
   
                                                   The Vulcan Embassy BBS
                                                              version 2.0
                                         Copyright 1990, Timothy M. Garay

   
                                CHANGES.TXT
                               =============

   
          Sooooo many changes have been made to version 1.0.  I am almost 
   embarassed to admit that I released version 1.0!!!  If you have been 
   running version 1.0, I am sorry for the time required to get out the 
   new version.  If you want to keep the config and msg bases, etc... 
   that you have been using then you will have to run the CONVERT.PRG 
   file to convert them to version 2.0 format.  You should make copies of 
   the files just to be on the safe side before you convert them.  Just 
   run the program and click on each file, it will automatically convert 
   the files for you to version 2.0 format.  There will be several blanks 
   you will have to fill in for the CONFIG.DAT file.  New things have 
   been added to version 2 that were not in version 1.  All bit functions 
   will be translated correctly.  However, you will have to set any of 
   the new functions in active%, new_user%, and all the user password 
   records.  All new bit functions will be translated as off.  You will 
   have to remember to change the numeric modem result codes to english ones. 
   Also, new access level bits have been added to each password record so 
   you might want to go through them to verify they are correct to what 
   you want for each user.  The email, msg bases, and ud.dat files will 
   all be a direct translation with no problem.
   
          One major change with version 2 is with the msg bases.  You can 
   now have up to 14 msg bases instead of just 9.  Also, you can have a 
   maximum of 60 80-column lines in each base instead of the old value.  
   Each msg base can hold however many msgs you choose for it; they can 
   hold 5 or they can hold 500, any positive number you choose.  There 
   are several more msg editor commands now for a user's use.  Things are 
   much nicer now that you can include a copy of the msg you are replying 
   to in the reply.  The email is the same way.  The upload/download data 
   file can now hold 10 80-column lines for a description instead of just 
   5 lines.  They all use the same editor so all have the same commands 
   and reliability.  You can also quickscan the msg bases.
   
          Another major change in version 2 is the on-line games.  
   Instead of built-in games you can now have 10 external on-line game 
   programs that are compatible with The Vulcan Embassy format (see 
   VEGAMES.TXT).  This greatly increases the versatility, especially if 
   others start writing programs for use with The Vulcan Embassy version 
   2.0!
   
          Another change in version 2 is the handling of the download 
   files.  Not only can you quickscan the files but you can also select 
   the category to view or view all of them or just the new ones since 
   you last listed them.  You can also display a verbose listing of 
   all ARC and LZH files available for download.
   
          Also with the email in version 2, it is no longer automatically 
   deleted when you read it.  Instead, each time you read it you are 
   given the opportunity to delete it or save it for future reference.
   
          More sysop commands have been added to give you more 
   versatility.  You can now access that useful item selector that you 
   might have that can do so much (ie. Universal Item Selector III).  You 
   can also run outside programs from within the main program (ie. text 
   editors and the future VE Sysop Utilities Program).
   
          Another big change was the addition of the Security Section to 
   version 2.0.  In this section a user can edit his own profile, view 
   other BBS numbers or add them, and see the handles of the other users 
   on the system.
   
          One very much requested change is the support for modems.  
   Version 1 would only support Hayes compatible modems with the same 
   command set.  Version 2 will now support any modem with any command 
   set.  You have to enter the correct modem responses and answer command 
   in the Modem Result Codes section of the Menus part of the config 
   routine.  You can also set up a script file (see SETUP.TXT) that will 
   be executed at start-up so you can configure your modem correctly.
   
   
   
          Besides several bugs and other little things that have been 
   changed, those were the big ones that I am proud of.  If you find any 
   problems or have suggestions for future versions then let me know! 
   Thanks!
   
   
   
   

