Virtual BBS for DOS 6.12 beta
Copyright (c) Roland De Graaf 1990-1993

Welcome to VBBS 6.12 beta!

This archive contains executables, default configuration and data files,
this README, and a VBBS-DOS registration form. The documentation for this
beta release is available separately and should be available where you
found this archive. VBBS documentation is now available in both
ascii text file, and interactive hypertext formats.

VBBS-DOS 6.12 beta Installation Instructions:

Having extracted the contents of this archive to a separate directory,
run the INSTALL executable. If upgrading from a previous installation,
the INSTALL program will merely copy over new EXE files and the DEFAULT.STR
string file. If this is a new installation, INSTALL will create needed 
directories, copy files, etc and provide you with a complete ready to run 
VBBS-DOS installation.

MAIL_REG.TXT  VBBS-DOS Registration Form

BBS.EXE       BBS Start-Up CMD File
VBBS.EXE      Main BBS Program
VBBS-AUX.EXE  Externalized BBS Functions
VQWK.EXE      Standard QWK Mail Door
VCONFIG.EXE   VBBS Configuration Program
VME.EXE       Virtual MultiNet Engine
VDM.EXE       Virtual DIRECTmail Interface
VNET.EXE      VNET Network Software
VXY.EXE       Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem Transfer Protocols
VCOM.EXE      Script Compiler
VLIST.EXE     Text File Viewer
INSTALL.EXE   Installation Program

DEFAULT.STR   External String File (Runtime)

*.CFG         Default Configuration Files
*.TXT         Default System Text Files
*.PDM         Default Pull-Down Menu Definition
*.MNU         Default System Menu Files
BBSLIST.*     VirtualNET Network Lists
SUBSLIST.*    VirtualNET Subs Lists

START.V       Default Start-Up Script
START.FB      Default Main Menu Function Block Definition
FILES.FB      Default Files Menu Function Block Definition

AREACODE.NET  Area Code Data File
NETWORKS.LST  MultiNetworks Master List File

All of the following improvements apply to both VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2
unless otherwise specified.

VBBS 6.12 beta revision history:

1. Fixed bug in VDM Directmail FREQ function, introduced in 6.11.

2. Fixed bug in VNET 6.11 that caused some extraneous information to be
   written to the NETWORK.LOG (minor annoyance).

3. Fixed bug in VNET 6.11 with regards to sub-hosting and network validation.

4. Implemented Externalized Strings, with multilingual capability.
 
   In other words, all of the hard-coded "string text" (ie..stuff like
   "Please enter name or number or NEW" and "Login: ") has been made
   totally sysop configurable. Sysops will be able to customize the text
   displays and prompts. Color may be used freely, and as an advanced option,
   sysops can substitute text files, or Vscripts for a text string.
 
   RIP graphics files can also be substituted and added as needed.
   (This completes the second phase of RIP implementation. The 3rd phase
   will entail actually making a set of default RIP screens to go
   with the stock installation, and finishing up any last minute details.)
 
   As of this writing, VBBS, VBBS-AUX, and VQWK total 395 external strings.
   A handy string editor/compiler has already been developed to make
   editing a breeze. The default text string source file is DEFAULT.S.
   The VSTRING editor/compiler can edit this file, and compiles it
   into a DEFAULT.STR file, which the software reads when it loads
   and executes. Both DEFAULT.S and DEFAULT.STR reside in the text directory,
   and must exist. You may add other languages, dialects, board layouts,
   etc as needed by creating more .S files (ie GERMAN.S, SPANISH.S,
   SERIOUS.S, FUNNY.S, INSULTS.S).

   *** DEFAULT.S (External String Source File) and the VSTRING.EXE
   string editor are licensed for use by registered VBBS Sysops ONLY.
  
5. Added to VNET the capability to handle email by user handle/name.
   (ie Roland De Graaf@1)
 
   As an added bonus, any addressed-by-handle/name email which is addressed
   to an unknown user is written/appended to a text file "UNKNOWN.TXT" in the
   network directory (for that particular VNET-type network). The data is
   written in a plain text format. Why? Custom applications. A "pre-processor"
   could analyze the text and do something with it. This opens up whole new
   possibilities for both commercial and entertainment uses.

6. Files to be downloaded from CDROM devices are now copied to the temp
   directory on the hard drive for the download. This eliminates
   multi-user contention on CDROMs and multiple disc/platter media.
   
VBBS 6.11 beta revision history:

1. Changed message reader so that "Origin:" line is not displayed
   if "Unknown System" (Finally got rid of that annoying "Unknown System"
   message. :-)

2. Speeded Up VBBS-DOS message text display.
   (Thanks to advancements made in the development of VBBS-OS2.)

3. Corrected Incoming QWK message To: field for Fido and UUCP type
   networks. (ie... networks that don't use user numbers.)

4. Adjusted String Memory allocations for better performance
   in cramped memory spaces. (ie...Desqview and Windows)

5. Corrected VXY-OS2 Zmodem for low speed connections.

6. Corrected a minor bug in the New Upload Scanner.

7. Fixed VCONFIG bugs with regards to deleting text sections
   and voting questions.

8. VCONFIG now does automatic diagnostics upon start-up,
   and lets the sysop edit System Paths Configuration
   if needed. (If you've ever moved your VBBS installation
   from drive C: to drive D: (for example), you may understand
   the need for this new feature. :)

9. Fixed VCONFIG for OS/2 so that it doesn't load the system
   while waiting for sysop input.
  
10. Increased limitation in VNET software:
    AutoRequest Subs max 300 per board per network
    AutoSecured Subs & Secured Subs max 32000 per board per network
   
11. Added Quick-Validation/Edit feature to user editor.
    Change users SL, Time Limit, Access Flags using 2 keystrokes.
    Up to 9 configurable profiles, configurable via VCONFIG.
   
12. Added to Teleconference, Change Name Command, the ability
    for the sysop to restrict names by setting up a text file
    BADNAMES.TXT in the text directory.

13. Initial RIP implentation. Basically, this is in the form
    of extending the ASC/ANS/MNU sequence to include checking
    for a .RIP file if the user's default setup indicates RIP.
    This will allow you to set-up RIP menus for your message
    areas, file areas, email, etc etc. Simply create them
    with RIPpaint (or equivalent) and place them in your text
    directory.
   
    The second phase of RIP will come with the advent of
    externalized strings, to be implemented soon.
    (ie, A RIP file will be able to be substituted for
    a plain text prompt string, if desired. Thus, "hooks"
    to RIPscrip files will be able to put anywhere you
    want without having to write scripts or modify source code.
    What I have planned is really quite interesting, and very
    flexible and powerful.)
   
14. Added new message read sub-command (Z) that allows a user to
    read messages non-stop.

15. Speeded up startup initialization for both VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2.
    (Startup of Main BBS program, and startup of VNET software.)
   
-->  Note: In order for this to work properly, you *must* run
-->  the newest VCONFIG and Recompile Your Network Info before bringing
-->  this new version online.
    
16. Added new feature to DIRECTmail:
   
    With this new release of VNET and VME, comes the ability for
    DIRECTmail to be used as an automatic file request (FREQ)
    mechanism.

    TO FREQ a file (both ends of connection must be running
    the latest VME and VNET software):

    Send your DIRECTmail email normally like you have in the past;
    when prompted for the Title:, enter in FREQ, a space, then
    a list of filenames requested, separated by spaces.
   
    Examples:
    FREQ a-1.zip a-2.zip a-3.zip
    FREQ qinfo42.zip
   
    Note that for a file area to be accesible via DIREECTmail FREQ,
    the database configuration FREQ field must be enabled.
   
17. Further enhancements to DIRECTmail
    a. Directmail functions are now handled by its own executable, VDM.EXE.
       VDM.EXE automatically called as needed by VBBS/VME.
      
       VDM.EXE command line syntax:
       VDM <ch> /DIRECTIN     Handle Incoming Call in Progress
       VDM <ch> /DIRECTOUT:x  Call System x=Mail Slot #
      
    b. Up to 99 Mail slots are now available.
       Slots are automatically assigned as needed.
      
       Works like this:
      
       Assume there is no pending DIRECTmail on your system.
       At the WFC screen, you send directmail to 16163994818.
       It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 1.
       (DIRECT.1, FREQ.1, DIRFILE.1 in Data Directory.)
      
       You then send directmail to 16163999769.
       It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 2.
       (DIRECT.2, FREQ.2, DIRFILE.2 in Data Directory.)

       You then send directmail to 16163994818.
       It is tossed to DIRECTmail slot 1, since slot 1
       already has mail pending for 16163994818.
      
18. Corrected Database Topic/Database Capacitites

    Capacities now:
   
    Up to 222 Database Topics (ascii codes 33-255)
    Up to 100 Databases per Topic
    For a total up to 22200 databases.

19. Added to VNET duplicate detection using Via line

20. Released as VBBS-DOS and VBBS-OS2 ver 6.11 beta


