

Here is a list of some of the fixes and enhancements to RBBS 17.5 Beta

 1.  Support for File/Record Locking under OS/2 v2.x DOS Box
 2.  Super High Speed Modem Support 300-115000
 3.  File Transfer Statistics shown after file transfers
 4.  Added mod to add the -R (for reliable connect) to the line in
       DORINFOx.DEF for the connect (lock) speed and parity.
          (This was a feature of pre v17.4.)
 5.  Will not show S)ysop as an option for MESSAGE TO: when entering a
       message in a networked conference/subboard and the special semaphore
       (xxxxN.def) file is present.
 6.  Twirlies replace dots for marking time.
 7.  Will now notify a user that they have files "marked" (if they do) when
       leaving a subboard (quitting to MAIN or J)oining another subboard) and
       give them an opportunity to download the marked files immediately
       before executing the change of subboard.  If they opt not to download
       the files, the marked file list is removed from memory.  Does not apply
       to conferences.
 8.  Will now display the "End List..." if number of files does not fill screen.
 9.  Download and Mark interface for personal files now appear the same as
       regular files interface.
10.  Will search private directory if user capable of personal uploads (or if
       SysOp) and in regular files area and uploading files.
11.  Will log user off faster when attempting to mark a file to crash system.
12.  If user with security level to do personal uploads (or SysOp) uploads
       file to anyone except "ALL" (to SysOp, Distribution List or user name -
       also security level by SysOp) file will be uploaded to the private
       directory (as listed in CONFIG Param #142).
13.  Fix for RBBS not updating user privileges when security level reset by
       call back door.
14.  Updates line 25 at all "[Y],N,...." more prompts.
15.  Fixed bug where if macro runs when marking file (such as a macro to tell
       user the file is located elsewhere), the file name passed was wrong.
16.  Fixed bug where system would crash when viewing a file while listing files
       and user went back to listing files - both personal & regular.
17.  Fixed ANSI editor when user selects "S" for save, then decides they want
     to go back and edit some more.  Previously, it would return to the stock
     RBBS line editor.  Now will return to the full screen ANSI editor if it
     was used to enter the message/reply.
18.  Will not only remind users of file(s) marked for download when they have
       file(s) marked for download and attempt to log off, but will allow the
       user to immediately download the file(s) and log off.
19.  Will ONLY show the "* Ctrl-K(^K) / ^X aborts. ^S suspends ^Q resumes *"
       that annoys SO many people to NOVICE users.
20.  If the file CTRL-X.DEF exists in the NODEWORK DIRECTORY the
       CTRL-K, ^X will not display to any user.
21.  Now any file in the files system CAN be made a private upload by user (or
       SysOp) having security level to add new description.  Remember...  A
       file located in a regular download area and/or listed in the FFS, is
       NOT secure and can be downloaded by any user who knows the file name.
       For true security, files you want to go to a particular user, security
       level, SysOp or distribution list, should be located in the private
       directory listed in CONFIG Param #142.
22.  Will permit addressing of message(s) to UUCP in Networked conferences
       and/or subboards.  Networked conferences/subboards are those where the
       xxxxN.DEF semaphore file exists.
23.  Fixed the "D" (delete lines) routine in the message system to perform as
       the prompt is shown.  Previously, the "Q" was highlighted, yet if you
       hit "ENTER" it passed the current line number.  Now, the default is to
       quit! The user MUST enter the line number in order to delete.
24.  RBBS will NOT read the color definition (NCLRx.DEF) file when changing
       sub boards.  This will prevent the file not found error, as well as
       some color problems from the file not being found when the node work
       directory has be changed.
25.  Time Lock disabled if: a) User is signing immediately back onto BBS after
                               carrier drop, etc. AND
                             b) has completed time lock on previous log on.
26.  Fixed paths for private "batch" upload.  Only first file was receiving
       the path to the private directory in the work file.  The remaining
       files would not be tested (and logged) due to improper paths in the
       work file.
27.  Personal file uploads are recorded as such in the callers file along
       with the name of the person(s) it was uploaded to.
28.  Twirly's are now displayed rather that DOTS
29.  The first 40 characters of PURPOSE OF CHAT will be logged to callers
       file
30.  The file PAGE.TXT will appear if it is found (in the WELCOME FILE
       DIRECTORY) and will display after the PURPOSE and BEFORE the choice to
       page
31.  If caller doesn't enter a reason for chat, the chat is aborted.
32.  Withdrawl time at logoff will go back to menu instead of logging off
33.  If the file PERS.MNU exists in the WELCOME FILE DIRECTORY it will display
       when a user chooses PERSONAL FILES. (respects Expert User)
34.  If the file TURBO.HLP exists in the HELP DIRECTORY, it will be displayed
       to the new user who gets asked if they want TURBO KEYS.
35. The SysInfo mod has been added in (operating system vers displayed)
36. When marking files in personals, it will pause after marking a file
37. LogOff Menu respects expert users (make sure your file LOGOFF.MNU does
       not have the menu in it, just the text explaining that the user is
       about to log off).
38.  The colors in the FMS/.DIR are now configurable with the paramaters
    in config.  #323, 324, 325, & 326.

    323 = Filename
    324 = Date
    325 = File Size
    326 = First line of file description.

    The extended description will be LOW INTENSITY of what parm 326 is
    set at.  Recommended to set 326 to a "B"right color so the extended
    color sets off the extended description from the first line desc.


NOTE:  All the external text files can have smart text colors in them

*********>>>>>      Semaphore Files       <<<<<***************

Some of the enhancements to RBBS-PC 17.5 are "turned on" by the
existence of semaphore flags.  These ON/OFF switches will probably
be moved into the CONFIG Utility before formal release.  For now,
however, the file makes it very easy to switch between 17.4 and 17.5

A semaphore flag may be 0 bytes long or it may have text (which is
ignored) in it.

The semaphore flags used in the beta are:

FILENAME              Placed in
**********************************

CTRL-X.DEF         ~  \RBBS\NODE1  (and each additional node directory)

                  This file, if it exists, will suppress the display of
                  "* Ctrl-K(^K) / ^X aborts. ^S suspends ^Q resumes *"
                  at ALL times. Otherwise, the message ONLY shows to
                  the Novice users.

xxxxxxxN.DEF       ~   Same directory as your messages

                  If this file exists and matches the name of
                  your message file, the PEEK capability (described
                  later on) will be disabled for that conference.
                  Also, the
                  C)omment to sysop will be disabled.  This
                  is handy to use in networked conferences.
                  EXAMPLE
                  The semaphore file for a message base:
                  NOVELLM.DEF would be NOVELLN.DEF



>>>>>

NOWUW.DEF         No Who Uploaded What
                  If this file exist in the ~ directory you
                  invoke RBBS-PC from, the "Who uploaded"
                  feature is disabled.

>>>>>


*********>>>>>   Definition and Display files     <<<<<***************

>>>>>

ALIAS SUPPORT is included and can be turned on for any given conference by
  creating a file in the same directory that a conferences users file resides
  in.  The file name is in the form of confA.def where conf is the conference
  name.  e.g. ADULTm.DEF is the messages file ADULTu.DEF is the users file and
  in the same location ADULTa.DEF.  The first line should read SYSOP;SYSOP to
  start the file.  (To have a SYSOP alias use SYSOP;MY ALIAS HAHA instead).

>>>>>

FULL SCREEN ANSI EDITOR is available in this version.

ANSIED.HLP ------- A help file for the Full Screen ANSI Editor
                 ~ It should be located with the rest of the .HLP files

>>>>>

AUTOOFF.MNU is a Menu shown to users just prior to downloading files so
  they can E)dit marked files, M)ark more files, C)ontinue the Transfer,
  A)bort the Transfer, or Automatically log off after transfer is completed
  succesfully.

AUTOOFF.MNU ------ AutoLogOff Transfer Menu
                 ~ Locate in the directory where Menu files are stored

>>>>>

FORGOTTEN PASSWORDs can be a problem on some systems and a nice touch is
  to display a file with some explanation.

BADPASSW.HLP ----- A file displayed to a user failing the password check.
                 ~ It should be located with the rest of the .HLP files

>>>>>

BADEXTS is a file used to block files with the extensions listed within.
  If it does NOT exist the feature is disabled.  The file has the format
  of, Security Level that can Override the restriction, the actual file
  extension, followed by the file to be displayed to the user attempting
  the upload.  As shown in the example this display file can be generic
  enough to support multiple extensions.  The BADEXT file and the related
  help files should be ~ located in the HELP directory.

SAMPLE BADEXTS FILE

170,GIF,BADGIF.HLP
170,COM,BADFILE.HLP
170,BAT,BADFILE.HLP
170,FLI,BADFILE.HLP
170,TXT,BADTXT.HLP
170,DEF,BADDEF.HLP
170,CFG,BADCFG.HLP

>>>>>

DOWNLOAD MESSAGE is an option to display a file to the user just prior to the
actual download of a file or batch of files.

DNMSG.HLP -------- File displayed to user before Download.
                 ~ Located in the Help Files directory
DNMSGG.HLP ------- Graphic version of DNMSG.HLP
DNMSGC.HLP ------- Color version of DNMSG.HLP

>>>>>

DOORS.DEF has been enhanced to allow for a 9th parameter that restricts the
  use of the door further than previous versions of RBBS did.  The new
  parameter is the MAXIMUM Security Level allowed to use a door, this will
  allow as an example, a way to keep verified users out of the callback
  door.  Or to restrict a mail door to one security level for mail HUBs.
  A user with a security level HIGHER THAN THIS LEVEL can NOT use the door.

  NEW Parameter 10 is a Y/N parameter.
  Y = allow user to drop carrier in this door without penalty
      (usefull for mail doors)
  N = record drop carriers that occur in this door (default)

DOORS.DEF -------- Doors.Def is the default RBBS name and is an Example
                 ~ Location is defined in RBBS Config by the Sysop

>>>>>

DOWNVIO.HLP will be shown to a user when a security violation occurs through
  the FILESEC rather than the more generic and abrupt SECVIO.HLP.

DOWNVIO.HLP ------ File shown when downloading invokes a security violation
                 ~ This file is to be located in the directory for HELP files.

>>>>>

FMSHEADER allows you to create your own fancy header file to be displayed to
  the users when listing files in your FMS.

FMSHEAD.TXT ------ Sample external FMS Header
FMSHEADC.TXT ----- Color Sample external FMS Header
                 ~ These header should be in the same directory
                     as your MASTER FMS or .DIR files.

FMSHEAD.2 -------- (More Samples)
FMSHEADC.2 ------- (More Samples)
FMSHEAD.3 -------- (More Samples)
FMSHEADC.3 ------- (More Samples)

>>>>>

HACKED FILE LIST Support is provided to assist in keeping unwanted files
  from being uploaded.  Although a 0 Byte file will do the trick it is not
  easy to incorporate new lists of HACKED files.  This feature allows you to
  use a list created specifically for BBSs.


HACK.COL --------- Hack report file that lists filenames that are considered
                   to be hacks or pirated files.
                 ~ This file resides in the same directory as your .DIRs

HACK.HLP --------- File displayed to user when they try to upload a file that
                   is listed in the hack.col file.
                 ~ This file resides in your help directory

>>>>>

KICKOFF MESSAGE gives the user a customized file for when you use the CTRL-END
  key to lock them out of your system.
 
KICKOFF.MSG ------ File displayed to user when CTRL-END is used.
                 - Locate this file in the Help Files directory
KICKOFFG.MSG ----- Graphics version of Kickoff.MSG
KICKOFFC.MSG ----- Colorized version of Kickoff.MSG

>>>>>

LOGOFF has been enhanced to allow a menu of options, A)bort Logoff, C)omment
  to Sysop, B)ank my Time, G)o ahead and log me off.  (If a user does NOT have
  the security required, the commands will be * out.

LOGOFF.MNU     Displayed when user is logging off.
               ~ This file should be placed in the HELP directory.
               If it does not exist, the user will see the internal
               prompts which will NOT be "starred" out.

>>>>>

PAGE.TXT       Text file shown to a user who attempts to page the Sysop.
               File is displayed just before the user is asked
               "Purpose of chat?"
               ~  Put this file where your WELCOME files are located.
>>>>>

PERS.MNU       Menu(s) shown when the user is in FILES menu and selects
               Personal Downloads.
               ~  Located in the same directory as the other MENUS

>>>>>
RIP GRAPHICS SUPPORT is provided for users that call with a terminal program
  supporting RIP Graphics.

MENU2R ----------- Generic Main Menu - RIP
MENU3R ----------- Generic File Menu - RIP
MENU4R ----------- Generic Utils Menu - RIP
                 ~ Locate these files along with the rest of your MENUS

Any menu or display that supports the text/graphic/color flavors can also be
RIP supported. Use your favorite RIP drawing program to create them.
>>>>>

NEED SYSTEM shows a file to the user when the Sysop has pressed the END key
  to force a user off kindly because the Sysop needs the system immediately.

NEEDSYS.MSG ------ File displayed to user when END key is used
                 ~ Located with other Help Files
NEEDSYSG.MSG ----- Graphics version of file
NEEDSYSC.MSG ----- Color version of file

>>>>>

RATIO.HLP is a File displayed to users when they're ratios or limits have
  been exceeded.

RATIO.HLP -------- File displayed when ratios exceeded
                 ~ Locate this file in the HELP directory

>>>>>

REGISTRATION EXPIRING will give a message to the user who's within the number
  of days set by the Sysop of subscription expiration.

RGXPIRE.HLP ------ File Displayed when Registration is about to expire
                 ~ Locate this file in the Help Files directory
RGXPIREG.HLP ----- Graphics version of RGXPIRE.HLP
RGXPIREC.HLP ----- Color version of RGXPIRE.HLP

>>>>>

REGISTRATION EXPIRED will give a message to users whose subscription has
  already expired.

RGXPIRD.HLP ------ File Displayed when Registration has expired
                 ~ Locate this file in the Help Files directory
RGXPIRDG.HLP ----- Graphics version of RGXPIRD.HLP
RGXPIRDC.HLP ----- Color version of RGXPIRD.HLP

>>>>>

TURBO.HLP         Displayed to the new caller just before asking
                  if they want to use TURBO Keys.
                 ~ Located in the Help directory

>>>>>

UPLOAD MESSAGE is an option to display a file to the user just prior to the
actual upload of a file or batch of files.

UPMSG.HLP -------- File displayed to user before Upload.
                 ~ Located in the Help Files directory
UPMSGG.HLP ------- Graphic version of UPMSG.HLP
UPMSGC.HLP ------- Color version of UPMSG.HLP

>>>>>

WILDCARD DOWNLOADING is supported and a HELP menu is available.


WILD.MNU --------- Wildcard downloading menu
                 ~ Put this file in the directory containing your other MENUS

>>>>>

EXTRA MESSAGE is a way to show an extra little something to users of specific
security levels at log off.

XMSGx.HLP -------- File containing the message, x is the security level
                 ~ Located in the Help Files directory
XMSGxG.HLP ------- Graphics version for security level x
XMSGxC.HLP ------- Color version for level x

>>>>>

NEW HELP FILES

FD.HLP ----------- Enhanced F)iles D)ownload Help File
FU.HLP ----------- Enhanced F)iles U)pload Help File
UB.HLP ----------- Enhanced Help File for Time Bank (Utilities Bank)
HELP09 ----------- Enhanced Help for Graphics Option selection

*************>>>>> Additional Information  <<<<<*****************

TESTING UPLOADS can support Plain TEXT, High ASCII, or ANSI versions of the
  test batch files.  i.e Tzip.bat, TzipG.bat, TzipC.bat.

>>>>>

ANSICHAT between Sysop and users is available if the user has ANSI selected
  as their graphic setting.  When a user pages the Sysop or the Sysop presses
  F10 a vertical split screen chat session will begin.

 >>>>>

MENUPLUS gives additional information on the waiting for calls screen,
  AKA the MENU0.

[ RBBS-PC ]Ŀ
   Version: 17.5  - 0305        Node x       Currently: mm-dd-yy at hh:mm  

 Last Caller: BRUCE JACKSON                   [ FUNCTION STATUS ]
                                                [F1]  Exit RBBS-PC
[ OPERATION STATUS ]         [F2]  Shell to DOS
 FMS Active.............  NO                    [F3]  Printer Toggle
 Extended Logging....... YES                    [F4]  Allow Sysop PAGE
 FOSSIL Support......... YES                    [F5]  Force Caller Online
 COMM Port............. COMx                    [F6]  Use Sysop HOURs
 Basic DS Freespace..... 64k                    [F7]  SYSop On Next
 Debug Status...........  NO                    [F8]  Temporary Sysop
                                                [F9]  Snoop Mode
Ŀ          [F10] Force User Chat
 ACTIVITY SINCE:  mm-dd-yy at hh:mm 
 New Calls:  x    New Uploads:  x           [ TIME/SECURITY CONTROL ]
 New Users:  x    Sysop Mail:   x             UP/DOWN  Security +/- 1 Level
         RGHT/LEFT Time +/- 1 min
  Ready For Calls.... YES                         CTRL   +/- 5 to Time or Sec
  RBBS-PC is......... WAITING FOR RING 1       PGUP/PGDN Display Profile/CLS
  MODEM Detects...... READY                     END/^END Hang-up/Lock-out
                                                   ESC   Local logon

>>>>>

FILE SYSTEM has many improvements but most notable are:

  Support for BATCH uploads and downloads,
              Ability to get descriptions before upload,
              External file processor support (described in UPDT175.TXT),
              File_ID.DIZ and other .ZIP internal descriptors,
              Time Bank access when users told, you have X mins need Y mins,
              MARKED FILES EDIT allows users to edit list of Marked Files.

>>>>>

EXPORT MESSAGE is a new command when reading mail, the Sysop can E)XPORT
  a message to text file called nodeX.txt (X=node number). This is appended
  if the file already exists.

>>>>>

NEW PASSWORDS File Parameters

Modified PASSWRDS file parameters.
   The first 13 are for stock RBBS v17.4 and the next 8 are for Beta 17.5

 >>> WARNING <<<

If you want to implement the 8 new features,
   You MUST change your PASSWRDS file, otherwise everything will be like 17.4

Parm1  - Password that this line applies to
Parm2  - Security level for password (or user sec level this line applies to)
Parm3  - Maximum time in minutes per session
Parm4  - Maximum time in minutes per day
Parm5  - Number of days in subscription period
Parm6  - Expired security level subscription management
Parm7  - Start time for this lines actions (HHMM 24 Hr style)
Parm8  - End time for this lines actions (HHMM 24 Hr style)
Parm9  - Type of ratio method to use
                0 - Files ratio
                1 - Bytes ratio
                2 - Files/Day restriction
                3 - Bytes/Day restriction
Parm10 - Ratio field for ratio method
                0 = Record uploads, but not downloads or enforce ratio
               -1 = Record uploads and downloads but do not enforce ratio
                X = X sets positive ratios
Parm11 - Initial credit field. Can be used with methods 2 and 3 from Parm9
Parm12 - Time lock in seconds for locked features
Parm13 - Maximum time a user is allowed to bank, max 255

*** ! NEW ITEMS ! ***

Parm14 - Number of logins before forcing user to change Password.
       - 0 Disables

Parm15 - Number of carrier drops before users security level is lowered.
       - Maximum 255, 0 Disable

Parm16 - Increment used to lower security level when Parm15 is invoked.
       - (no +/- sign)

Parm17 - Force a NEW MAIL check when the user first logs on.
       - 0=Ask, 1=Force

Parm18 - Time bank withdrawal option availability.
           (used to make the time bank withdrawal option unavailable during
            the time period set in Parm7 and Parm8)
       - 0=Available, 1=Disabled

Parm19 - Number of seconds for duration of auto-logoff countdown
       - Maximum 255, Minimum 1)

Parm20 - Availability of Internode chat for this security level.
           (You MUST have a 0 or 1 ... EVEN if you run a single node.)
       - 0 Disables, 1 Enables

Parm21 - 1 = allow 1 time lock per day.
         0 = use stock method of time lock for each sign on.

>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>

PEEK MOD enables a user to type a partial name when responding to the TO:
prompt when entering a message, the system will search for matching names and
display them to the user for selection.
(So what if it is a networked conference and you want to DISABLE the feature?
 Just create a confN.def file in the same location as the users file, where
 conf is the conference name i.e. SYS4SAL.)

******

TWO Methods of getting a new message to the new caller!!

NEWUSER WELCOME
   Create a file called Welcome.DEF which contains the text you want to send
to a new user in message format.  This message will placed in the MAIN message
base for your BBS addressed to the user.  If the file is not found the feature
is disabled.

NEWUSER  will allow the Sysop to create a single message addressed to
  the name NEWUSER which will be shown in the Mail Scan as a message addressed
  to the users name.  The user will NOT be able to Kill the message and it
  will not show as mail to them on future calls.

******

ROTATING WELCOME is a simple way to rotate your WELCOME Screens on a regular
basis.  Just name the files welcom1, welcom2, welcom3, etc and they will be
rotated in.  Graphics and Color versions are also supported.

WHO UPLOADED is a feature that will show in the FMS who uploaded a file.

SYSTEM INFO will show much more information about the system that is running
to include DOS version and DesqView Version.

USER STATISTICS are displayed in Color Vertically on the screen.

Create your custom TWIT.MSG file(s), if desired.  If this file does not exist,
  simulated line noise will be displayed.  This file will be displayed when
  you use press CTRL-F1, this is less severe than CTRL-END.


Items previously discussed in the UPDT175.TXT file.

VIEW.BAT --------- Batch file used for viewing archives
                     (BSHOW is used as an example)
                 - Located where RBBS finds Command.Com

NCLRx.DEF -------- External Color Definition File
                 - Located in NodeWork Drive Path

NOTE: an optional NCLRx.BRT is included to provide an alternative
definition file with bright colors.

FIDX.CFG --------- For wildcard downloading
                 - Put in same dir as FIDX

You DO use the FFS, DON'T YOU????

The file format is:

   120,35
   15,H:\Special

   Line 1:  Maximum number of files that can match a wildcard search,
            Line number in LIDX to stop searching at
                 (this is so macros are not searched by the wildcard function)
   Line 2:  Security level that can search the associated path for matches.
             Path to search for matches

   Line 3-99 (same as line 2)



