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< T. A. G. version 2.6f Conversion Documentation >
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This release adds QWK support to T.A.G. internally. Additionally, several
new features have been added for functionality, along with the usual
compliment of minor bug fixes. To upgrade your T.A.G. version to 2.6f, you
should currently be running version 2.6d or later. For prior version
upgrades, use the conversion programs for each interim release.
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< Highlights of T.A.G. version 2.6f >
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* Internal QWK support
. Message Scanning/Packing . LOGON/LOGOFF Screens
. New Bulletins . New Files
. Netmail . Special QWK files
* Automatic New Message Scan at logon for all flagged message areas
* Auto Add to Batch Download with display screens
* Include files in String Files supported
* Documented SDR codes
* Minor bug fixes
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< Quick Start - For those that don't read the docs! >
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1. Backup your system! The conversion program will modify your
STATUS.DAT file and your MBOARDS.DAT file. Make sure these are
backed up at minimum.
2. Run the conversion program CONV26F from your Main T.A.G.
(status.dat) directory. The conversion program will prompt you
for all new fields required, including your message base QWK
conference numbers and QWK names (read the rest of the docs for
the details on QWK additions. (Multi-node systems: Run once in
each main T.A.G. directory, but only change the Message boards
once!)
3. Copy the two new .BAT files (TAGARC.BAT, TAGUNARC.BAT) to your
main BBS directory. (Multi-node systems, copy them several
times).
4. Copy the new default string files (TSTRDEF.TXT, MSTRDEF.TXT) to
your AFILES directory.
5. Compile your string files by running TAGSTR version 2.6f
(included) from your AFILES directory.
6. Replace your old TAG.EXE/TAG.OVR files with the new version.
7. Make sure your CONFIG.SYS file has at least 20 files allocated
(i.e. FILES=20). Reboot your system if you make changes to the
CONFIG.SYS
8. Start the BBS, log on, and add any new commands (see the docs) to
the message (or main) menu. You can also create a "QWK" menu, and
consolidate the various QWK related commands and options on a
single menu.
/==============================================\
< T. A. G. version 2.6f Conversion Documentation >
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Files Modified
--------------
The conversion program (CONV26F.EXE) will modify your STATUS.DAT file, and
your MBOARDS.DAT file. !!! BE SURE YOU HAVE BACKUP COPIES !!!
Running this conversion more than once will not cause a loss of data.
Existing fields, and changes, entered in a previous run, will be preserved
unless modified.
All fields modified by this conversion can be accessed from the system
configuration, and Message Board editor. However, this program will fix
the "garbage" that is (probably) in these fields, and make subsequent
editing easier.
Other Considerations
--------------------
1. Make sure you backup your STATUS.DAT, and MBOARDS.DAT files.
2. Make sure you copy the new Batch files (TAGARC.BAT, TAGUNARC.BAT)
to your main T.A.G. Directory.
3. Make sure you copy the new (Default) string files to your AFILES
directory, and run the NEW conversion program.
Running the Conversion Program
------------------------------
This conversion must be run from the directory where the T. A. G.
STATUS.DAT file is located. It will start with the copyright, a notice that
"Running this program more than once will NOT cause a loss of
information.", and ask if you wish to continue.
The program starts by trying to read the current STATUS.DAT file; the
informational message "[> Reading STATUS.DAT" is displayed.
It determines your Network type (if any), enables SHARE (if loaded), and
begins actual program execution.
General Conversion Guidelines
-----------------------------
Default or current values are displayed in "[ ]" symbols. You can accept
the defaults by pressing ENTER or you can enter a new value by typing the
new value and pressing return.
Yes/No questions do NOT require the ENTER key to be pressed!
System Conversion Fields
------------------------
Board City, State []:
The city and state that the BBS is located. This is ONLY used inside
a QWK mail control packet.
BBS QWK Packet Filename ID (8 chars) []:
The name that will be used/required for QWK packets to/from your
system. You must fill in this field for QWK functions to work.
/==============================================\
< T. A. G. version 2.6f Conversion Documentation >
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System Conversion Fields (Continued)
------------------------------------
QWK Packet directory []:
This is the base directory for QWK packets. T.A.G. will automatically
maintain this directory, but it must exist for QWK functions to work.
This conversion program will create the directory if it does not
already exist. Typical path is C:\BBS\QWK\
Maximum QWK messages total [2000]:
This is the maximum number of QWK messages a user will be allowed to
pack in any one session. Upon reaching this limit, T.A.G. will
immediately pack the QWK bundle for download.
Maximum QWK messages per section [2000]:
This is the maximum number of QWK messages a user will be able to
pack in any single message area. Upon reaching this limit, T.A.G.
will immediately skip to the next message section.
Message Area Conversion
-----------------------
After setting the system configuration fields, the conversion program will
prompt . . . Update QWK message board fields (Y/N) ?
If you reply yes, the conversion will prompt you for the QWK information
(QWK Conference Name) for each message area you have defined.
If the area has an ECHOTAG defined, the conversion program attempts to use
the first 10 characters of that name for the QWK Conference Name as the
default. If there is no ECHOTAG defined, the default is set to QWK###,
where ### represents the absolute message board number of an area.
The QWK Conference names are the end QWK users description of the area.
They should be meaningful, and (of necessity) short. The limit is 10
characters.
A typical (successful) conversion
---------------------------------
Initializing QWK Message Base Fields.
The QWK standard limits off-line board names to 10 characters.
[> Reading C:\BBS\DFILES\MBOARDS.DAT ...
General Messages #1
QWK Board Name (10 chars) [QWK001]:
[Echo] Pascal #2
QWK Board Name (10 chars) [PASCAL]:
[> Writing STATUS.DAT configuration.
Conversion completed.
Happy BBSing!
The T.A.G. Team