
  What's new in the latest versions of Mail Agent Rules (Absentee Manager)
  ========================================================================

  Version 2.6E

  - Corrected error on using the BATCH parameter with IMPORT/EXPORT
    3.XX. This parameter is not valid for this version and made
    the program fail.

  - Corrected error on not responding to /?.

  - Corrected error on not showing the correct number of names read
    from the EXCLUDE.AM and EXCLUDE.PO file.

  - New documentation is available in the following formats:
    - MS Word.
    - MS Write
    - Plain ASCII text

  Version 2.6D

  - If you use the new /L command line parameter, each rule change
    will be written to the log file. The default logfile name is
    MARULES.LOG, but can be changed with the LOG option in the .INI
    file.

  - As the LOG file is easier to use than the backup copies of the
    rules database, the program will not make separate backup copies
    of the database anymore. The rules database is always backed up
    to MARULES.BAK.

  - In LAN mode the batchfile is now executed with the following
    parameters:
      1: Name of the PO;
      2: Requested operation: PRE to connect, POST to disconnect;
      3: Output file.
    The first parameter makes it possible to use one batchfile for
    all PO's. This is possible, but not necessary!
    The new third parameter is for debugging. If the batchfile redirects
    all output to this file, the output of the programs in the batchfile
    will be visible in MARULES.DBG. This makes debugging on problems
    with LAN mode batch files a lot easier. It will also not mess up the
    screen. To use this correctly your batchfiles should look like this:

    @ECHO OFF
    ECHO In HUB batchfile > %3 'This is the first redirection, so >

    IF "%2"=="PRE" GOTO PRE
    IF "%2"=="POST" GOTO POST

    :PRE
    ECHO Connect to PO >> %3 'This is not the first redirection, so >>
    ATTACH .. ... >> %3
    MAP ...  ...  >> %3
    ..
    ..

    :POST
    ECHO Disconnect PO >> %3

    Etc.

  - Rules database is sorted on PO name. This will make the program run
    the LAN mode batchfiles less, if you have multiple rules running for
    one PO.

  - Corrected error when replying to a forwarded message. This error
    occurred when the date format in the forwarding information was not
    the American date format.

  - Corrected error when EXCLUDE.AM or EXCLUDE.PO were empty or did not
    exist.

  - Corrected not recognizing the auto reply only once option with a
    manually sent rule. (DOS, OS/2 or MAC interface)

  - Reply only urgent and reply only once also works now in combination.

  - The EXCLUDE.AM file now also accepts names in Surname, Givenname format.

  Version 2.6C

  - Improved detection of the existence of directories. Due to 
    differences between DOS and certain network environments the
    check on existence of the temporary directory failed if the
    network directory was present on a network drive.

  - Improved running export/import by adding the [/]BATCH command
    line option. In some cases this parameter was omitted. This
    occasionally caused Mail Agent Rules waiting for input on
    running import/export.

  - Improved LAN mode. The program now detects that the post office
    of a user is not equal to the HUB PO. The /LAN parameter is not
    necessary anymore. With /B in the pathname, the program will
    only disconnect and connect if necessary.
    Autodetection also prevents rules from being deleted if you forget
    the /LAN switch.

  - Fixed bug in answering messages from users from another PO which
    were not answered correctly.

  - EXPORT and IMPORT do not have to be in the MARULES program directory
    anymore. The programs only need to be in the DOS path. The program also
    checks that both programs are available in the path.

  Version 2.6B

  - The debug information is now written to MARULES.DBG instead of the
    log file. This to make recovery of rules easier.

  Version 2.6A

  - The extra screen information that is enabled with the /D command
    line option, will now be written to the log file. This makes
    reading and solving problems easier.

  - The rules database (MARULES.DB) will be backed up if a rule
    change occurs. If the /D command line option is used, then it will
    be backed up to a separate copy, otherwise the previous copy will
    be overwritten.

  - Improved reporting of a message that could not be imported. Now all
    temporary files are attached to the message, to make error tracking
    easier.

  Version 2.6

  - Added special IgnoreOldDirUpsMsg .INI switch, so cc:Remote
    directory updates will be ignored if the switch is enabled.

  - Implemented a license file, so users who want to try the product
    only require a full license file if they want to keep using Mail
    Agent Rules.

  - AM and AMCHECK are one program again: MARULES.

  - Implemented a flexible way to deal with rules/exclusions internally.
    There is no limit of 100 rules anymore.

  Version 2.5B

  - Directory updates for cc:Remote are ignored, so they will be applied
    correctly. 

  Version 2.5A

  - If you specify the US date format in the .INI file with
    DateFormat=US then the date in the reply message also appears
    in this format.

  Version 2.5

  - Added a check on using environment variables in the .INI file as
    the program cannot work with it correctly.

  - The administrator will not be notified anymore when a rule is cancelled.

  - Split AMAGENT.EXE into AM.EXE and AMCHECK.EXE. AMCheck is executed by AM.

  Version 2.4

  Version 2.3E

  - Added extra checks for the validity of the message reply number. It is
    reported when over a certain size.

  Version 2.3D

  - Added an PO exclusion list (EXCLUDE.PO). The program will not reply to
    users of post offices in this list.

  - Improved information that is written to the log file.

  - Message ID can now be 10 characters long. (bug fix)

  Version 2.3C

  - Implemented a check for existence of the temporary directory.

  - Implemented a check for the existence of IMPORT & EXPORT in the MARULES
    directory.

  Version 2.3B

  - Added detection of a closed post office. If a post office is closed, the
    rule will be skipped.

  - If message headings and or messages cannot be exported from a mailbox,
    the program will delete the rule, but only if export reported error 3.

  - Increased the fixed number of lines that can be in the .INI file
    to 70 lines.

  Version 2.3

  - When auto forwarding the message, the other recipients will be included
    in the message as well.

  - Delete rule if the mailbox of the owner cannot be accessed. This can
    happen if the username was changed or deleted or if the password
    has changed.

  - Fixed the Reply Only Once feature for the DOS, OS/2 and MAC interface.

  Version 2.2A

  - Added Reply Only Once option, so a rule will send one reply to each
    user only.

  Version 2.2

  - Fixed error with the DOS, OS/2 and MAC interface.

  - Fixed error in relation to BCC recipients.

  Version 2.1P

  - Fixed error using /B????.BAT on deleting messages from the queue.

  Version 2.1N

  - Fixed error on forwarding messages.
