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< T.A.G. Version 2.6 Conversion Documentation >
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( T.A.G. 2.6 - Copyright (C) 1986-1992 Robert Numerick, )
\________________ and Victor Capton. _________________/
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T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 1
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* Conversion Issues *
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** Time Requirements **
It is recommended that you set aside approximately 2-3 hours for this
conversion process. Some major changes have occurred in this release!
** Current T.A.G. Version **
You should be currently running T.A.G. version 2.5g to use this
conversion package.
** Take Down The Your Board **
Absurd as it may sound to most, we have actually had cases where
SysOp's have tried to convert to a new version of T.A.G. in the
background (e.g. DesqView) while a user was currently on-line with the
old version. Please do not try anything cute with this conversion
package. Take your system down completely.
Also do NOT convert while you shelled to DOS from T.A.G. or any other
program.
Shut the board completely down before continuing!!!
** Getting Started **
Yes, this is the evil backup warning <grin>. Though we have tried to
anticipate the configuration of all possible systems, it is *EXTREMELY*
important that you back up your current version 2.5g T.A.G. system. If
something serious should go wrong with the conversion, you may have to
reload the old system and start again.
Please backup the following directories:
- Main BBS Directory (normally C:\BBS)
- Main Data Files Directory (normally C:\BBS\GFILES)
- Alternate Text File Directory (if is it different from the main
data files directory)
- Your entire Message Directory (normally C:\BBS\MSGS).
It would be a good idea to make an EXTRA backup of your STATUS.DAT,
USER.LST, and MENUS.LST files! These files are directly modified by
the conversion program.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 2
** Deciding Which New Message Format To Use **
Decide on whether you prefer Fido 1.MSG or QBBS/RA/Hudson for your
public messages. Fido 1.MSG stores mail in a format similar to the
current 2.5g format (e.g. one file per message) with one directory per
message section. QBBS/RA/Hudson stores all mail in one file
(w/indexes) which can lead to significant space savings. See the
TAGU26.ZIP documentation file for a more detailed explanation of the
advantages of the new formats.
In general we suggest the you run your private mail (section #0) in
Fido 1.MSG format, and ALL your public message sections in
QBBS/RA/Hudson format.
** Disk Space Requirements **
Make sure you have enough disk space available.
Fido 1.MSG format: If choosing the Fido 1.MSG format for public
mail, you'll need at least as much space as
the current messages take. Please take into
account your cluster size when determining the
space required. A raw total of the message
file sizes is NOT a good estimate. If you do
not understand drive cluster sizes, have at
least twice as much space available as the
current messages take in raw form.
QBBS/RA/Hudson format: With QBBS/RA you can get away with a lot less
space, but be sure to have approximately as
much space as your current messages take.
** Conversion Effect On Files **
The message section/messages portion of the conversion will *NOT*
change any existing files. The process creates all new files in
different locations. All of your old message files (*.BRD files,
message files, etc.) will still exist. This does not mean you should
not backup those files however. You may wish to reconvert your
messages again if you do not like the result of your first attempt. In
this case you'll just need to delete the newly created message files
and run that section of the conversion program again.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 3
** Last Couple Things **
Before actually running the conversion program there are a couple
things which must be decided/considered up front:
- Decide on general directory locations for your new messages
areas. QBBS/RA/Hudson format requires only a single
directory, while Fido 1.MSG format requires one directory per
message section converted.
Using the suggested conversion you'll need a directory for
all your public message sections in QBBS/RA/Hudson format
(C:\MSGS is suggested). Additionally you'll need a directory
for your private messages (section #0) in 1.MSG format
(C:\MSGS\EMAIL is suggested).
Make sure you have the required drive space on these drives
before continuing (see above)!!!
- If you have a disk CACHE program available, it is HIGHLY
advised that you load it with good chuck of memory allocated
(128k will do if you only have base memory). This conversion
process is very disk intensive.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 4
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** The Everything Is Backed Up (right?) Conversion Process **
*************************************************************
Place the conversion program (CONV26.EXE) included with this package in
your Main BBS Directory (normally C:\BBS) and run it.
What's this?!? Menu driven?!?!?!!! You can thank Paul Williams for
his handy work.
** Message Section/Messages Conversion **
The system will start up by converting your current message section
listing (not the messages themselves yet) to a general start-up format
(Fido 1.MSG format for all sections).
Now you are allowed to change what you wish before actually converting
the messages. Press F10 (labeled F0) if you need help.
To change all public sections over to QBBS/RA/Hudson format as we
suggest, just use the F4 command. Also check the directory used for
section #0.
NOTE: If you wish to change the primary directory used for
Fido 1.MSG style messages, simply press F3 and specify
another directory. Fido 1.MSG is not recommend for all
sections because of the disk space it requires.
NOTE: Though it is possible to run your private messages
directory (Section #0) in QBBS/RA format, it is not
recommended. The Fido 1.MSG format is much safer in
case of disk problems.
Once you are satisfied with your configuration setup, it is suggested
that you use F2 to convert all the sections at once.
It is possible to abort the conversion process with an Escape. Make
note however that you will have to delete the new messages files if you
are going to start again.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 5
** Menu/User/System Status Conversion **
After your messages have been converted successfully you may continue
with converting your other system files.
Press F7 to clear the new menus fields and add the Read Message Menu to
your system.
Press F8 to clear the new user fields and set default values.
Press F9 to clear the new system status fields and set default values.
If a MODEM.DAT file does not exist, the system will create one based on
the current settings in your system configuration.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 6
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** After Conversion Issues **
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** Compiling The String Files **
Copy or UnZip the following files from the main T.A.G. archive
(TAGM26.ZIP) into your alternate text file directory (this is the same
as the main data files directory on many systems):
MSTRDEF.TXT
MSTRMSG.TXT
TSTRDEF.TXT
TSTRMSG.TXT
TAGSTR.EXE
Now go into that same directory and execute TAGSTR.EXE to compile the
string files into T.A.G. readable format.
** After Upload External Archive Testing **
If your system uses the ???FT.BAT archive testing programs, you will
need to place the FILETEST.BAT file included with this conversion
package in your Main BBS Directory to test archives. If you have
modified your ???FT.BAT files, you will have to make the equivalent
changes to the FILETEST.BAT file. The original ???FT.BAT files are no
longer used by T.A.G. and may be deleted.
** Booting The New Version **
Copy or UnZip the main T.A.G. files (TAG.EXE and TAG.OVR) into your
Main BBS directory. These files are located in the TAGM26.ZIP archive.
Boot T.A.G. however you normally do so.
** Configuring Your Read Message Menu **
Go into the menu editor and set the menu number of the new "Read
Message Menu" menu to the next available number (the default setting
for this menu is 255 from the conversion program). Make note of the
number which you set and go into system configuration under "General
Variables" and set the "Default read message menu" (option #8) to that
menu number.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 7
** Additional Items Which Require Attention **
- The "(/E)Mass Mail" command should be deleted from the message
menu as it is no longer supported.
- The "(L)ist user information" command under personal data requires
the PData to be changed to "0" (it is currently "1" which now
changes the user's handle)
- If you haven't modified your batch upload system based on the
instructions in the PATCH25G.ZIP file release some time ago, UnZip
the BATCHUL.ZIP archive and follow the included instructions.
WARNING: Failure to do so leaves an open door to hackers!
- The old COMMSTR.TXT, MAINSTR.TXT, and COMMSTR.TXT are no longer
used by the system. See the main update documentation for
information concerning the new programmable string system. The
old files can be deleted unless you wish to reference them when
changing the new programmable strings.
- The "//STATUS" command no longest exists as a system command. The
included STATUS.MSG file is a SDR code replacement for this
command. Change your menu configuration for this command to type
this file (PKey="!"; PData="Status").
- Section masks are no longer supported by the system. If your
system currently uses them, please see the section on
"Message/File Section Group Masks" in the main update
documentation for more information.
- Due to security concerns, the "Change To A Specific Message/File
Section" command (PKey="|") no longer supports the force option
(PData starts with an "F"). Any commands using this option must
be changed.
- The old style of command linking is no longer supported. If your
system currently uses command linking, please refer to the section
on "Command Flags - No Linking/Linked To Next" in the main
documentation for information on the new command linking system.
- All user defined scan settings for both the message and file
system have been lost during the conversion. Users will have to
set these values again.
- All message new scan pointers have now been reset. Users will
have to set them by (I)gnore messages or reading the last message
is each section.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.6 - Update Documentation - Page 8
** All Done **
Due to the number of new options, there is little reason to try and
list them again here. Please see the update documentation file
NEW26.DOC which is part of the TAGU26.ZIP archive. A careful review of
all configuration screens is suggested before placing the system on-
line again.
** Yes, this version is actually out !! **
** Happy BBS'ing to all **
The T.A.G. Team