
                                BBSMAIN.RLN
             _________________________________________________
            |                                                 |
            |  Release Notes for The Major BBS, version 6.25  |
            |_________________________________________________|



NEW FEATURES FOR 6.25
---------------------


     o In Hardware Setup, the MULTI option, for specifying the use of
       multi-port hardware, has been replaced with the HTYPE option, for
       specifying hardware type.  HTYPE allows the specification of
       custom hardware types, such as intelligent serial boards, that
       are available as separate add-ons.  HTYPE defaults to MULTI, for
       multi-port hardware, but can be changed to SINGLE, for single-
       port hardware, where appropriate.  Existing configurations will
       function normally whether set to MULTI or SINGLE.

     o CNF, the configuration utility, can now support more options
       than there are available function keys.  In this case, F2 will
       be labelled "PICK ONE".  Pressing F2 will bring up a window
       from which you can select an option.

     o A brand new "file library" with a full-screen browser that makes it
       easier than ever for you to exchange and manage a huge number of
       files.

     o Integrated support for QWK offline mail - your users can download
       all their E-mail and Forum messages into a single packet to read
       later.

     o A new polls and questionnaires facility that is easy to configure for
       marketing surveys, data collection, and "expert system" applications.

     o Built-in RIPscrip graphics, that let callers use a RIP-compatible
       terminal program such as RIPterm (which is included with the BBS) to
       access your BBS in a friendly, graphical way.

     o Support for Novell's Global MHS.  Please see the file GALMHS.DOC in
       GALMHS.ZIP for setup instructions.


Documentation Update
--------------------

     GALFILIN
     --------

     GALFILIN has the ability to import two different types of files, script
     files that you create following the instructions on Page 390 of the
     System Operations Manual, or FILES.BBS file(s) that are normally found
     on CD-ROMs.

         Script files
         ------------
         Script files are used to batch log-in files to a Library.  The DOS
         files must first be copied into the correct directory for the
         Library.  When you create a script file you include the filename,
         size, date, approval status (A=approved; U=unapproved), uploader
         (optional), and the description for each file to log-in.  The
         description lines are indented one space from the left margin.
         Optionally, the filename line can include only the filename.  In
         this case, the size and date will be taken from the DOS file, the
         file will default to unapproved and the uploader will default to
         Sysop.  Here is an example of a script file entry:

         FILENAME.TXT  16384  03/03/94  A
          This is the description. Each line must be
          indented one space from the margin. Each
          description can be up to 15 lines with a
          maximum of 49 characters per line.
         NEXTFILE.TXT  16384  03/04/94  A  User-ID
          User-ID will be the uploader for this file.
         ANOTHER.TXT
          The file size and date for this file will be
          taken from the DOS file.  The approval status
          will default to unapproved and the uploader
          will default to Sysop.

         FILES.BBS
         ---------
         Many CD-ROMs include a file named FILES.BBS that contains
         descriptions for all files on the CD-ROM.  First, you MUST log in
         ALL the files from the CD (either online or using a GALFILIN script
         file) BEFORE you attempt to import the descriptions contained in
         the FILES.BBS file.  Unlike the script file example above, GALFILIN
         WILL NOT log in files if the extension of the script file is .BBS
         (In other words, if you typed FILES.BBS or TEST.BBS it would NOT
         log in the files).  When you use a script file, GALFILIN asks what
         library the files are to be logged in to.  On the other hand, when
         importing .BBS files, GALFILIN never asks for a library name,
         instead it searches your entire library database and adds
         descriptions to any file found in the .BBS file that does not
         already have a description.

         Running GALFILIN from DOS
         -------------------------
         You can run GALFILIN from the Offline Utilities menu or DOS.  When
         running from DOS, the command is GALFILI (not GALFILIN), which runs
         a batch file.  Type GALFILI <script filename> <library name>.  If
         the extension of the <script filename> is ".BBS", omit the <library
         name> (see FILES.BBS above).


Conversion from Version 6.x
---------------------------

     Hardware Setup for Modem and Serial Channels
     ---------------------------------------------
     The MULTI option, for specifying the use of multi-port hardware,
     has been deleted and replaced with the HTYPE option, for specifying
     hardware type.  HTYPE allows the specification of custom hardware
     types, such as intelligent serial boards, that are available as
     separate add-ons.  HTYPE defaults to MULTI, for multi-port hardware,
     but can be changed to SINGLE, for single-port hardware, where
     appropriate.  Existing configurations will function normally
     whether set to MULTI or SINGLE.

     New File Library
     ----------------
     The new library module is called "File Libraries" as opposed to
     the old "Library of Files".  A utility has been added to the
     installation process which will automatically change the module
     name in your menu tree.  Also, this utility will give you the
     opportunity to update any command strings to be compatible with
     the new File Library.

     TOSSMHS
     -------
     If you are using the TOSSMHS utility, remove it from your cleanup
     and event batch files.  It is not compatible with version 6.2.

     Polls and Questionnaires
     ------------------------
     The new Polls and Questionnaires does not convert files from
     earlier versions.  Run BBSBTR followed by GALPLRPT from the BBSV6
     directory to get a report of your existing questions.  You can
     remove the old Polls and Questionnaires by deleting the following
     files:

          GALPOL.DLL          GALPOLLS.MSG        GALPOLLS.H
          GALPLRPT.EXE        GALPOLLS.MCV        GALPOL.DOC
          GALPLRPT.SPC

     RIPscrip Support
     ----------------
     Since the built-in RIPscrip graphics in version 6.2 takes the place
     of any graphics which were included with the old RIPscrip Add-On
     Option, it is not necessary for you to re-install anything from
     this add-on option after you've installed version 6.2.

     Third Party Add-ons for The Major BBS
     -------------------------------------
     Most third party Add-ons that worked with 6.12 should be compatible
     with version 6.2.  Here's the exceptions we are aware of:

          o Durand Photograph Database: call the Durand BBS at
            805/961-8710 for an update.

          o Major CD, Major STATS, and Major ZIP from Mountain Rose
            Multi Media: updates available on Tessier Technology's Demo
            System, 305/473-5134.


DOS 6.0
-------

The Major BBS appears to work great under DOS 6.0 with a few precautions.
The first is, don't use the DoubleSpace disk compression software.  Or more
accurately, don't store any of the BBS's files on disk partitions that have
been compressed with the DBLSPACE program.  We've run into unresolvable
errors doing this, and our past experience with disk compression software is
that it can lead to serious loss of hard disk data.  Besides the reliability
issues, which are reason enough, disk compression can impact a BBS's
efficiency where it hurts most:  the hard disk.  A multi-user BBS really
needs as much hard disk speed as it can get.

The other precaution is to disable write-caching if you use the SMARTDrive
program that comes with DOS 6.0.  You can do this by specifying explicitly
the disk drives to cache, for example "SMARTDRV C".


Running the BBS from a Novell Network Drive
-------------------------------------------

If you're running your BBS from a Novell network drive connected to your
computer (for example, if you install The Major BBS on the "M:\BBSV6"
directory and M: on your BBS computer is a network drive on the file
server), you'll need to tell Netware to support a large number of open file
handles.  Since Novell has changed the way a workstation logs onto a
network, you will need to determine which of the three listed methods you
should follow to increase available file handles.

1] You use IPX and NETX to log onto your network - Modify the SHELL.CFG
to include the following line:

     FILE HANDLES = 127

2] You use IPXODI and NETX to log onto your network - Modify the NETX
section of the NET.CFG file or create one if it doesn't exist.
The relevant section of the NET.CFG file should look like:

.                             <--- other sections and parameters
.                                  (don't type these dots in)
.
NETX                          <--- flush against the left margin
     FILE HANDLES = 127       <--- MUST be indented

3] You use IPXODI and VLM to log onto your network - Modify the
NetWare DOS Requester section of the NET.CFG file or create one if it
doesn't exist.  The relevant section of the NET.CFG file should look like:

.                             <--- other sections and parameters
.                                  (don't type these dots in)
.
NetWare DOS Requester         <--- flush against the left margin
     FILE HANDLES = 127       <--- MUST be indented


Whether you use SHELL.CFG or NET.CFG, these files should reside in the same
directory as IPX, IPXODI, NETX, or VLM.  You must also change to the
directory containing these utilities before running them for the
configuration files to be accessed properly.  For additional details please
refer to the manuals that came with your Novell Netware Software.


PC-Cache
--------

If you're using PC-Cache with The Major BBS, you will want to include these
parameters:

     /WRITE=OFF          Disable write caching, or delayed disk writing.
     /SIZEXT=XXXX        Use extended memory for the cache, instead of
                         conventional real-mode memory.  XXXX could be
                         1024 for 1 Megabyte, for example.
     /NOBATCH            Insures that one sector of data is transferred
                         at a time.

Similar considerations apply to other disk cache software:  disable write
caching, and use extended memory rather than real-mode memory.


SMARTDrive
----------

The SMARTDrive that comes with DOS 5.0 is compatible with The Major BBS.
The SMARTDrive that comes with Windows 3.1 and DOS 6.0 however does have
write caching by default.  Disable it by specifying explicitly the disk
drives to cache, for example "SMARTDRV C".


Inline Disk Compression
-----------------------

Don't use inline disk compression software, such as STACKER or DBLSPACE,
with The Major BBS.  This class of software may claim to give you more hard
disk space than you have physically, but the side effects of decreased speed
and write optimization could be dangerous in a BBS application.  We have had
several reports of serious loss of data on the hard disk.


QEMM386, EMM386
---------------

EMM386 always seems to cause an insufficient memory error.  In general, we
don't recommend you use memory manager software with The Major BBS version
6.  These programs may give you more real-mode memory at the expense of
extended memory, but they can slow down the BBS computer.  With The Major
BBS they have no advantage, except perhaps in some very large systems with
many LAN channels if you're running out of real-mode memory (look on the
About screen).


HIMEM.SYS
---------

The capability of DOS version 5 to load DOS into higher memory may not be
compatible with The Major BBS.  There appear to be conflicts with some
customers and no problems with others.  You may wish to leave the lines
"DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS" and "DOS=HIGH" out of your CONFIG.SYS file until you get
your BBS up and running well first.


Please have your registration number ready before you call...
-------------------------------------------------------------

To serve you efficiently, please have your registration number handy when
you call Galacticomm for orders or technical support.  You can find this
8-digit number inside the front cover of your System Operations Manual, on
the online "About" screen, or in the welcoming message when you call your
BBS.

There's more information on page 396 of the System Operations Manual that we
might be able to use when you call to help you get your BBS up and running
the way you want it.  There's also a handy feedback form on page 397.


Displaying this file
--------------------

This file is named both BBSMAIN.RLN and READ.ME.  It is located in your main
BBS directory, usually \BBSV6.  Use your favorite text editor to review this
document at your leisure.  If you have MS-DOS 4.0 or later, you may use the
Edit utility in order to display this document.  The command is "edit
bbsmain.rln" or "edit read.me".  Refer to your MS-DOS documentation for
further information on the Edit utility.

