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│││ T.A.G. Bulletin Board System │││
│││ Copyright (C) 1986-1993 The T.A.G. Team │││
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T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 1
T.A.G. Version 2.7 Update Documentation
By: Victor Capton
*******************
** Major Changes **
*******************
** Remote Imaging Protocol (RIP) Support **
Remote Imaging Protocol (RIP) is now supported throughout the system.
o Auto RIP detection is available during the logon process just as for
ANSI. This can be control through a new option on the optionally
flagged functions screen in the system configuration. User's do not
have a RIP/NoRIP setting similar to the ANSI flag due to the fact that
they may not be calling using a RIP terminal program on a regular basis.
Auto RIP detected is supported almost universally by terminal programs
unlike ANSI detection.
o Built in auto RIP ICON update checking. After RIP is detected T.A.G.
will query the remote system to insure all ICONs are present and
updated. If not, the system will automatically update the remote user's
ICON directory or allow them to download an archive containing the new
ICONs. T.A.G. stores the ICONS and remotely displayed RIP scripts in a
RIP ICON directory defined in the system configuration. All ICONs and
remotely displayed RIP scripts should be placed in this directory.
Standard RIP scripts displayed by T.A.G. should be placed in the
alternate text file directory.
o T.A.G. requires a list of ICONs for which it must query the remote
system for. This is generated by running the FINDRIP.EXE program
in your main BBS directory with the RIP screens and ICONs in their
correct locations. A file called RIPFILES.TXT will be created in
your RIP ICON directory with the necessary information.
o In order to automatically update the user's remote ICON directory
the file RIPSEND.BAT must be present in the main BBS directory.
If you do not use the DSZ protocol engine, this batch file must be
modified accordingly.
o In order for T.A.G. to give the user an option to download an
archive of the needed ICONs, TAGARC.BAT must be present in the
main BBS directory (this is the same file used in QWK downloads).
o Any display file in T.A.G. which supports both *.MSG and *.CLR now also
supports a *.RIP flavor. Files which are directly printed by T.A.G.
should go in the standard alternate text file directory. ICONs or
remotely display RIP scripts should go in the new RIP ICON directory.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 2
o Two new programmable string files "MSTRRIP.TXT" and "TSTRRIP.TXT" are
now also supported. During a RIP session T.A.G. will automatically
check for a RIP version of a string/file first before defaulting to the
normal ANSI/ASCII selection process.
o All Control-P colors are stripped from SDR codes when being displayed
within a RIP screen. This allows them to be used to enhance screen
displays.
o The menu structure has been enhanced to allow clearing the screen before
a RIP menu, clearing the screen before a command executes, and pausing
after the command is complete. See the section on menu enhancements for
more information.
o A new menu command allows the user to turn RIP graphics on or off for
that call only. This will allow user's to try out RIP if they
originally logged on with it inactive, or to turn it off if they wish to
continue in ANSI/ASCII mode. The program key and data for this new
command is as follows:
PKey "D"
PData "44"
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 3
** JAM Message Base Format **
T.A.G. now supports the new JAM message base format developed by Joaquim
Homrighausen, Andrew Milner, Mats Birch, and Mats Wallin. It is intended to
eventually replace both the Fido and Hudson message base styles. We have
every indication that this will happen given time.
o Each message section in JAM format requires four key files as apposed to
separate files for each message (Fido) or one big file for many sections
(Hudson). These files are named uniquely such that multiple JAM areas
can exist in the same directory with no difficulties.
o When selecting JAM as a message base format, the system requests a JAM
message base name to be used for naming the four key files.
o Complete file sharing and locking requirements are following in
accordance to the specifications. File locking requires that SHARE be
loaded.
o Several JAM flags not yet implemented in the JAM standard cannot be
selected from within T.A.G. due to space limitations. These will be
implemented at a later date if necessary.
o JAM shifts into a "speed" mode during section scans similar to RA/Hudson
style bases (e.g. QWK, word searches, etc).
o JAM echomail bases create both ECHOTOSS.LOG and ECHOMAIL.JAM files to
facilitate tossing. ECHOTOSS.LOG is exactly like the file created for
Fido bases (one line per echo tag for each section messages were posted
in). ECHOMAIL.JAM contains the full path and key file name for each
section messages were posted in. Both files are located in the main
data files directory.
o Full display of the header sub-fields is possible using the original
(K)ludge command (renamed to "Message Notes" in the display).
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 4
o Two new commands exist on read message type menus. These are to handle
the differing link fields in JAM sections.
PKey "+"
PData "1"
This jumps to the first message that is a reply to this message.
This starts a new reply chain which can be traversed using the
standard next message in reply chain.
Suggested menu command:
(<)Follow link to original message for which this is a reply to
(<)Original Msg
PKey "-"
PData "T"
This jumps to the original message that this message is a reply
to.
Suggested menu command:
(>)Follow link for first reply to this message
(>)First reply
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 5
** IEMSI Handshake Protocol Support **
IEMSI logon support is now integrated into T.A.G.'s logon process. There is
nothing to enable or configure, everything is handled automatically by T.A.G.
o User's with terminal programs which support this protocol can
automatically logon (assuming things are setup correctly on their end).
The user's name, password, and phone number are passed as part of the
normal packet.
o Remote SysOp's which require entry of the first system password may
place the password in the real name field of the IEMSI packet preceded
with "***". T.A.G. will recognize this and use it accordingly.
o As a note, the last 7 digits of the telephone number are checked during
an IEMSI logon instead of just 4 (if enabled in the system
configuration).
o Logon status screens are present to display session and packet
information.
o During new user logon's, IEMSI packet information is used whenever
possible to speed the logon process along.
o The new SysOp command Alt-I will bring up the IEMSI information of the
current user.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 6
** Menu System Enhancements **
T.A.G.'s menu structure has changed to accommodate the support of RIP and
better support for ANSI/ASCII. In the process the menu security system was
updated also. No we did not add everything in the world, but several
significate changes have been made. This should due for now, as a security
system overhaul is planned for the next release.
o Both menus and commands now allow a SL, DSL, and 26 AR flags for
access settings.
o At the menu level, flags have been added to clear the screen
before displaying the menu for ASCII/ANSI/RIP.
o At the command level, flags have been added to both clear the
screen before executing the command and pause after the command is
complete. Setting for each can be set individually for
ASCII/ANSI/RIP.
o Several of the strings are now longer to allow for more color
codes to be imbedded in them.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 7
*******************
** Other Changes **
*******************
o QWK pointers are now updated after a packet has been downloaded. T.A.G.
will now ask the user after the download if they wish to update their
last read pointers.
o Messages with files attached are no longer marked received if the user
reads them. This caused trouble with some front end mailers who refused
to send "received" messages.
o The [PAUSE] while using wait screen commands now works correctly follows
the [PAUSE] setting of the new user record.
o The welcome screen pause setting in the system configuration should now
work as advertised (who knows how long this has been broke).
o T.A.G.'s naming of SWAP files have been reworked a bit to prevent SHARE
violations when the system crashes and is restarted without rebooting.
The new format is significantly random to eliminate this problem:
XXXYYYYY.TAG
^^^^^ -------> Last 5 digits of the current unix time stamp.
^^^ ------------> Node number of board.
o After a QWK upload, the new batch file QWKTEST.BAT is now called instead
of FILETEST.BAT if it exists.
o Control-F10 now calls CHATDOOR.BAT. Time spent in the chat door is not
counted against the user. Both DOOR.SYS and DORINFO?.DEF are created
and standard generic calling parameters are used.
o When reading a message from a "failed logon" user, pressing Control-U to
go into the user editor will now bring up the failed user based on
whatever name they attempted to use last (if T.A.G. is able to find it).
o T.A.G. now closes all *.DIR files before performing ANY shell.
o In Mini-DOS, "ERASE" is now allowed for those anti-"DEL" individuals out
there.
o A new SDR code Control-S "L" exists to display the Current Connect Rate
as defined from the modem result codes.
o RA/Hudson "speed" mode is now used during other message scanning
operations (e.g. word searches, etc).
o The system now defaults to YES to save the message after a
reply/forward/etc. Everyone needs to retrain themselves! Several other
minor defaults have been changed in the system.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 8
o Private messages are now allowed in all sections (including echos) at
the SysOp's discretion. A new flag has been added to the message
section editor indicating whether the system should ask the user whether
the message should be private in the current section.
o 7 bit filtering is now available on all message sections. A new flag
has been added to the message section editor.
o The system now compares CRCs of the last QWK .REP reply packet users
have uploaded and will refuse to process duplicate packet uploaded by
the same user.
o I believe (yes for the third time) I have fixed the file moving problem.
When moving a listing entry of a file to a section which already
contains the file, T.A.G. should no longer erase the file.
o Fixed possible display problems when faced with a line containing an
excessive number of colors.
o Replying to the auto message no longer includes the user number.
o We having completely replaced the time sharing code in T.A.G. under
multi-tasking environments. It should be much less of a time hog in
general.
o Locking FOSSIL drivers at unsupported speeds no longer displays
misleading message. T.A.G. will just accept the fact that the FOSSIL
has been locked on the command line.
o A standard "MSGINF." is now created file when shelling to an external
message editor.
o New names with 's will no longer have the "s" capitalized.
o Added current ASCII/ANSI/RIP protocol mode in the SysOp window.
o A new version of the MCONFIG program has been included. More things can
be changed and the interface has been completely redone.
o Bases with over 4000 messages will no longer generate a run-time error
in T.A.G.
o Full support of MSGID/REPLY information has been added to all message
formats.
o T.A.G. now has a new screen saver instead of a boring blank screen. If
you like boring blank screens, you can turn off the wait screen action
and you'll get it back.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 9
o Message Deleting Modification. User's were originally allowed to delete
messages which were TO them in all cases. This has been modified to
only be allowed in the following three cases:
- The message is in board zero
- The message is in a netmail section
- The message is private
One thing this affects is that public echo messages TO a user can no
longer be deleted.
o Added a (L)ock real rates command to the modem result code configuration
menu. With this the locked baud rate on all connect results can be
changed all at once.
o If a message section contains over 4000 messages, T.A.G. will now read
the last 4000 messages in the section. This may vary between 3951 and
4000 due to the way it is handled internally.
o Both the HANGUP?.* and TEXT?.* files now allow ".CLR" and ".RIP"
versions in addition to ".MSG".
o T.A.G. now saves the call/time a user has spent on-line several times
during the session. This should eliminate large chucks of activity from
being lost if the system should crash before a user logs off.
o New default ANSI and RIP menus have been released with the startup
program. See TAGS27.ZIP for a copy of these.
T.A.G. BBS Version 2.7 - Update Documentation - Page 10
*************
** Credits **
*************
We would like to thank all the Beta and Alpha sites for their
participation in this release. Many people have put a considerable
about of time into this version.
Special thanks to Alan Jurison for his work on the new start-up package,
MCONFIG, FINDRIP, IEMSI screens, Default RIP Screens, and many hours of
debugging.
Thanks to Alex McNeilly for submitting the winning ANSI screens used in
the new start-up package.
Thanks to Ruth Lee and Brian Large for their participation in the ANSI
screen contest.
JAM(mbp) - Copyright 1993 Joaquim Homrighausen, Andrew Milner,
Mats Birch, Mats Wallin. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
RIP - Copyright (c) 1992-1993, TeleGrafix Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.