for CONF.NET and GLOBAL.NET to handle new functions. Sysop MUST execute CONVERT.EXE from NetMail directory for each node and hub Sysop is operating, PRIOR to running any NetMail 3.0 program. (See convert.doc). Node import process now imports private mail ONLY if addressee is a member of the target BBS. Private mail addressed to users not on the importing BBS will NOT be imported. This is done completely transparent to the BBS users. No auxilliary process is required of the users. This function was formerly an import command line option, which simply checked for the existence of a user on a system, regardless of the status of the message. the import command line option has been removed. HUB can now designate an "unavailable" period for NetDoor, during which time NetDoor is unavailable to calling NODEs. This allows the HUB system to free his/her board for certain hours for the general public. Sysop can now specify that ONLY messages created with the PCBoard or ProDoor prompt "Echo Message=Yes" should be echoed. This allows the users to keep messages on a single system by responding "N" to the "Echo Message?" prompt produced by PCBoard or ProDoor when the message is first created. This function is configurable on a conference by conference basis. Cursor bypasses non hub-related fields in global configuration when "BBS Operating as a HUB" is set to "N". Enhanced color scheme in GLOBAL and CONFERENCE configuration for more readable displays. Added information to NETMAIL.DOC on how the HUB system can act as an "intermediary" system, maintaining message bases for the network without having to carry the conference on PCBoard. 04-23-89 Greatly increased speed of screen writes in config.exe. Check for video type prior to presentation of opening screen in config.exe. Now handles monochrome monitor video address correctly. Added additional script (Qmodem) to sample script collection. Altered NetMail tag line prefix to replace "diamond" with '/'. The diamond character was being interpreted by some comm programs as cr/lf and disrupting comm display. Increased STACK space in NetDoor from 4000 to 5500. Added information to documentation concerning the use of the environment variable PRODEBUG=ON to log NetDoor activity. Corrected TCAN processing in NetDoor which improperly altered index file pointers if TCAN.NET processing occurred. 04-19-89 Enhanced RESET (both individual conference reset and global reset) to also update all the node records on the HUB system's BBS.NET file. This keeps all nodes in sync with hub system message pointers. Made the HUB generation of the NODELIST text file part of the standard config.exe menu. Added sample Telix script file for automating HUB/NODE transfers. Backed out import enhancement which bypassed import processing on a conference if no incoming mail was present. The conf.net file was also being bypassed in its updates for those conferences which caused ensuing exports to send mail already sent. 04-17-89 Fixed Import.exe and NetDoor Import function to properly handle indexes for message bases that have zero messages (such as a newly created message base), or 1 message (such as a "starter" message). Import function now much faster. Will only display import information for files actually imported from HUB. Will not open target message base if source import file does not exist. 04-16-89 Added "Questions and Answers" section to NetMail documentation. Enhanced display of error messages in NetDoor. Fixed Network Indicator check in NetDoor. Nodes calling the HUB system were able to receive a requested conference even if the HUB system had indicated "N" in network indicator. 04-15-89 Cosmetic changes to BBS Maintenance screen. NetDoor now uses 21K less memory at time of PKZIP of outgoing mail than version 2.2. Some users were reporting "insufficient memory" messages when NetDoor attempted to zip outgoing mail. 04-13-89 NODE can now specify to import only messages addressed to users on the NODE system. Users do NOT need to enter their name via any door or auxilliary process. The message/user checking is done automatically by NetMail. HUB system can now create NODELIST text file via config.exe. Now allows editing of Conference Name Assigned by HUB in the conference configuration screen. This was previously only accessible through the ALT-A command to add a conference. Reformatted NODELIST text file to be more "readable". 04-10-89 Config now creates/updates BBS.NET whenever HUB saves conference information. BBS Maintenance now reserved for HUB systems. Export, Import, now will NOT function if executed from a system defined as a HUB. NetDoor now performs all import and export functions on the HUB's behalf. 04-09-89 NetMail 2.0 released. Program now ShareWare. HUB system no longer maintains individual holding files for each conference carried by each NODE. NODEs now receive mail DIRECTLY from HUB's message bases when calling through NetDoor. Sysop can now specify max age (in days) of message to accept. Sysop can now specify maximum K bytes packet to receive from HUB. Sysop can now specify whether or not to accept SEND files waiting on the HUB system. Conferences are now determined by NAME, NOT by Conference Number Set by HUB. Configuration of Conferences now auto-load capable from the CNAMES or CONFINFO file. For each conference, Sysop can now specify to: Stop incoming private messages. Stop outgoing private messages. Convert incoming private messages to public. Convert outgoing private messages to public. NODE can now request text file node list of all participating NODEs in network, their BBS Codes, the Sysop's Name, their Tag lines, and all conferences carried by each NODE. 03-23-89 Enhanced export.exe to perform more scrutinous inspection of 03-23-89 Enhanced export.exe to perform more scrutinous inspection of outgoing mail as well as increased buffer performance. 03-13-89 Increased buffering of Export and Import I/O. Bypass processing of "Last Message Number Processed" on null incoming mail packets. Changed Conference definition function to automatically RESET message pointers for newly defined conferences as well as those added with ALT-A. This insures that new conferences will not enter the network with entire message bases being initially transferred from the NODE. 03-08-89 Follow-up for ALT-A fix provided in NETM0307.ZIP. 03-07-89 Fix for Conferences Added via the ALT-A command in the config program. Prior version could place incorrect "last msg number processed" in conf.net file. To correct prior versions, RESET ALL conferences. Export now deletes any possible exported or imported mail packets left in comm directory prior to creating outgoing mail packet. This to avoid confusing file transfers etc. Fix to account for duplicate message if that message was a thread of another in the same conference. Prior to this, duplicate messages were killed unless the incoming message was a thread of an existing message. 03-05-89 Checks to see if NetMail tag line already present on Exported messages. If so, will not add additional tag line. This keeps messages that pass from regional HUBs to other regional and/or national HUBs from becoming swamped with tag lines. Only tag line from originating BBS will remain intact. Fixed bug in BBS.NET processing in Export processing. ALL NODES SHOULD INSTALL THIS VERSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID FURTHER HUB BBS.NET CORRUPTION. 03-02-89 Message Threading added. Messages responded to on other BBSes will now have proper original message number in "Refer To:" field upon Import into originating BBS. Further enhanced I/O handling. Step by Step walk-through of NODE and HUB set up and processing operations, especially helpful for first time networkers. 02-26-89 Kill Duplicate Messages on Import. Enhance mail delivery in NetDoor by bypassing incoming mail with 0 length. Enhanced SEND function within NetDoor by maintaining single copy of file for all target NODEs. Altered Config.exe to insure preformatting of